First Posted: 3/16/2015
Glassware: Pinner is another IPA with a stellar hop aroma profile. A glass that captures this aroma will make for the most enjoyable drinking session. The Spiegelau IPA glass will of course be great for this beer but a snifter or tulip glass will also do a great job.
Description: Pinner pours a clear, bright golden hue with a brilliant white head that recedes and leaves very little lacing on the glass. The aroma is wonderful, filled with tropical and citrus fruits, with strong notes of grapefruit and pineapple balanced with subtle spicing and pine. The taste follows the nose but isn’t a hop bomb by any means. Instead it is very soothing and approachable in the hop profile. Hints of tropical and citrus fruits wash over the palate first, followed by delicate tastes of pine balanced against light biscuit malt, provides just enough backbone to maintain perfect balance. The light mouhtfeel and moderate carbonation are impeccable for the session IPA style. Pinner is both easy drinking and full flavored while maintaining balance all put together in the 4.9 percent ABV, a feat not easily attained. However, Oskar Blues has absolutely hit a homerun with this delicious session IPA that may become your new favorite.
Food pairing: The light and airy qualities of Pinner make it a great pairing for many lighter dishes. Pinner is a great beer to pair with many fish dishes. The three best to pair with are orange roughy, catfish, and swordfish as they are not too oily or overly “fishy” in taste and provide a wonderful balance against the bright hop profile. This is also a great beer to have with any assortment of salads whether they are topped with chicken, shrimp or fruit, the light malts and bright hops are excellent. Pinner is a fantastic beer to pair with many American favorites, especially pizza and don’t be afraid to put some toppings high, the hops will pair wonderful while the malt bill will grab onto the crust and never let go. Since the weather is finally starting to warm up the idea of cooking on the grill may be simmering in the back of the mind. Pinner goes perfectly with many popular grilled items such as hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken!
The final word: Oskar Blues has long been at the forefront in the craft beer industry with world class beers such as Ten Fidy and Dale’s Pale Ale, not to mention they are long ahead of the trend curve when it comes to canning craft beer. The brewery’s latest release, Pinner, may be a throwback, but this is still an IPA that can compete with the best of them. Pinner is full of hop notes with a subtle sweet malt bill that drinks like a higher ABV beer but has a wonderful 4.9 percent ABV which makes it a great beer to have for any upcoming trips this spring/summer. The convenience of the can also makes a strong argument for the greatness of this beer. Any fans of IPA’s must try it, but it is balanced enough that it could make for a wonderful first time IPA for anyone looking to get into the style but still have not found that gateway beer.
Where can I get it? : Currently available in 12 oz. cans at: Backyard Ale House- Scranton; AuRant’s- Duryea; J & H Beer- Plains Twp; Loading Dock- Dunmore; Sabatini’s Pizza- Exeter; The Tomato Bar- Pittston.
Remember, enjoy responsibly.
