21st Amendment Hop Crisis

Tasting Notes

The aroma leads with a dense wave of citrus peel, pine resin, and tropical fruit — mango and grapefruit are prominent. On the palate, the hop bitterness is aggressive but not jagged, backed by a solid caramel malt base that keeps the whole thing from tipping into pure astringency. The body is full and a touch sticky, which is expected at this ABV. The finish lingers long with a dry, resinous bite.

About the Brewery

21st Amendment is a San Francisco brewery founded in 2000, named after the constitutional amendment that ended Prohibition. They're well known for canning their beers early on, before cans were widely accepted in craft circles, and their Hell or High Watermelon wheat beer became something of a cult seasonal. Their lineup tends toward bold, concept-driven beers with broad distribution across the US.

Food Pairings

Spicy Thai or Indian curry works well here because the hop bitterness cuts through the heat and fat of the sauce rather than compounding it. A sharp aged cheddar or bold blue cheese stands up to the resinous bitterness without being overwhelmed. Grilled or smoked meats — brisket especially — find a good counterpoint in the beer's bitter, piney backbone. Rich, fatty burgers benefit from the malt sweetness acting as a bridge while the hops cut the grease.

Style Guide

American Double or Imperial IPAs take the base IPA template and push the hop load and malt backbone significantly higher, typically landing between 7.5% and 10% ABV. The style originated in the US craft brewing scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s as brewers competed to maximize hop intensity. Compared to a standard American IPA, the double version is heavier-bodied and more bitter, with enough malt presence to prevent it from tasting hollow — though the hops always dominate. It's distinct from a barleywine in that malt complexity takes a back seat to aggressive hopping.