Judge’s Review: 91 Rating – Amendment Lager by 21st Amendment Brewery

American Light Lager | Year-Round | USA

By Brian Eichhorn

Judges Rating: 91
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 5
Flavor: 39
Mouthfeel: 8
Overall Impression: 17

Amendment Lager by 21st Amendment Brewery is being judged as an American Lager (Style 1B per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines), though a case could be made for Style 2A, International Pale Lager. This one pours a super-pale straw color with the faintest haze and a persistent white head.
The nose is a bit more characterful than I’d usually expect, sending up some herbal hop notes, along with fresh lager yeast character. Low sulfur notes and a bit of that cellared quality you expect from a lager. Low bready grain as well.
At the taste, it kinda moves away from there and is more malt-driven. Balanced bitterness with a low herbal hop flavor lends a crushable edge to this brew. The malt falls off in the crisp finish.
The one detracting thing I’m getting is a bit of an oily, caprylic character that does detract from the crispness. Well balanced and very tasty overall, though.