Steph’s New Brew Review: Safeword

Free Will Brewing Company Safeword, a 10.4% ABV Imperial India Pale Ale with Mangoes and Habaneros

Appearance	Orange-copper color with fluffy off-white head.
Aroma	Mango, citrus, tropical goodness.
Taste	Mango… then hops… then heat.
Mouthfeel	Fuller-bodied, moderate carbonation.
Overall	Perfection! (At least in my opinion.)

Bucks County’s Free Will Brewing Company is known for dependable year round releases like The Kragle IPA and Community Kölsch, as well as unique sours like Blood and Guts and Whīt and barrel aged beers like Ella and Ralphius.

Free Will also offers seasonals throughout the year like C.O.B. (coffee oatmeal brown ale), Cloudy With a Chance of Charcuterie (double dry-hopped NE IPA), and Mango Wheat.

Long time listeners of Beer Busters Podcast know that Safeword, another popular seasonal from Free Will, has long been one of my personal favorite beers. The Imperial IPA is brewed with mangoes and habaneros. I vividly remember my first sip of the delectable brew on April 9, 2014 (Thank you, Untappd).

The bottle reads, “a full bodied blend of mango citrus and spicy habanero with a malty backbone. Feel the sweet, then take the heat.” Safeword is an ideal balance of sweet and heat for sure, with a solid Imperial IPA base.

Safeword is now available in four packs of 12-ounce bottles. Pick yours up at one of Free Will’s two locations.

The original location in Perkasie, PA offers 18 beers on tap, growler fills, and an assortment of bottles for in-house consumption or to go. Stone & Key wine, as well as handcrafted sodas are also available. On weekends you can enjoy food from some of the area’s best food trucks, seating and a second bar in the brewhouse, and free brewery tours on Saturdays.

The recently opened second taproom is located in Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, PA. This location offers 8 beers on tap, growler fills, and an assortment of bottles for in-house consumption or to go. Bring your own food, or grab a beer to enjoy as you shop around the Village.

Wanna pick this one up?
Free Will beers are distributed through Stockertown Beverage, Nittany Beverage, and Sacco Beverage in PA; S.K.I Beer in NY; and Quality Beverage and Horizon Beverage in MA.

Check out… John Stemler’s several appearances on Beer Busters Podcast.