Bitter American - 21st Amendment Brewery

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

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

Had this on 2012-07-25 in Columbia, PA. It smells and tastes just about the same as it did on-tap yesterday.

A - Clear new-penny-copper with a 2-finger head and good lacing.

S - Floral and lightly dank hops, touch of citrus and biscuit. A little more aromatic than from a fresh can.

T - Lots of flavor for a low ABV brew. There's a tang of hops up front followed by biscuit, citrus flesh, pale and caramel malt and reasonable citric bitterness. It dries nicely.

M - Light-medium body and medium carbonation with a crisp feel. Quenches the thirst nicely.

O - Lots of flavor, refreshing and enough bitterness to suit my hop demon. Satisfying without packing on the calories.

Serving type: growler

07-26-2012 20:08:28 | More by Tucquan

timmylange

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Canned 1/26/13
A: translucent, warm orange hue, thick foamy head
S: fresh hops, slight citrus scent
T: low hop, bitterness
M: dense, sharp carbonation but not fizzy, dry, very slight warming sensation
O: flavorful but simple, great beer for a picnic or after a cold shower on a hot summer day

21st Amendment beers are usually complex and flavorful with a bold taste. This beer however deviates but yet has that signature quality of 21st Amendment. I have not yet found a disappointing beer from this brewery.

Serving type: can

06-18-2013 01:33:27 | More by timmylange

ghengisflan

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Appearance: Pours a nice thick white head. Beer itself is a fairly cloudy but light honey blonde.

Smell: Citrus-ey hops are very prominent on first whiff.

Taste: The first sip is malty, but as you keep drinking there is a cumulative bitterness with a grassier hop flavor than the smell would indicate.

Mouthfeel: It has a pretty average body for an ale: Not too light or heavy.

Overall: A good beer, maybe a little too bitter for my taste. If that's what you like, give it a try.

Serving type: can

06-15-2013 01:46:53 | More by ghengisflan

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.96/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A - A finger's worth of active late to rise slightly creamy slightly crisp off-white colored frothiness comprised of medium and larger sized bubbles... Modest at best retention gives way to a full veil of inviting lacing... The color is an equal mix of straw and pale amber... There is an ever so faint haziness about it...

S - A fairly lively hop aroma... Lots of orange zest and a bit of lemony goodness... A nice noble hop presence as well... Well beneath the surface is some malty goodness in the form of biscuit and graham crackers... Simple, yet very well rounded and each whiff proves to be rather enjoyable...

T - The flavors that materialize on the palate are a perfect match for the aromas... The lemony zing gets dialed u a notch but all the other components are exactly as anticipated... There is also a slight bit of tropical fruit mix in for added depth and complexity... Tons of flavor given the sub 4.5% ABV... The low ABV adds to the overall drinkability...

M - Clean and crisp... A bit dry... Rather refreshing... On the fuller side of light bodied... The limited carbonation provides a pretty solid bite... Goes down easily sip after sip...

D - I'll take this any day of the over the recent slew of "session IPAs" that have hit the market... Light and refreshing, but certainly not lacking in flavor or character... Between this and there IPA, 21st Amendment makes me a very happy craft beer geek...

Serving type: can

06-09-2013 16:54:14 | More by philbe311

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

gpogo

California

3.18/5  rDev -18%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

A- Cloudy orange body with lots of carbonation. Small white foam cap and a light lacing.

A- Sweet bitterness. Orange and a touch of pine.

T- Sweet lightly sour plain malt flavor. Kindof empty. Constant bitterness, but not unpleasant.

M- Light body, moderate-high carbonation.

D- Quite an enjoyable session beer. Taste and aroma are far from amazing, but it is a decent brew.

Serving type: can

06-02-2013 19:44:48 | More by gpogo

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Can: Poured a dark golden color ale with a large foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of citrus floral hops with light dry caramel malt notes. Taste is dominated by floral hops with clear citrus presence and some semi-sweet malt notes. Body is about average with good carbonation. Nice refreshing APA with nice citrus floral notes and limited bitter notes.

