Glassware: The light crisp malts provide the perfect bedding for the hops. Glassware that enables the aroma to be captured enhances this great IPA. The Spiegelau IPA glass is the first choice, but a nonic pint or Willi Becher pub glass will also serve the beer well. Of course, this is a canned beer and drinking great beer from a can is always a great choice!

Description: Down to Earth pours a medium golden amber hue with fluffy white head that leaves a wonderful layer of lacing on the glass. The aroma is filled with citrus and tropical fruits with backing notes of pine and wet malts. The taste is a full on hop explosion with mango, lemon, grapefruit, pine, and even subtle hints of blueberry all front and center from the wonderful hopping schedule of this beer. The bready malts quickly follow the hop to provide relief and balance to a beer that drinks much bigger than its 4.4 percent ABV may lead you to believe. The light to medium body and lively carbonation help make this a truly refreshing beer. While this is definitely a sessional IPA it does not come across as one, but instead stands firmly in the IPA category with other notable selection. Down to Earth is yet another delicious IPA from a brewery that has a slew of deliciously hoppy selections!

Food pairing: The light crisp mouthfeel, strong hop profile, and smooth malts make Down to Earth a beer that is extremely versatile. 21A has brewed a beer that may be the perfect lunch beer. Try pairing Down to Earth with a delicious cold cut sandwich of your choice, but it goes exceptionally well with a fresh cut Cubano. The sweet meats, slices of pickle, and spicy mustard all melt into this world class beer while the hops coat every bite with a wonderful kiss of citrus. This is a beer that is light enough to pair with a wide array of salad, but goes great with any topped with chicken and ranch dressing. However, Down to Earth has enough heft to go great with many spicy Mexican dishes without being overpowered but it must be said this is a phenomenal beer with tacos or burritos! Whatever you are in the mood for, Down to Earth offers something to make the dish even better!

The Final Word: 21st Amendment is a staple in the growing craft beer scene. The brewery has had steady growth throughout and recently opened their brand new brewery in San Leandro, California.

The brewery used to brew a great session beer called Bitter American, but the beer has now morphed into Down to Earth. The progression from the previous beer to this is depicted on the can which still features the beloved space chimp. The difference between the two beers is in the hop choices with Down to Earth being much more hop forward and firmly planted in the IPA category. The session IPA category is quickly filling up but Down to Earth is easily one of the best and is a must try for all fans of great IPAs.

Brewer: 21st Amendment Brewery

Beer: Down to Earth

Style: American IPA

ABV: 4.40%

Rating: WWWWV

Derek Warren is a beer fanatic, avid homebrewer and beer historian. Derek can be heard weekly on the Beer Geeks Radio Hour at noon on Sundays on WILK 103.1 FM with past episodes available on iTunes.

By Derek Warren

For Weekender

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