• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, Calif.
• $7.99 / six-pack at metro beverage stores
• Profile: Torpedo Extra IPA is the newest addition to the Sierra Nevada portfolio of year-round beers, joining the ever-popular pale ale, porter and stout. As the name implies, this big West Coast-style ale has a powerful presence (7.2 percent alcohol by volume and 70 international bitterness units). But torpedo actually refers to the shape of the unique device Sierra uses to "dry-hop" the fermenting beer with an infusion of whole-cone hops. Brewed with a blend of Pale, Crystal and Carapils malts, bittered with Magnum hops and finished with a combo of Magnum, Crystal and Citra hops, Torpedo has a complex citrus, pine and herbal character, with tropical fruit notes. A rich copper color under a soft head, its medium body and subtle sweetness give way to a bracing bitterness.
• Pair with: The snappy aroma and bold bitterness of Torpedo make a match for fiery Chinese Sichuan cooking. But almost anything with hot chiles and bright flavors, including Indian, Mexican and Thai dishes, would prove simpatico. Other easy pairings: pizza, saucy chicken wings, aged cheddar.
— Bob Townsend is editor of Southern Brew News, a bimonthly publication distributed throughout the Southeast.
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