Serving type: can

05-27-2013 02:16:52 | More by Phyl21ca

dar482

New York

3.99/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

It comes in a beautiful deep gold/orange color with a finger of head. It’s hazy and has a warm inviting color. Amazing appearance, almost like an unfiltered Double IPA.

The aroma has big sour lemon and sweet orange peel. There’s also that Simcoe and pine in there. There’s also a candy sugar malt.

The flavor does not follow through the same exactly. It has a bright, but big sweet corn malt. There’s a tinge of lemon, the malt as described, and then a strong bitterness.

The mouthfeel is a bit light, but that’s expect for a pale ale.

The beer reminds me a lot of Founders All Day. It’s a very good hoppy pale ale.

Serving type: can

05-23-2013 05:10:44 | More by dar482

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.83/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a finger of head on a clear straw colored body.
The smell is amazing: rich caramel malt with a wonderful blend of citrus.
The taste has a moderate bitterness throughout with a backbone of malt, but the sweet never shows through.
The texture is softer with moderate carbonation.
Its aroma blew me away, the taste was a backup player but it's still a tasty drink with a low ABV.

Serving type: can

05-11-2013 05:14:38 | More by Fatehunter

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.06/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Canned 2/11/13

Served in a DC Brau tulip.

A: Poured a very dense, foggy, bright orange color with about a 1/2 finger or so head that looked like diluted Alka-Seltzer.

S: Nice, fresh fruit bill here: Tropical orange, orange peel, a hint of mango, and ever the slightest bit of pine.

T: Pretty full flavor for a session beer. Inside the fruit component, there was sort of a grainy, crushed Flintstone vitamins.

M: Nice hop bitter slap at the end, mild splotchy lacing, and highly drinkable disposition.

O: I could drink these all day. Cheers!

Serving type: can

05-02-2013 22:57:32 | More by Chaney

TheElusiveAlexT

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: Poured this into an old Vikings pilsner glass, mistake, terrible pour. A mostly yellow color with a warm orange/honey. The head was thick and thins out nicely staying with the beer until the end. Lots of patches of lacing. Perfectly balanced carbonation.
Smell: Familiar beer smell for an extra pale ale. Extra lemon/orange citrus and grapefruit. Sweet malts and flowery hops. Nice.
Taste: A smooth citruse flavor, the hops have a nice kicks but nothing too strong, more of a bitter finish on your palate. Malty but not too sweet, more so grapefruit but not overpowering like in the Leviathan I reviewed years ago. It suffers "tinny can" after you finish the thing.
Mouthfeel: Wonderful, light and crisp balance without the sting of carbonation. A model to its peers.
Likability: Very easy to drink for most. The aftertaste may drive off someone so its not perfect.

Serving type: can

04-30-2013 21:10:53 | More by TheElusiveAlexT

ckollias

Maryland

3.89/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a Belgian tulip glass.

A: Pours a copper hue with thin white head that slowly dissipates into a wispy lace leaving a decent trail down the glass.

S: Hoppy aroma with malty edge.

T: Equal mix of bitter hops and sweet malts. Finishes on the dry side of hoppy.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Really good APA. Great mix of the hops and malt.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 02:58:57 | More by ckollias

DrewSnyc667

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

12 oz can poured into a pint glass. Very cool graphics of a space monkey!

A: Bright orange and yellow, big fluffy head that lingers and sticks, some activity

S: very floral and tangy, piney

T: First it's sweet, then it lives up to it's name with a big bitter bite. The hope are not spicy though and the bitterness is almost a crisp rounding finish

M: Nice carbonation keeps the palate clean. Typically i find my problem with hopper west coast pale ales is that the hop spice sticks to my tongue and becomes unbearable. This is nicely rounded and very easy drinking

O: A total impulse buy and a style I normally wouldn't choose, but overall, I am very happy I gave it a whirl.

