HOW TO PAIR BEER WITH EVERYTHING: 077XX by Carton Brewing Company
Beer: 077XX
Brewer: Carton Brewing Company
Style: American Double IPA
ABV: 7.80%
Description: 077XX pours a hazy golden orange hue with a frothy white head that leaves a thick layer of lacing behind on the glass. The aroma is a showcase of hops with a huge tropical fruit punch up front and touches of citrus, resin, and grapefruit backing. The taste very much follows the nose again, with a huge tropical fruit display opening on the palate first in the form of mango and pineapple and backing citrus notes like grapefruit, oranges, and lemons. After the hops rush over the taste buds, the semi-sweet malts rush in to provide relief with a wonderful creamy mouthfeel. The crisp, long, dry finish is absolutely perfect for this beer and leaves you wanting more. The 7.8 percent will most definitely catch up quick, though, so keep that in mind, as there is no appearance of any alcohol heat in the beer.
077XX is an absolute must-try beer for all who love hops or for those who already claim to have a favorite IPA – one sip and this may be your new favorite!
Ideal setting: 077XX is best enjoyed while surrounded by friends soaking up the last rays of sunshine as the transition into fall occurs. The bright flavors will enliven and invigorate, and while it is great for a night out, it is ideal to enjoy while outside in the sun.
Ideal music: Carton Brewing is located in New Jersey, and while as proud Pennsylvanians we feel it is our God-given right to make fun of Jersey, there are some really solid bands that have come out of that state – not to mention some world-class beers! Upbeat rock music always makes any day better, so why not put on some phenomenal NJ acts to enjoy with a phenomenal NJ beer?
Some great albums to enjoy with 077XX are:
- Lifetime – “Jersey’s Best Dancers”
- The Gaslight Anthem – “Handwritten”
- The Bouncing Souls – “How I Spent My Summer Vacation”
- Bigwig – “UnMerry Melodies”
- Saves the Day – “Through Being Cool”
- Thursday – “Full Collapse”
Ideal movie: A solid IPA should always awaken the senses with a flavorful hop presence, but it should possess great balance and not overwhelm the palate. A movie that has equal balance of thought and action is a great pairing with 077XX. Any action movie can simply blow things up over and over, but one where the hero is smart and still able to throw a good punch is the perfect match for this delicious IPA.
Some great films to watch while enjoying 077XX are:
- “Die Hard”
- “The Bourne Identity”
- “Léon: The Professional”
- “The Matrix”
- “Skyfall”
- “Raiders of the Lost Ark”
Ideal book: As the summer months become a distant memory until next year, this is the perfect time of year to relax outside with a great beer and book. The hop profile of the beer is very fruit-forward and tropical, and it’s a great pairing with books that transport you to faraway lands, fiction or nonfiction.
Some great books to read with 077XX are:
- “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- “Starship Troopers” by Robert A. Heinlein
- “Dune” by Frank Herbert
- “The Lord of the Rings” by J. R. R. Tolkien
- “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
The perfect experience: 077XX is best experienced during a late afternoon party over the weekend with a small gathering of friends and great music playing in the background. The beer has enough complexities to be a wonderful talking point, but it is drinkable enough to make everyone in attendance happy.
