Masthead Brewing Co. has released High Desert IPA, a 6.0% ABV collaboration with Cleveland grocery chain Heinen's. The brewery describes it as a crisp IPA brewed with fresh hatch chiles, timed to hatch chile season.
Hatch chiles are grown in New Mexico's Hatch Valley and typically show up fresh for only a few weeks each late summer, which has made them something of an annual event at grocery stores that carry them, Heinen's included. Brewing with the fresh peppers rather than a chile extract or powder is the more labor-intensive route, since fresh chiles need to be roasted and processed quickly during their short window.
Masthead is also pairing the release with a food special, pointing customers toward a Steak Fajita pizza - roasted hatch chiles, provolone, and fire-roasted salsa - as a match for the beer's spice.
High Desert IPA is available now at Masthead's Cleveland taproom.
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