This would have been a great beer to review for the 4th of July, but since I’ve missed that and don’t care to wait until next year, Labor Day weekend is going to have to do. Freedom American IPA is another product from Natty Greene’s Brewing Company of Greensboro, North Carolina. I was surprised by how light it looks in the glass, and it reminds me more of an unfiltered wheat ale than an IPA. There’s no mistaking the flavors though, and there are no “special” ingredients here. Just water, barley, hops, and yeast. The nose has grapefruit, grasses, and a bit of pine. The middle is predominantly lemon, and it has a fairly heavy body. This IPA isn’t overpowered by hops, and the sugars from the malts come through in the finish, turning the citrusy hop notes to orange. This is a a really solid example of the traditional American IPA style, and I fine choice for an IPA fan.

I give it a 4.3 out of 5.