Judge’s Review: 91 Rating – Hell or High Twilight by 21st Amendment Brewing Co.

Fruit Beer | Year-Round | USA

By Brad Darnell

Judges Rating: 91
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 5
Flavor: 37
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 18

Hell or High Twilight by 21st Amendment Brewing Co. is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 29A – Fruit Beer.
Medium-high fragrant candied orange peel emanates from the glass presented to me, piercing out from a hazy, straw-colored beer with a 4” tall frothy eggshell white head on top. My first full sniff yields bready wheat malt as a sturdy base for the citrus. The head dissipates over a minute or so to form a thin film of tight bubbles with a few attempting to form lacing. A full quaff and I get medium-intensity sweet, candied orange peel alongside sweet bready wheat malt. I swirl again, and the head is easily roused and provides a fresh bouquet of candied orange peel. A low level of floral and perfume hop character reluctantly eases out of the glass, completing the aroma. There are no other aromatics, indicating a clean and neutral fermentation profile.
Grabbing a few more quaffs, I find low hop bitterness that somewhat restrains the double punch of candied orange and wheat malt sweetness. As with the aroma, the fermentation character is neutral and clean, and the beer is malt dominant (over the hops) and mostly balanced with the citrus character. The finish is dry with some lingering citrus peel character. It is medium-bodied with medium-high carbonation and no warmth, astringency or creaminess.
Overall, this is an easy-drinking balanced citrus and wheat malt ale with lively carbonation, perfect for many occasions. Consider pairing this with a rich cheesecake slice or plain angel food cake, as the beer provides plenty of citrus for the pairing.