Ecliptic Starburst IPA

Willamette Valley, USA

Ecliptic Brewing's Starburst IPA from Portland, a brewery founded by former Deschutes head brewer John Harris and themed around astronomical phenomena. Starburst is a hazy, hop-forward IPA that showcases the intersection of Pacific Northwest hop culture and the NEIPA style: tropical and fruity without being cloying, with enough structure to interest serious beer drinkers. Ecliptic's space-themed branding conceals serious technical brewing; Harris is one of the most experienced craft brewers in the Pacific Northwest.

Pairing intelligence

• casual: BBQ ribs demand a beverage that cleanses the sticky sauce between bites without adding complexity that competes with the slow-cooked smokiness. PBR's light, clean profile is precisely calibrated for this role — it is not absence of quality but presence of function.
• casual: Starburst's citrus and tropical hop profile amplifies the Nashville spice while the carbonation resets the capsaicin intensity between bites — a pairing that makes hot food hotter in the best possible way.
• casual: Tropical hop notes in this IPA (mango, passion fruit, citrus) directly complement the lime crema and the light batter on Pacific cod. The bitterness cleanses the fried batter fat. Pickled cabbage's acidity matches the beer's hop acidity. Jalapeño's heat is managed by the carbonation's palate-cooling effect. Fish tacos and IPA is the casual PNW regional pairing.
• casual: Starburst's citrus-dominant IPA profile and tropical fruit hops mirror mango salsa's sweetness while the bitterness cuts chipotle crema's richness.
• amuse: The IPA's citrus-forward hop profile resonates with yuzu's bright acidity; the wasabi heat is cleansed efficiently by the carbonation, delivering a clean, invigorating amuse.