Trillium Death Matte 4Pk

Trillium Death Matte 4Pk is a 9.7% ABV Imperial IPA brewed by Trillium Brewing Company in Massachusetts, sold as a four-pack. At 9.7% ABV, Death Matte lands squarely in high-gravity IPA territory, where concentrated hop intensity and a fuller malt backbone define the drinking experience.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.7%  |  Origin: Massachusetts, USA  |  Style: Imperial IPA  |  Brewery: Trillium Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Trillium Brewing Company is a Massachusetts-based craft brewery widely recognized for its commitment to hop-forward ales, particularly within the New England IPA tradition. Death Matte sits among the brewery's higher-gravity releases, with its 9.7% ABV placing it well above standard IPA strength and into Imperial (double IPA) classification. The elevated alcohol content requires a more substantial grain bill to support fermentation to that level, which typically yields a richer body than lower-ABV IPAs in the same lineup.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Concentrated hop aromatics lead the nose, with layers of tropical fruit, citrus peel, and a resinous pine quality common to the Imperial IPA style. At this ABV, subtle warmth may also register beneath the hop-forward top notes.

Taste: The palate opens with assertive hop flavor, moving through waves of tropical and stone fruit before a supportive malt sweetness emerges at the mid-palate. Bitterness is prominent but balanced by the fuller body that the high-gravity grain bill provides. The 9.7% ABV introduces a gentle warming sensation that rounds out each sip without tipping into harshness.

Finish: A sustained bitterness lingers alongside citrus pith and pine resin. The finish carries moderate length, with residual malt sweetness and hop oils tapering slowly.

How to Drink Death Matte

Pour Death Matte into a tulip glass or wide-mouth IPA glass at a cool but not ice-cold temperature, around 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, to allow the hop aromatics to open fully. The higher ABV and bold flavor profile make it well suited for sipping on its own rather than mixing, though Imperial IPAs can hold their own in certain cocktail applications.

• IPA Shandy: Blend with fresh lemonade to temper the bitterness while keeping the tropical hop character front and center.
• Hop Drop: Float a half-ounce of citrus gin on top for a layered botanical-meets-hop experience that complements the resinous notes.
• Beer Margarita: Substitute Death Matte for a standard lager in a beer margarita, where the hop intensity pairs well with lime and salt.

Best For

• Sharing among hop enthusiasts during a craft beer tasting session
• Pairing with rich, spicy dishes where the beer's body can stand up to bold flavors
• Gifting to a dedicated IPA drinker looking for higher-gravity releases
• Weekend sipping when a single, full-flavored pour is preferred over multiple lighter beers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Death Matte taste like? Death Matte is an Imperial IPA at 9.7% ABV, so expect concentrated hop bitterness layered with tropical fruit, citrus, and pine resin, supported by a substantial malt backbone that adds body and mild sweetness.

Is Death Matte good for sipping neat? Yes, Imperial IPAs at this ABV are best enjoyed slowly from a proper glass at around 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, where the complexity of the hop bill and malt balance can be appreciated without the numbing effect of extreme cold.

Where is Death Matte made? Death Matte is brewed by Trillium Brewing Company in Massachusetts, USA, a brewery that has become closely associated with the New England IPA style.

What foods pair well with Death Matte? Spicy Thai or Indian curries work well because the hop bitterness cuts through rich, creamy sauces. Sharp aged cheddar complements the malt sweetness. Grilled burgers with blue cheese echo the beer's bold intensity. Fish tacos with mango salsa mirror the tropical hop notes. Dark chocolate desserts contrast the bitterness with sweetness for a satisfying finish.

What sizes does Death Matte come in? Death Matte is available as a four-pack.

Is Death Matte worth the price? Death Matte positions as a premium craft release within Trillium's lineup, and Imperial IPAs at 9.7% ABV generally command a higher price point than standard-strength IPAs due to the greater volume of hops and malt required in production. For drinkers who gravitate toward high-gravity, hop-intensive beers, the style delivers a level of concentration and complexity that justifies the step up from entry-level IPAs.

Why Death Matte?

At 9.7% ABV, Death Matte occupies the upper reaches of what Trillium releases in the IPA family, where the brewing challenge lies in pushing hop intensity and alcohol content without losing drinkability. Imperial IPAs demand a carefully calibrated grain bill to avoid cloying sweetness, and the style rewards breweries that can keep bitterness, malt, and alcohol in proportion. Trillium's track record with hop-forward ales makes Death Matte a release worth attention from drinkers who want more gravity and complexity than a standard New England IPA provides. The four-pack format makes it practical to share or to revisit across several sessions, letting the beer show different facets at different temperatures as it warms in the glass.