Bissell Brothers Swish Silver

Swish Silver is an 8.0% ABV, 70 IBU pale ale from Bissell Brothers of Maine, and those two numbers set the terms. The strength puts it in the double-IPA range, and a bitterness figure of 70 is high for a beer marketed as a pale ale. The distributor describes it as hazy, with a juicy profile and tropical and citrus hop character, which is the New England IPA template: soft, opaque, and built on aroma rather than a sharp bitter bite. Expect that fruit-forward hop character to sit over a fuller body than a typical pale ale, with the bitterness present but cushioned. Beers in this style usually show orange, grapefruit, mango or pineapple notes, and Swish Silver's own profile is the tropical-and-citrus one described above. Because the ABV is high and the hop load is heavy, this is a beer that rewards a measured pace. Serve it cold but not frozen, around 7 to 10°C (45 to 50°F). Straight from a very cold fridge, the hop aroma stays muted and the carbonation can feel sharp. Let it sit out of the fridge for five to ten minutes so the fruit esters open up. A tulip or an IPA-style glass is the best choice, since the tapered rim concentrates the hop aromatics. A wide-mouthed shaker pint will work, but it lets the aroma escape quickly. Pour with a gentle swirl near the end if you want some of the yeast and hop haze to carry into the glass. For food, the hop intensity and alcohol strength suit dishes with some heat, fat or char. Spiced fried chicken, carnitas tacos, jerk-seasoned pork, and green or red curries all pair well, as the juicy fruit character answers the spice. Sharp cheddar and washed-rind cheeses stand up to the bitterness, and a charred burger works for the same reason. Very delicate dishes such as plain white fish or light salads would be overwhelmed. If you're pouring it with dessert, aim for something with citrus or carrot cake rather than anything chocolate-heavy, which tends to clash with the hop bitterness.