Bissel Brothers Substance

Substance comes in a 19-ounce can, which is roughly a pint and a half and works as a single generous pour or a split between two people. The listing gives no ABV or IBU, so what follows describes the style it is generally associated with rather than measured figures. Substance is commonly categorized as a hazy, hop-forward pale ale in the New England mold. Beers in that style usually show juicy citrus, stone fruit and tropical aromas, a soft and round body, and bitterness kept low so the hop flavor reads as fruit rather than sharpness. The listing gives Massachusetts as the state of origin, a region closely tied to that style. Serve it cold but not ice-cold, around 40 to 45°F. Fridge temperature straight from the shelf mutes hop aroma, and a few minutes on the counter lets the fruit character open up. Hazy pale ales also fade quickly, so a freshly opened can will taste more vivid than one that has sat out for a while. A tulip or shaker-style pint glass suits it better than a straight-sided glass, because the curve concentrates hop aroma at the rim. A wide-mouthed IPA glass works too. Pour it with a little vigor to build a head, and decide whether to leave the last of the yeast and hop haze in the can or in the glass. For food, beers like this pair well with anything that has char, spice or fat: fried chicken, tacos al pastor, burgers, and Thai or Indian dishes with moderate heat. The soft carbonation and low bitterness also handle fresh cheeses and citrus-dressed salads without clashing.