374. Steel Bender Brewyard (Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM) - Skull Bucket

“A New Mexican IPA that boasts orange zest and fresh pine aromas. A pale malt base gives way to a long pine and citrus finish. Always chasing that orange-pine balance, hops may vary.”

My buddy Shane very generously gifted me a handful of beers from his beers-of-the-month club that he was gifted this past Christmas, and this is the first of five that I will get to try. Two of them, including this one, are from states whose beers I have not yet tried on this odyssey—which will bring me to a total of 25 states. I think they have achieved the balance they boast about in the description, but the moderate alcohol (7%) feels a little bit out of place. A session version of this beer would be absolutely spectacular on a hot summer day when it’s time to mow the lawn.