Free Solo Azacca
Sawtooth Brewery

the latest in their single hop hazy pale series, this one with azacca, historically not one of my favorite hops, but this showcases it in a softer, more dry hoppy context, and the rest of the beer is good, compatible, and even flattering to this varietal, so i enjoyed it quite well, more than expected. ive associated azacca with high intensity, weird spiciness, and things like rotting citrus and composting lawn clippings, but its bright to me in this, without overt bitterness or greenness, and incorporated very well in aroma and flavor without dominating, perhaps best suited to pale ale and not ipa if this brew is any indication. soft haze, pale straw colored, short but airy white head from the tap. strong nose of preserved lemon, green tea, and papaya or guava, more tropical than i am used to from this varietal, and most of that comes through in the flavor too, more gentle, riding a wave of what must be white wheat malt, splendid freshness, some hop oils swirling, light white pepper but it never gets to its usual spiciness, faintly green on the swallow but still a beer i would describe as somewhat delicate. lower bitterness, good balance, long and smooth. this is tasty, well made, and informative, perhaps turning me back on to this hop a little bit. cool series, i am bummed to have missed what look like some pretty exotic ones recently...