Blood Orange Brew Free! Or Die IPA

Review Date4/28/2017  By John Staradumsky

  Style: India Pale Ale   Brewery: 21st Amendment   Country: USA   State: California   $ Per OZ: $.12 (B), $.36 (D)   ABV: 7%

So, the first time I tried 21^st Amendment Blood Orange Brew Free! Or Die IPA I was at Taco Mac standing at the bar with my good buddy Jeff Evans. We were chatting away as one might expect, and I didn’t really have time to take notes on the beer, though I certainly enjoyed it. Not to worry! The following week I ordered up a nooner glass and took notes from it, so here we are.

Many hop varieties throw off citrus notes in beer, so why not add citrus fruits? Blood oranges have become a popular addition to many IPAs these days, and I generally enjoy them. 21^st Amendment Blood Orange Brew Free! Or Die puts the fruit to good effect, using it to complement the citrusy hops and caramel malt perfectly.

From the website:

Blood Orange Brew Free! is brewed like our original west coast style Brew Free! or Die IPA, but with an abundance of fresh blood orange puree and a twist of citrusy dry hops. Refreshingly different. As Abe would say, “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

Ingredients, from the website:

Bittering Hops CTZ

Flavor Hops Centennial, Citra

Yeast Top Fermenting Ale Yeast

Malts Two-Row Pale, Munich, Caramalt

Special Ingredients 100% Fresh Blood Orange Puree

21^st Amendment Blood Orange Brew Free! Or Die IPA has an alcohol content of 7% by volume with 70 IBUs. I paid $5.75 for a 20-ounce mug at Taco Mac in Canton and it is bargain priced at Total Wine at $8.99 a six-pack. This is a year-round offering from 21^st Amendment.

My 21^st Amendment Blood Orange Brew free! Or Die IPA arrived a bright orange color with a thick fluffy head and vibrant blood orange fruit in the nose. Taking a sip I get a form maltiness in the mouthfeel with notes of orange jello and caramel in the palate, zesty orange citrus, and a sharp bitter finish.

Very tasty indeed and the price is refreshing too.