Hop Crisis - 21st Amendment Brewery

Greywulfken

New York

4.03/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Partial side/partial center-poured into into tulip. Consumed @ 40-45+ degress F.

A: slightly hazy medium gold body with a couple of fingers of ivory head; left nice lacings

S: dry and crisp pale and Munich malts, the citrusy smells of Columbus, Centennial, and Cascade blended with an oaky woodsy aroma

T: a classic IPA, slightly chewy pale malts, with a dry, crisp edge - both from aging on wood spirals, but also the bittering hops mentioned above, as well as Simcoe and Amarillo hops, among others. Grapefruit-ish-style citrus notes, some fresh herbal and earthy flavors

M: medium-weight, slightly chewy, drying finish; takes on more wine-like character as it warmed; very drinkable despite Imperial-size abv

O: defintiely a good DIPA - I'm still impressed when I pour something this good from a fairlt unassuming-looking can. I really enjoyed this beer. It's only detriment is that it has no particularly distinguishing characteristic in a very popular and varied style. Absolutely worth a buy. This is actually my third time returning to this beer.

Serving type: can

11-17-2012 23:19:06 | More by Greywulfken

SawDog505

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a 13 oz tulip, canned 8/6/12. Pours a cloudy orange yellow, with a one inch head that leaves a thick collar of foam coats the sides. Smell is grapefruit, apricot, pine, hard candy, and cutt grass. Taste is all that, with some oak flavors and dominated by apricot and grapefruit. Body is medium for the size, plenty of life, not overly dry, and easy going down for its hefty ABV. Wish I drank this a little fresher, but a nice example of this style.

Serving type: can

11-17-2012 22:51:55 | More by SawDog505

freystout17

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I just bought a 4 pack of these. Like the overall taste, but a little bit "alcoholic", and began to lose the "hops" taste as I got further into it. It is not nearly as hops-intense as I had originally predicted. If you like a good kick from your IPA, but not a lot of bitterness, this is the one.
My favorite IPA's are Dogfish 90's, and the cheaper more mundane Sierra Torpedo's. This brew very much reminds me of the latter, but with more alcohol.

Serving type: can

11-15-2012 00:04:07 | More by freystout17

PatDugan

4.55/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hops Crisis is literally the equivalent of someone taking a bat and smashing you in the face. I mean that in the best possible way. This beer is strong as hell, and has a kick that will quite literally knock you off your feet.

If you can grab this off a tap somewhere, by all means go for it. Not bad in a can either in a pinch.

Serving type: can

11-04-2012 00:56:08 | More by PatDugan

nickfl

Florida

3.78/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours with one finger of white foam on a hazy, golden body. The head settles pretty quickly but leaves decent lace.

S - A pungent aroma of floral and pine hops with clean malt in the background.

T - Sweet mat and fruity hops up front. Some pine and citrus notes in the middle with a touch of toffee. Finishes with turpentine, grapefruit, and a strong, somewhat medicinal bitterness.

M - Medium body, moderately high carbonation, and a slightly sweet finish.

D - It has a lot of potential at first with a great aroma, but things fall apart in the finish. Harsh bitterness and an odd hop profile in the flavor hurt the drinkability and leave me disappointed.

Serving type: can

11-01-2012 04:05:33 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

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

A: single finger head with nice lacing on a cloudy golden body.

S: lots of citrus hops with mostly orange and some lemon.

T: spicey, orange sweetness and tartness from the hops. malt base is noticeable but doesnt dominate. Finishes very herbal and with metallic notes.

M: medium body and moderate to high carbonation.

Overall: The hoppiness is there, just not the hop flavors I really enjoy. Definitly worth trying and a good beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 04:04:02 | More by kylehay2004

sukwonee

Washington

4.03/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Orange clear body with 1 finger head. Lots of lacing.

S: Pineapple. Smells like canned pineapple. Sweet malt, some pine, sugar.

T: Pineapple, some woody-ness, sweet malt, some alcohol notes. Quite tasty.

