HOW TO PAIR BEER WITH EVERYTHING: Blitzkrieg Hops by Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company

Brewer: Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company

Style: American Double/Imperial IPA

ABV: 9.00%

Description: Neshaminy Creek’s Blitzkrieg Hops pours a deep orange amber hue with an off-white head that leaves a thick lacing on the glass. The aroma is filled with decadent hop notes of oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, pineapples, and mangoes backed by a subtly sweet malt bill. The taste follows the nose, but the malt hits the palate first with a smooth, sweet taste, followed by an invasion of hops with citrus and tropical fruits being the most apparent, followed by restrained pine and floral hop notes that finish with a lingering hop bite on the palate. The medium-full mouthfeel and moderate carbonation give this beer a creamy, yet lively feeling across the palate.

This is most certainly one of the best DIPA’s available, and the combination of English malts and hops to deliver an American-style DIPA is genius and a true showcase of the skills of the brewer. Blitzkrieg Hops is a must-try for all who worship at the altar of hops!

Ideal setting: The high ABV makes a case for this to be a beer enjoyed at home. However, the strength of the hops will most certainly keep you awake long into the evening. The availability in a can also makes the argument for this to be a beer enjoyed out with friends at your favorite corner bar or a punk show!

Ideal music: The name and images on the can will immediately put you in the mood for punk music. However, no pop punk music here – this is a beer that deserves some true classics in the genre.

Some great albums to enjoy with Blitzkrieg Hops are:

Ramones – “Rocket to Russia”
Sex Pistols – “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols”
Iggy and the Stooges – “Raw Power”
The Clash – “The Clash”
Dead Kennedys – “Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables”
Misfits – “Walk Among Us”

Ideal movie: The vibrant hop profile and punk rock imagery immediately put one in the mood for something loud, in your face and, of course, fun. Movies with a punk rock attitude, music, and good vibe make for the best pairing.

Some great films to watch while enjoying Blitzkrieg Hops are:

“Rock ‘n’ Roll High School”
“Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama”
“SLC Punk!”
“The Decline of Western Civilization”
“American Hardcore”
“The Other F Word”

Ideal book: Books should take you on an adventure, whether it is to another universe or just another person’s viewpoint. Blitzkrieg Hops will pack enough punch to settle even the most ADD-raddled brain down to read a great story focused on life in the punk rock scene. The stories are always interesting and filled with truth and heart.

Some great books to read with Founders Blitzkrieg Hops are:

“Get in the Van” by Henry Rollins
“Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991” by Michael Azerrad
“Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk” by Gillian McCain and Legs McNeil
“Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone” by Marky Ramone
“Girls to the Front: The True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution” by Sara Marcus

The perfect experience: Blitzkrieg Hops is best enjoyed while with friends enjoying your favorite punk band at your favorite venue. However, if this is not possible, whether it’s due to the band’s demise or lack of touring, enjoying a can of this world-class beer with friends while listening to a classic punk record. Yes, I said record – accept no substitute!

[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]How to Pair Beer with Everything is a weekly column about stimulating all of the senses through beer. Look for it every Thursday on NEPA Scene.[/dropshadowbox]