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Freedom of '78

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Pink guava is packed into this IPA, which runs from bitter through citrus to pine in what the brewery calls a triumphant trio. It is the original fruited IPA from Short's, built to be a beer you want to drink over and over. 7.5% ABV, 54 IBU, brewed in Michigan.

ABV
7.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter54 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruitypineycitrusy
fruity
piney
citrusy
hoppy
clean
Aroma
Pink guava and stone fruit lead the nose, supported by assertive noble hop character.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Freedom of '78

◎ Appearance

Golden amber hue with bright clarity and excellent light transmission. A dense, off-white head forms readily and clings to the glass with fine lacing. Carbonation is vigorous and persistent, animating the body with visible activity.

golden amberbright clarityfine lacingwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

Pink guava and stone fruit lead the nose, supported by assertive noble hop character. Pine and citrus zest emerge as the beer warms, with a subtle floral undertone. The Malz foundation remains restrained, allowing the fruited hop profile to dominate.

guava, stone fruitpine, citrusfloral hopsfruit-forward

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and fruity, with prominent guava and tropical notes settling into the mid-palate. A pronounced bittering from noble hops builds steadily, finishing with clean pine resin and citrus pith. The balance tilts toward assertive bitterness without sacrificing the fruit character; residual sweetness from the Malz remains subtle.

guava, tropicalbitter hopspine resincitrus pith

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with hop bitterness persisting alongside fading guava notes. A clean, refreshing quality carries through to the aftertaste.

dry finishlingering bitternessrefreshing
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
85
Appearance
80
Finish
78
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Tulip glass

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Freedom of '78

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About American IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar American IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, bitter, piney character as Freedom of '78 will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all American IPA beers in hopIQ →New to American IPA? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →