Whalers Rise Apa

Whalers Rise APA is an American pale ale from Massachusetts, sold as a six-pack of cans. The producer's listing gives no ABV, IBU or tasting notes, so what follows describes the style rather than a measured profile of this beer. American pale ales are built on a clean malt backbone of pale or lightly caramelized barley, with American hops doing most of the work. Expect citrus and pine in the aroma, possibly grapefruit, orange peel or a resinous edge, followed by moderate bitterness that finishes fairly dry without lingering. Strength usually falls in the mid-4s to mid-6s percent ABV, which keeps the beer sessionable and lets the hop character stay in front. Cans suit the style well, since they block light and limit oxygen, both of which dull hop aroma over time. At the table, a pale ale handles food with some weight or spice. Burgers, grilled sausages and barbecue chicken meet the caramelized malt and echo the char, while the carbonation and hop bitterness cut through fat. It also stands up to buffalo wings, tacos al pastor, pad thai and moderately spiced curries, and works with sharp cheddar or washed-rind cheeses. Seafood is a good fit as well, particularly fried clams, fish and chips, or a lobster roll, where the hop bite plays the role a squeeze of lemon would. Serve it cold but not frozen, at roughly 40 to 45°F. Straight from a very cold fridge, the hop aroma stays muted, so give the can a few minutes before opening. Pour into a shaker pint or a tulip-style glass rather than drinking from the can, since the glass releases the citrus and pine aromatics and lets the head form. Pour at an angle, straighten the glass as it fills, and leave the last bit of sediment behind if any settles.