Bitter American - 21st Amendment Brewery

jjboesen

Maryland

4.18/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

While never getting the chance to hit this place during my visit to San Francisco, I have had many occassions to try 21st Amendment brews in other venuse as it is readily available throughout the country - in my case, Alewife Baltimore.

The Bitter American looks fabulous: it possesses a foreboding body of semi-translucent copper that is topped by a heavy vanilla foam. The nose is rather agressive: a myriad of esters that bring up whiffs of chocolate syrup and cherry - all piled into the nose at once.The palate is greeted with some subtle hoppiness and supplemented by a rush of toasty malt.

There is a crispy mouthfeel, which makes the Bitter American a rather comples, yet easy-going, sessional that can be quaffed over a long period of time. I imagine that any thirsty Space Chimp would go for this one. Next trip to Frisco: I hit this place... definitely.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2013 00:31:43 | More by jjboesen

DoubleJ

California

4.03/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at 21st Amendmet itself, on to the beer:

Looks a lighter copper color with light whips of lace leaving itself around the glass. The nose is a blend of English and American characteristics. There's the toffee, caramel, and earth, and also a good dose of floral.

It's light, but this beer packs adequte punch and offers some complexity. The flavors of toffee, floral, tea-bagged hops, earth, and a slap of lemon make this beer interesting all the way to the end. A "bubbly" carbonation works in this case, going against the stereotype of the traditional low carbonated bitter.

Easy to drink, good to enjoy. Probably the best beer of the right that I tasted at 21st Amendment.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2012 20:09:34 | More by DoubleJ

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Red-amber color. Frothy topper. Blanketing lace. Some haze. A few streams of cascading bubbles.

Citrusy hops, toasty malts, and some tinniness. Unimpressive. Smells like an Anchor Liberty Lite.

Taste follows the nose. Heartily bitter, as the name suggests. All hop bitterness. Pithy and a tad piney. Not as toasty as I thought it'd might be, which works to showcase the hops. Pretty nice, after all.

Medium body... maybe a tad lighter than medium. Swishy feel with appropriate carbonation levels. Feels nice.

Liked it better this time around than when I first had it. Decent session ale.

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2012 03:46:11 | More by thecheapies

kylehay2004

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: single finger head with excellent head on a hazy golden and crimson body.

S: nice strong aroma with floral notes and candied citrus. Aroma is both sweet and earthy.

T: what I really like about this one is how the bitterness is obvious but held at bay by the degree of sweetness. Neither dominates but rather component each other. Grassy bitterness and grapefruit and orange citrus sweetness well balanced. Light caramel Malta throughout.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: this is an excellent pretty much perfectly balanced sessionale beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2012 03:23:05 | More by kylehay2004

nickfl

Florida

4.6/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Poured with a small head of white foam on top of a hazy, copper colored body. The head settles slowly and leaves great lace.

S - Pungent, fresh hop aromas of pine and grapefruit. Some bready malt in the background.

T - Clean, bready malt up front with green pine hops. Some orange and grapefruit notes come out in the middle. Finishes with more, sweeter citrus and a thicker malt profile of bread and toffee.

M - Medium thick body, moderate carbonation, and a slightly sweet finish.

D - This is a really great hoppy session ale and while I have found that few of the 21a beers I have had live up to the reputation this one does and then some. really great hop aroma and flavor with a deceptively robust malt profile that makes it seem like a much strong beer than it is. There is a lot of bang for ones buck in this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2012 03:15:31 | More by nickfl

UCLABrewN84

California

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Haven Gastropub in Pasadena, CA.

Pours a slightly hazy honey orange with a foamy orange-tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. A foamy curtain of lace coats the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, citrus fruit, and citrus zest. Taste is of malt, citrus zest, and some grapefruit flavors. There is a medium level of bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is very tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2012 01:16:15 | More by UCLABrewN84

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I love this beer. It look and even smells like a decent IPA. Bright orange body with a nice looking head. It smells like juicy oranges. All those amazing dry hopped fruit flavors that I love. The body is light, and the taste is light, but the biggest flavor are those lemons and oranges. its so light and drinkable. Finishes slightly sweet, but still very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2012 20:56:56 | More by VncentLIFE

julian89

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Ahh the wonders of working at a beer store...

