Brewbound Review:

The latest offering from 21st Amendment is “Back in Black,” a black IPA that, like the rest of the beers from this brewer, comes packaged in a 12 ounce can. The beer pours with a sizable amount of head to it, with tight bubbles giving way to some thick and lasting foam. The liquid itself is very dark, having a hue that’s almost bordering on black, but there’s a faint brown tint to it if you examine it more closely. Aroma is light, but nicely balanced, with the mellow smell of hops and malt. Flavor is bitter, with more roasted malt flavor than hops. There’s a slight malty sweetness to the initial flavor that hits your palate, followed by a dry but slightly soapy hop finish. All in all, it’s mild as far as other black IPAs that we’ve sampled, but the bitterness is something that definitely cuts the enjoyment of the product. Packaging is cool and edgy, with an illustration of a pirate swinging on a lamp while riding a motorcycle. It’s easy to miss, with the majority of the visual emphasis going to the black backdrop. And seeing as you don’t see all that many black colored 12 ounce cans, we think that this design will do a nice job of catching the eye. Overall, a very good black IPA from 21st Amendment, but a bit less bitter flavor would make it even better.

Brewbound Rating: