Sweetwater IPA | SweetWater Brewing Company
Brewed by:
SweetWater Brewing Company
Georgia, United States
sweetwaterbrew.com
Style: American IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.30%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
This mammoth IPA is dry-hopped to the gills, delivering a kick-you-in-the-teeth hop chop. This beer is unfiltered, as with all SweetWater's brews, to leave all the natural flavors intact.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 02-05-2002
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 3,578 | Reviews: 939
Reviews by the Alström Bros:
4.2/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From BeerAdvocate Magazine Volume II, Issue II:
The brewery states that it's unfiltered, unpasteurized, with an intense hop character. Crafty sounding to say the least. Sunrise orange hue, nearly crystal clear. The froth clings well. Sticky sweet pink grapefruit with some herbal and wild flower aromas form the hops. Not a whole lot of malt in the nose as the hops are clearly dominant. Exceptionally smooth with a creamy medium body. The prickly sharpness from the hop bitterness needles the taste buds with a clean, spicy character. Heavy and deep herbal and citric rind flavor wrings out the taste buds with each sip. Spikes of malt pop up here and there with dry biscuity flavors, alcohol drops a clean fruitiness that resembles pears and Red Delicious apples. Puckering dry finish with a long dragging trail of hoppiness.
The label deceives, or perhaps we were not ready for the hop onslaught that was delivered from this bottle. A hophead's beery dream. Without a doubt this a good call when it comes to American IPAs.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From BeerAdvocate Magazine Volume II, Issue II:
The brewery states that it's unfiltered, unpasteurized, with an intense hop character. Crafty sounding to say the least. Sunrise orange hue, nearly crystal clear. The froth clings well. Sticky sweet pink grapefruit with some herbal and wild flower aromas form the hops. Not a whole lot of malt in the nose as the hops are clearly dominant. Exceptionally smooth with a creamy medium body. The prickly sharpness from the hop bitterness needles the taste buds with a clean, spicy character. Heavy and deep herbal and citric rind flavor wrings out the taste buds with each sip. Spikes of malt pop up here and there with dry biscuity flavors, alcohol drops a clean fruitiness that resembles pears and Red Delicious apples. Puckering dry finish with a long dragging trail of hoppiness.
The label deceives, or perhaps we were not ready for the hop onslaught that was delivered from this bottle. A hophead's beery dream. Without a doubt this a good call when it comes to American IPAs.
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3.65/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Very balanced, almost too balanced for the style. Good amount of dextrin sweetness with a softer yet bold hop bitterness. This one reminds me of some west coast pale ales, light in color with a big dose of pale malt and low - medium alpha hops. Clean finish with dextrins and floral hop.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Very balanced, almost too balanced for the style. Good amount of dextrin sweetness with a softer yet bold hop bitterness. This one reminds me of some west coast pale ales, light in color with a big dose of pale malt and low - medium alpha hops. Clean finish with dextrins and floral hop.
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More User Reviews:
4.58/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a dark orange haze, darker than most in this style. Extensive lacing and slightly off white head.
Smell is subdued for the style, some citrus and sweetness.
The taste is remarkably well balanced for an American IPA. Citrus hops with a solid malt backbone. No residual bitterness in the finish. With the low carbonation medium body and almost perfect hop to malt balance...this is the most drinkable 6%+ IPA I've had. The best of the Sweetwater bunch.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a dark orange haze, darker than most in this style. Extensive lacing and slightly off white head.
Smell is subdued for the style, some citrus and sweetness.
The taste is remarkably well balanced for an American IPA. Citrus hops with a solid malt backbone. No residual bitterness in the finish. With the low carbonation medium body and almost perfect hop to malt balance...this is the most drinkable 6%+ IPA I've had. The best of the Sweetwater bunch.
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4.21/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
An okay iPad. Nothing special and won't buy again.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
An okay iPad. Nothing special and won't buy again.
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4.44/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Very good! smooth, tasty and EZ to drink more than a few. My wife even likes it and it makes her britches disappear!!
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look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Very good! smooth, tasty and EZ to drink more than a few. My wife even likes it and it makes her britches disappear!!
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4.83/5 rDev +22%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Look: Pours a deep, cloudy gold with a light white head
Smell: sweet and citrusy
Taste: I generally don't like IPAs but this is honestly a perfect balance of citrus and bitter hops. I think it's the best IPA I've ever tasted.
Feel: perfect consistency
Overall: This is my favorite standard IPA (i.e. no added flavors like Mocha or Grapefruit) ever!
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look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Look: Pours a deep, cloudy gold with a light white head
Smell: sweet and citrusy
Taste: I generally don't like IPAs but this is honestly a perfect balance of citrus and bitter hops. I think it's the best IPA I've ever tasted.
