Beer Review: 21st Amendment Brew Free or Die IPA
In a market over-saturated with IPA’s, this one stands out and people are buying it because it is in a can. Has a good uniqueness factor. How many craft beers come in a can, only a handful and this is the only IPA, in a can, I’ve seen in New Jersey.
Appearance:
Out of the can, the beer was a bit hazy, but a nice golden straw color. It initially poured with a pretty big head unleashing some good aroma. The head then subsided slowly over the next couple of minutes. Also appears to have some good carbonation with lots of bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass.
Aroma:
This beer smelled really nice, not over whelming, some really nice tropical fruit with a touch of pine.
Taste:
After two sips I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of the flavor. Unlike the Hell or High Watermelon, this beer has a strong metallic taste which really carries through the whole mouth and come particularly apparent right before the finishing bitterness. I did like the the finishing bitterness, as this beer starts out it fairly fruity and malty. The fruitiness transitions into a whole mouth zing as the carbonation really hits your tongue. From there you get a good strong grapefruit flavor, but then that metallic taste comes in right before the rounding bitterness.
Overall Impression:
I liked the aroma, which is a really nice surprise coming out of a can. I have this image in my head of drinking Heineken and PBR from a can in school, this beer contradicts what I have hard-wired in my brain. Unfortunately that metallic taste really ruined my experience. Without that metallic flavor, this was a pretty good IPA.
Glassware: Common Pint
Calories: 7.0% Abv would give this beer about 225-240 calories. (Calorie Estimator)
Simply Beer Rating: 84, I will probably try this again to see if the metallic flavor is in another can.
What did you think of this beer?
Haven’t had the can one in a while, but I can vouch for the one served at the bar. In fact I think I will start their tonight before the Giants game.
I’d love to have it on draft. I have a feeling it would be a much better beer, I couldn’t get past the metallic taste…
I recently had this, and quite enjoyed it. I did not notice any metallic taste.
I do agree though that it is much better on draft. I used to work down the street from 21st, and miss going there for an IPA or watermelon wheat and a burger.
I miss SF, haven’t been there since the late 90’s. Next time back I’ll be sure to get to the brewery and try this one on draft. How are their burgers?
As of 6 years ago (last time I was there), they were excellent!
The food is fine, not great but you won’t leave hungry. Personally it’s the patio and a pint of Bitter American for me, not that any of the beers in this brew pub are worth a pass. Hard to go wrong there.
Sounds like an interesting brew here. But I don’t think I would much enjoy the metallic taste you speak of. But I bet the aroma is pleasing.
Sometime in the next couple of months I’m going to go back and review a bunch of canned beers again. This (or monks blood) will be one. I want to see if I get those same off flavors.