Hell Or High Watermelon Wheat Beer - 21st Amendment Brewery

cjgator3

Florida

2.83/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12oz can poured into a pint glass.

A- Pours a slightly golden yellow color with a thin fizzy white head.

S- The aroma features some malt and wheat along with a faint watermelon smell.

T- Some malt and wheat flavors with really faint watermelon flavors in the background. Not much notable hop flavor.

M- The mouthfeel is light bodied with a high amount of carbonation that is pretty cheap and macro lager feeling. But hey, there are no seeds to spit out!

D- Pretty run of the mill, I get bored with this one pretty quickly.

Overall, Hell or High Watermelon is a pretty average brew that I won't be jumping at to purchase again.

Serving type: can

08-17-2008 03:49:10 | More by cjgator3

Murchmac

California

3/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

When you order it at the brewery you get a slice of watermelon in the glass. When you drink it at home, you hear the pop of the can...

Pours a cloudy yellowy orange. If that is a color on the color wheel.

I think it actually smells like vomit. The kind of vomit that is that yellow bile stuff, with a metallic tinge to it. Alcoa vomit from a can.

Tastes better than it smells. Delicate watermelon tastes with some light sweet malt. Good taste.

Kind of a bitter sweet aftertaste.

If this beer were a song, it would be "every rose has its thorn" by Poison. Cheesy, yet memorable. It also gave us Rock of Love 2 and daisy.

Serving type: can

08-17-2008 03:43:59 | More by Murchmac

joe1510

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz Can

I recieved this in a recent trade with BrewerB, thanks again Brian! Hell or High Watermelon Wheat is yet another fine craft brew to be released in a can. I can't resist these canned beers for whatever reason. This flavored wheat fills the glass a hazy, yeast filled straw golden that pales even more when backlit. Large carbonation bubbles start off slow but quickly gain speed as they rush to the surface. I drank a few of these out of the 6-pack I received but this one has the best head yet, It grew to three fingers of dirty white quickly and slowly fell to a solid cap leaving layered, stepped lacing on its way down. This is a damn good looking summer wheat beer.

The aroma is very unique. I wasn't sure if I would get heavily artificial watermelon or what, I was actually expecting that, but I ended up getting a very refreshing nose from this wheat. Right away I'm hit with watermelon. There's a touch of the Jolly Rancher like candy sweetness but for the most part it's freshly cut watermelon with a little rind thrown in for good measure. There is a wheat twang that's soft at first but makes itself known on the backend. For a fruit flavored wheat, something I'm usually not too fond of, I'm enjoying the aroma on this one. The nose is fairly simple but good none the less.

The watermelon is a little more subdued on the tongue then it is in the nose. The wheat beer behind the watermelon is of high quality. A nice zippy wheat twang leads the way but falls off quickly letting the more subtle watermelon take hold. The watermelon for the most part is refreshing, juicy, and fresh but there is a touch of that Jolly Rancher sweetness which manages to stay out of the way. The wheat base and watermelon seem to go together quite well to create a refreshing summer beer.

The mouthfeel is just right on this beer. There's a nice smooth velvety body and the lower level of carbonation really helps that smoothness. After the swallow there's a touch of that wheat twang left behind that flashes a quick tartness along the back of the tongue.

This is a very easy drinking beer from 21st Amendment. The refreshing quality is through the roof but enjoying watermelon is a must to enjoy this beer.

Hell or High Watermelon Wheat is another well made beer from 21st Amendment. I wouldn't mind being able to pick this up every now and then when a full day out in the sun is in order and cans are called for; which is actually quite often. Thanks again for this unique brew Brian!

Serving type: can

08-14-2008 23:01:43 | More by joe1510

hiikeeba

Texas

3.63/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours up cloudy gold with a quickly dissipating white head that disappears completely

S - Has slight cider aroma. Not what I was expecting.

T - Starts with a very subtle grain flavor, and finished with a faint watermelon taste lingering in my mouth.

M - Surprisingly full bodied.

D - Very drinkable, not too cloying.

Serving type: can

08-14-2008 00:50:04 | More by hiikeeba

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clouded gold. White head. Nose is that almost dirty wheat with fruit thing. Flavor at first is strange. Then it smooths out and the watermelon stays smooth and low. A nice accent to the whole thing. Feel has a fairly and biting carbonation to it. Liquid is good. I usually can't stand these fruit "wheat" beers, but this one is actually pretty nice. Great for a scorching hot day.

