Hell Or High Watermelon Wheat Beer - 21st Amendment Brewery

wkcyr4

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Received in a package from Floydster. Thanks for the opportunity to try this one,Kyle.

Poured from the can into a Goose Island tasting glass, split with my wife.
Gave the can a few gentle swirls to agitate per instructions on the can.
Poured a cloudy, straw color with a nice one finger white head.
Crisp, clean almost dry scent, no real hint of watermelon or any fruit for that matter.
The first sip reveals the sweet taste of the watermelon.
Somewhat fruity in the middle with a light airyness to it, interesting.
Had a dry, almost champagne like finish to it.
I'm pretty sure my wife liked this beer more than I did but it has teased me enough to give it another try if given the chance.

Recommended on the novelty of a watermelon beer alone.

Serving type: can

02-11-2009 02:01:04 | More by wkcyr4

nasty15108

New York

3.88/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz can into a Pilsener glass.

A - Poured a slightly cloudy yellow/orange color. The pour prodiced a head of white foam that quickly subsided into a ring of tiny bubbles.

S - Yeasty, sourdough aroma. Slight hints of citrus and watermelon.

T - Tough to describe. Slightly yeasty (but not as strong as the aroma would lead you to believe). Finishes off with slightly sour watermelon flavor. Very well done.

MF&D - Crisp and refreshing. A great Summer choice.

Serving type: can

07-24-2009 18:51:55 | More by nasty15108

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on-tap at the Rogue Public House in San Francisco. Pours a very hazy golden with a thin, white, swirly cap of a head. Smells vaguely sour with wheat and watermelon rind, a touch of lemon, and a tiny bit of sweetness. The taste is similar, with more white rind flavor than red juiciness, but as opposed to the aroma, there is at least some sweet, juicy watermelon here which adds something to the more sour and herbal rind and lemon flavors. Crisp, refreshing, and worth trying. A fairly interesting beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2009 01:58:32 | More by Georgiabeer

grittybrews

Washington

3.88/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a pale straw gold into a pint glass with a finger of loose white head. Mild aroma of honey and wheat.

Moderate carbonation and a light, creamy mouthfeel. Plenty of watermelon up front with bread/wheat and a light grassy bitterness on the finish.

Very refreshing and easy drinking, although the watermelon borders on Jolly Rancher-esque artificial sweetness after a while.

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2011 04:12:26 | More by grittybrews

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pour - well, its not pink. Its a tannish-golden color with some suspended (and not so suspended) yeast sediment. Head is a rather thin and this is all a bit cloudy.

Aroma - what I smell most is a sour malt aroma along with some sweetness that sort of reminds me of watermelon as well as honey and powdered sugar. So, not a lot of watermelon-y stuff going on in either the pour or the aroma. Let's move on...

Taste - when I really get my face in the glass and take the first sip I finally get some watermelon flavor and aroma. Its faint and it won't overwhelm you even if you hate watermelon. Its a slightly sour fruity flavor that isn't at all off-putting and it actually kind of works well, in a refreshing sort of way. Nice wheat beer with just enough watermelon flavor to give this a very subtle sour bit.

Overall - The more I drink of this, the more I am enjoying it. I'll admit, its a lot better than I thought. The watermelon flavor is subtle and like I previously mentioned, this is very refreshing. If you are like me and figure you'd probably not like this beer you might be surprised. Pop open a can and remember to be open-minded.

Would I buy more of it? - I wouldn't totally dismiss this beer as it is exactly what it is supposed to be. However, its not a beer that I'd find myself drinking a lot of the time. It does sort of scream to be bought the night before a day of yard work.

Serving type: can

11-06-2011 13:47:40 | More by indiapaleale

mymrnngjckt

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a can poured into a shaker pint. Only one finger of head developed.

A: a light golden yellow with mininal visible carbonation

S: No smell of watermelon at all. The smell was crisp with a citric and floral hint

T: Great actually. The watermelon really comes through in the finish. Reminds me a jolly rancher.

M: Good. The small amount of carbonation helped develop the characteristics on the palate.

D: Good. I enjoyed this beer a lot.

Serving type: can

08-03-2007 20:12:07 | More by mymrnngjckt

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.85/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz can from numbeercruncher.... a complete unexpected extra.. Thanks a bunch Matt.

It's been a loonng week at work.. and I want something not too complex.. more refreshing.. Let's hope the Watermelon Wheat Works. Poured into my New Belgium snifter.

1" head.. minimal lacing... descent cap though.. brew is glowing straw gold when held to a light...

