Exhibit A The Cats Meow

The Cats Meow is an IPA from Exhibit A, brewed in Massachusetts and listed at 6.5% ABV. That puts it in the middle of the IPA range: enough strength to carry a firm hop presence, but not so heavy that it tires the palate over a full pint. The IBU field for this beer is listed as zero, which is almost certainly a missing data point rather than a measurement, so don't read it as a claim that the beer has no bitterness. Without a published recipe, it's fair to set expectations from the style. IPAs at this strength usually pair a pronounced hop aroma, often citrus, pine, resin or tropical fruit depending on the hop varieties, with a malt backbone that stays in the background and a bitterness that lingers briefly on the finish. Whether The Cats Meow leans bright and juicy or drier and more resinous is a question for the first glass. Serve it cold but not frozen, around 40 to 45°F (4 to 7°C). Straight from a very cold fridge, hop aromatics tend to stay muted, so a few minutes on the counter pays off. A tulip or a shaped IPA glass is the best choice because the narrowing rim concentrates the hop aroma; a standard pint glass works fine for casual drinking, and a plain shaker pint is an acceptable fallback. At the table, the hop bitterness and moderate alcohol suit foods with fat, salt or spice. Burgers, fried chicken, wings, carnitas tacos and sharp cheddar are natural matches, as are curries and Thai dishes with a moderate heat level, where the carbonation helps reset the palate between bites. Avoid very delicate dishes, such as lightly dressed white fish or subtle desserts, which a hoppy beer will tend to overpower.