Serving type: can

04-07-2013 22:06:17 | More by DrewSnyc667

NiceTaps

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12oz. can poured into a pint glass. Thirty-nine days old.

A- Hazy burnished orange color with visible carbonation. A bit fluffy 2-finger head that lasts and leaves sticky lacing.

S-Mstly malty, semi-sweet aroma. Some orange rind anf citrus/pine hops.

T-More pale malts and orange rind, well blended. A bit of bitter pepperyness, perhaps.

M-Light, crisp, and tangy. More body than I expected from a 4.4% abv. Slightly bitter with a long clean finish.

O- It surely is an extra pale ale, the 42 ibus are laid back just right. More malty, but not sweet. Quite good and very drinkable.

Serving type: can

04-05-2013 22:12:07 | More by NiceTaps

SHODriver

California

3.99/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: poured into a pint glass to a nice light orange with a finger of head that fades to a small mat and collar around the glass
S: smells of earthy hops and a bit of lightly toasted malt
T: citrusy hop flavor and solid bitterness with some slightly bready malt. a bit more earthy and piney hop as well and a slight sweetness from the malt. swallow brings a nice wave of bitter hops and a slight amount of residual sweetness
M: fairly light in the mouth but not watery and slightly prickly carbonation with a refreshing finish
O: very solid beer and very sessionable. flavors are interesting without being overwhelming

Serving type: can

04-01-2013 02:20:10 | More by SHODriver

jtierney89

New Jersey

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

Burnt golden color. Craggy very sticky off white head. Semi-hazed. Biscuit malts and nice hoppiness. Bit of soapiness. Raw herbal hoppiness.

Earthy hoppy flavor through out. On the lighter side of medium bodied. Moderately carbonated. Light dry biscuit flavor. Bright herbal hop charter, slightly minty with a hint a soap. Really nice though. For an american beer one of the few that seem to stay more true to the english style.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 00:12:32 | More by jtierney89

YardmanFTB

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I am a fan of the light, dry, and hoppy Pale Ales. This is the most extreme version of that description that i have come across. It is only 4.4% ABV with very little maltiness whatsoever. The intense citrus of the warrior and cascade hops is what makes this beer. It can be extremely refreshing considering how hoppy it is.

Serving type: can

03-26-2013 02:53:58 | More by YardmanFTB

Doc_Hops

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A- Pours a nice orange color, slightly hazy, with some towering, fluffy, cream colored head.

S- Light piny hop aroma with some smooth malt notes.

T- Bright hop bitterness in the beginning (oddly) with some nice orangey/malty notes in the middle followed by a crisp, smooth, quick finish.

M- Quite tingly on tip of the tounge. Real nice carbonation throughout as well.

O- It's nice to have a beer with actual FULL flavor that doesn't overwhelm you with alcohol, or price. This is an awesome session beer that is very approachable and a great gateway beer for someone looking to get into craft beer. Definitely an "A" in my book.

Serving Type: 12oz can poured into a pint glass.

Serving type: can

02-11-2013 06:41:12 | More by Doc_Hops

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.45/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Canned on 4/9/12, ten months ago.

Appearance: Slightly hazy orange/golden hue with a thin off-white head.

Aroma: Bread, light pepper, earth, citrus. Not very aromatic.

Taste: Like in the nose. A slightly peppery biscuit flavor as the malt base a bit of earthy hops. There is a hint of orange zest but the hops are quite faded. I'd peg the IBUs at around 35 (listed as 42 on brewery website). Finish is smooth with a little hop after burn. Decent flavor for the low 4.4% ABV. The hops that were used seem to be going for a more hearty flavor rather than juiciness.

Mouthfeel: Thin in body with average carbonation. Easy drinkability and probably sessionable if you enjoy the flavor.

Final Thoughts: A good introductory beer for someone new to craft. It's a decent beer all around that does the most with its flavor given the low ABV. Would I drink it again? Probably not.

Serving type: can

02-07-2013 00:44:30 | More by JamesMN

constantine_272

Oregon

4.26/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

A: Hazy. Yellowish brown. Very little head even with the last third of the can poured straight into a pint.

