Session IPA’s are all the rage and at first it was easy to stand out but now that more players are in the low ABV IPA game, it makes it harder for the latecomers one of which is Down to Earth from 21st Amendment.
Despite my aversion to the grinning monkey on the can, here is my review of Down to Earth.
The initial aroma is a bit on the wine grape side for me. Like a white wine almost. There is a brief moment when you first sip that you think it might be too bitter for the style but then it drops off the proverbial cliff and lightens up considerably. It is still really hoppy and the malt base has left the building.
The Session IPA pours a dark orange when I expect something of a lighter hue. This beer is strong out of the gate but then falters from there on out. Some bitterness lingers for awhile after each sip. It doesn’t quite grow on me though. The lack of malt backbone really hinders this beer.