Feel: perfect consistency
Overall: This is my favorite standard IPA (i.e. no added flavors like Mocha or Grapefruit) ever!
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5/5 rDev +26.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
My favorite IPA. The smell is phenomenal; very floral. The best smelling brew I've had the pleasure to sniff. The taste is very similar to the scent. Perfect amount of bitterness. Superbly balanced. Simply good stuff.
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look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
My favorite IPA. The smell is phenomenal; very floral. The best smelling brew I've had the pleasure to sniff. The taste is very similar to the scent. Perfect amount of bitterness. Superbly balanced. Simply good stuff.
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3.94/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle best by 6-28-17; just over! DFH Tulip.
A: pours a rusty copper orange with 1 finger white head that recedes to a nice thick skim with a ring of bubbles. Lots of visible carbonation. Good lacing and excellent retention.
S: delightful sweet citrus. Very traditional IPA, nothing over the top.
T: much like the aroma, sweet and citrusy arrival; ruby red grapefruit, navel orange peel. Mid palate is bready and not too sweet, but sweeter than most IPAs you find these days. Ending is lightly bitter. Training wheels IBUs, which suits my taste just fine, thank you very much.
M: lighter end of midweight, active carbonation, and significant but not unpleasant slickness.
O: Sweetwater Blue and 420 were some of the first craft beers I ever had. I don't know why it took me 15 years to get around to drinking this one. This is a really satisfying IPA. It does not push the envelope; this represents the outer limits circa 2003. But this flavor profile is solid and really enjoyable, and getting harder to find. Brewers who have been at it for this long can really fine tune a beer, and this has perfect pitch. This is a great classic IPA, even two days after its best by date, and is worth giving a try.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle best by 6-28-17; just over! DFH Tulip.
A: pours a rusty copper orange with 1 finger white head that recedes to a nice thick skim with a ring of bubbles. Lots of visible carbonation. Good lacing and excellent retention.
S: delightful sweet citrus. Very traditional IPA, nothing over the top.
T: much like the aroma, sweet and citrusy arrival; ruby red grapefruit, navel orange peel. Mid palate is bready and not too sweet, but sweeter than most IPAs you find these days. Ending is lightly bitter. Training wheels IBUs, which suits my taste just fine, thank you very much.
M: lighter end of midweight, active carbonation, and significant but not unpleasant slickness.
O: Sweetwater Blue and 420 were some of the first craft beers I ever had. I don't know why it took me 15 years to get around to drinking this one. This is a really satisfying IPA. It does not push the envelope; this represents the outer limits circa 2003. But this flavor profile is solid and really enjoyable, and getting harder to find. Brewers who have been at it for this long can really fine tune a beer, and this has perfect pitch. This is a great classic IPA, even two days after its best by date, and is worth giving a try.
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3.76/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle bb 9/24/17 poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass at fridge temp 6.3% ABV. The beer pours a somewhat bright honey amber color with off white head and quite a bit of lacing. The aroma is citrus and pine with a hint of caramel. Old school and solid but not overpowering. The taste is more citrus and pine with some caramel malt in the finish. The bitterness is subtle but there. Mouthfeel is soft bodied with moderately high carbonation. The finish is undry, possibly a combo of hop oils and malt. Overall, very good. I don't know for certain the age of this beer but I imagine the experience might have been better fresher. An old school IPA with promise.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle bb 9/24/17 poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass at fridge temp 6.3% ABV. The beer pours a somewhat bright honey amber color with off white head and quite a bit of lacing. The aroma is citrus and pine with a hint of caramel. Old school and solid but not overpowering. The taste is more citrus and pine with some caramel malt in the finish. The bitterness is subtle but there. Mouthfeel is soft bodied with moderately high carbonation. The finish is undry, possibly a combo of hop oils and malt. Overall, very good. I don't know for certain the age of this beer but I imagine the experience might have been better fresher. An old school IPA with promise.
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4.23/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
pours a cloudy amber with a solid head.
smell is sweet, nothing very noticeable going on here. not bad but not great either.
for a 6.3% beer this has a nice hop bite. i'm pleasantly surprised by this. crisp bitterness and finishes with some lingering bitterness. this is actually pretty good.
my first SweetWater Beer as they just came to NJ recently. low-ish in abv but a full IPA flavor.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
pours a cloudy amber with a solid head.
smell is sweet, nothing very noticeable going on here. not bad but not great either.
for a 6.3% beer this has a nice hop bite. i'm pleasantly surprised by this. crisp bitterness and finishes with some lingering bitterness. this is actually pretty good.
my first SweetWater Beer as they just came to NJ recently. low-ish in abv but a full IPA flavor.