There is definitely some watermelon in there.. sorta funky.. not in a bad way.. just not great.. some spiciness... the fruitiness reminds me of when you get to close to the rind when eating watermelon..

3/3.5/4/4/4
The flavor has a much bigger watermelon essence.. much better than the nose.. the aroma sorta smells too "rotting watermelon".. the palate is a nice burst of watermelon "jolly rancher".. that is waaaay too much of an overstatement.. but the fruit essence is there and somehow still makes me think of fresh fruit.. it's not sweet... in fact.. the finish is fairly dry with an unexpected melon finale. sorta grainy throughout.. but that lends to the bigger picture and lingering fruity finish.. really pretty good.. I like it... That said, I can't imagine ever wanting more than one in a sitting... or probably even a week. If I had this available, i would certainly give it in a nice glass to my non beer drinking friends and say, "Come on.. this is good... I know you like it... just admit it"... Lite body and good carbonation would make this a very nice lawn mowing brew...

Numbeercruncher is certainly one of the most generous traders I've ever had the opportunity of doing business with... Matt... thanks again...

Serving type: can

12-05-2008 10:26:02 | More by JohnGalt1

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.85/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Can. Pours a cloudy gold with a small white head. Aroma of bready, wheaty malt with a touch of sweetness. Flavor is initially sweet watermelon (like the Watermelon Ice Baskin Robbins flavor) with a wheaty finish. Hmm, the tap version seemed a little more watermelon-y but otherwise an identical beer. Delicious as always!

Serving type: can

06-22-2009 00:42:33 | More by LilBeerDoctor

glamphetamine

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very unique and refreshing brew. You can smell the watermelon right up front, but it doesn't completely shadow the wheat.

The first thing you taste with this one is the watermelon. The finish is a smooth combination of watermelon and wheat. Mild carbonation, a great aftertaste and very drinkable. The watermelon flavor definitely isn't as overpowering or gross as some people have said, or at least it hasn't been in my experience.

This would definitely make a great summer beer, and my lady friends seem to enjoy it. If you know someone who prefers malt beverages or wine coolers, Hell or High Watermelon might be a good way to get them interested in beers. Or, at the least, it'll get them interested in fruit beers.

Serving type: can

12-11-2009 03:47:42 | More by glamphetamine

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I purchased this at Shawan in Liquors in Md. Poured chilled from the can into a goblet

A - a hazy light marigold color w/ 2 fingers of soapy head w/ tiny bead, The wheat has good retention as lace clings to the glass

S - The smell has a malty, creamy wheat aroma w/ slight fresh mown hay scent and mild sweet esters w/ subtle wheat toastiness

M - The feel has mild sweetness and relatively full body for the strength w/ a high effervescent intro and sweet middle, but drops off significantly and finishes smooth and clean

T - A crisp wheat flavor w/ mild watermelon note w/ light fruit ans subtle rind taste w/ toasty, creamy wheat flavor. The flavor finishes off w/ slightly sweet and mild watermelon juice flavor.

D - A really drinkable wheat w/ nice complimentary watermelon taste - not overdone and adds to the overall drinkability - a refreshing wheat/fruit combo.

Serving type: can

12-16-2009 15:00:11 | More by Slatetank

Thur123

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This brew pours a light golden straw color with one centimeter of thin, puffy head. I've seen hazier wheat beers as well but it still looks good. The smell is light, a bit of watermelon and soft grainy notes as well.

Glug glug glug

This flavor is bigger than the smell but very restrained, which works for the style. The watermelon aspect is better than I would have thought. If anything it tastes a bit 'fake' somehow, like how a lollipop approximates flavor. This being said it isn't bad but it feels unnatural. The more traditional aspects are good and the drinkability is high. This would likely be better if it were fresher. Also the more I drink this the more the watermelon flavor becomes watery, rather the sweetness from the impact isn't strong enough to last.

Serving type: can

10-13-2010 22:35:01 | More by Thur123

vfgccp

New York

3.85/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shaken as per instructions on the can.

A - ~60% opaque banana yellow. Huge head on a sturdy our with a relatively loose bubble structure. Poor lace and retention.

S - Wheat, watermelon rind, honey, butter crackers.

T - A nice mirror of the nose. Wheat, honey, butter cracker. Lightly sweet watermelon juice and candied watermelon rind.

M - Light/medium body. Fairly full for the style. Sweet finish, but not oppressively so.

O - Nice, light, sweet and refreshing.

