I recently joined Twitter, and while I might not be the ardent anti-twitter fanatic I once was, I’m not quite yet 100% sold on the medium either.  That balance is slowly shifting though, as I find the sweet spot for how twitter can be most useful. For example, when about to head out to a Giants game, I posted a tweet asking where to grab a beer. A few tweets later, and I had been convinced to pop my head into 21st Amendment to see the freshly filtered Kölsh they’ve been working on. 

 

 

 

It turned out to be a good call – their kölsh is light and clean, and taking on that almost-a-lager like flavor that makes it so identifiable.  The finish has a hint of barely toasted malt and reflects typical german precision brewing.  I’m told it’ll be on tap this week, just as soon as the specialty glassware arrives.  I’m thrilled to see that they’re holding out to make sure it’s served just so.  It’s crystal clear, and deserves a glass that shows it off.  While there, I also got to try their black IPA.  Darkened with carafa malt, it has hints of red in the edges and is kölsh is not.  Where the kölsh is crisp, clean, and precise, the IPA is big, brutish and aggressive - I loved it. 

 

 

After the game I popped back in to pick up a few cans of their Watermelon Wheat. It was a HUGE hit with family visiting from out of town.  21st Amendment has been playing with the recipe slightly as they’ve transitioned to being a big time canning operation, and if the response from my family is any indication, they’ve just about nailed it.  It is reminiscent of a Jolly Rancher without being cloyingly sweet and wheat flavor is subdued but balances nicely with the fruit.   While it isn’t a beer with thick layers of overflowing flavor, it is a great quencher on a hot summer day.  Keeping a six-pack on hand might be the secret to peaceful family get-togethers. 

 

  

 

They’re namesake IPA is also available in cans, rechristened “Brew Free or Die IPA.”  I’m thinking a canned craft beer roundup might be in order – what else should make the list?  Oskar Blues, Big Sky Brewing, New Belgium, Uncommon Brewers come to mind off the top of my bald head.  Send me your favorites canned beer recommendations on twitter @beerandnosh

Tags: 21a, cans

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 at 5:38 pm and is filed under Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.