M: Low carbonation, but quite smooth. Dry finish.

O: Very unique IPA. It's a lot maltier than my liking, but it's quite good.

Serving type: can

10-30-2012 06:24:49 | More by sukwonee

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 ounce can into a brandy snifter. This can is a month or two old and not nearly as tasty as it was when fresh. My review might be (slightly) biased due to numerous earlier excellent experiences.

A: Tight white head, golden-murky body. Good lacing.

S: Not nearly as powerfully hoppy as in the past. Mellow, fruity, and alcoholic, with a touch of oak aging apparent.

T: Big, bitter, and woody. Smooth and robust, with a solid bitter-fruity base. The oak aging has definitely become more pronounced with age (as hops diminish, I suppose). Heavy malts that used to offer balance now offer a heavy mouthfeel. Lemon zest, alcohol, and malty tannins.

O: Great DIPA, but be sure to drink it fresh. Recommended. Have had several and would have again. Complex and delicious.

Serving type: can

10-29-2012 04:32:57 | More by AgentMunky

Philousa

California

2.7/5  rDev -32.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Pours a somewhat hazy pale yellow with a thick, creamy white head sitting one inch above the beer. Great lacing. Aroma is a little biting with the oak and it's backed up by piney, syrupy hop aroma. The malt is definitely no second fiddle, though, and comes across with a strong cereal and unbaked bread aroma. It reminds me of a very mealy dough. Some sharp lemon citrus comes across with a big whiff. The malt is very prominent as expected. Under-cooked biscuits and wheat bread accompany a woody, somewhat grainy flavor and feel. The bitterness comes slowly and gently, but stays prominently. Hops and wood linger and blunt the senses somewhat. The feel is balanced with a dry finish.

The oak is definitely too prominent and distracting. Let's make it more about the hops and malt with a bit of oak to make it different. Not a fan.

Serving type: can

10-26-2012 04:55:28 | More by Philousa

tastybeer

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Murky orange, off white bubbly oily head. Head is medium-large and eventually settles as a ring around some thin patches.

S: Smell is loaded with fragrant hoppy goodness. Very smooth too. Big but soft. Its like piles of hops soaked deep into fresh caramelized bread. The usual duo of orange and pine, but in a super sweet, tangy, juicy (smelling) format. Fresh apples are also apparent.

T: Big juicy piles of orange and resinous pine cones. Whisky barrel-like woodiness is lightly woven throughout. Certainly not overwhelmingly 'oaky.' Other flavors that surface are tangy cherries, pineapple, caramel granny smith apples, all with fresh hop pellet bitterness.

M: Very smooth, almost silky with an underlying grittiness.

O: I'm enjoying this very much. Surprisingly drinkable for the strength and aroma/flavor intensity. I'd certainly get this again.

Serving type: can

10-22-2012 00:12:28 | More by tastybeer

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: This beer pours a light, golden-orange color with a solid 2 in, soapy, bright white head. Very hazy in appearance. Retention is slow in my IPA glass, so I dont see any lacing, though im sure its heavy.

S: Strong amounts of citrus hops and grapefruit jump out at me off the first smell. I also get some apricots, a dry biscuit aroma.

T: Very strong hop bite, very citrusy and piney in the initial taste. I get a subtle honey and apricot flavor through the middle,followed by that dry yeast that coats your mouth.

M: Very hoppy, but not too bitter. Nice mouthfeel and a good balance of flavor make this a very drinkable IPA. Alcohol is not noticeable and has minor carbonation.

O: This is a very hoppy IPA and is up there with some other great ones I have had. I always compare a good IPA to Samuel Adams Whitewater, and this one come pretty close. High ABV and the quality that this beer was brewed make it well worth the price if you can find it. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 21:57:06 | More by SouljaSaia17

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a lightly hazy dark golden yellow to copper in color with light amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a two finger tall dense foamy white head that slowly reduces to a couple of small thick patches of large bubbles, a thin film covering the remainder of the surface, and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of sweet caramel/toffee malts, grapefruit/citrus hops, and oak.