Appearance: Pours a golden amber with a tall white head and tiny bubbles. Great retention with a little lacing.

Smell: Light wheat scent, grainy nature. Subtle bittering hops followed by a stronger flowery and citrus nature.

Taste: A very light/subtle mix of aromatic and bittering hops mixed quite well with a citrusy nature. It's so well balance for an APA, the bittering is not as strong as an IPA.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Medium carbonation.

Overall: A great sit on your porch session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2012 04:08:47 | More by julian89

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Pours mostly orange. Minimal head. Head leaves small lacing splotches along the glass. Cloudy.

S-Nice maltiness combined with floral hops. Definite balance here in the nose. Enough hops to make it an attractive aroma. Citrusy too.

T-The floral hoppiness is pretty tasty. Balanced with some sweetness too. Pretty decent tasting APA here. Nothing too spectacular, but tasty and drinkable.

M-At 4.4% ABV, this beer boasts a fuller body than I would expect. Plenty of carbonation. Fairly crisp and refreshing.

O/D-Overall, a pretty nice APA. Nothing really special. Enough for me to order another glass however.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2012 18:47:16 | More by VelvetExtract

tdm168

North Carolina

4.45/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Village Draft House

Pours an orangish color with a soft layer of dense, white head that has good retention. The nose has intense aromas of florla and citrusy hops. The flavor has a mild note of crystal malt up front with a strong, robust hop character that features intense floral and grapefruity, citrus notes. The mouthfeel is smooth and medium bodied with decent carbonation.

This is a solid APA. This in my opinion rivals Dale's Pale or SN Pale Ale. It's hoppy, balanced, drinkable, and overly enjoyable. I will definitely have this again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2012 02:24:12 | More by tdm168

stewart124

Ohio

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours light copper in color with a foamy white head.

Nose has plenty of citrus and floral notes with some biscuity/malty characters.

Clean and crisp is the first thing that comes to mind. Plenty of malty characters with just the right amount of hops to keep it interesting. Some light caramel and biscuit malt backbone. Tangerine hop notes with a slight resiny feel and a light pine character.

Finishes very dry. The biscuit and a piney hop bite linger on the tongue. Nicely done.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2012 17:14:14 | More by stewart124

thegodfather2701

North Carolina

3.65/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap last night at the Old Winston Social Club.

A-Pours gold with a thing white head that dissipates quickly and leaves no head.

S-Citrus hop notes, but nothing overpowering or complex

T-Much like the nose as citrus hops stand out but are quickly balanced out by some graham cracker like malt. Nothing complex, just a nice balanced pale ale. Not a whole lot of flavor.

M-thin and over carbonated, which was a big problem I had with this beer.

D-A true session beer no doubt.

Overall, this was just an average pale ale in my opinion. What really bothered me was the high level of carbonation. I would like to try this in a can sometime and see if it was just the tap hook up.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 20:49:08 | More by thegodfather2701

Philousa

California

4.1/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Imbibed on tap at Harry's Hofbrau on 2/10/12.

Poured a very pale copper, metallic color with rocky, dense looking head. Strong piney hops with a hint of citrus. Malt is hiding somewhere in the nose ready to pounce the tongue. Taste starts with a hint of sweetness in the malt but mostly bready (not biscuity, lighter than that). Balanced mouthfeel. Hops come through citrusy on the tongue. Bitterness is clear since this beer is so light.

Hits all the right notes. I would compare this to a hoppy Pilsner dressed as an ale. Everything comes through clear like a Pilsner, but it's hopped like a West Coast Pale. A great session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2012 18:38:15 | More by Philousa

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.78/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had on-tap; served in a pint glass

Appearance – A deeper golden color with a little bit of haze. The white head that was present upon pouring slowly dissipated leaving a moderate amount of lacing, which for a 4.4 % was of pleasant surprise.

