As the selection of craft beer at the LCBO improves, the answer to “what should I try next?” becomes more complicated than just “whatever you can get your hands on.” Picking up a bottle of Italian craft beer has (unexpectedly) become a safe bet, and the Birrificio del Ducato BIA IPA is no exception.
I have often contemplated how it is that Italian craft brewers are making such headway, and I think, more than anything, their success must be at least partly due to their access to such an adventurous home market. On top of their passion for flavourful drinks, most Italians consider wine to be their default beverage, so the country’s brewers are less tied to producing a bland, mainstay beer to capture the Joe Sixpack market. Craftsmanship is important in Italy, and this beer carries the artisanal claim right in its name — the “A” in “BIA” stands for “artigianale.”
Out of the eye-catching bottle, this IPA pours a hazy orange-gold with a persistent and sizeable foamy cap. Its complex aroma is full of citrus peel, earthy pine resin, herbal notes — which remind me of dill seed — and a touch of caramel sweetness. On the palate, it has a medium-light texture and good carbonation. The flavour brings that marmalade-on-toast balance between bitter, citrus and juicy notes against the support of bready-malt sweetness.
For me, the BIA IPA lands squarely in the sessionable IPA category. That’s beer geek jargon for, “This is not too bitter, I could drink three or four of these on a sunny afternoon in a friend’s backyard.” While we’re out there, grilled meats with honey, citrus, black pepper or garlic in their sauces or marinades would be a great partner for this beer.
Birrificio del Ducato BIA IPA, $3.05 for a 330 ml bottle, LCBO #306845
In addition to covering beer, new restaurants and food trucks for Post City, David Ort writes about food and drink for several Toronto publications including Spotlight Toronto and his own site, Food With Legs. For more of his thoughts on food, beer and life in general, follow him on Twitter.