SAN FRANCISCO & PHILADELPHIA – Raise a glass! Iconic 21st Amendment Brewery beers are making a triumphant return to coolers and taps coast-to-coast this summer, thanks to a perfect pairing with Evil Genius Beer Company.
The Philadelphia-based craft brewery—famous for its playful, nostalgic vibe and seriously great beer—is stepping in to keep the 21st Amendment legacy alive. Fans can once again enjoy the beloved year-round favorites: the legendary Hell or High Watermelon (the fruity wheat beer that basically invented the category), the bold West Coast flagship Brew Free! or Die IPA, its zesty sibling Brew Free! or Die Blood Orange, and the crisp, retro Amendment Lager.
Founded in 2011 by Luke Bowen and Trevor Hayward, Evil Genius has spent nearly 15 years proving that craft beer can be high-quality and a whole lot of fun. Under Evil Genius’s care, 21st Amendment stays true to its independent roots—the same brand beer lovers have cheered for over 25 years.
“We’re keeping it simple and genuine: no rebrands, no recipe tweaks, no corporate nonsense,” said Luke Bowen. “These beers have been pouring alongside ours since day one. We connected through a mutual friend over our shared love of great beer. This isn’t some big-beer takeover—it’s two groups of friends making sure a brand people truly miss stays in fridges everywhere.”
Named after the amendment that ended Prohibition in 1933, 21st Amendment was founded in 2000 by Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood. The brewery helped spark the craft beer boom, pioneered putting great beer in cans, and reminded everyone not to take pints too seriously. Over 25 unforgettable years, it grew into a Top 50 U.S. craft brewery while building a devoted national following.
“We share the exact same philosophy: brew awesome beer and have fun doing it,” Bowen added. “What Nico and Shaun built is special, and we’re honored to help carry the torch.”
Evil Genius currently distributes its lineup—including the fan-favorite IPA Stacy’s Mom—across eight states in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest, with strong growth (more than 10% rate of sale in the past year). The partnership allows Evil Genius to bring 21st Amendment back strong while expanding into new markets and meeting fresh demand.
“As we ramp up to satisfy coast-to-coast fans and keep the beer super fresh, we’re excited about scaling production the right way,” said Bowen. “With so much industry consolidation, amazing legacy brands risk disappearing. We want to make sure that doesn’t happen. We’re open for good beer and good times.”
21st Amendment beers are already flowing again in California (NorCal and the Bay Area) plus Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. Full coast-to-coast distribution is on track for June.
“It’s been one hell of a 25-year run in San Francisco,” said Shaun O’Sullivan, original co-founder and former brewmaster. “I’m thrilled to see 21st Amendment head into this next chapter with Evil Genius—and stoked to get Hell or High Watermelon and Brew Free! or Die Blood Orange back into the hands of the people who’ve been asking for them.”
As America gears up for its 250th anniversary, 21st Amendment is back to celebrate the freedom to brew, the joy of sharing a cold one, and the spirit of doing things your own way. Pennsylvania (Evil Genius’s home state) was already 21st Amendment’s second-biggest market after California—talk about a match made in beer heaven!
So grab a pint, toast to the right to be original, and welcome back a true craft classic. If you’re a distributor, retailer, or just want to say cheers, drop a line at contact@21st-amendment.com.
About 21st Amendment Brewery
Founded in 2000 in San Francisco by Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan, 21st Amendment became one of America’s most beloved independent craft brands. Known for pioneering craft beer in cans and creating unforgettable beers like Hell or High Watermelon Wheat and the Brew Free! or Die IPA series, the brewery built a coast-to-coast following with quality, irreverence, and fun. Celebrate the right to be original at 21st-amendment.com, @21stamendment on Instagram, and Facebook.
About Evil Genius Beer Company
Evil Genius Beer Company was founded in 2011 in Philadelphia by Luke Bowen and Trevor Hayward with a simple mission: make seriously good craft beer without ever taking itself too seriously. What started as a small operation in a converted warehouse on North 2nd Street has grown into one of the Northeast’s most beloved independent breweries. Over the past 15 years, Evil Genius has built strong distributor relationships across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest while earning a reputation for blending nostalgia, irreverence, and uncompromising quality. Known for its playful branding and community-focused approach, the brewery has become a staple in the craft beer scene, proving that humor and great beer are the perfect pairing.
Evil Genius Beer Company’s lineup delivers bold flavors with plenty of personality. Flagship Stacy’s Mom IPA remains a fan favorite for its bright citrus and piney hop character, while a rotating selection of nostalgic and experimental beers keeps things exciting. From fruited sours and rich pastry stouts to classic lagers and hazy IPAs, every Evil Genius beer is crafted with the same care and sense of fun that has defined the brewery since day one. Whether you’re cracking open a can at a backyard barbecue or enjoying a pint at your local taproom, Evil Genius beers bring people together with approachable, high-quality craft beer that never fails to put a smile on your face.
Address: 1000 N 2nd Street – Philadelphia, PA 19123
Website: https://evilgeniusbeer.com
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