Smell – The smell is of nice hoppy nature. Mainly piney and floral, there are ever so light citrus notes which mix with a very light biscuit and toffee malt backbone.

Taste – The pine and floral hops are the first to come followed quickly by some biscuity malts. The malt backbone then sweetens as some toffee and a bit of citrus hop flavors come into play. These flavors take the taste to its end. Quite a nice transition and refreshing taste.

Mouthfeel - While I would classify it as a light to medium bodied beer, for the light abv. this beer has a much creamier more satisfying body then would be expected. The carbonation seems to suit the body quite nice, leaving a rather satisfying feel on the mouth.

Overall – While not the most potent and definitely not a “warmer”, for the very light abv it is surprisingly very flavorful and delicious. It is a very good brew to sit and sip on summer months while having a nice conversation with good friends (or when making new ones)

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2012 01:06:51 | More by Darkmagus82

mikeg67

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Filled growler at Joe’s Canal. Pours orange with a fluffy, long lasting, white head and lively carbonation. Nice aroma is of orange fruit, citrusy hops and caramel malt. Body is medium and crisp. Citrusy hops, caramel malt and ripe fruit fill the mouth. Finish is long and dry. Wonderful brew.

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2012 15:49:39 | More by mikeg67

Onenote81

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Another interesting new tap at City Bev recently. The pour yielded a slightly hazy dark orange/gold. A massive frothy milk-shake looking head topped it off. Retained superbly, leaving cascading drippings of lace along the glass. The nose is fresh with a mild citrus zip, mashed hops, faint spice. The creaminess in look carried over to the feel as hoped. Ultra-smooth beer. Very pleasant feel. Subtle hop bitterness, sweet tangerine, orange. Dry finish. Nice beer. Easy drinker that reminds me why I like to revisit this standard American-style beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2012 17:19:41 | More by Onenote81

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served from tap into a sampler tumbler. Poured yellow-orange with a half finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount slowly. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, nutty, citrus, fruit, and citrus hop. The flavor was of sweet malt, citrus, nutty, and citrus hop. It had a light feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a good brew. The aroma on this one was pretty nice as was the flavor. The balance was pretty nice and the citrus/fruit character in this one made it really easy drinking and enjoyable. While good, it wasn’t otherworldly which kept its score where it is, but I would definitely not mind drinking this one again given the chance.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2012 18:20:45 | More by thagr81us

thain709

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A lighter shade of copper with some golden highlights...the head stood about two fingers and was white in color...nice retention led to decent lacing

S - The nose is rather hoppy, showcasing citrus and pine hops...there is a sweet, caramel malt undertone

T - Sweet, citrus hops start off...the provide a nice fruitiness to the beer and add an extra level of sweetness...the caramel malt keeps the sweet going but is short lived as there is a buttery biscuit flavor in the middle of the beer...there is a nice transition from the biscuit malt that leads right into some bitter hops for the finish...although the never become too bitter

M - Medium bodied...sometimes comes across as lighter on the palate...refreshing...adequate bitterness

O - For an APA, this one was pretty hoppy, which I'm not complaining...this one drinks very easy, especially with the 4.4% ABV...I would like to find this more available around my area

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2011 10:57:30 | More by thain709

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

on tap at good dog in philly

Pours a slightly hazed caramel brown with a decent layer of off white head. Retains with film and plenty of layers of spotty lacing on the glass.

Strong scents of pine and citrus hops, breaded malt, softer sweetness with caramel and bread crust.

Big explosive hoppiness right up front with citrus and pine resin. Some assorted fruit flavors are light with grapefruit and orange. Bready malts with toasted crust and some caramel sweetness. Finishes bitter, dry, and hoppy.

Medium body, decent carbonation, dry and bitter on the tongue. Insanely drinkable, solid flavor - this might be my favorite 21st amendment beer yet.

