Southern Tier Unearthly
Southern Tier Brewing Co., Lakewood, New York

$6.99/22-ounce bottle; also available on draft at select beer bars.

Profile: The recent arrival of Southern Tier in the Atlanta market has been a boon to lovers of big, hoppy ales. At 11 % alcohol by volume, Unearthly Imperial IPA is the brewery’s most aggressive offering. A profusion of Cascade and Chinook hops in the kettle is followed by Styrian Golding in the hopback. Finally, Unearthly is dry-hopped with a combo of Chinook, Cascade and Centennial. Carapils and red wheat malts smooth out the edges of this serious hop bomb, making it surprisingly easy to drink.

Pair with: Like other big, hoppy beers, Unearthly makes a natural companion for piquant, complex foods, including Asian, Indian and Mexican dishes. Try it with Neapolitan-style pizza with spicy sopressata and hot peppers.

Bob Townsend is editor of Southern Brew News, a bimonthly beer publication distributed throughout the Southeast: brewingnews.com/southernbrew