After ceasing operations on Nov. 4, 2025, 21st Amendment brewing is back, reviving multiple fan-favorite brews including the cult-classic Hell or High Watermelon.
After 25 years of operating a taphouse near Oracle Park in San Francisco and a major production facility/taphouse in San Leandro, the temporarily closed business has been purchased by Evil Genius Beer Co. out of Philadelphia.
At its peak, 21st Amendment was the 26th largest craft brewer in the U.S. and produced more than 113,000 barrels, or 3,503,000 gallons of beer sold nationwide. However, after years of financial troubles due to rising prices for ingredients, and a general decrease in alcohol consumption by young Americans, the Bay Area craft brewing legend was forced to shutter.
Regarding the acquisition, Evil Genius co-founder Luke Bowen said in a statement that “Evil Genius and 21st Amendment share the same values and story, rooted in independence and having fun.” He also said his experience with the brand mirrored that of many Bay Area fans, adding, “I remember falling in love with ‘Hell or High Watermelon.’ Sipping that beer on the waterfront was my introduction to watermelon beer.”
Unlike the trend of California craft breweries like Lagunitas and Stone Brewing being sold to larger companies, (Heineken and Sapporo, respectively,) 21A was bought out by another independent company with a smaller production capability than itself before its closure. Bowen reiterated, “This isn’t a big beer takeover…This is about two guys who love great beer ensuring the beer people genuinely love stays in their fridges — and ours.”
Those who may be concerned about potential changes have no reason to fret, according to Bowen, “We are taking a back-to-basics approach with no rebrands, no recipe changes, and no corporate buzzwords.” Evil Genius, working with local contract brewers, will provide four 21 A flagship beverages across Northern California and the Bay Area, along with Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York.
Alongside the beloved Hell or High Watermelon fruited wheat beer, customers can also find Brew Free! or Die West Coast IPA, Brew Free! or Die Blood Orange IPA and 2024 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) gold medal winner Amendment Lager in stores now, in time for summer 2026. Additional beers, including multiple GABF award-winning Mexican-style lager El Sully and 21st Amendment’s first-ever GABF gold medal-winning winter ale Fireside Chat, alongside others, are being planned for release in the future.
