420 Extra Pale Ale
SweetWater Brewing Company


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- From:
- SweetWater Brewing Company
- Georgia, United States
- Style:
- Pale Ale - American
Ranked #1,130 - ABV:
- 5.4%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #25,509 - Avg:
- 3.65 | pDev: 12.88%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Saturday at 04:44 AM
- Added:
- Jan 29, 2001
- Wants:
- 135
- Gots:
- 1,268
SCORE
83
Good
83
Good


Notes:
Dry Hopped with a fat stash of Cascade hops.
Our most popular brew! A tasty West Coast style Extra Pale Ale accentuated with a stimulating hop character. First conceived in our bat cave on 4/20, this kind of beer keeps the wheels on the bus going round and round!
Malt Bill: 2 Row, Munich, Wheat, Midnight Wheat
Hops: Centennial, Cascade
Dry Hop: Cascade
Flavor Profile: Herbal, floral, fresh
Our most popular brew! A tasty West Coast style Extra Pale Ale accentuated with a stimulating hop character. First conceived in our bat cave on 4/20, this kind of beer keeps the wheels on the bus going round and round!
Malt Bill: 2 Row, Munich, Wheat, Midnight Wheat
Hops: Centennial, Cascade
Dry Hop: Cascade
Flavor Profile: Herbal, floral, fresh
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.63 by arini10 from Oregon on Saturday at 04:44 AM
3.5 by DarrellK from Florida on May 10, 2022
3.5 by cold_beer on May 06, 2022
3.69/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Mindcrime1000 from South Dakota
Pours a slightly chill-hazed light gold. Excellent fluffy white head and lacing.
Aromas are a mixture of pale and caramel malts and citrus. Just a touch of grassy and floral hop.
Pale mildly tart malts at the start and in midstream. Some biscuity character, along with lemon and orange. Then some grass and pine arrive, but never get to IPA volume. Very balanced. Maybe a touch watered.
Medium light bodied. Just this side of crisp. Very drinkable.
This is a solid APA.
May 01, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Mindcrime1000 from South Dakota
Pours a slightly chill-hazed light gold. Excellent fluffy white head and lacing.
Aromas are a mixture of pale and caramel malts and citrus. Just a touch of grassy and floral hop.
Pale mildly tart malts at the start and in midstream. Some biscuity character, along with lemon and orange. Then some grass and pine arrive, but never get to IPA volume. Very balanced. Maybe a touch watered.
Medium light bodied. Just this side of crisp. Very drinkable.
This is a solid APA.
May 01, 2022
3.75 by Velivolus1 from Vermont on Apr 26, 2022
4.17 by Rollmeaway2loadout from Illinois on Apr 24, 2022
3.72/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by ATL6245 from Georgia
Appearance: slightly hazy gold with fluffy white head, good retention.
Aroma: Light citrus, grassy
Flavor: Citrus, lemon and oranges. Restrained bitterness. Dry.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium body. Short try finish.
Overall: This is a very light beer made for mild flavors and aroma. Not the boldest Pale Ale, but not really supposed to be. Tastes good. Crushable.
Apr 22, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by ATL6245 from Georgia
Appearance: slightly hazy gold with fluffy white head, good retention.
Aroma: Light citrus, grassy
Flavor: Citrus, lemon and oranges. Restrained bitterness. Dry.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium body. Short try finish.
Overall: This is a very light beer made for mild flavors and aroma. Not the boldest Pale Ale, but not really supposed to be. Tastes good. Crushable.
Apr 22, 2022
4.03/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Bitterbill from Wyoming
Best by August 22nd 2022.
Bought at Liquor Shed in Casper.
Pours a fairly clear pale gold, good puffy head of foam, lacing is ok.
Smells of citrus hops, toasted malt, an overall balanced nose. Can conditioned, says it on the can. Believable.
Nice balance between the citrus hops and toasted malt. Some sweet notes for sure, very much hoppy notes and a dryness that usually accompanies a beer that calls itself Extra Pale Ale. Think Sierra Nevada Torpedo.
