Modern Times Orderville
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Tasting Notes
Orderville leads with a bright, resinous hop aroma — pine and citrus pith up front, with some tropical fruit underneath. On the palate it's moderately bitter with a firm malt backbone that keeps it from going too lean; there's grapefruit rind and a touch of stone fruit mid-sip. The body is medium, not watery, and the finish is dry with lingering bitterness that doesn't overstay its welcome. It's a well-centered West Coast-leaning IPA that doesn't chase trends so much as execute a familiar template cleanly.
About the Brewery
Modern Times is based in San Diego, California, founded in 2013 by Jacob McKean. They built a reputation quickly on bold, well-executed hoppy beers and inventive stouts, and their Fortunate Islands wheat IPA became something of a gateway beer in the San Diego craft scene. They operate multiple tasting rooms and a coffee roasting operation under the same brand, and have maintained a strong following despite some reported internal turbulence in recent years.
Food Pairings
The resinous bitterness and citrus character here work well against fatty foods — a burger with sharp cheddar gives the hops something to cut through. Fish tacos with a lime crema play into the citrus notes without fighting them. Spicy dishes like Thai green curry benefit from the malt backbone tempering heat while the hops match the aromatics. A sharp aged gouda also holds its own against the bitterness, and grilled chicken thighs with herb seasoning complement the piney, resinous hop profile without being overwhelmed.
Style Guide
American IPA is defined by assertive hop bitterness, aroma, and flavor — typically showcasing citrus, pine, or tropical fruit depending on the hop varieties used — balanced against a supportive but not dominant malt base. The style emerged from American craft brewers in the 1980s and 90s pushing the limits of the traditional English IPA toward higher bitterness and more expressive dry-hopping. It sits between the hazy New England IPA (softer, juicier, low bitterness) and the Double IPA (higher ABV, more intensity) — the American IPA is the baseline from which most modern hop-forward styles branch.