Bitter American - 21st Amendment Brewery

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark, reddish-gold with nice clarity. Slowly settling two finger head that looks a bit sudsy and soapy; the lacing has the same soapy look and slips down the sides of the glass quickly.

Rich aroma of caramel, sweet bready malt, pineapple, pine, grapefruit, brown sugar. The taste is pretty balanced and less sweet than anticipated after smelling the beer. Assertive bitterness up front fades quickly and the finish is dry. Toasty caramel malts intermingle with pine, grapefruit, and pineapple hops, augmented by additional late-emerging floral notes.

Medium-light body with strong, slightly fizzy carbonation. Overall this tastes like a higher ABV beer; lacks a ton of complexity, but it is tasty. Put me in mind of some of Lagunitas' red/amber type brews, but dialed back a bit, if that makes any sense. In the end the aroma was the best aspect of the beer and was full of intricacy, nuance, and appetizing qualities.

Serving type: can

10-08-2012 22:55:31 | More by tobelerone

FosterJM

California

3.13/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

1545th Review on BA
Can to Firestone Walker Snifter
12oz

Canned 5/07/12
Purchased from Total Wine, Sacramento, CA for $1.99

App- A bit of a clearer yellow with some radiating highlights of gold. A small capped head that was about 1/2" in size and faded quickly. Some nice cling and lace but nothing special.

Smell- A small pale ale with a bit more hops added to it. I think was suffering from being almost 5 months old. A bit of a loss on the aromatics. Was a bit small and a bit musty as well.

Taste- Not a lot going on in this glass for me. It was a bit of an awkward balance of the malts and hops and even had some grassy/soapy flavors behind it. Not sure if its the age or if its the intended flavor to be more of an American bitter?

Mouth- A bit lite for me and lacking some balance. It was a lighter medium body with a lighter carbonation. Residual flavors of grass, hops, bitter, soap.

Drink- Meh. I mainly got this one because I cant get 21st in So. Cal. Way to go me on a single can.

Serving type: can

10-04-2012 14:38:53 | More by FosterJM

mgironta

New Jersey

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

This brew poured with a pretty two finger, white head that dissipated slowly and left huge amounts of lacing on the glass. The body was a clear citrine color with lots of visible carbonation. The nose was very fragrant with lots of citrus and hops upfront. The taste was grapefruit and tropical fruits up front, followed by a touch of bready malt. It was very well-balanced. The body was on the thinner side for the style with a lot of carbonation. It had a length finish with some citrus peel thrown in for good measure. Final verdict? An easy drinking session beer that packed a lot of flavor. I would definitely have this one again. It’s a great choice for a day where you’re going to be throwing a few back.

Serving type: can

09-16-2012 22:54:19 | More by mgironta

4000qtrap

Missouri

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Source/Serving: 12oz can

S: Malt forward, mostly caramel maltiness, and lower intensity weedy, slightly herbal hops. Faints hints of pine and lemon.

T: Malt forward with a substantial, somewhat heavy-bodied which I wasn't expecting for a low gravity, 4.4% IPA. Initially the somewhat toasty, caramel malt hits firmly rounded off by a touch of orange/lemon citrus and enough balance to keep it from being all sweet. The middle has gentle, but firm bitterness keeping things crisp. Hop presence is moderate, but could be higher, with notes of pine, herbs, weeds - very 'green'. I'd like it to be hoppier though with more dry hop character and then its be a top tier beer. Has a light hop oiliness and mineraly. Unexpected body, more than most IPAs really. Finish has touches of mineral, more weedy hops, and is a touch dry.

Notes: Big bodied, balanced, substantial sessionable IPA with decent hops.

Serving type: can

09-16-2012 21:23:09 | More by 4000qtrap

beer2day

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours gold to amber with a respectable 1-finger medium density cream colored head. Only a hint of retention and very faint lace.

Nose is more malt than my taste would like. Estery hops with a note of pine follow underneath the bread malt.

More hops in the flavor. Still a decent amount of bread malt, but a nice mix of pine and hop esters. Finish is a bit tart and fruity.

Feel is very nice. Remarkable, really, for only 4.4% abv.

Glad I got this one. For a session ale, this is really nice. Don't go expecting a big hop experience here, but a nice one to have on hand if you are settling in for a long night.

Serving type: can

09-05-2012 01:15:36 | More by beer2day

jwc215

New Jersey

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

Pours orange amber with amber with a thin white head. Lacing slides down the glass with some stickage.

The citric (esp. orange) and tropical (some banana and pineapple) with pale malt and some bread. Slightly musty.