T: Starts out with some moderate amounts of caramel and toffee malt sweetness followed by strong flavors of grapefruit/citrus hops. There are also moderately strong flavors of oak and vanilla. Light to moderate amounts of bitterness which do not linger.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth and sticky with light to moderate amounts of dryness and alcohol warming in the finish.

O: Easier to drink than I expected with the big ABV and the name hop crisis - the alcohol is fairly well hidden and there is not a ton of bitterness. Enjoyable but this is a sipping beer and definitely not sessionable. Well balanced - feels like a hybrid of a barleywine and an IPA.

Serving type: can

10-20-2012 03:01:08 | More by dbrauneis

stephenjmoore

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Big glowing orange body with a huge sticky white head that leaves behind bubbles and lacing.

S- Piney hops up front with a rich biscuity malt aroma. A slight grainy wood smell is present too.

T- An oaky, bready malt flavor is noticeable from beginning to end. Hops do not overpower, but do compliment nicely. I was expecting more of a hop punch from beginning to end, but the malty flavors come through a little more.

M- Medium carbonation with a medium to full body. Drinkability is high, but meant to be a sipper.

O- Solid oaky, balanced IIPA, but not the hop presence I expected.

Serving type: can

10-18-2012 23:39:57 | More by stephenjmoore

CommanderOfAwesome

California

1.63/5  rDev -59.3%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Canned on Aug 6th 2012. More than 2 months old, which I didn't know because the bottle on date wasn't visible on the outside package. Only way to know is by opening the box. Thought it was a local brew (SF) but turns out it was canned in MN. Makes sense/sarcasm.

A: Pours a clear golden yellow with a 2.5 finger head. Looks inviting enough.

S: Has a very unique smell. Picking up a floral scent along with a tad bit of citrus and malt. Not a huge fan of the smell, getting rank cardboard or something. VEry off putting.

T: Hops have faded, my own fault for picking up a 4 pack that's 2 months old. Would really like to try this fresh, but with their current packaging it will be hard to tell. This was fresh out of a shipping box as well, which I thought meant it would bre fresher as the store had just got it. Its a hop faded malty IPA with floral notes. Some chalky elements as well which is something I've never picked up in a beer before.

Edit: overly sweet and malty mess. Bleh just terrible, couldn't finish.

M: Avg medium bodied, medium carbonation, and malty taste.

O: Meh, wouldn't shell out the $10 for a 4 pack again. Plenty of better options out there, but overall if this were fresher I could see it being pretty good. Wish there was a way considering its a "Local" brewery to get this fresh.

Editing my rankings after finishing the 4 pack and bringing the last one to a beer club I'm in. Down right terrible. Perhaps I got a bad batch but 3 of them were a drain pour for me and no one in beer club liked it. Ranked it as the worst beer brought to the club thus far.

Serving type: can

10-15-2012 20:06:29 | More by CommanderOfAwesome

prototypic

Ohio

3.18/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Hop Crisis is surprising out of the gate! It’s a lighter gold color. That’s impressive. It certainly suggests there isn’t much caramel malt in the house. I like that. It’s very clear and backlighting gives it a brighter, almost yellow look. A fluffy white crown sits on top. It stands nearly two fingers tall and takes a while to completely disappear. Lacing was sticky and quite thick. Looks good! Excellent, in fact!

The nose is just okay. It’s honestly very average. It’s not very aromatic at all. That’s disappointing given the appearance. It smells rather sweet and sugary. It’s a little breadlike. There are some hoppy notes, but they’re subtle and not nearly as strong as they should be. Smells like some citrus grapefruit and perhaps some light pine notes. There are some light oak and vanilla notes. Alcohol is in the mix, but is blended rather well for approaching 10%. Eh. Just okay.

