Blood Orange Imperial India Pale Ale from Freedom's Edge Brewing Company

By Guest Reviewer Jim Walter of Cheyenne, Wyoming

It's been a while since I posted a guest review here, and a lot has changed. I'm no longer in Upstate NY, one of the fastest growing beer areas in the states. I moved to Cheyenne, WY in May.

One of my concerns when moving to Wyoming was that I was leaving a great beer area, for the unknown. Yes, Fort Collins is only 45 minutes away, but I knew nothing about the craft beer scene in Cheyenne, or if there even was one.

Much to my delight, I quickly found Freedom's Edge Brewing Company and their fantastic tap room in the historic Tivioli Building in downtown Cheyenne.

This week they released the first of their Bad Horse Beer series this week. The Blood Orange Imperial India Pale Ale. This beer clocks in at a hefty 9% ABV and is only available in 22 oz bombers, and tastings in the tap room. The beer is a red IPA and it is brewed with orange peel and American hops.

My first impression of this beer comes from the packaging. The label is awesome, and the fact that they sealed the cap with wax, gives it a great eye appeal. The beer pours with a typical copper IPA color and left about 1 1/2 inches of foam. At 9% ABV, this beer is not at all overpowered by the alcohol in it. The aroma of hops is strong, and you catch a hint of oranges in it too. The beer tastes as advertised. It has all the characteristics of a good red IPA, and at the front, there  is just enough orange flavor to give it a signature taste. The orange lends a touch of sweetness to the beer balancing the bitterness of the hops. 

It wasn't long ago that I would instinctively turn my nose up at any beer that had fruit in it. It shows my palate has come a long way when it was announced on Facebook that this was going to be released last week and I was excited. The beer did not let me down. 

At $12 for a 22 oz bomber it is a touch pricey, so I was relieved that it lived up to the hype I created for it in my mind. You can find it at Freedom's Edge Tap House in Cheyenne, or you might get lucky and find them at a Rocky Mountain Brew Fest this summer. It is a limited release so enjoy it while you can.

Cheers!