21st Amendment Hops Crisis

21st Amendment Brewing Co.   San Francisco, CA

Notes:

Double IPA

12oz Can

Appearance:  Pours a deep golden color…hazy center, I see a few bubbles along the edge…head is just off white and thins rather quickly…it’s almost non-existent after a minute in the glass…(2.5/5)

Smell:  Tons of hops bitterness, this thing is emanating IBUs…it’s a blend of piney resin, earthy, woodsy, citrus hops bitterness…I do pick up a pale malt and some yeast when I fight past all that hops bitterness…light wheat notes…all those hops are watering my mouth! (3.75/5)

Taste:  Bam! Tons of hops bitterness hits my tongue…pine resin, citrus (orange, pineapple), woodsy, earthy – all the colors of the rainbow…and in large quantities…I have to say, there is a pale maltiness that is noticeable but definitely loses an uphill battle…first phase is hops, second phase is rich luscious hops, third phase is more hops bitterness and a touch of malt…oak flavor isn’t overly strong, but does bring a smoothness and a refined taste that really works well here…fantastic! (4.25/5)

Mouthfeel:  Light to medium body…tons of carbonation fluffs up bringing a sharp, rich bitterness bite that completely tingles my tongue…this is a true palate wrecker…rich, smooth, luscious…it finishes with tons and tons of piney/woodsy bitterness that lingers well into the following morning…(4.5/5)

Overall:  This is one of my favorite brews out right now…the bitterness, while being a runaway train, is mixed fantastically and delivers superb flavor…the higher ABV makes this a beer worth curling up to while watching your favorite show on Hulu or playing the game of global domination...definitely one of the better double IPAs I’ve had, this is a must try for hop heads and beer aficionados…YUM! (4/5)

Score:

(3.96/5)