21st Amendment Brewery- Brew Free! Or Die IPA: Beer Me or Die! Ameri"CAN" Craft Beer Review Month - Day 15

In my opinion, this is one of the coolest brewery names ever.  The 21^st Amendment repealed the 18^th Amendment which prohibited the manufacturing, distribution and sale of alcohol in the United States.  Thankfully the powers that be saw it fit for us to enjoy our luscious fermented beverages once again in 1933 as the 21^st Amendment was officially ratified.  21^st Amendment Brewery was founded 67 years later in San Francisco in 2000.  I can’t get 21^st Amendment brews here in Illinois but my beautiful and amazing friend Tara brought me some from Ohio when she came to visit this past January.  Thank You T!!  I really wanted to try this brew for a couple of reasons, 1) my pursuit of finding the perfect IPA and 2) I love the name.  Brew Free! Or Die IPA is a killer name and a philosophy worth adhering to.  I couldn’t imagine brewing any other way.  21^st Amendment Brewery is also another one of the Craft Breweries that has been a part of the Craft Can Revolution.  I have to say that after drinking mostly canned brews the last month; I wish there were more canned options available here in Illinois and that more breweries would start canning their brews.  It’s time for me to exercise the benefits of the 21^st Amendment and enjoy me some Brew Free! Or Die IPA!

21^st Amendment Brewery classifies this brew as an India Pale Ale (IPA) and their website describes Brew Free! Or Die IPA as, “BREW FREE! OR DIE IPA is brewed with some serious west coast attitude. This aromatic golden IPA starts with a sucker punch of six different hops to the nose, quickly balanced by a solid malt backbone. Our top selling beer at the pub, this IPA starts big and finishes clean leaving you wanting more.”

Brew Free! Or Die IPA pours a light golden orange with a large 2” cream colored head.  The aroma was a strong combination of pale and caramel malts with some grapefruit, citrus and fruit.

Originally I picked up a case of Brew Free! Or Die IPA last November while in Ohio but shortly after I got back it was gone.  I shared a good portion of it and drank the rest before I had the chance to sit down and give it a proper review.  I was glad that Tara came out to visit in January and that she was able to bring me some more.  I’m sure by now you can tell that I love Brew Free! Or Die IPA.  This IPA is unique and definitely one of a kind.  It leans more towards the sweet malty side but does not miss out on the hop flavor and does not quite have as much hop bite as a typical IPA.  What’s funny is that it is almost exactly opposite of what I usually like in an IPA but for some reason this brew falls into sweet spot for me.  Brew Free! Or Die IPA also had a minor tart character to it with a little bit of fruit flavor as well.  You have to watch out for this one because it does not drink like a 7.0% ABV and has a body that is not quite as beefy, which makes it go down quick and easy.  I recommend this one highly and it just might make the perfect 4^th of July brew to celebrate our independence!

ABV: 8.0%

Consumed: New Belgium Globe Glass

Verdict: Buy A Case

21st Amendment Brewery- Brew Free! Or Die IPA: Loving the enthusiasm at least…

I don’t get jealous easily, if at all, but I must say 21^st Amendment might be the most kick ass name ever for a brewery. I mean celebrating the repeal of prohibition is so in your face and awesome. I have not been able to sample many brews from these dudes but there is definitely a “buzz’ about this San Fran brewery. 21^st Amendment is one of many breweries that are switching to cans because of cost, freshness and environmentalism.

Brew Free! Or Die IPA is a burnt orange hue with notes of sweet cereal grains and floral hops. This is one of those beers that has a tangible gravity and dense soul. It was slightly more carbonated then a typical IPA with a marshmallow foam head. It has most everything you look for in an IPA in terms of body and attitude.

21^st Amendment has crafted an interesting beer here. It finishes much lighter and crisper then I was envisioning. The flavor is full but very balanced and clean.  I was actually hoping for a little more bite in the final profile. This IPA would actually be better suited for warm summer days and softball. Citrus notes and piney traces are all I could find in the finish. 21^st Amendment has a good, but far from great beer here. BFOD IPA is worth a try but it is not the giant middle finger to prohibition I was hoping for.

ABV: 7%

Consumed: Globe Glass

Verdict: Buy A Twelve Pack