Serving type: can

08-12-2008 19:30:42 | More by RblWthACoz

redneckchugger

Florida

3.68/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Got as an extra in a trade with brewer b ( great guy trade with him)
poured into a weizen glass, cloudy amber, thick white head, some lacing, head lasts for days it seems.
smells like a wheat beer with watermelon jollyrancher in it.
taste's similar to the smell, but less watermelon. still a lot though.
mouthfeel i fairly carbonated, very refreshing.
as a rule i don't like wheat beers and i hate fruit beers, yet i like this beer. its tasty as hell. i can't explain it, but i like it. when i move to california i plan to keep a 12 pack or so of this around for hot summer days.

Serving type: can

08-10-2008 02:55:39 | More by redneckchugger

Bitterbill

Wyoming

2.98/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

I got this can in a trade with joe1510. Thanks Joe!

It's a nice cloudy yellow gold pour. Fairly large head shrinks fairly quickly, some lacing.

The smell has a strong watermelon presence but I also get a touch of some yeast.

The taste is the same as the nose. Lots of watermelon that mellows out some after a few sips, candy sugar sweetness, some lemon zest peeks through, a little yeast, quite flavourful over all but...I'm not a huge fan of watermelon so finishing the can will be a chore for me. Interesting concept for sure though.

Serving type: can

08-09-2008 15:20:13 | More by Bitterbill

Halcyondays

California

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

12 oz. can,

A: Pours a hazy, cloudy yellow with a medium white head, good retention, no lacing, looks a lot like a witibier.

S: Lots of watermelon, smells a little on the artificial side, but not to bad, it's a nice smell.

T: Big bite of watermelon and sour candy bite at first. Flavour turns wheatier and away from the fruit flavour to finish, dry cereal.

M: Definitely on the acidic side, about the same pH I'd reckon as orange juice, very crisp and refreshing, has a soda quality about it.

D: Not bad at all, a great summer beer, the idea of mixing watermelon with a wheat beer base certainly works here.

Serving type: can

08-07-2008 02:55:28 | More by Halcyondays

paulthebeerguru

Florida

3.5/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: wit glass. opaque golden yellow color. off-white head. great lacing and amazing head retention.

S: aroma of wheat, some citrus, hint of watermelon and some sours.

T: major watermelon flavors up front then it goes to citrus, like a typical wheat. some sour flavors too. the watermelon tastes like a watered down jolly rancher or on of those branch's strawberry candies. some slight metallic tones.

M: clean and crisp. medium bodied with a good carbonation level, which was higher than normal.

D: very nice fruit beer. the metallic tones are a little rough, but I could drink a ton of these.

Serving type: can

08-05-2008 20:35:47 | More by paulthebeerguru

alexgash

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. can thanks to cstrack.

First of all, glad to see more craft beer in cans. Pours a tarnished lemon yellow. Hazy, almost pulpy (the can warned that there was yeast inside!). Small, efficient, gauzy, egg-shell white head. Tangy, wheaty, fruity nose. Notes of strawberry, wheat bread, coriander, and yes, watermelon. Interesting.

Soft wheat flavors up front. Some graininess. Slightly tart fruitiness develops. Smooth banana-wheat background. Strawberry and watermelon flavors throughout, but peaking mid-palate. Mild bitterness and tart watermelon in the finish. Very interesting, and my first watermelon beer. Pretty refreshing with a medium, wheat-protein body. I don't even like to eat watermelon, but this beer kind of hit the spot on this warm summer evening.

Serving type: can

08-03-2008 22:42:41 | More by alexgash

tiga2000

California

2.7/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I was excited about getting this beer in a can. Had it few times at the brewery and look forward to it every summer. I have to say I'm a bit disappointed about this. The watermelon taste seems to be very artificial, to the extend that I thought they added watermelon syrup to get the flavor. Otherwise, still a decent wheat beer to drink in the summer.

Serving type: can

07-28-2008 18:14:06 | More by tiga2000

tpd975

Florida

3.6/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is one I have been wanting to try. Thanks to BrewerB for sending it my way.

A: Pours a cloudy murky light straw color with a big tall rocky head. The retention is great and nice big sheets of lace run all the way down the glass.