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4.37/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Outstanding brew. I was immediately pleased by the orange/yellow color which was very inviting. Medium head and but not too frothy. I love the taste of this beer, somewhat light with distinct notes of citrus, and it leaves a delightful sizzle on the back of your tongue many moments after consumption. If I had to complain about anything it would be the body which I would prefer to be a little more robust. Overall, f*cking outstanding beer! This is now my go-to favorite, and it will take a hell of a contender to knock it off the throne.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Outstanding brew. I was immediately pleased by the orange/yellow color which was very inviting. Medium head and but not too frothy. I love the taste of this beer, somewhat light with distinct notes of citrus, and it leaves a delightful sizzle on the back of your tongue many moments after consumption. If I had to complain about anything it would be the body which I would prefer to be a little more robust. Overall, f*cking outstanding beer! This is now my go-to favorite, and it will take a hell of a contender to knock it off the throne.
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4.74/5 rDev +19.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Look: pale, a little yellowish with lots of frothy head
Smell:very hoppy with citrus
Taste: dry, lots of bite, a lot of citrus, strong hop flavours
Feel: full bodies, rich in flavour
Overall: very nice beer, leaves you wanting more! I found the smell of the beer very attractive, it takes me back to working in the drying kiln on a hop farm many years ago, that peculiar and distinctive hop smell.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Look: pale, a little yellowish with lots of frothy head
Smell:very hoppy with citrus
Taste: dry, lots of bite, a lot of citrus, strong hop flavours
Feel: full bodies, rich in flavour
Overall: very nice beer, leaves you wanting more! I found the smell of the beer very attractive, it takes me back to working in the drying kiln on a hop farm many years ago, that peculiar and distinctive hop smell.
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4.21/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
appearance: golden amber color. poor head and no lacing. lager like
smell: huge hop aroma, tons of grapefruit
taste: hmmm, not as much grapefruit on the taste as I thought. pretty good ipa. one the balanced side
mouthfeel: medium bodied
drinkability: solid IPA selection and Im sure to have it again
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look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
appearance: golden amber color. poor head and no lacing. lager like
smell: huge hop aroma, tons of grapefruit
taste: hmmm, not as much grapefruit on the taste as I thought. pretty good ipa. one the balanced side
mouthfeel: medium bodied
drinkability: solid IPA selection and Im sure to have it again
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3.99/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance- A pretty bright honey amber with a very steady and strong column of bubbles ascending to the heaven that is my palate. Leaving behind almost a finger worth of foam and lacing. Great beer to look at in wonder.
Smell- A mild hop aroma for an American IPA. Plenty oof bittersweet bread crust aromas. Lots o biscuit dough.
Taste- Some orange peel mixes with the toasty malts to give it a burnt orange peel hopp flavor. Clean hop presence. Not resiny or syrupy. Almost like a lager with IPA flavors.
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look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance- A pretty bright honey amber with a very steady and strong column of bubbles ascending to the heaven that is my palate. Leaving behind almost a finger worth of foam and lacing. Great beer to look at in wonder.
Smell- A mild hop aroma for an American IPA. Plenty oof bittersweet bread crust aromas. Lots o biscuit dough.
Taste- Some orange peel mixes with the toasty malts to give it a burnt orange peel hopp flavor. Clean hop presence. Not resiny or syrupy. Almost like a lager with IPA flavors.
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4.75/5 rDev +19.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Very citrusy, floral tones and a nice aftertaste. Had in Destin, FL SB 2017. At 7% this would seem to be a new and great session brew. Very flavorful, nice job Atlanta, if only your highways were as smooth!
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Very citrusy, floral tones and a nice aftertaste. Had in Destin, FL SB 2017. At 7% this would seem to be a new and great session brew. Very flavorful, nice job Atlanta, if only your highways were as smooth!
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2.33/5 rDev -41.2%
look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25
What to say? Man North Carolina, you're killing me! I know this is a Georgia IPA, but trying to locate a good IPA in these parts is becoming a daunting challenge.
Can't blame the date on the bottle, drink before August 14, it's June 21st.
This IPA looked beautiful as I was pouring it, but appearance tells you little.
Upon smelling it, nothing. Second try, I may have dug out some piney notes.
Taste- Just bad off flavors. Would have rather had a Bud. Poured it out.
Hopefully, this was a "bad" batch, but with the date and my luck with the East Coast IPA'S, I am losing hope.
Thankfully, I can still get Lagunitas out here.
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look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25
What to say? Man North Carolina, you're killing me! I know this is a Georgia IPA, but trying to locate a good IPA in these parts is becoming a daunting challenge.
