Aspen Brewing's Independence Pass Ale takes its name from high-mountain pass that marks the eastern boundary of the Roaring Fork Valley and the City of Aspen. It is located at an altitude of over 12,000 feet and along the Continental Divide. Four miles to the west of the pass lies the site of Independence, the village whose establishment on July 4 led to the pass's current name. Aspen Brewing began canning their IPA in late 2010.

From the Aspen Brewing site:

"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."

Here we go... 

Pour - a brilliant orangish-red color in appearance that is clean and clear with a big fluffy off-white head that fills the rest of the glass quickly. 

Aroma - big whiffs of all that makes an American IPA such a great style - pine, sweet orange, pineapple, grapefruit. I'm ready to dive in to this one...

Taste - sticky and resiny on the tongue with sharp bitter notes of pine and grapefruit. The carbomation pushes things across the palate nicely an d the finish is semi-sweet with a lingering, drying, hop finish. 

Overall - quite balanced with a lot of hop flavor and bitterness. At 7% this pack a bit more of a punch than one might think and has a nice malt backbone. Love to visit the brewery and have a few fresh pints in their tasting room.

Note - Aspen Brewing Company began brewing in 2008 and currently cans their Independence Pass IPA and This Season's Blonde. The brewery was featured in an episode of Drinking Made Easy (air date 4/4/12).