Fireside Chat
21st Amendment Brewery

Fireside ChatFireside Chat
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From:
21st Amendment Brewery
 
California, United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
Ranked #131
ABV:
7.9%
Score:
80
Ranked #26,236
Avg:
3.52 | pDev: 15.91%
Reviews:
399
Ratings:
1,402
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 19, 2024
Added:
Oct 19, 2010
Wants:
  48
Gots:
  284
Like FDR’s Depression-era radio addresses, which were like a kick in the butt and a hug at the same time, our Fireside Chat is a subtle twist on the traditional seasonal brew. We begin with a rich, dark, English-style ale and then we improvise with spices until we know we have a beer worth sharing with the nation.

Fireside Chat is our early winter seasonal brew available from October through December in six pack cans and on draft. Brewed like a classic, warming Strong Ale but with a subtle blend of hand-selected spices for just the right festive flair.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by logicalparadox:
Photo of logicalparadox
Reviewed by logicalparadox from New York

3.25/5  rDev -7.7%
Nice. Malts provide just enough backbone, with a toasty, chocolate character that is nevertheless subdued. Hint of bubblegum and just maybe a hint of marshmallow. I bet this would be great fireside.
Nov 24, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.75 by Iggy88 from Ohio

Feb 19, 2024
 
Rated: 3.62 by Giggy from Michigan

Jan 24, 2024
Photo of Jugs_McGhee
Reviewed by Jugs_McGhee from Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
12 fl oz pull-tab can:

The high ABV is quite well disguised, lurking beneath orange peel, clove, vegetable (something pumpkin-adjacent), and spice, but depth of flavour and complexity are lacking in comparison to the best expressions of the style.

C+ / ABOVE AVERAGE
Jan 16, 2024
Photo of BeerAndGasMasks
Reviewed by BeerAndGasMasks from Virginia

3.62/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
From the can, it pours a clear darker amber color with a nice light tan head that slowly reduces. The nose gets some malt and some Christmas scents. The mouth follows with the spice being really evident, finishing with some lightly bitter cocoa.
Jan 09, 2024
 
Rated: 3.67 by lakewy17 from New Hampshire

Jan 06, 2024
 
Rated: 4.35 by QuakeAttack from California

Jan 04, 2024
Photo of BJB13
Reviewed by BJB13 from Maryland

4.42/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
12 ounce can poured into a Spiegelau wheat beer glass.

Caramel brown with a strong malty and spicy “English” aroma. 2 finger khaki head is spongy and hang for a good while. Tasting like a good malty, rich but lowly sweet, English Strong with only hints of spice and chocolate. The “Winter Warmer” spice character is nicely restrained. Moderately bitter old world woody and earthy hops stand up on the back with some bitter cocoa. Creamy medium body with enough carbonation crisp edges. Finishes pretty clean. This is way better than expected, most Winter Warmers are over-spiced to my palate, this one hits a nice balance and loves me wanting another pour.
Dec 27, 2023
Photo of milkshakebeersucks
Reviewed by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland

4.04/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Clear, chestnut hue sporting a large beige head with good lacing. Spicy aroma enveloping notes of dried fruit and nuts. Taste maintains a predominately spicy profile while supporting the strong malt backbone. Well balanced mouthfeel with enough carbonation to keep the tastebuds churning and enough body to be recognized as a Winter Warmer.
Dec 25, 2023
 
Rated: 3.87 by SebastianOwl from Massachusetts

Dec 25, 2023
 
Rated: 3.83 by cabsandking from Ohio

Dec 19, 2023
Photo of bluejacket74
Reviewed by bluejacket74 from Ohio

4.02/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 ounce can, thanks to Brutaltruth for this brew! Served in a nonic pint glass, the beer pours a dark brown color with a reddish tine, along with about an inch and a half light tan head that stuck around a long time. There's also a lot of lacing. I like the aroma, the brew smells like dark chocolate, coffee, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and some dark fruit. Taste is pretty much the same as the aroma, but there's also some earthiness and burnt/charred malt noticeable too. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit slick and easy to drink with a moderate amount of carbonation. Thought this was a good overall winter ale, definitely worth picking up!
Dec 18, 2023
Photo of BuxMontBeerLover
Reviewed by BuxMontBeerLover from Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Purchased at Pennridge Beverage, Perkasie PA. 6pk/12 oz cans

Pours a dark amber color with a one finger tan head. Mostly opaque but some light does shine through. Sticky lacing left on the sides of the glass while drinking.

Aromas of malt and holiday spices.

A good seasonal brew. Flavors of toffee, sweet malts, chocolate and cinnamon spices. Reminds me of a bock-style beer. Easy drinking. Slightly bitter aftertaste. The ABV isn’t noticeable.

Medium consistency, medium carbonation.

Overall a solid “Christmas-style” beer. I enjoyed it and would purchase again. Nice brew 21st Amendment...Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Dec 15, 2023
 
Rated: 3.77 by Rainintheface from Florida

Dec 14, 2023
Photo of ATL6245
Reviewed by ATL6245 from Georgia

4.26/5  rDev +21%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Clear dark mahogany with ruby highlights, mousse-like head with excellent retention.

Aroma: Dark fruits, oranges, grains, spices.

Flavor: Spicy, dark fruit, grains, with hints of cocoa and toffee. Moderate bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, warming, soft. Long finish.

Overall: Decadent looking beer in the glass, with its deep mahogany color with ruby highlights capped by a thick mousse-like head that lasts. Malt up front with dark fruit and grains with hints of cocoa and toffee. I actually get a soft citrus not in the aroma. Spiciness kicks in quickly, like mulling spices. Soft and luxurious mouthfeel with a pleasant warming on the backend through the finish. Fireside chat is perfect name for this beer. It's easy to picture folks sitting around the fireplace Christmas Eve enjoying this and a fun conversation.
Dec 09, 2023
Photo of NiceTaps
Reviewed by NiceTaps from New Jersey

4.02/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at a dive bar, pint glass.

Excellent Winter Ale look; dark ruby red amber color combo. Dirty white cap, 1f, sticky lacing all over the glass interior.

Nice aroma, too. Cinnamon and bittersweet chocolate, nutmeg, maple brown sugar malt.

Sugar and spiced malt. Cocoa vanilla mix.

Medium bodied sweetness with a little hop bite in the finish.

Definitely English Ale style with lasting drinkability.
Dec 08, 2023
 
Rated: 3.83 by tankg from Pennsylvania

Nov 24, 2023
Photo of Caoimhin
Rated by Caoimhin from Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Decent beer with hints of dark chocolate, cocoa, and light spices

No detectable alcohol taste despite being almost 8% abv
Nov 18, 2023
 
Rated: 3.57 by RalphStanley34 from French Polynesia

Nov 13, 2023
Photo of JamarcusMarinovich
Reviewed by JamarcusMarinovich from California

3.23/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Fresh can poured into pint glass. Huge 3-finger tan head but shrank relatively quickly. Honestly looked like I poured a Dr. Pepper...tan head and cola look. Light cocoa on the nose, hint of spice of some sort. Nice and crisp for such a dark offering, feels light on the tongue with a small bit of hop bite on the back of the tongue. Not overly malty, slight cinnamon/nutmeg and cocoa. Not getting the dark cocoa of nibs but no one flavor sticks out. Maybe an addition of vanilla and a bit more aggressive on the spices would make this one I could wrap my cold hands around. Easy drinking and a good holiday pour, but not really outstanding in any part.
Nov 12, 2023
Fireside Chat from 21st Amendment Brewery
Beer rating: 80 out of 100 with 1402 ratings