Good mouthfeel, very good drinkability.
Nice to have this option in town.
Apr 21, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Bitterbill from Wyoming
Best by August 22nd 2022.
Bought at Liquor Shed in Casper.
Pours a fairly clear pale gold, good puffy head of foam, lacing is ok.
Smells of citrus hops, toasted malt, an overall balanced nose. Can conditioned, says it on the can. Believable.
Nice balance between the citrus hops and toasted malt. Some sweet notes for sure, very much hoppy notes and a dryness that usually accompanies a beer that calls itself Extra Pale Ale. Think Sierra Nevada Torpedo.
Good mouthfeel, very good drinkability.
Nice to have this option in town.
Apr 21, 2022
4/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by TheBricenator from Oregon
Look: Light orange in color and the pour yields a huge billowing white head that eventually settles to a pillow, leaving behind great lacing
Aroma: Navel oranges, lemons, lime, floral hop notes, some sweet malt, candied dried fruit, and some grassy notes
Taste: A rush of assorted citrus fruits opens it up and as the hit subsides, floral and grassy hop notes follow suit – I get some Koreanspice viburnum, winter daphne, and Hall’s honeysuckle. Malt is there but light in presence and closes with more lemon-lime-led citrus fruit
Mouthfeel: Full but light, pretty clean throughout, medium-high carbonation, and finishes clean and slightly soft with zero dryness
Overall: I’m digging this one. I’ve heard of this beer for years, mainly here on BA, but never had it so when I heard they were distributing in Oregon, I had to try one and it’s tasty. It’s a fine Extra Pale Ale with a lot of unique citrusy, grassy, and floral notes that set it apart from many others already available and I can definitely see myself getting and keeping this one in rotation as we move into the warm months.
Apr 14, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by TheBricenator from Oregon
Look: Light orange in color and the pour yields a huge billowing white head that eventually settles to a pillow, leaving behind great lacing
Aroma: Navel oranges, lemons, lime, floral hop notes, some sweet malt, candied dried fruit, and some grassy notes
Taste: A rush of assorted citrus fruits opens it up and as the hit subsides, floral and grassy hop notes follow suit – I get some Koreanspice viburnum, winter daphne, and Hall’s honeysuckle. Malt is there but light in presence and closes with more lemon-lime-led citrus fruit
Mouthfeel: Full but light, pretty clean throughout, medium-high carbonation, and finishes clean and slightly soft with zero dryness
Overall: I’m digging this one. I’ve heard of this beer for years, mainly here on BA, but never had it so when I heard they were distributing in Oregon, I had to try one and it’s tasty. It’s a fine Extra Pale Ale with a lot of unique citrusy, grassy, and floral notes that set it apart from many others already available and I can definitely see myself getting and keeping this one in rotation as we move into the warm months.
Apr 14, 2022
2.6/5 rDev -28.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
by gefinley from California
Can stamped best by 6/18/22. Wondering if something happened since there's a decided funkiness in both smell and taste not consistent with an APA (or most other reviews here) present in both cans so far.
Apr 10, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
by gefinley from California
Can stamped best by 6/18/22. Wondering if something happened since there's a decided funkiness in both smell and taste not consistent with an APA (or most other reviews here) present in both cans so far.
Apr 10, 2022
4.5 by tonystanhope from Florida on Apr 04, 2022
2.12/5 rDev -41.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
by williestile from Virginia
The new version of 420 is like drinking an IPA poured through an ashtray. Gross.
Mar 30, 2022
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
by williestile from Virginia
The new version of 420 is like drinking an IPA poured through an ashtray. Gross.
Mar 30, 2022
4.01 by lonestarshield from Texas on Mar 19, 2022
4.54/5 rDev +24.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by GABronco
Had this on tap at a local restaurant. Smell was somewhat floral. The head was about 1 finger, but lasted really well. Carbonation was just about perfect. Really easy drinking that went great with my meal (brisket). One I'll definitely get again.
