One of two recently released cans from New Mexico's oldest craft brewery. Happy Camper IPA is a new recipe from the brewery designed especially for the canned release. You've got to love the can that this brew comes in! If you're not sure where this IPA hails from you need to go and study your State flags.

The Happy Camper IPA can reads:

"Wiping your rear with a pine cone is as rough as camping should get. That's why we invented this portable IPA in a can. A hoppy, refreshing beverage that goes great with campfires, bears, granola and mosquito repellant. Happy camping! "

Here we go...

Pour - comes out of the can a rich amber color with some red and orange highlights and a fluffy white head that stands a full inch at the top and leaves some well formed lacing within the walls of the glass.

Aroma - honey, grapefruit, mango, caramel, lemon peel, cotton candy and cocoa powder. 

Taste - lots to go on once this hits the tongue. A burst of sweet, sweet malt is doused by an intense amount of citrus and bitterness that is accompanied by a great flavor of tropical fruits. I love IPAs that have a tropical fruit flavor and this one certainly has just that. The malt profile is pretty heavy and yet it not overpowering. The finish is tongue numbing but I'm left with a bit of cocoa powder (just like I smelled). I can only guess that is from the grain bill but who knows. This is good stuff!

Overall - while this may not fall into the "unique" category it does fall into the "solid IPA" category and I do love the tropical fruit flavors! Great aromas, fresh hop taste and a nice malty backbone make this a B+ of an American IPA. 

Would I buy more of it? - sure thing. This is a great all around IPA to have in the cooler. 

Note - Happy Camper IPA will be Santa Fe's only year-round canned release. It will however be joined by four canned seasonal releases. Currently available is Freestyle Pilsner, their summer seasonal, which will be followed by an Oktoberfest this fall, Java Stout in the winter and finally their Viszolay Belgian-style Dubbel in the spring. I can't wait to try them all.