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2011 06:46:19 | More by xnicknj

plaid75

New York

4.43/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On draft at The Lark, East Northport, NY.

Poured a dark copper hue with a one finger frothy white head. There was good retention and sticky lacing.

The smell featured a vibrant piney and herbal hop and soft sweetness.

The taste consisted of grainy, yet slightly doughy malt, which was dominated by a full herbal hop spice.

The mouthfeel was typical of the style.

Overall a vibrant and beautifully tasty ale. Sessionable to say the least.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2011 23:49:51 | More by plaid75

CupcakeNY

New York

4.47/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this beer on tap at Rattle N Hum in NYC.

Poured a dark copper color, with a small, white, fluffy head.

Aroma was piny and herbal, with light malt notes and some grapefruit.

Mouthfeel was good--this is a pretty heavy-bodied beer, with light to medium carbonation.

Taste is pretty complex; they aren't kidding, this is a bitter beer, with a lot of resinous character, coupled with a overlay of citrus and some herbal notes. Not much malt to be tasted, and it finishes pretty cleanly.

This is a really flavorful, complex beer which is an excellent accompaniment to food. Its low alcohol means you can drink it all day, though the bitterness mught get to you after a while. Pretty impressive!

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2011 18:43:49 | More by CupcakeNY

barleywinefiend

Washington

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a pale orange color with good carbonation leaving a nice white cap

S: Mild some citrus, caramel

T: Some caramel, hint of toasted malt, bready at times, citrus

M: Nice body for a 4.4% brew. Plenty of hops, easy to drink. Not a big beer and its not meant to be.

D: This may be SF version of the San Diego Session

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2011 00:23:21 | More by barleywinefiend

letsgopens

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Enjoying on-tap at Smokin' Joes in the southside of Pgh. Crystal clear orange amber with some bright golden amber highlights. The head is egg-shell white and leaves some swirling lace and sticky wisps after receding. A truly classic looking APA.

Bready biscuit malt and toffee mix with sweet and slightly piney citrus hops. Superbly well balanced. A hint of caramel but not too sweet, balanced with cereal grain and candied orange peel. A hint of pink grapefruit and cumquat. Distinctly American hop varieties but exercising restraint nicely.

Sweet biscuity malt with a tangy bight up front mix with lush citrus hops and mild floral notes. Decidedly smooth throughout and sublimely drinkable. The buttery sweetness takes a minute to fade but makes way for mellow yet pronounced floral/earthy hops kissed by a touch of citrus. The malt is lightly toasted and sticks around. This beer's flavor characterizes fluctuate and resurface; a feet few drinkable beers can accomplish.

Lighter bodied but substantial. Although the beginning is crisp, the malt backbone is substantial and doesn't thin out too much. Some lingering bitterness and toasty, raw grain breadiness leaves a hint of abbreviated sweetness behind. Remarkably drinkable yet doesn't fail to keep my interest. Flourishes in the underappreciated aspects of a stellar APA. Coupled with an ABV of 4.4%, I could drink this all day with getting sick of it for a moment.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2011 21:00:52 | More by letsgopens

beertunes

Washington

3.48/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in bubble pint glass. Poured a clean, clear golden amber color with 1/4 inch of off-white head that had medium retntion and lacing.

The aroma was a bit grainy and spicy for an IPA and had a medium hop presence in the nose. The tastes were about the same, a nice grain base, notable, but not overpowering, hops and a bit of spiciness.

The body was good, fairly typical for the style. Drinkability was very good, the beer went down smooth and easy and I could see having several.

Overall, a nice little brew. Try it when you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2011 22:47:04 | More by beertunes

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clean orange-ish to yellow color with a small off white head. In the aroma, small citrus and pine, with a big hop presence. In the taste, pine like hops and a small malt back, but kind of watery. A hop bite and a medium to light bodied mouthfeel, with a dry, small hop in the aftertaste. Quite nice, but thin and watery, dare I say too hoppy for a pale.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2011 20:45:51 | More by OWSLEY069