HOW TO PAIR BEER WITH EVERYTHING: Modus Hoperandi by Ska Brewing Company
Beer: Modus Hoperandi
Brewer: Ska Brewing Company
Style: American IPA
ABV: 6.80%
Description: Modus Hoperandi pours a deep amber hue with a frothy off-white head that leaves traces of lacing behind on the glass. The aroma is decadently hoppy, yet very balanced, which is a precursor for the beer itself. Strong notes of citrus and pine from the hops are most definitely front and center, with strong backing notes of sweet caramel malts. The taste follows the nose but is surprisingly malt forward. The sweet malts cascade over the tongue and lay the foundation for the hop assault that is to follow, with strong flavors of grapefruit and pine endlessly assaulting the taste buds before the malts rush in on the back-end to provide relief and balance. The result of the balance is an IPA that is both dank and sticky sweet, providing a world-class drinking experience.
The medium to full body and moderate carbonation are perfect for the style. Modus Hoperandi is a textbook example of the American IPA style and is a must-try for all who love hops!
Ideal setting: The bright hop notes and can package makes this a great beer to have when attending any music venue to see your favorite band. Modus Hoperandi is most definitely a social beer and is best shared with like-minded friends.
Ideal music: Ska music has had a very devoted fan base since its inception. The genre, though, only crossed over into the mainstream for a very short period of time. However, it is still thriving in many areas and remains quite enjoyable, especially when paired with a phenomenal IPA such as Modus Hoperandi.
Some great albums to enjoy with Modus Hoperandi are:
- Less Than Jake – “Losing Streak”
- Reel Big Fish – “Turn the Radio Off”
- Slapstick – “Slapstick”
- Link 80 – “17 Reasons”
- Skankin’ Pickle – “Sing Along with Skankin’ Pickle”
- Mustard Plug – “Evildoers Beware!”
Ideal movie: The bright hop characters with solid malt backbone make this a perfectly balanced IPA that is ripe for chugging. While some may chug beers and watch cars go ‘round in circles, a good beer with a great movie is always vastly more entertaining. This is a beer that screams out for music-based films. Whether they’re documentaries or dramas, the key here is good music and great beer.
Some great films to watch while enjoying Modus Hoperandi are:
- “SLC Punk”
- “American Hardcore”
- “The Punk Rock Movie”
- “In Heaven There Is No Beer”
- “A Band Called Death”
- “What We Do Is Secret”
Ideal book: Music is always enjoyable, with or without beer, but when the planets align and beer comes along to partner with music or books, it makes a good evening great. There is an endless supply of books covering the rock music scene, but books that dive headfirst into the punk subgenre pair best with this classic beer.
Some great books to read with Modus Hoperandi are:
- “Punk USA: The Rise and Fall of Lookout Records” by Kevin Prested
- “This Music Leaves Stains: The Complete Story of the Misfits” by James Greene Jr.
- “NYHC: New York Hardcore 1980-1990” by Tony Rettman
- “Gimme Something Better: The Profound, Progressive, and Occasionally Pointless History of Bay Area Punk from Dead Kennedys to Green Day” by Jack Boulware and Silke Tudor
- “Touch and Go: The Complete Hardcore Punk Zine ’79-’83” by Tesco Vee and Dave Stimson
The perfect experience: Modus Hoperandi is a perfect beer to help soak up what’s left of the summer season. Crack open a can of this delicious IPA and crank up some awesome music for the best drinking experience!