S: Nice floral hop aroma with a touch of cedar. Slight lemony notes.

T: Great ipa flavor. Not over hopped but with a good floral tanginess. Another light hint of woodiness.

M: Good mouthwatering finish. Bitterness washes over the tongue and dissipates quickly. A dried leaf flavor lingers on the back of the tongue a little too long.

O: Drinkable and accessible. The fact that it comes in a can says it all. It's a no fuss straight shooting ipa. I like that its not too bitter but still full of flavor. The downside is that it feels like it was a bit too filling; would be hard pressed to drink more than one or two.

Serving type: can

01-27-2013 06:16:47 | More by constantine_272

fdig23

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Can.

Appearance: Medium golden pale with a little white head.

Nose: cooked pineapple, some pine and lemon, backed up by toasted wheat bread

Taste: malty, but this is a four month old can so its to be expected. Still nice and fairly refined, though. Light floral note, pine needles, hint of lemon, tasty balanced toasty malts in the background.

Mouthfeel: Nice and full without being overbearing.

Overall: Decent pale ale that would be perfect for a party or drinking session. Exactly what it wants to be.

Serving type: can

01-18-2013 20:22:25 | More by fdig23

clayrock81

Virginia

3.84/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured a clearish brown body with good head and lace on top of a very hoppy, like citrus and floral hops, along with light bread and caramel malts. Taste and moutfeel are the same with a light bodied beer that passes easy, very drink/sessionable, nothing spectacular but better than your average lawnmower beer. Citric, floral hops abound and balance with some sweet caramel and the beer is held together with a crisp breadiness that leads to snappy finish.

Serving type: can

01-18-2013 15:28:48 | More by clayrock81

LiquidAmber

Washington

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

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a medium golden amber with a two finger off white head with good retention and nice lacing. Aroma of biscuit malt with a hint of toastiness, pine hops; light but enticing. Flavor is interesting with pine, mixed citrus, a nice, but unidentifiable fruit component. Finishes with a light hop kick with mild pine and grapefruit. Medium bodied. A very nice hoppy light ale with good balance and interesting flavors. Another well made 21st Amendment ale. Kudos.

Serving type: can

01-13-2013 01:36:08 | More by LiquidAmber

jkrich

Indiana

3.6/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a can with a canned on date stamped on the carton and the bottom of the can. Slightly hazy, golden hue with a foamy white, sustained head.

The aroma exploded upon opening the can: massive fresh, piney aroma with spicy, sweet malt.

This 4.4 ABV ale packs a lot of flavor. It begins with a zesty, lemony flavor with some refreshing hop bitterness. A faint sour flavor lowers the taste score.

Light-bodied with spritzy carbonation (perhaps a little too much). A mellow sweetness coats the tongue.

It is always a treat to have a flavorful but low alcohol ale. While this ale was good, the over-carbonation and the faint sour flavor kept this one from being truly sessionable.

Serving type: can

01-01-2013 17:49:10 | More by jkrich

JKuras

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a hazy, gorgeous burnt orange color. About an inch of robost, foamy head. Some carbonation present although it’s tough to see through the haze. Decent lacing on the way down.

Smell: Generous amounts of fruity, piney hops hits right away. Hints of apple and pear and a solid malt backbone.

Taste: Somewhat unexpectedly flat at first, but then the flavors develop into the sweet malts, yeast, lemon/citrus, and then a solid fruity-bitter hops. A sour, bitter aftertaste lingers for a while long after the last swallow.

Mouthfeel: A good amount of carbonation present and kind of on the thin side. It’s labeled as a session beer so I guess that’s what they were shooting for.

Overall: It’s a pretty good beer. Not sure I’d do a session with it though as the strong aftertaste and sweetness gets to me after a while. The ‘monkey in space’ art on the can is pretty cool.

Serving type: can

12-31-2012 00:15:29 | More by JKuras