Tupps Brewery heats up its pale ale with poblano

The partnership of spicy food and cold beer is an undeniable classic. Feel the burn, quench the thirst: It’s simple and beautiful.

As with everything involving beer, there’s always a bit of a debate on which kind of beer is best for each situation. Many will eternally swear that American light lagers quench hot wings best, while others stake their claim on Mexican light lagers for spicy Tex-Mex.

Craft beer’s foray into this conversation only complicates the matter. Witbier can do wonders to tame the flame, while IPAs can both calm down spice and accentuate it in their own way. The science of taste is never an exact one.

Even further complicating this paradigm are chile beers. Admittedly, it’s a weird-sounding concept. But, in the world of craft beer, there is something for just about every palate, and beers with peppers used in the brew are no exception.

Although the concept is becoming more common, it isn’t a new one. Colorado’s Twisted Pine Brewing produces two famous examples. Billy’s Chilies is well-liked for showing some restraint on the use of peppers, while Ghost Face Killah is more of a dizzying trial than an enjoyable beverage experience. California’s Stone, Green Flash and Ballast Point breweries have all made forays into the pepper beer game as well with varying results.

McKinney’s Tupps Brewery joins the crowd with one of its five beers currently available in cans. Its wheat, pale ale, IPA and black ale are well done, but relatively straightforward. It’s the fifth beer in the lineup that’s the eyebrow-raiser.

Northbound 75 is a pale ale with fire-roasted poblano peppers added, and the result is a beer that is as hop-forward as it is peppery. The flavor from the poblanos is certainly up front, and for some drinkers, this is all they’ll taste. Give it a little more attention and you’ll notice that hop flavor dances back and forth with the smoky peppers and helps give it some balance.

Chile and pepper beers aren’t for everyone. But if you’re looking for a different spin on the beer-versus-spicy relationship, Northbound 75 is worth your attention.

Quick sips

Shannon turns two: Shannon Brewing is celebrating its second anniversary with a party Saturday at the brewery, 818 N. Main St. in Keller. The event will feature 10 special beers as well as Shannon’s regular fare. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $20-$35. shannonbrewing.com.

This story was originally published August 22, 2016 at 11:19 AM with the headline "Tupps Brewery heats up its pale ale with poblano."