Springfield’s Hop Valley Brewing partnered with the Seattle Kraken hockey team as the official brewery (and beer) of the franchise, and released a new pale ale, Hockey Haze, for the NHL Winter Classic game that took place earlier this month.

The company sent me a six-pack to review of the limited-edition beer. I didn’t watch any hockey while drinking it, but I did appreciate the design of the label as a Kraken tie-in.

Hockey Haze is 5.5% ABV with 20 IBUs. Details on the beer are sparse; the website says, “This light-bodied Hazy Pale Ale features notes of citrus and herbal tea.”

Appearance: Golden orange, a glowing haze, with a fluffy off-white head.

Smell: Fruity with notes of lychee, green fruit, pink grapefruit pith, vaguely tropical; there’s a slightly dank or sweaty character to it, but it’s fairly mellow.

Taste: A mellow resinous bitterness that’s got a tannic quality; lightly spicy, a bit of melon rind and fruit peel. There is an herbal tea quality, mild, and there’s a pleasant, soft breadiness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, smooth and slightly creamy, with a faint bitterness at the end.

Overall: It’s a mellow and easy-drinking pale ale, with a nicely fruity nose. I don’t think the “hazy” angle was over the top, and it’s a good option if you’re looking for a sessionable pale.