Evasion Brewing Blood Orange IPA

Gluten Free Blood Orange IPA

Brewed by Evasion Brewing

Brewed in one of Oregon’s FOUR dedicated gluten free breweries, this Blood Orange IPA offers a special twist on a summer IPA. It utilizes blood orange puree to create a tangy spin on a fruity beverage.

The Evasion Brewing Blood Orange IPA is brewed on a base of millet, rice, buckwheat, and GF oats, meaning you should avoid this beer if you have a low tolerance for oats (even when gluten free). Lucky for me, I don’t react to gluten free oats so I will taste it for all of you out there that can’t–whether due to limitations of distribution or from diet.

The hop bill contains both Citra and Mosaic hops–two of my favorite varieties! They are known for their citrusy and tropical aromas and deeply fruity flavors. The Blood Orange IPA clocks in at 50 IBU and 5.2% ABV.

If you’re interested in learning more about the brewery that crafted this beer, check out the brew tour I released just a couple months ago. In it you’ll take a full tour of the Evasion Brewing facility with head brewer Ben Acord. I also have several more reviews for various Evasion Brewing beer styles, including the Pacific North #Blessed IPA, the Tantamount Stout, the Blonde Ale, the Hophoria IPA, and the Hoptensity Double IPA.

The Taste Test

Blood Orange IPA

This IPA sure lives up to its name, pouring a vibrant blood orange hue. There was a thin head to start (caught on video) but that quickly vanished. This beer has a slightly cloudy character to it, but it sure lets plenty of light through.

It may be one of the most aromatic beers I’ve ever encountered, it’s aroma dominated primarily by it’s blood orange qualities. I can smell the fruit wafting my direction even though the beer sits several feet away. It smells like a sweet and tart italian soda (and looks like one too–after the initial pour that is).

The taste reaffirms it’s true identity as BEER though. It carries hardly any sweetness at all honestly. It’s actually quite tangy and pretty damn dry too. There is a fair amount of bitterness (50 IBU) leftover on the palate after the blood orange flavors fade, which suits my personal preference quite well.

This is one heck of a colorful summer ale. It has fairly light body, and a very robust flavor. It would be easy drinking for someone who enjoys IPAs and tart oranges, but might be pretty intense for someone who shies away from those qualities in a beverage.

As the beer sits beside me, the carbonation is consistent. It still looks very much like a soda. I just can’t get over the color. The only other beer I’ve ever seen rock such a bright reddish color is the Gose style, but this shade is much more fiery due to the orange tones.

I’ve never seen a gluten free blood orange IPA until I got my hands on this Evasion Brewing creation. It’s a very unique gluten free ale. Have any of you had the pleasure of trying this IPA? If so, please let me know what you thought of it in the comments below. I would love to hear your thoughts.

P.S. Like what I do for the gluten free beer community? Consider buying me a beer for my efforts! ;)