SanTan just recently released their Hop Shock IPA and Hefeweizen in cans. They are yet another Arizona brewery to move to cans. The Grand CAN-yon State is really picking up steam when it comes to canned craft beer. There are now six craft breweries in the state offering beers in cans. Nice!

From the SanTan Brewing site:

"Warm copper amber in color, SanTan brewers have re-defined this classic English Ale. An intense bitterness derived from the distinct citrus/pine flavor of Pacific Northwest Hops. A dry, crisp malt character & aggressive alcohol dominate our I.P.A. and make this bitter beer a hop-head’s passion! Pairs excellently with spicy foods and strong bleu cheeses."

Here we go...

Pour - a beautiful dark auburn liquid floods the glass and shines with some great looking red and yellow highlights. Carbonation seems spot on as a big, thick head of foam adorns this pour. 

Aroma - this is a work of art when it comes to aroma. Big citrusy bursts come at your nose that deliver a powerful dose of grapefruit, lemon with an almost eye-watering hoppiness. Talk about fresh aroma. You like your beer smelling hoppy than this is for you.

Taste - thy tongue will be dry and beaten to a pulp. Hop Shock is indeed a "shock of hops" to the taste buds. This has a pungent hop flavor that assaults the senses with lemon, lime, green apple, grapefruit sourness...just an all out barrage of bitterness. Want IBUs? I think you got them. I'd say this definitely leans towards hop dominated as the malt plays only a minor supporting role. I get a little caramel and an eency amount sweetness in the background but this is truly for those of us that are masochistic when it comes hops. 

Overall - lots of hop aroma and flavor packed into a can. Don't expect a balanced brew just open the can, pour it into your favorite glass, take a big whiff and enjoy the pleasure of having your tongue beaten by hops. This is not a wimpy IPA by any means.

Would I buy more of it? - sure, I love beers like this. I am a hop head at heart.

Note - SanTan Brewing also cans and their HefeWeizen Wheat, Devil's Ale and Epicenter Amber.