
First sip is NICE. It has the easy citrus calmness of a California IPA, and I really like the way it's full of flavor without needing to assault the senses. As a sipping beer, I can already say that this is among the best of the all-day IPA styles. It is simple enough to just drain the can right now, but it's not harsh on the front or back end, so you can sip it like you know how many calories are in a beer (177 in this case).
Tip-in is very citrus (mostly orange and maybe tangerine) with carbonation tingling around the outside. The malt is very light bread that is just keeping the bitterness at bay. The middle is a very smooth light grain and citrus with spices highlighting the hops to the point that I think I can even taste floral hints. The finish comes in with almost nothing. It's odd - it kind of fades away, and then it has a glimmer of bitterness as it flashes over the horizon in the trail-off.
Bottom Line: Maybe I should move to the West Coast. These beers are just sensational.
4.25/5