HOW TO PAIR BEER WITH EVERYTHING: Pinedrops IPA by Deschutes Brewery
Beer: Pinedrops IPA
Brewer: Deschutes Brewery
Style: American IPA
ABV: 6.50%
Description: Pinedrops IPA pour a bright, clear golden hue with a bright white frothy head that leaves a thick lacing on the glass. The aroma is very refreshing, with strong hop notes dominated by pine up front, followed by citrus and tropical fruits in the background with very subtle hints of sweet malts present. The taste follows the nose, with hops hitting the palate first, again dominated by wonderfully sweet pine, followed quickly by hints of grapefruit, lemon, and tropical fruits. The semi-sweet malts wash over quickly to maintain balance before a dry finish takes over.
The medium body and moderate carbonation help give this beer its undeniably refreshing characteristic and makes it an IPA that’s a must-try for all fans of the style!
Ideal setting: The fresh pine and citrus notes from the hops will surely awaken the senses, so it is best enjoyed while outdoors. This is the perfect beer to have on hand for an afternoon hike into the woods with friends – just be sure to bring plenty of this great beer, and don’t forget the bug spray!
Ideal music: Notes of pine and an outdoor feel always seems to elicit the desire for great indie folk music. Something about beards, flannel, and an acoustic guitar seems fitting in the wilderness, and the woodsy feel of this beer also pairs well with this music!
Some great albums to enjoy with Pinedrops IPA are:
- Chuck Ragan – “Feast or Famine”
- The Avett Brothers – “I and Love and You”
- The Wailin’ Jennys – “40 Days”
- Mumford & Sons – “Babel”
- Langhorne Slim & the Law – “The Way We Move”
Ideal movie: The outdoors is a setting for fantastic adventures, terrifying ordeals, or laugh-out-loud comedies. Whatever mood you are in, this is a great beer to have while watching a movie set in the outdoors, and it will only enhance the experience of this world-class IPA.
Some great movies to watch with Pinedrops IPA are:
- “The Great Outdoors”
- “The Edge”
- “Deliverance”
- “A River Runs Through It”
- “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil”
Ideal book: While this beer will most definitely inspire a need to get outdoors, there are some who would rather not set foot in the woods for one reason or another. Thankfully, there are endless selections of books that can transplant you into the wilderness that are a perfect read while drinking this fresh IPA.
Some great books to read with Pinedrops IPA are:
- “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau
- “Nature and Other Essays” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “Leaves of Grass” by Walt Whitman
- “A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail” by Bill Bryson
- “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” by Cheryl Strayed
The perfect experience: Pinedrops IPA is the perfect outdoor beer, but not an outdoor relaxing beer. This is instead the perfect beer to bring along for outdoor summer fun. Take all your camping provisions, a good book, and plenty of this beer and have a transcendent experience in the woods.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you’re a fan of this column, be sure to check out the latest episode of the brand new How to Pair with Everything Podcast, available now on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and nepascene.com!