Serving type: can

04-01-2011 03:42:58 | More by vfgccp

uustal

Rhode Island

3.85/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy, really pale, yellow with a one-finger white head. Goes quickly with no lacing. Not a great smell. Smells tart and a little sour, hints of wheat and yeast as well. Flavor begins with some light wheat flavor before a pleasant watermelon and honeydew sweetness rounds out this simple flavor profile. Really refreshing melon flavor, nailed it without making it taste like watermelon juice. Solid fruit beer minus the off-putting aroma.

Serving type: can

05-10-2011 04:26:46 | More by uustal

Atev

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Light peach color and fully opaque even against the light. 2-finger head reduces to 1/2 finger quite quickly and then a bit slower to just a ring around the glass. I find it a very good-looking beer.

S: Wheat, with a fresh-cut quality to it. A hint of spice.

T: Very good, you can taste the melon, but it is not overdone. After the hit of melon, there is a brief bitter bite and then it fades with wheaty sweetness. The first few sips reminded of me of watermelon rind, but I cannot detect this after a while.

M: Refreshing and light, carbonation is a bit too low perhaps - I find it OK to overdo it with the bubbles in a summer beer.

O: Borderline between 3.5 and 4 for me, but I think in the end this is one of the few fruit-based brews that I can finish a six-pack of. Bonus points for not being a berry of some kind.

Serving type: can

07-10-2012 16:12:45 | More by Atev

HopDerek

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A can picked up at Union Jacks, poured into a pint glass.

Pours a slightly hazy golden yellow with big foamy white head. Fades quickly leaving no lacing, very little retention. Smells like a typical wheat beer, cereal malts, wheat, spices, and a touch of lemon. Tastes of sweet malts, honey, wheat, clove, coriander, and orange and lemon zest followed by a nice blast of watermelon. Medium light in body with some moderate carbonation. Crisp and sweet with a nice sour melon finish that is semi-dry. Very refreshing and easy to drink, a nice summer session.

Serving type: can

06-28-2009 21:28:41 | More by HopDerek

Docer

Washington

3.83/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had at this years OBF!

- Clear straw-yellow appearance... little bit of white lacing... bubbly...

- Great citrusy watermelon scent with some wheat and malt.. some breadiness... not bad..

- Smooth balanced flavor... somewhat watery though.. but certainly some watermelon... bit sweet and candy-like though. Ok I guess..

- Watery, like a watery fruit drink... light and refreshing...

- I could easily do a 12-pack on a hot day and wonder why I would be thirsty still and dehydrated.... a nice sporty brew for a hot day. Put some caffeine in it and it would appeal to some kids...

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2009 00:57:36 | More by Docer

HURTemHIZZY

Virginia

3.83/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz can into a pint glass.

Pours a fairly clear yellow. Little over a one finger pure white head. Head dissipates in a couple minutes and left a thin ring. Left an ok amount of lacing down the glass, nothing special.

Smells very watermelony, can't get much of anything else, maybe a bit of wheat. Not off putting, it actually makes me want to see what the beer is all about.

Tastes of some subtle watermelon, the flavor of which is nicely balanced by the wheat in this ale. Nice flavor, very clean finish.

Feels nicely carbonated at first, but doesnt finish with as much as it starts. Fairly light bodied.

I could drink a million of these. Nice flavor, but quite light bodied

Serving type: can

11-16-2009 23:01:41 | More by HURTemHIZZY

Zekezilla

Maryland

3.83/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I didn't know what to expect but some guys recommended this @ Beltway Liquors, here in Baltimore. I'm usually disappointed when it comes to "novelty beers" so I did not have high expectations; this one is pretty refreshing, though. Don't expect to be overwhelmed with the watermelon flavor, it's pretty subtle and comes in toward the back of the taste. Almost zero hoppiness, I do detect a little spice in there. Makes for an interesting combination with the watermelon. I think this would be an excellent session beer in warm weather. Would pair nicely with salad or most any kind of fruit. Moderate carbonation--seems like just the right amount for this beer. Nothing remarkable a/b smell or appearance. Cans make for excellent portability and more compact for storage.

Serving type: can

04-29-2010 22:54:38 | More by Zekezilla

seh410

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pale yellow, minimal white head. Looks like a light commercial beer almost.

Aroma: Smells fresh and sweet with hints of cotton candy. Definitely does not smell like artificial jolly-rancher watermelon flavor, which I was afraid of. In fact, there really isn't much watermelon on the nose at all, just sweetness.

Taste: Minimal watermelon taste, with slightly bitter aftertaste lingering. Most certainly does not taste how I expected it to - that is, like cloyingly fake watermelon. Mostly just tastes how it smells, sweet like cotton candy with a crisp freshness that I like.