The flavor is a little better, but not enough to warrant a score bump. The good news – there’s not a hint of caramel malt in this DIPA! That is excellent! The malt base is a bit breadlike and is very sweet and sugary. A bit too sweet and sugary. The bad news – the hops are very subtle to the point of being almost unnoticeable. There are some very light citric grapefruit and light pine notes, but they’re largely buried in a mix of sugar, oak, and vanilla. More bad news – it’s not very bitter at all. It’s actually very balanced and approachable. Alcohol is there, but isn’t warming or hot. Finishes sweet and sugary with a mix of oak and vanilla.

Hop Crisis has a medium body. Carbonation is relatively soft and light. It honestly feels pretty smooth. Its feel might be its strongest attribute.

I’m not sure if Hop Crisis is a great name for a DIPA that tastes deficient in the hop department, especially if that’s not the intention. I’m also not a big a fan of barrel-aging DIPAs. Just doesn’t seem to work well. It’s okay. It’s not overtly terrible, just not very good.

Serving type: can

10-13-2012 03:34:55 | More by prototypic

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz can into a Half Acre tulip.

A- pours a hazy, dark gold with a 2" white head. Big trails and colonies of lacing.

S- mmm. Big sweet citrus just how I like it. Caramel, oranges, grapefruit, slight pine.

T- bitter orange peel, caramel, sweet oranges, grapefruit, pine bitterness.

M- medium body and carbonation. Has some syrupy feel and also slightly dry from the bitterness.

O- really good dipa. I love a sweet citrus dipa that has a nice bitterness to balance it out, which I think this beer does nicely. Would know this beer is over 9% either.

Serving type: can

10-13-2012 01:58:55 | More by kawilliams81

ericj551

British Columbia (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up on a recent trip to Portland. Hop Crisis pours a hazy light gold with a nicely laced head. Tons of hops in the aroma, citrus, pine, grapefruit and a hint of oak. The 'C' hops dominate the flavore with more citrus and pine. There is a decent malt sweetness, very light, but plays its roll before the oak flavor dries out the finish. The resiny bitterness shares the finish with the nice light oakiness.

Serving type: can

10-12-2012 02:53:56 | More by ericj551

smcnulty1981

Rhode Island

3.85/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: bright golden yellowish orange color with a 1 to 2 finger bright white head that goes away after a littl e bit with some lacing

S: lots of citrus and resin on the nose with a hint of vanilla and honey no alcohol on the nose however the only hint of the oak was the bit of a vanilla scent however the oak smell isn't prevalent

T: honey vanilla and again citrus on the taste but with the fairly high alcohol content there is no alcohol on the taste with is always a plus the aftertaste has a little bit of hop bitterness

M: fairly heavy the feel on the beer is very sticky

O: great overall west coast ipa the adding the oak spirals t the fermentation adds a great touch to the beer it adds a but of complexity to an otherwise standard ipa

Serving type: can

10-10-2012 03:59:29 | More by smcnulty1981

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.15/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz can into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a bright gold color, with a short white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains fruity citrus, grassy hops and caramelized malts.

T: The taste starts out with sweet flavors of citrus and caramel up front. Then a strong but not over-powering hops presence comes in. The malt character is hearty but not too heavy and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly hoppy.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, this is a very solid 2IPA to drink for a long time.

Serving type: can

10-08-2012 02:12:50 | More by TheManiacalOne

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a cloudy yellowy orange pour with 2 fingers of foamy white head, great lacing throughout the glass.
smells of sweet malt, grass, grapefruit, pine.
the taste is up front with the alcohol, which goes subtle once the hops kick in. a nicely balanced blend of grassy/floral and bittering hops go perfect with the sweet malty backbone of this beer.
medium body, nicely carbonated - very creamy.

halfway through the glass i started to notice an almost bourbon-like taste.. one look at the can and i'll be! it's aged in oak spirals.. as if it couldn't get better - it DID. this beer is delicious. $10 seemed a bit steep for 4 12oz cans - but then i remember paying $11 + shipping for 2 cans of heady topper - so i took a chance and i'm glad i did.

Serving type: can

10-02-2012 20:47:50 | More by facundoCNB

cjoc83

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy straw/amber color into a tulip glass, with a billowy 2 finger head that recedes to a layer after a few minutes. Excellent lacing.

