21st Amendment Brewery
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | August 2000 |
| Founder | Nico Freccia, Shaun O’Sullivan |
| Headquarters | San Leandro , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Beer |
| Website | 21st-amendment |
21st Amendment Brewery is a brewery situated in San Leandro, California. Its initial brewpub and dining establishment can be found in the South Park district of San Francisco, close to Oracle Park. The brewery’s name pays homage to the 21st Amendment, which repealed Prohibition.
History
Established in August 2000 by entrepreneurs Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan, the brewery’s roots trace back to a brewing course at UC Davis. O’Sullivan contributed his expertise gained from previous positions at Triple Rock Brewery & Alehouse in Berkeley, 20 Tank Brewery, and Steelhead Brewing located in San Francisco.
The San Francisco Business Times recognized 21st Amendment as a favored destination for SoMa technology employees and Giants supporters. The brewery has been honored with awards including "Best Brewpub," "Best Burger," and "Best Happy Hour" by the San Francisco Press.
Prior to 2015, 21st Amendment canned its beer products in Cold Spring, Minnesota. Production volume increased from 28,000 barrels in 2011 to an anticipated 45,000 barrels in 2012. In 2014, the company revealed plans for a new brewing facility and tasting room in San Leandro, which commenced operations in 2015 with an annual capacity ranging between 150,000 and 180,000 barrels. By 2018, it was ranked as the 26th largest craft brewery nationwide according to the Brewers Association.
In 2023, 21st Amendment broadened its operations to include co-packing services for other beverage producers by installing a packaging line alongside a DC Evans tunnel pasteurizer to support this expansion.
Beers
The brewery markets itself with the slogan "Celebrate the right to be original," prominently featured on its packaging and promotional materials. Its core lineup includes year-round brews such as Brew Free! or Die IPA, Blood Orange Brew Free! or Die IPA, Blah Blah Blah Double IPA, and El Sully Mexican-style Lager. Seasonal selections feature Hell or High Watermelon wheat beer, Tasty IPA, and Fireside Chat winter spiced ale. Additionally, limited-edition Insurrection Series beers and a rotating taproom-only assortment enhance their offerings. The company has also collaborated with Brooklyn Brewery for production of certain brands at F.X. Matt in Utica, New York.
Awards
| Name | Style | Year | Competition | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Spiced Ale | Winter Warmer | 2001 | Great American Beer Festival | Silver |
| Shot Tower Stout | Stout | 2003 | Great American Beer Festival | Silver |
| Double Trouble Imperial IPA | Imperial India Pale Ale | 2007 | Great American Beer Festival | Bronze |
| Diesel Imperial Smoked Porter | Smoked Porter | 2009 | Great American Beer Festival | Bronze |
| Hop Crisis! | Imperial India Pale Ale | 2010 | Great American Beer Festival | Silver |
| Imperial Jack - Imperial ESB | Other Strong Beer | 2010 | World Beer Cup | Gold |
| Amber Waves | Amber Ale | 2011 | Great American Beer Festival | Gold |
| Bitter American | Session Beer | 2012 | Great American Beer Festival | Bronze |
| HQT | Indigenous Ale | 2011 | Great American Beer Festival | Gold |
| HQT | Indigenous Ale | 2012 | World Beer Cup | Silver |
| MCA Stout | Stout / Session Beer | 2013 / 2015 | Great American Beer Festival | Silver |
| Toaster Pastry | Double Red | 2015 / 2016 | Great American Beer Festival / World Beer Cup | Silver / Bronze |
| Down to Earth | Session IPA | 2016 | World Beer Cup | Silver |
| El Sully - Mexican-Style Lager | American Cream Ale | 2016 / 2018 / 2023 / 2024 | (GABF / World Beer Cup) | (Gold / Bronze / Bronze / Silver) |
| Emperor Norton's - Sweet Stout | 'Sweet Stout or Cream Stout' | '2019' | 'Great American Beer Festival' | 'Silver' |
| 'Amendment Lager - Light Lager' | 'American Cream Ale' | '2024 / 2025' | 'World Beer Cup' | 'Gold / Silver' |