S: Very faint in the aroma. Not a touch of watermelon was detected. What I could pick out were hints of sourness, some wheat, and a hint of sweet fruit.

T: Nice and wheaty up front. A watermelon blast appears and then quickly goes away. It finishes a bit sour with a slight metallic tinge.

M: Light in body with good carbonation.

D: Easy drinking.... Just wish the watermelon lingered a bit longer.

Serving type: can

07-27-2008 16:08:04 | More by tpd975

BrewMonkey

California

3.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours slightly hazy straw color out of the can with a good deal of carbonation, though the head recedes fairly quickly and not much lacing to speak of.

Aroma is slightly sour, faint hint of watermelon but mostly sour fruit, green apple. Flavor of initial jolly rancher like watermelon gives away quickly to a sour component which I may be more sensitive to, as I'm not particularly fond of sour ales. Wife says it tastes like taking a hefe and melting a watermelon jolly rancher into it. I would agree, with the added sourness. Finishes crisp and dry, with mild bitterness. No real hop flavor present.

Wierd is how I would describe it, not really in a bad way, but its wierd. Intersting, but probably not one I would be in a rush to get again.

Serving type: can

07-25-2008 23:52:38 | More by BrewMonkey

USCTrojanBrian

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

On tap @ 21st Ammendment/San Francisco CA (from notes)

Pilsner glass w/watermelon wedge.

Not too cloudy amber color. Slightly bitter. Really standard American Wheat profile, if subpar. The watermelon wedge rescues this significantly although maybe they had to tone down the wheat to balance with the fruit? I dont know ...

Fun to drink though, very light, summer-y.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2008 23:15:41 | More by USCTrojanBrian

MiScusi

California

3.38/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had at the 21st Amendment.

It's a light hazy gold, served in a hefe glass with a slice of watermelon on the rim. The smell is easily watermelon when there's a watermelon wedge sitting right on the rim. But if you take that off and inspect it after the juices have left the rim it doesn't smell like anything more than a standard wheat beer. The taste is the same... without the watermelon slice on top or in the drink it just tastes like a fairly standard wheat. Still, it's not bad for a wheat beer but I don't think it's as unique as people think. The mouthfeel was a bit too spritzy/harsh and grainy for me. I could definitely still drink this if I needed a wheat beer, but it doesn't stand out that much above others.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2008 16:28:13 | More by MiScusi

Redrover

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I was told that the Watermelon wheat is their most popular beer. Served in a hefe glass. The beer is a hazy dark straw color with a bone white head and awesome lacing.

The nose is of watermelon and wheat malts. Could be turned up a notch, but you know what your getting.

The beer leads with a bit of watermelon; some grains a hint of spice. It has a big watermelon finish.

The mouth is nicely slick. Nice hot weather beer, another killer crossover beer from this brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2008 19:00:23 | More by Redrover

phergy

Missouri

4.4/5  rDev +36.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The watermelon wheat looks like any unfiltered wheat beer: amber and cloudy. It has a white bubbly head that thins quickly. The nose is almost all wheat grain. It isn't until the first drink that you get a hint of watermelon. It is subtle, but noticeable, and adds a bit of sweetness to the beer. The closest I can get to describing the flavor is watermelon Jolly Rancher, but it not nearly that overpoweringly sweet. More like someone near you is eating a watermelon Jolly Rancher and you occasionally get a whiff. I was surprised to find that the watermelon is a nice complement to the wheatiness of the beer. Not a beer I would drink every day, but very good; much better than I expected.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2008 21:11:10 | More by phergy

JDV

Texas

3.28/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours very light colored with a small head. Definite watermelon smell, and taste. Easy drinking, slightly bittered watered down watermelon flavor. Nice in that you get the flavor you're expecting, but needs to be a slight bit fuller bodied and flavored, even for a summer refresher, I thought. Ok, but not as good as I hoped it would be.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2008 21:16:42 | More by JDV

ElGordo

Oregon

3.65/5  rDev +13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the 12oz can into a weizen glass. Body is a cloudy golden hue, topped by a bright white ring of creamy head. Aroma of wheat and lightly sweet fruit, along with a touch of adjunct malt. Palate is dominated by a nice, clean, mild wheat character up front. The fruitiness of this beer is nicely understated - only a hint of watermelon emerges towards the back of the mouth, and lingers only slightly on the finish. The body is pleasantly creamy, but still quite light and airy. A very refreshing beer on a warm summer evening.

