India Pale Ale + Barbecue

I still remember the first time I tried drinking an India pale ale, or "IPA."  At my favorite local beer bar, I asked the bartender if I could try a sample of Boulder Brewing Company's "Mojo IPA."  After one sip, I thought "JESUS CHRIST, that's too strong!"  So, I drank a different beer.  Then, for reasons beyond my explanation, I wanted to order a glass of Mojo IPA.


Something about the flavor of hops is enticing and enchanting.  Hops are indeed bitter little monkeys, but they impart citrusy, floral, piney, and earthy flavors, depending on the variety and how much are used in a batch of beer.  Americna IPAs happen to be the hoppiest of all beers, and their intense bite and sharpness makes them a perfect pairing for barbecue.

An India pale ale melds perfectly with spicier varieties of barbecue.  A beer such as Bear Republic's zesty, brownish colored "Hop Rod Rye" would pair beautifully with Texas-style salt and pepper beef barbecue.  Go nuts with the pepper, add a dash of hot sauce, and you've got a great pairing.  Smuttynose "Finestkind" IPA, a particularly bitter unfiltered ale with a distinct grapefruit-ish flavor, could stand up to tangy, peppery Carolina pork barbecue.

Then, there's the big, badass cousin of the IPA... the DOUBLE IPA.  Let's say you're a "best of all worlds" barbecue person... you like your ribs with a spicy, generous dry rub, but you also like a Kansas City-style sweet, tangy, honey or molasses-infused sauce.  Buy yourself a four-pack of Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, the bigger brother of their standard 60 Minute IPA.  The beer's bitterness and high alcohol level (9% ABV) is offset by pineappley, honey-like flavors.  This might also be a great beer for making beerbecue sauce (and yes, you can expect a recipe on Sizzle Grove in the near future).

Are you man enough to handle the hops?  Or woman enough?  Tell us about your favorite IPA.  And as always, if you need advice about more kinds of beer to serve with your barbecue, just ask us!  Inquiries may be sent to sizzlegrove@hotmail.com. 

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