There is never a better time than the middle of a ridiculously hot summer to crack open a hoppy winter seasonal brew. Okay, some people might argue that but Ska's Euphoria should be proof of how well a can of craft beer will hold it's flavor and hopefully provide some comfort on yet another warm evening.

From the Ska site:

"“This seasonal beer is brewed in the Do It Yourself (DIY) spirit along with our friends from Bayfield at the Venture Snowboard Factory. An India Pale Ale, the Euphoria is crafted with piles and piles of Golding hops to provide a unique spicy finish. Great for after hitting the slopes. Anarchic enlightenment: (1) Brewed in strict accordance to D.I.Y. methodology, the beer of choice for epic powder days. (2) brewed and bottled (I think they mean canned) by Ska Brewing Company, Durango Colorado using the finest hops, yeast, malted barley and San Juan waters.”"

Here we go...

Pour - clean, clear dark amber, sort of chestnut in color with a nice thick head on top. Looks absolutely gorgeous after being freed from it's aluminum prison after many months.

Aroma - citrusy hops, lots of lemon aroma along with some spicy or astringent notes. Some powdered sugar along with a nice sweet caramel smell. After thing is in perfect order, just as it was when it went into the can quite some time ago. 

Taste - a big sip and a nice smack of bitter, yet spicy and very citrusy, hops coat the tongue. This is tangy and finishes with a sort of peppery flavor. A decent amount of malt back things up and the dryness of my tongue keeps plunging my face back into the glass. Very balanced, no massive hop bomb nor has it become in anyway a malt bomb from its time in the can. If this was in a bottle I doubt I could say the same thing.

Overall - great brew from the folks at Ska. It may be a winter offering but its definitely doing the job on an 80 degree night here in New England. This is a lot different than Ska's IPA as its got a much spicier hop profile. I think of this one as more of an English-style IPA with a little more assertive hoppiness. Anyway you look at it you'll be happy once its in a glass and headed towards your mouth.

Would I buy more of it? - definitely. This was a rare treat and I'd like to thank my friend Tim in Arizona for hooking me up! Cheers Tim!

Note - Ska Brewing also cans their Modus Hoperandi IPA, ESB Special Ale (the second craft beer ever canned in Colorado) and True Blonde Ale. I highly recommend all three if you can get you hands on them!