21st Amendment 1966 Coffee IPA 6-Pack is a limited-release American IPA brewed at 6.8% ABV, sold as a 6-pack of 12 oz cans. Born from a collaboration between 21st Amendment Brewery and Peet's Coffee, this expression stands apart by dry-hopping with whole Ethiopian Super Natural coffee beans — a technique that earned it an 86 rating on BeerAdvocate and a reputation as one of the better coffee IPAs released in recent years.Quick Facts: ABV: 6.8% | IBU: 50 | Origin: San Leandro, California | Style: Coffee IPA | Brewery: 21st Amendment BreweryProduction & Heritage21st Amendment Brewery, founded in 2000 as a brewpub in San Francisco's historic South Park neighborhood, produces its packaged beers at its San Leandro, California facility. For the 1966, brewers incorporated Peet's Ethiopian Super Natural whole coffee beans at multiple stages of production, including a dry-hop addition of whole beans — a method borrowed from hop treatment rather than the conventional cold-brew extraction most breweries use. The grain bill of Pale Malt, Munich Light, and White Wheat provides a light, clean canvas, while Columbus, Amarillo, Citra, and Centennial hops deliver both bittering backbone and aromatic complexity. The name "1966" nods to the year Peet's Coffee was founded in Berkeley, California.Tasting NotesAroma: Light roast coffee leads, followed by lemon zest, blueberry, and floral hop character. Underneath, steamed milk and earthy espresso-like undertones develop as the beer warms.Taste: Entry is creamy with honey sweetness and coffee oils that integrate seamlessly with the hop profile. Mid-palate brings bright citrus from the Citra and Amarillo additions, while defined bitterness from Columbus hops provides structure. The malt backbone — pale and wheat-driven — keeps the body on the lighter side of medium without letting sweetness dominate.Finish: Dries out cleanly with lingering coffee and floral hop notes. Medium carbonation carries the finish without harshness, and the 6.8% ABV remains remarkably hidden.How to Drink 1966 Coffee IPAServe cold at 45–50°F in a tulip glass or straight from the can. The beer's balance and drinkability make it an easy standalone pour. For food-forward pairings, try it alongside brunch dishes — the coffee element bridges morning and afternoon drinking occasions naturally. A Michelada-style preparation with hot sauce and lime juice amplifies the citrus hops while the coffee adds depth. A Shandy built with fresh lemonade plays off the existing lemon zest character. A Boilermaker alongside a shot of bourbon creates a layered coffee-caramel experience.Best For Coffee lovers exploring hop-forward craft beer Serving at a weekend brunch with friends Gifting to a craft beer collector who values limited releases Pairing experiments at a casual beer tasting night Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does 1966 Coffee IPA taste like? It delivers a balanced fusion of light roast coffee, honey sweetness, and bright citrus hop character with a clean, dry finish. The coffee presence is complementary rather than overpowering, sitting alongside the hop bitterness instead of competing with it.How does 1966 Coffee IPA compare to traditional coffee stouts? Unlike coffee stouts and porters that rely on dark roasted malts to reinforce coffee flavors, 1966 uses a pale, wheat-forward grain bill that lets the Ethiopian Super Natural beans and citrus hops share equal billing. The result is lighter-bodied, more refreshing, and emphasizes fruit-forward coffee aromatics over roasty bitterness.Is 1966 Coffee IPA good for beginners? Yes — its 50 IBUs and medium body make it approachable for drinkers new to IPAs, and the familiar coffee flavor provides a comfortable entry point into hop-forward styles.Where is 1966 Coffee IPA made? It is brewed by 21st Amendment Brewery at their production facility in San Leandro, California. The brewery was originally founded in 2000 as a brewpub in San Francisco.What foods pair well with 1966 Coffee IPA? Eggs Benedict or huevos rancheros, where the coffee notes echo a morning cup alongside rich hollandaise or salsa. Smoked salmon, which plays against the citrus hops. Sharp cheddar or aged Gouda, whose nuttiness complements the malt sweetness. Grilled chicken with a citrus glaze, matching the Citra and Amarillo hop character. Dark chocolate truffles, bridging the coffee and bitter hop elements.What sizes does 1966 Coffee IPA come in? The 1966 Coffee IPA is available as a 6-pack of 12 oz cans.Is 1966 Coffee IPA worth the price? As a limited-release collaboration between two iconic Bay Area brands, 1966 positions in the premium craft IPA tier. The specialized ingredient sourcing — Peet's Ethiopian Super Natural beans — and the multi-stage coffee integration process justify a step above standard IPA pricing.Why 1966 Coffee IPA?What separates 1966 from the crowded field of coffee-infused beers is the deliberate decision to build around an IPA rather than a dark ale. By dry-hopping with whole Ethiopian Super Natural beans, 21st Amendment extracted delicate fruit and floral notes from the coffee that mirror the hop profile rather than fighting it. The collaboration with Peet's Coffee — a Bay Area institution since 1966 — gave the brewers access to a single-origin bean specifically chosen to complement Columbus, Amarillo, Citra, and Centennial hops. This is a beer that treats coffee as a hop-like ingredient, and that philosophy produced something genuinely distinct in the American craft landscape.
