Crazy Jackass
Sweetwater Tavern

A near brown ale look - leaning towards the amber side or dark iced tea. Decent foam on the top, though not much is left on glass. Nose has light notes of sweet baked bread and banana with a hint of spice, hitting the aromas the brewery notes in their description.

Medium leaning light feel with a mix of carbonation and spice producing a tingling sensation on my palate. Rye seems to take the lead, with a slight banana bread vibe comes on, though one that contains a bit of walnuts. A little citrus zest comes out in the late finish, pairing with a lingering rye and grain bread.

Pours a light amber color with a slight head and lacing
Aroma has rye, banana and clove hints
The taste follows the nose with a well balanced rye, banana and clove flavor
A light bodied decently carbonated smooth beer
A good Rye Ale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From notes at the brewery: Pours a slightly hazy copper orange with a spotty-lacing off-white head. Aroma of lightly sweet caramel malt and Bavarian yeast with a touch of lemon and banana esters. Starts with average fullness and mild toasty malt and rye sweetness with a hint of clove toward a dry crisp finish. A pretty unique and drinkable brew with good authenticity. Enjoyed the cheeseburgers here!

Placed this under the Roggenbier category, as that's where this is listed for the Sweetwater Tavern - Centreville location. Tasted more like a Rye Beer / Hefeweizen blend, but I'll stick with consistency here.

A: Poured a somewhat-cloudy copper with a nice white head and a good amount of lacing as it went down.

S: Definitely spicy rye character alongside some pretty characteristic German yeastiness--definite notes of banana alongside a little bit of clove.

T: Rye spice and loads of banana flavor. Some sweet malt in the background.

M: Fairly dry with a medium body. Good carbonation.

D: Excellent drinkability. Good all-around complexity with a nice smoothness coming from the yeast.

Had this beer at the other location, not sure why there are two different beer lists for these locations, confusing.

This beer is advertised as the 2007 Gold Medal winner at the GABF, I looked it up, and that is true. Best Rye Ale. Congratulations. I also have to say up front that this was my favorite out of the five beers that I have tried from this place but I'm kind of a sucker for wheat / rye beers.

Beer is really hazy (nice). Kind of orange, carbonation medium, tight white head, tiny bubbles, lots of lacing on the glass, most lacing on a beer glass I've probably ever seen. Its amazing. Looks delicious.

Smell has the classic German wheat beer smells, lots of ethers, bananas, some clove, pretty interesting. Smells awesome. Could have been a little more without hurting the beer though.

Beer is medium body (a little heavier than expected), nice wheat like character (or is that the rye). I was expecting some more rye spice to this beer but I didn't get it. There is some banana ester flavors in the back mouth / aftertaste, not unpleasant. Good drinkability, good mouthfeel. Overall a good beer.

Had a pint at the Sweetwater Tavern in Loudoun County, near the airport, northern Virginia.

A - Translucent amber with a thin head that laces the inside of the glass.

S - Malt and hops.

T - Very good. Some spicy notes.

M - Good amount of carbonation, does not go flat quickly.

D - Only available at Sweetwater Tavern, so yeah...

Appearance: The color is copper like, with a nice white lace at the top.

The smell has a very earthy hop to it.

Taste: Definitely a hint of carmael in this one, little bit of yeast as well.

The mouth feel is very malty, yet semi-sweet and pretty smooth.

Definitely an easy beer to drink. This is the first beer that I have had from Sweetwater. I'll definitely have to try some more down the road.

This was my first rye beer and I was pleasantly surprised. Poured into a pilsner glass. Dark amber, almost brown with a nice fluffy white head. Good lacing.

T - I taste wheat up front then a quick punch from the rye. Not overpowering like I thought it would be. It comes in from behind and gives you a nice crisp smack. The bitterness is well balanced with the malt.

M - Medium carbonation and somewhat dry.

Overall, I liked this. This would go great with a burger or steak. The rye is very apparent and has a great taste, not overpowering at all.

Huge thanks to guinnessdoc for bringing this beer to the tasting at SwillBilly's place. Josh is a brewer for Sweetwater Tavern and told me a little bit about this Roggenbier. Spectacular. This it the epitome of sessionable. I am not a hop head. I really prefer a malty brew, which this is but it has a pleasant rye flavor and nip from the rye and gentle hops.

Appearance: Pours a copper color with a frothy off white cap and some lace.

Smell it malty with a juicy barley, bready malt and rye earthy hop.

Taste: Carmel malt and bready flavors with a light peaty smoke attribute and gentle tartness in the finish. Extremely approachable. ("pedestrian" as Josh himself described)

Mouthfeel: Sweet and smooth, malty.

Drinkability: The feature of this beer is with out a doubt the easy drinking, approachable nature of it and an extremely high sessionability quotient.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!