Papago Desert Sage Orange IPA
Huss Brewing Co

Poured into pint glass: color is gold/orange, transparent, head is off white and presents 1+ finger thick with frothy head that then laces and lingers quite well.

Smell is orange zest mixed with citric hops, herbal note, sage is there but hidden behind the orange and hops, some honey like notes from the agave, sweet note but not really caramel like.

Taste is similarly big orange, citric hop character, more caramel/honey like sweetness, some herbal notes with sage like note less; orange, agave, sage combine for a unique IPA flavor that is better than many, many IPA variants today (ahem, hazy).

Mouthfeel is low/moderate carbonation, moderate sweetness, moderate bitterness: bigger sweet/bitterness than the average current IPA but more in the west coast ipa styling.

Overall this fit the hole of my new IPA that is not a hazy in a big way - the orange/sage/agave helped bring it it to fruition, leaning towards the hopped, bitter side of the IPA style.

Mouthfeel is

Pours beautiful golden copper hue with nice frothy foamy cap from a can. Notes of citrus, bitter grapefruit and lemon zest with a hint of honey and sage. Local Arizona citrus IPA brew at 6.5% ABV

Picked up a 6-pk of 12 oz cans, poured one into a pint glass.

L - Pours a faintly hazy copper amber color with about a finger of slightly off-white head that sticks around throughout and leaves a generous lacing. Looks similar to the main orange blossom brew.

S - Very orangey, almost like marmalade, syrupy (agave), honey, orange blossom, grapefruit rind, earthy hops, biscuit malt, the sage is present but very faint.

T - Follows the nose with lots of sweetness up front. Orange, marmalade, honey, agave, citrus, biscuit malt, was hoping for more bitter hop presence being designated an IPA but it's dominated by the fruit and malt characteristics.

F - Light-to-medium bodied, moderate carbonation, good warming quality, slightly sticky but drinkable and finishes fairly clean for all the uniqueness it carries. Wouldn't have more than 1 or 2 in a session but not overpoweringly heavy.

O - I guess I've grown to appreciate the more bitter-forward IPAs over time as this one is definitely more fruit and sweet-forward with the orange zest and agave. The description states it's "brewed with orange zest, a hint of sage + agave to represent the flavors and smells of the desert." Was kind of hoping for that scent of petrichor after a nice summer monsoon upon opening the can, but orange blossom, agave, and the southwest and definitely all present in this beer. A nice offering from Papago and an approachable IPA.