I had this beer again last night (still have several cans left) and it does have a little mroe sweetness than I care for in my IPA, personally. Perhaps it has some dark caramel malts in there, and I generally don't care for dark caramel malts in my IPAs, personally. But I think freshness is the key here - this beer should have never been shipped across the country. There is little hop flavor or aroma, some unpleasant bitterness and a heavy malt sweetness that is not in balance.
I would like to try this beer again - the next time I in in California. I would not pick it up locally again.