Can't blame the date on the bottle, drink before August 14, it's June 21st.
This IPA looked beautiful as I was pouring it, but appearance tells you little.
Upon smelling it, nothing. Second try, I may have dug out some piney notes.
Taste- Just bad off flavors. Would have rather had a Bud. Poured it out.
Hopefully, this was a "bad" batch, but with the date and my luck with the East Coast IPA'S, I am losing hope.
Thankfully, I can still get Lagunitas out here.
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3.79/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A: slight haze; blood orange in color; 1+ finger off white head that receded slowly to a thin cap; OK lacing;
S: soapy for a moment, then floral and tropical fruit hops;
T: lightly bitter up front; orange, pineapple, and mint from start to finish; mild bitterness on the finish;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: the mint is an interesting addition to the usual IPA character;
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A: slight haze; blood orange in color; 1+ finger off white head that receded slowly to a thin cap; OK lacing;
S: soapy for a moment, then floral and tropical fruit hops;
T: lightly bitter up front; orange, pineapple, and mint from start to finish; mild bitterness on the finish;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: the mint is an interesting addition to the usual IPA character;
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3.24/5 rDev -18.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
I do not understand the strong ratings for this one. There is not a lot of there, there -- mouth feel, flavor, nothing offensive but entirely "eh". Won't get again.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
I do not understand the strong ratings for this one. There is not a lot of there, there -- mouth feel, flavor, nothing offensive but entirely "eh". Won't get again.
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4.5/5 rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
BItter, tasty, easy to drink, clean beer. Not too dank. I am sure I am higher than the average on this beer but it just does it for me. And the price point is great. I get 6 = 16 ounce cans for $8.99.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
BItter, tasty, easy to drink, clean beer. Not too dank. I am sure I am higher than the average on this beer but it just does it for me. And the price point is great. I get 6 = 16 ounce cans for $8.99.
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4.2/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a slightly hazy peach with a tight one finger head that leaves a ring of lace behind,big lemon essence in the aroma along with spruce anf touch of nutty malt.Really like the flavors going on here citrusy and pine/resin really stand out but there is real nutyy malt presence to keep this beer in my mind a true quaffable,sessionable IPA.True American in its big hoppiness but not over the top,well done.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a slightly hazy peach with a tight one finger head that leaves a ring of lace behind,big lemon essence in the aroma along with spruce anf touch of nutty malt.Really like the flavors going on here citrusy and pine/resin really stand out but there is real nutyy malt presence to keep this beer in my mind a true quaffable,sessionable IPA.True American in its big hoppiness but not over the top,well done.
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4/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance This one poured a beautiful deep but illuminating orange in color with a wonderful, lacing head.
Smell Ah, the dry-hopping leads the nose here followed by a deeper, leafy hoppiness and some nice, creamy malts. The malt aroma is thick and laced with caramel.
Drinkability The malts and light yeast come up a bit bigger at the taste, making this a balanced down South IPA. The finish is sweet and caramelly.
Mouthfeel This one just is medium-bodied with some good bitterness throughout and a modest but effective carbonation level.
Drinkability This IPA is well put together, very balanced, and highly drinkable.
Comments Thanks to the ever-thoughtful Uncle Flip for putting this in my WTF BIF box.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance This one poured a beautiful deep but illuminating orange in color with a wonderful, lacing head.
Smell Ah, the dry-hopping leads the nose here followed by a deeper, leafy hoppiness and some nice, creamy malts. The malt aroma is thick and laced with caramel.
Drinkability The malts and light yeast come up a bit bigger at the taste, making this a balanced down South IPA. The finish is sweet and caramelly.
Mouthfeel This one just is medium-bodied with some good bitterness throughout and a modest but effective carbonation level.
Drinkability This IPA is well put together, very balanced, and highly drinkable.
Comments Thanks to the ever-thoughtful Uncle Flip for putting this in my WTF BIF box.
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3.5/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Cloudy orange color with small head development on the pour.
Smell: Sweet, candy-like aroma.
Taste: Tangy, tuttie-fruity flavor.
Mouthfeel: Pretty much what you would expect from an American IPA, medium-bodied and moderately bitter.
Drinkability: Good.
Notes: Overall a decent beer, although nothing steller for the style but okay at least.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Cloudy orange color with small head development on the pour.
Smell: Sweet, candy-like aroma.
Taste: Tangy, tuttie-fruity flavor.
Mouthfeel: Pretty much what you would expect from an American IPA, medium-bodied and moderately bitter.
Drinkability: Good.
Notes: Overall a decent beer, although nothing steller for the style but okay at least.
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Sweetwater IPA from SweetWater Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.96 out of
5 with
3,578 ratings
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