Fruity and floral hops mix with some sweet, bready malt in the nose, with an undertone of oak.

Big, juicy hops come out on the front end, segueing nicely into some floral hops mixed with the sweet malt. There is some subtle oak character that brings out sweet vanilla with it. Good bitterness in the finish, along with some alcohol warmth. The flavors mesh well. Not overpowering with the hops, and the sweetness is at just the right level.

On the fuller side of medium-bodied, but smooth as hell. Pretty easy drinking for the high abv.

Definitely a fan of this. A nice blend of citrus/floral hops and malt sweetness with some added flavor points for the oak and vanilla. As far as oak-aged DIPA's go, I still like DFH's Burton Baton a little better, but I'll definitely be picking up another 4-pack of this sometime.

Serving type: can

09-30-2012 23:38:19 | More by cjoc83

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

canned on 08/06/2012. 12 oz can into 2012 SAVOR glass.

A: a very hazed pale orange hue. head retention is great. frothy and white. lacing is thick.

S: fruity for sure. very bubblegum. a decent amount of woody notes that linger on the nose.

T: the fruit from the hops are strong but are still overshadowed by the vanilla oak notes. you can tell this thing as been in some wood. strong but yet smooth. the vanilla is stong.

M: mild carb on a seriously full body.

D: pretty serious brew. lots of oak flavor, lots of flavor. a little hot and muddy though. no need to mix fresh hops and oak imo. not my favorite from 21st.

Serving type: can

09-29-2012 04:34:22 | More by Jimmys

oberon

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a nonic a lighter golden with a well formed half finger white head that left a full ring of lace behind as it settled into a soapy-like mass.Aromas were pretty light with some toasted oak and mild resiny hops,as it warmed some sweet alcohol notes came through as well.The flavors don't really wow you but there is a nice resiny hop profile with some drunken fruit,the mild oak flavors seem to keep everything together pretty well hence a good taste score.I like this beer, it's not overly sweet and alcoholic like way to many of the style and the oak is not over done.

Serving type: can

09-28-2012 18:38:57 | More by oberon

Ego

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

eyes...
2 full fingers of head rise up from da' can, hazy golden hue with a fair amount of carbonation shooting up towards the moon, lacing is particularly clingy, definitely a lighter hue than most DIPAs but that is just observation, not a knock, overall it looks real nice, the head is also hanging out at around half a finger for some moments now.. nice.

nose...
dry and bready malt, the hops are slightly herbal, almost reminds me of english hops like fuggle etc. the oak notes are in there, over all this is very subtle, interesting

taste etc...
juicy fruit ? the bitterness comes in at the end in a strange way, the body is medium light and spot on, the abv is well hidden, this just has a very strang taste for a DIPA... it has a sweetness that is slightly off, not sure what to make of this one, it isn't spit worthy but it is confounding to see what the brewer was going for.

verdict?
off for the style, should some latitude be allowed ? sure, but this travels even outside those lines, it iw worth trying just because it is markedly different from other DIPAs, maybe it is your bag baby ?

Serving type: can

09-28-2012 05:11:38 | More by Ego

mscudder

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint.

A - For an imperial IPA of this ABV, the hue is heavily on the cloudy straw side. There is a touch of that deeper orange, but not what I am used to seeing. A finger off-white head with good retention and poor lacing.

S - A strange nose for an imperial. Mostly sweet with some warm hops on the rear. Caramel malts, perhaps a bit of honey and big time pineapple!

T - Big and lush as it hits the palette. Lots of flavor here: tropical fruits, hops and a nice bit of stickiness. Not what I expected but the balance is spot on.

M - Almost a full body, I will deem it medium-plus. Creamy with a massive malt backbone. I like how the hops are noticeable while maintaining big malts.

O - This beer is pretty awesome. Nice concealment of the booze, big malts, explosive hops and fruits all over the place. Great job 21st.

Serving type: can

09-28-2012 03:06:46 | More by mscudder