Serving type: can

08-29-2007 03:41:04 | More by ElGordo

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

Oxymoron

Colorado

3.45/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

A trip to San Francisco was a trip to 21st Amendment. It came with a wedge of watermelon with the glass. No longer are lemons and oranges used as a garnishment. The pour was a pretty hazy with a lemony yellow color. When arrived there was a nice but light frothy head but it did quickly hide to the edge of the glass and disappear altogether.

The nose was light and mostly consistent of a wheat beer. Some lighter notes of a melon-esk substance, but not sure if I would say it would be specific to watermelon.

The taste is similar with a very subtle American wheat beer flavor. Some lighter malt hints are there if you really look for them. Some graininess flavors and in the aftertaste the watermelon makes it’s presence detectable, but is slight.

The body is light but the watermelon aftertaste (more of a hint) leaves a slight sweeter flavor. But not a malty sweet more of a fruity sugar sweet. Carbonation felt low but an interesting wheat fruit experiment.

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2007 22:42:36 | More by Oxymoron

beckje01

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Yellow cloudy no head.

S- Wonderful malt balance with the watermelon.

T- Good watermelon flavors but not over powering the malts with a nice clean end.

M- Crisp and active nice complement to the taste.

D- Very easy on a warm day or when the apartment is hot a little more watermelon would be good.

Serving type: can

05-26-2007 04:31:40 | More by beckje01

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

21st Amendment's Watermelon Wheat Beer pours a hazy orange body with a bit of a pinkish cast and golden highlights. The creamy white head holds fairly well, and it leaves some initial splatters and splashes of lace about the glass.

The aroma is quite bold, and displays fresh-cut watermelon rind.

The flavor is a little more fruit-like, a touch sweet, and remarkably authentic. It starts sweet, reveals its watermelon character, and then fades readily from the palate with just a little bit of melon flavor left behind.

It's interesting and quite easy to drink, but a bit one-sided. However, it makes a great summer beer, and would probably be great at backyard barbeques!

Serving type: can

05-04-2007 22:43:59 | More by NeroFiddled

Metalmonk

North Carolina

3.4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Poured aggressively to wake up all the watermelon aroma possible. Head is big and very soapy, and retains for a good while. Color is a cloudy light rust color, with tiny colonies of lace dotting the sides of the glass.

Watermelon is faint in the aroma, smelling a bit sour and sort of like overboiled vegetable matter. The wheat is the most dominant and appealing part of the aroma, with mild nutty yeast in the background.

Flavor is more authentically watermelon than the aroma, riding along nicely with the wheat. Both elements are balanced well, but it's a very simple partnership, as nothing else springs up from the flavors, except for a lemon-y tartness in the distance. Sour finish isn't welcome.

Feels a bit under-carbonated for the style and particular flavors. Kind of thin and watery.

I was anxious to try this after having read a lot of hype in some of the west coast beer newspapers. Glad I got the chance, but I'm not at all envious that we can't find it in this part of the country. It's merely okay.

[Thanks to melbatoast93 for bringing back a few of these from his latest west coast jaunt.]

Serving type: can

03-13-2007 21:18:54 | More by Metalmonk

goodbyeohio

Oregon

3.08/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

thanks to mkgrenwel for this can. i think i got it because he really disliked it.

hazy golden pour which keeps a creamy circle floating above. retention is minimal, like a belgian with no sticky power.

i can certainly get hints of fresh watermelon juice in the nose, but they're just that.. hints. predominant in the aroma is the graininess of an american wheat beer.. the fruitiness compliments the natural sour tinge of the wheat and accents it with summer sweetness.

easy drinking, weird tasting. first off, the beer is rather buttery. shows the watermelon quickly yet thoroughly and fades into a banana-laced almond paste flavor with earthy grains. i wish the watermelon is what's allowed to linger on my palate.. after all, the only reason i got excited about trying this is because i like watermelon.

great concept, love the can. what a snoozer though. i have no problem finishing my glass.. but i won't bend over backwards to procure any more brews. thought the watermelon funk at BBF was phenomenal- that's what needs to be done to this beer to enhance its fruitiness.

Serving type: can

02-07-2007 19:48:35 | More by goodbyeohio