21st Amendment Bitter American [Beer Review]
Last year at about this time, I came across a new beer from 21st Amendment (a brewpub out in San Francisco, CA) that I loved. I bought it by the sixpack regularly but then one day, on a day that came far too soon, I was told it was gone. Sold out. “Sorry, it’s a seasonal and the season is done!” OK, so that last part isn’t a direct quote, but that was the gist. I was amazed. It wasn’t even Spring yet, and this deliciously crisp session beer was off the market?! Well this year I’ve learned my lesson, and I’m going to buy even more. [Editor's Note: Since writing this, 21st Amendment has announced that this beer is now year round.] Why don’t I tell you a little bit about it:
Bitter American does not pour like what many think of as “American beer.” That is, if you think of American beers as represented by the likes of light, corn/rice filled lagers that are best consumed out of cups sitting on a ping-pong table or during a super hot summer day after mowing the lawn. This brew pours a crystal clear deep orangey golden...almost a burnt sienna, if I wanted to pick a fancy sounding word.The head is white with just the slightest hint of brown to it, and it puffs right up before falling down to a good, solid half finger that just lounges at the top of your glass.
Now if you’re one of those people who think session beer is weak and flavorless well...well, you’re probably new to this site, actually, come to think of it...and this beer will certainly turn your mind around! The smell is nothing but American hops! Citrusy, a little piney and fruity, this beer smells like a crisp hop-bomb that needs to be drank, like, right now.
Oh yeah! Lately I’ve been a little sick of over-resiny hoppy beers and this is exactly what I’m looking for. It’s got some major fruity hop flavor, just like it smells. The bitterness is assertive, but it keeps a respectful distance at the same time; it’s just very well balanced for the minimal malt in this beer. Speaking of malt, it’s definitely there and you can taste it, but the only word I can think of to describe it is clean. It provides a nice, mild character to the beer, but it’s not overdone. I guess that would be how I sum up this whole beer. It’s got assertive hops, good bitterness and some tasty clean malt to it, but not of it is overdone.
[Editor's Note: This was written before 21st Amendment announced that this beer was going year-round...so please consume the rest of this article with that in mind.]
I wish this was a year-round beer from 21st Amendment because this would be a staple in my fridge at all times. It’s a great beer for relaxing with in the winter, but I bet it would be an even better beer for hanging out with in the summer! Plus, the fact that it comes in cans means it’s perfect for barbecues, the beach and any other place that glass can’t go. The fact that it’s only available from January to March seems like a crime given how well it would work for summer.
In fact, you know what? Why don’t you email Nico and Shaun, the founders of 21st Amendment, and let them know that this should be a year-round beer. Here’s the contact information from their website:
Nico Freccia - Co-Founder/Businesss Operations - email: Nico AT 21st-Amendment.com
Shaun O'Sullivan -- Co-Founder/Brewmaster/Media Relations - email: Shaun AT 21st-Amendment.com
I picked up a six-pack of this craft beer at Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont.
