This is the third in the Beer Hug series, and I was unaware when I picked the first one up that there even was a Beer Hug series. The first one was the "Hazy" of the series, but this Secret one is also a hazy. Somewhat distressing, as I look at the can, is the bear on the back holding a classified document that describes "umbrella drinks in a can." I'm not sure I know what this means. Are they referring to those god-awful mixed drinks that I was able to get in the can that I did not like whatsoever? Are they trying to draw a parallel between those cans and their beer? Would they want that? Is that good? I'm not sure I understand anything about this marketing.
The beer pours a brassy gold with a white head that sticks around quite a bit. It leaves some lacing on the sides, and it grips the sides with a strong ring on the top of the beer and completely covers as a proper head. The aroma smells heavy - like this is a double IPA. That's especially strange, as the last beer I had from them was a double IPA, and it smelled more like a regular IPA than this does. The 6.5% ABV would place it firmly in the category of an IPA, and the mango and papaya aroma is certainly fruity enough to be an IPA as well.First sip is almost a nothing burger if it weren't for the bitter and somewhat biscuit malt aftertaste. As with a lot of beers I've had lately, this is inoffensive, but it is also ultimately uninspired. More importantly, it's uninspiring. There are beers that I really like, and their beers that I really despise. Then, there are the beers that get lost in the middle with virtually no personality. The sip from this is the kind in the middle. I can't recommend it, but I can't say too much bad about it. Maybe the best things will show up in a full gulp.
Tip-in is light carbonation tingle with tropical fruits mixed with some citrus, but it's not particularly juicy. The middle is sweet and tart with a very nice mix of fruits and malt that is well balanced and easy to gulp. The finish is a twang of bitterness as the fruits roll off the tongue for lemongrass and herbs to take it into the trail off.
Bottom Line: Gulp it, and it's great.
3.25/5