Mar 19, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by GABronco
Had this on tap at a local restaurant. Smell was somewhat floral. The head was about 1 finger, but lasted really well. Carbonation was just about perfect. Really easy drinking that went great with my meal (brisket). One I'll definitely get again.
Mar 19, 2022
3.58 by HarlotBronte from District of Columbia on Mar 11, 2022
3.68 by funku2 from Colorado on Mar 06, 2022
5/5 rDev +37%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by tmbgwes from Kentucky
I know it's technically not an IPA, but as far as pale ales and IPAs go this is by far my favorite. Absolutely great flavor, easy to drink, nothing wrong with it.
Feb 25, 2022
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by tmbgwes from Kentucky
I know it's technically not an IPA, but as far as pale ales and IPAs go this is by far my favorite. Absolutely great flavor, easy to drink, nothing wrong with it.
Feb 25, 2022
4.05 by flgimp from Pennsylvania on Feb 12, 2022
4.21/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Peach63 from New York
Golden with a 1.5" white head, which lasts. Moderate lacing.
Aroma is floral, pine, orange, grapefruit, grass
Taste is pine, orange zest, grapefruit, caramel, resin.
Medium body, lively carbonation. Dry finish.
One of the best Pale Ales.
Feb 04, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Peach63 from New York
Golden with a 1.5" white head, which lasts. Moderate lacing.
Aroma is floral, pine, orange, grapefruit, grass
Taste is pine, orange zest, grapefruit, caramel, resin.
Medium body, lively carbonation. Dry finish.
One of the best Pale Ales.
Feb 04, 2022
4/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
12oz can EB date 4/28/22 into a 16oz pint glass.
L: Pours almost clear bright light gold, good carbonation with a 1.5" soapy white head which recedes to a thick skin. Some sticky skeletal lacing & light banding.
S: Grapefruit, pineapple, lemon rind, caramelized malts and a suggestion of spicy peppery hops. Gently dank & citrusy overall.
T: Lemon zest, grapefruit, pineapple, orange. A hint of non-resinous pine. It is mildly bittersweet, well balanced and finishes cleanly.
F: Semi-juicy, crisp, med-light bodied mouthfeel with a med-fast finish. It has a pleasant & affable flow.
O: Hop frwrd w/out much of a malt profile, I am pleasantly surprised by it's easy drinkability. A very tasty & well balanced AEPA that is inviting and refreshing. A really good any day of the year beer and it is excellent in it's style.
Jan 30, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
12oz can EB date 4/28/22 into a 16oz pint glass.
L: Pours almost clear bright light gold, good carbonation with a 1.5" soapy white head which recedes to a thick skin. Some sticky skeletal lacing & light banding.
S: Grapefruit, pineapple, lemon rind, caramelized malts and a suggestion of spicy peppery hops. Gently dank & citrusy overall.
T: Lemon zest, grapefruit, pineapple, orange. A hint of non-resinous pine. It is mildly bittersweet, well balanced and finishes cleanly.
F: Semi-juicy, crisp, med-light bodied mouthfeel with a med-fast finish. It has a pleasant & affable flow.
O: Hop frwrd w/out much of a malt profile, I am pleasantly surprised by it's easy drinkability. A very tasty & well balanced AEPA that is inviting and refreshing. A really good any day of the year beer and it is excellent in it's style.
Jan 30, 2022
3.77 by msscott1973 from North Carolina on Jan 29, 2022
2.73/5 rDev -25.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
by dkoehler42 from New York
It pours a transparent straw color, with a white head, and sharp hoppy nose. The taste definitely has the traditional sharp hop flavor, but there's a funky flavor that's overpowering everything else. I'm not sure if it's intentional, or if this bottle was skunked. The palate eventually clears, with a small hoppy finish. I would want to try this from another source to see if this is an accurate example.
Jan 13, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
by dkoehler42 from New York
It pours a transparent straw color, with a white head, and sharp hoppy nose. The taste definitely has the traditional sharp hop flavor, but there's a funky flavor that's overpowering everything else. I'm not sure if it's intentional, or if this bottle was skunked. The palate eventually clears, with a small hoppy finish. I would want to try this from another source to see if this is an accurate example.