The taste is hoppy - bitterness balanced by a sweet touch. Same citric/tropical notes hit the palate giving an initial bitterness soon followed by and complemented by a sweet maltiness. Very well-balanced - like a hoppy English-style bitter. Fresh and refreshing.

The feel is crisp, though slightly chalky. Body holds up with a lingering fruity aftertaste.

A big taste with a mild abv. Truly a "session ale". Nice hop profile with firm malty balance. Juicy and refreshing! Easily drinkable! Recommended as a "session" brew!

Serving type: can

09-01-2012 01:51:25 | More by jwc215

oline73

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the can into a Chimay goblet...that's right...a Chimay goblet.

Appearance: The beer pours a reddish amber color with just a small layer of off white head. The head goes away quickly.

Smell: This one is malt forward with some citrus peel hops. The hops definitely back up the sweetness.

Taste: This is a rather mild one. Some bready malt along with a citrus peel hop bitterness that builds to the finish. The flavors compliment each other well.

Mouthfeel: The body is on the thinner side of medium. The carbonation is fluffy with a dry finish.

Overall: This one is better than I thought it would be. A nice session ale.

Serving type: can

08-17-2012 02:04:21 | More by oline73

merc7186

New York

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

I had this beer poured from a can into a pint glass.

A: Golden Straw/Amber Hue, Passes Most Light, Bubbly White Head Ring, Mild Lacing

S: Earthy, Grainy, Mild Bitter Malt

T: Grainy, Bready Malts, Mild Piney

M: Average Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Mildly Bitter

Overall, wasn't a fan as the nose had no hop character and taste seemed thing and a little watery.

Serving type: can

08-15-2012 01:07:03 | More by merc7186

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

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

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

An interesting apa. I have to wonder if the whole "Bitter American" thing means it is a mesh between a pale ale and a bitter? Either way, that is what I take away from this one. It's a pale ale with bitter tones. There is hop spiciness to it with an earthen malty thing mixing it up as well. I feel like this wasn't meant to be the typical pale ale, and it comes across that way. It's a session ale, and I like it.

Serving type: can

08-07-2012 05:46:12 | More by RblWthACoz

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

JRed

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours transparent orange in color with white head that stays around. Aroma of citrus, slight bubblegum, grass and lemon and some caramel. Tastes of citrus, grass, pine, lemons. Medium bodied with mild carbonation. Tasty session, goes down easy but pretty big on flavor. I love sessions.

Serving type: can

07-26-2012 23:18:49 | More by JRed

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

dbrauneis

New Jersey

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

A: Pours a crystal clear deep golden orange to copper in color with light amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall fluffy light beige head that slowly reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer and a very thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of grapefruit/citrus hops with some lighter notes of pine/resin hops and malts.

T: There is a light caramel malt body with this beer but the dominant flavors are grapefruit/citrus hops. There is a moderate amount of bitterness but it does not linger.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Light amounts of dryness in the finish.

O: This beer is very light in body for the style and quite easy to drink. Refreshing and sessionable - with the low ABV and non-lingering bitterness, it is a beer that you really want to put a couple away. Very pleasant on a hot summer day. Nice flavors and inviting aroma.

Serving type: can

07-24-2012 20:18:01 | More by dbrauneis

Gobzilla

California

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

A: poured orangish yellow in color with pale yellow highlights and a nice finger worth of foamy head that left plenty of lacing sticking to the glass.

S: citrus hops were apparent in the aroma with slight grassy, lots of sweetness from the malts, detected a little caramel, and was pretty grainy.

T: mostly it was sweetness from the malts paving the way alongside a mild hop profile, citrusy grassy character and grainy accents.

M: the brew was medium in body with plenty of carbonation which had a sweet, citrusy, grainy, very mild hoppy, and faint bitter finish.

O: honestly its just ok but expected more from a hoppy west coast beer. Can't win them all I guess

Serving type: can

07-17-2012 09:56:24 | More by Gobzilla

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

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

This poured out as a nice look clear amber color. The head is foamy and white in color. The smell of the beer as a really nice aroma of hops on the nose. There is a balance of malt there too. The taste of this beer is really quite nice, it's sweet and bitter all at the same time. The mouthfeel of the beer is light bodied and nicely carbonated. Overall this beer is exactly what they describe it as. This is one you can drink anytime and feel satisfied I think.

Serving type: can

07-07-2012 01:01:18 | More by Knapp85

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

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a nice a clear redish yellow. There is about a finger and a half of pure white head that takes awhile to settle. Nice lacing as it drinks.

S: This beer smells of citrusy hops with a nice malty backbone. Neither scent is overpowering. It's a nice balance.

T: I get a bit of malt up front that quickly changes into some bright hops notes. The bitters are nice, but it doesn;t last long. This beer gets quite malty for my taste in the middle. The finish is sweet and then lingering bitters.