Mouthfeel: Minimal carbonation, feels very creamy in the mouth.

Drinkability: Pretty high. Though I wouldn't add this to my usual rotation of beers, I can see it being a BBQ or summer beach staple. It is light and very easy to put back a couple.

Notes: For some reason, this beer tastes much better directly out of the can. When poured into a glass, some of the creaminess is lost, which I feel really detracts from the overall experience of the beer.

Serving type: can

06-04-2010 12:29:31 | More by seh410

GarrettMD

New York

3.83/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A - Pours a light hazy yellow with virtually no head that quickly disappears. No lacing to speak of. Carbonation starts out strong, but quickly turns into just a few bubbles here and there. Overall, not a very good looking beer.

S - The smell immediately reminded me of bud heavy from the can. Upon taking a second sniff, it seems to just be the combination of watermelon and wheat that give it an off smell. The smell isn't making me want to drink this any more than the appearance.

T - Wow! The appearance and smell don't lead on to what the beer will taste like at all for this one. Don't take this to mean it is absolutely amazing, because it isn't, but it is immensely better than the scent puts on. Very light wheat taste with a constant watermelon background. Very subtle, but it's there. I wanted this beer to be more complex than that, but it just isn't. There's no hops, no malt background, just wheat and watermelon.

M - Good mouthfeel. The light body and moderate carbonation give this beer slightly more for the mouth to focus on than the simple taste. A good smooth summer beer.

D - Very drinkable beer, but what do you expect for it's simplicity and average ABV. You could easily go through a sixer of these at a BBQ or on the beach.

It was good, but I don't know that I will be getting it again at the current price tag near me. Good for the novelty of the beer, but nothing else really.

Serving type: can

06-27-2010 00:46:28 | More by GarrettMD

IronLover

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bought this on a whim while grabbing a few other items at the lolcal bottle shop. Dark orangish in color with a fizzy soda-like had that disappeared quickly. Wheat and yeast aromas with a definite sweet watermelon aroma as well. Syrupy feel with a burst of carbonation in the beginning. Wheat and yeast flavors in the front that taper to sweet watermleon and orange flavors. Much better than I thought it would be. Pretty refreshing and easy to drink on a hot summer day.

Serving type: can

08-08-2010 03:11:10 | More by IronLover

armock

New York

3.83/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Can from Perry's Liquor in Livermore CA

A - POured a slight hazed yellow color with a white head that leaves some spotty lacing behind

S - Is fairly light with wheat and some watermelon

T - Starts off like most wheat ales with wheat upfront then the watermelon starts coming through and dominates the finish

M - This beer has a light body with higher carbonation to it

O - While I'm not that into fruit beers this one is pretty good as the fruit flavoring isn't overpowering making it very easy to drink this is going to be a good beer as the weather warms up worth trying sometime if you see it

Serving type: can

03-25-2011 21:48:58 | More by armock

BravoTwo

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - Light yellow, with a slight haze and a fairly thick but shortlived white head after the pour.

Smell - Slight watermelon on the nose, with sweet and a little spiciness.

Taste - Very nice sublte sourness, like from a slightly less than ripe melon. Watermelon was not overpowering but noticable. Nice clean wheat beer at the front of the sip.

Mouthfeel - Good and crisp. Spritzy, like you would expect a summer brew.

Overall, very nice effort from 21st Amendment. As always, I love their cans for convienence sake. An easy drinking beer when you want something just a little different. If you are looking for huge depth and complexity, this beer is not for you. If judged for what it is, it deserves a try.

Serving type: can

05-28-2012 23:59:31 | More by BravoTwo

tompearson

Oregon

3.8/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Strange way I got this beer. It was mailed to me from a friend of my daughter from San Francisco to Portland. Anyway this was a nice beer! Could drink tons of it as it is refreshing and tasty. And it does have a hint of watermelon to boot. I liked it and wish more were available up here.

06-22-2010
It's here! New Seasons

Serving type: can

09-14-2008 23:29:40 | More by tompearson

auxiliary

Rhode Island

3.8/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

appearance - Cloudy yellow color, no head, just a line around the glass. Tries to retain lace but it can't.

smell - Wheat, zest, not sure if i smell watermelon...i think i do.

taste - Nice balance of watermelon and where here. Kind of an odd combo.

mouthfeel - Medium-light.

drinkability - Interesting falvor. Not bad for a hot day. Light and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2009 18:41:22 | More by auxiliary