Dec. 01--What it is: A white India pale ale from Geneva-based Penrose Brewing, a brewery launched this year by two former Goose Island employees. Penrose sticks almost entirely to what it calls Belgian-inspired ales -- meaning the presence of highly-distinctive Belgian yeast -- and Desirous is no exception. The beer is a hybrid of a Belgian witbier and an IPA, so think of it as either a well-hopped witbier or an IPA with Belgian yeast. Introduced in bottles in recent weeks, Desirous joins Penrose's roster of four year-round beers.
In the bottle: Lightly hazy and deep golden blond, the beer leads with an earthy wit spice that leaps out in the nose. But Desirous heads in another direction on the palate, boasting a big piney hop bitterness up front that eventually shares the stage with those Belgian yeast traits: bright earthy funk accompanied by a touch of lemony citrus. Desirous is a true hybrid that expertly balances its white and its IPA.
Alcohol: 6.2 percent
Drink it with: A juicy lighter meat, like roast chicken, pork or even duck. Desirous is bold, zesty and effervescent and accents such meats without running roughshod over them.
Find it: Available in four packs of 12-ounce bottles ($8.99) at better beer stores and on draft at the Penrose tap room (509 Stevens St., Geneva), among other craft-focused bars.
More information: penrosebrewing.com
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