M: Light bodied beer. Good carbonation, nice mixing of malt and hops, a bit of linger bitters in the finish.

O: This is a good beer, and something that you could session, but I don't know if I would want to sit around drinking only this.

Serving type: can

06-27-2012 20:13:37 | More by trxxpaxxs

BeerDawgs

Georgia

4.28/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A 12 oz can dated 4/9/12

A - A clear golden copper color, nice head and lacing.

S - malty biscuity flavor, slight hop bitterness present

T - Malty, bready, pilsner taste. damn tasty, and a lot of body

M - light bodied, crisp. Oily aftertaste

O - an amazing session ale. Vert tasty, which is hard to do with a session. Perfect beer for a hot summer day or a tailgate party. Impressed with what 21st amendment is able to do with this one, as I don't care for most session beers

Serving type: can

06-23-2012 00:29:12 | More by BeerDawgs

superspak

Michigan

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

12 ounce can into pint glass, canned 12/23/2011(hoping for the best). Pours slightly cloudy golden orange color with a nice 2 finger dense off white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Some decent spotty lacing on the glass. Aromas of big orange, grapefruit, pine, herbal, floral, citrus rind, caramel, light tropical, grass, and honey. Very nice aromas with good balance, strength, and complexity. Taste of grapefruit, orange, pine, herbal, grass, bread, caramel, honey, floral, and light tropical. Fair amount of bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, herbal, floral, rind, and light pine on the finish for a bit. Very nice balance of bitterness and sweetness; with a very nice balance of hop flavors. Medium carbonation and body; with a lightly creamy and fairly crisp mouthfeel. Zero alcohol presence as expected for 4.4%. Overall this is a really nice pale ale! Despite the age of this can, it still turned out to be a highly enjoyable brew. Great balance and a lot of flavor given the ABV.

Serving type: can

06-20-2012 01:30:29 | More by superspak

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Can into a Duvel tulip. Thanks to vonschplieffen for tossing this one my way.

A: A straight pour results in a mildly bubbling, crystal clear amber body beneath almost two inches of frothy, rocky tan head that leaves plenty of chunky lace as it slowly recedes. Simply gorgeous.

S: More malty than hoppy, with a really nice, clean toastiness being the dominant aroma. What hops there are are leafy, herbal, and slightly citrusy. Pleasant.

T: Opens with a brief shot of herbal hoppiness, followed closely by dry, toasty, almost nutty malt. Hops return on the balanced finish, lending some clean bitterness and just a touch of pleasant grapefruit. Dry, bitter, mostly flavorless finish. Very crisp. Excellent.

M: Light, airy, and hugely frothy. I thought the big head might have taken much of the life out of it, but surprisingly it's still a bit overcarbonated. Some liveliness goes well with its refreshing character, I suppose, but I don't want a session beer to fill me up with too much gas.

O: Really enjoyable brew. It does exactly what it sets out to achieve - balance, drinkability, and solid flavor. I'd be quite happy to attend a cookout and find a cooler stocked with nothing but these.

Cheers!

Serving type: can

06-18-2012 23:28:39 | More by woosterbill

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

fizzy

Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Quite an interesting brew all things considered. Read the other reviews and you will get a good impression of this product. One nice thing is the 4.40%ABV, you can drink of few of these for the nice bitter taste without getting wasted on the excess alcohol that comes with many "IPA" style beers. I would like to draw consumers to the can and description of where this beer really comes from. I quote:"HAND CRAFTED & CANNED BY 21ST CENTURY BREWERY, COLD SPRING, MN". It's a good old Cold Spring contract brew. I know quite a bit about the old Cold Spring Brewery, it's incarnation as Gluek for a while, and now back to Cold Spring. I knew all along they could make good beer. Kudos!!

Serving type: can

06-09-2012 03:37:37 | More by fizzy

JWU

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz. can poured into a tumbler glass.

A- a crystal clear pale amber, with a very fluffy and dense two finger white head. Excellent retention and lacing

S- Nice hoppy aromas of grapefruit and lemon rind. You get a slight hint of white pepper from the hops as well. Biscuity malts lie underneath

T-Very brief flash of biscuity malt sweetness that is quickly beaten back by the grapefruit and earthy hop profile. (The white pepper/earthy hop notes are far more pronounced on the palette), malts make a comeback slightly on the end with some sweetness that tries to balance the slightly dry, slightly bitter finish. Good flavors, I just want more of them.

M- Light to medium body, with a medium carbonation.

O- An overall pleasant, if unspectacular pale.

Serving type: can

06-08-2012 21:01:04 | More by JWU