Wicked Weed Pernicious IPA
No ratings yet — be the first to log it.
Tasting Notes
Pernicious leads with a dense wave of tropical and citrus aromas — mango, passionfruit, grapefruit peel — underpinned by a faint resinous pine note. On the palate it's medium-bodied with a juicy, fruit-forward character that keeps bitterness in check without going soft; the hop presence is assertive but not abrasive. The malt backbone is lean enough to stay out of the way, letting the hops carry the mid-palate. The finish is moderately bitter and lingers with a dry citrus quality that invites another sip.
About the Brewery
Wicked Weed is based in Asheville, North Carolina, where they opened in 2012 and quickly became one of the most prominent craft breweries in the Southeast. They built their early reputation on hop-forward beers before developing an extensive sour and wild ale program that earned national attention. The brewery was acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2017, a move that generated controversy in the craft beer community, though their beer portfolio has remained largely consistent in quality.
Food Pairings
Pernicious works well with spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes because the tropical fruit character in the hops mirrors the flavors in dishes built around lemongrass, lime, and chili. A classic cheeseburger with sharp cheddar is a natural match since the beer's bitterness cuts through fat while the hops complement the char. Grilled or blackened fish tacos find a natural partner here, the citrus notes tying directly to the lime-forward garnishes. Aged cheddar or a firm gouda on a cheese board also holds up well, the salt drawing out more fruit from the hop profile.
Style Guide
The American IPA is defined by its prominent hop character — typically citrus, pine, tropical fruit, or floral — and a moderate-to-assertive bitterness that distinguishes it from its English predecessor, which leans maltier and earthier. ABVs generally run between 6% and 7.5%, with a relatively dry, lean malt base designed to showcase the hops rather than balance them. The style emerged from the American craft brewing boom of the 1980s and 1990s, with West Coast breweries like Sierra Nevada and Stone helping codify the format. It sits between the lighter session IPA and the more intense double IPA, making it the baseline reference point for the broader IPA category.