Beer Pick: 21st Amendment Brew Free or Die IPA

Profile: The recent arrival of Brew Free or Die IPA from San Francisco's 21st Amendment Brewery is exciting — not only because it’s a very tasty, hopped-up ale, but because it comes in a can. It’s brewed with two-row and Munich malts and Warrior, Columbus and Cascade hops, then dry-hopped with Amarillo, Ahtanum and Simcoe. The result is a bright, well-balanced beer, with a whole lot of citrus in the nose and palate, bracing bitterness and a smooth, dry finish. The can makes it easy to pack for picnics and cookouts and really easy to recycle.

Pair with: Match the bright hops in Brew Free with hot and spicy foods, including Asian, Cajun and Mexican dishes. Take a six-pack outdoors this weekend and celebrate Independence Day with barbecue, burgers and hot dogs.

Bob Townsend is editor of Southern Brew News, a bimonthly beer publication distributed throughout the Southeast: brewingnews.com/southernbrew