Independence Pass IPA

Independence Pass Ale is our super-hopped high altitude rendition of the classic India Pale Ale style. Independence Pass Ale utilizes insane amounts of Palisade hops—a hop that is relatively new on the IPA scene. With alpha acids up near the 10% mark, IPA aficionados will love the hoppy brew as much as they love their Magnum and Cascade-hopped IPA’s. In addition, we use Columbus, Cascade, and Simcoe hops. Set in contrast with our secret mash recipe, be prepared to be wowed. This beer radiates hops, hops, hops.

Why is this style called India Pale Ale? During the height of the British Empire, Brits working and living in India craved their English style ales, however the traditional English ales would not survive the journey from England to India. English brewers discovered that increasing the hop content of a beer preserved the ale enough to survive the long sea journey. West Coast brewers discovered nearly a century later that ‘over-hopping’ a beer increased the delicious hop flavor of the ale, paying more respect to rich American hop flavor than even the malt flavor base.

Independence Pass marks the eastern boundary of the Roaring Fork Valley and the City of Aspen. With a summit elevation of 12,095 feet, we HIGHLY recommend that the inexperienced beer drinker is EXTREMELY careful drinking this high-alcohol brew at such altitude. You wouldn’t want to fall down the pass! We couldn’t help but name our high-hop beer after this high-elevation pass—maybe due to the combined delirious effect, or maybe because the initials worked out well.