Jan 13, 2022
4/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey
Has about average carbonation with about the same for the body
Aroma is grqpefruiy,grapefruit, fruit and peel,mild pine,earthy honey
Taste doesn't stray too far from the aroma, very mild malt sweetness with citrus peel bitterness balancing it out.
Very flavorful and enjoyable beer that I wouldn't mind having again.
Jan 11, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey
Has about average carbonation with about the same for the body
Aroma is grqpefruiy,grapefruit, fruit and peel,mild pine,earthy honey
Taste doesn't stray too far from the aroma, very mild malt sweetness with citrus peel bitterness balancing it out.
Very flavorful and enjoyable beer that I wouldn't mind having again.
Jan 11, 2022
3.54 by Giggy from Michigan on Dec 31, 2021
4.25 by Spaacebar on Dec 29, 2021
4 by Jjmj51 from Rhode Island on Dec 26, 2021
4.06/5 rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by barfgarments from Ohio
Great stuff. Hits pretty dank at first but finishes smoother than anything I’ve bought in the north. In terms of abv, it brings an expected amount of booze taste but gets you where you wanna go faster than you’d think. Will buy again.
Dec 20, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by barfgarments from Ohio
Great stuff. Hits pretty dank at first but finishes smoother than anything I’ve bought in the north. In terms of abv, it brings an expected amount of booze taste but gets you where you wanna go faster than you’d think. Will buy again.
Dec 20, 2021
4.23 by MartyB8 from Indiana on Dec 18, 2021
3.6 by Timmmmaaayyy from Pennsylvania on Dec 17, 2021
4 by wl2bill from Wisconsin on Nov 13, 2021
3.5 by Scott17Taylor from Iowa on Nov 10, 2021
4.25/5 rDev +16.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by lagrluvr
pours a nice light golden ale body, white head lingers, and the citrus hop aromas are some of the best you can get from any pale ale. The feel is spot on, nice light/medium body, super clean finish and fresh hops all the way. One of the premier American Pale Ales, and better than SN Pale as far as hoppiness goes. Blows Terrapin away, not even close. A southern standard and a benchmark crusher Pale Ale.
Nov 07, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by lagrluvr
pours a nice light golden ale body, white head lingers, and the citrus hop aromas are some of the best you can get from any pale ale. The feel is spot on, nice light/medium body, super clean finish and fresh hops all the way. One of the premier American Pale Ales, and better than SN Pale as far as hoppiness goes. Blows Terrapin away, not even close. A southern standard and a benchmark crusher Pale Ale.
Nov 07, 2021
3.66 by Mcb99d from Massachusetts on Oct 22, 2021
3.65 by JustinTheJuice from Wisconsin on Sep 30, 2021
3.38 by Bear1964 from Nebraska on Sep 29, 2021
3.54 by blissfulNemo from Michigan on Sep 25, 2021
3.88/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by CAMRAhardliner from Canada (ON)
Pours clear gold with a wispy head that musters up lots of lace on the glass. The aroma is of floral, citrusy hops and caramel malts. The taste is of grapefruit, pineapple, blueberries, gram crackers, cookie dough. Light body with high carbonation in the mouthfeel. The finish is lightly bitter and shortlived for the style.
A classic 'entry level' APA. Balanced, quaffable, delicious. A must try.
Sep 19, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by CAMRAhardliner from Canada (ON)
Pours clear gold with a wispy head that musters up lots of lace on the glass. The aroma is of floral, citrusy hops and caramel malts. The taste is of grapefruit, pineapple, blueberries, gram crackers, cookie dough. Light body with high carbonation in the mouthfeel. The finish is lightly bitter and shortlived for the style.
A classic 'entry level' APA. Balanced, quaffable, delicious. A must try.
Sep 19, 2021
2.69 by TacticalKris on Sep 16, 2021
3.5 by blackcloud from Alaska on Sep 16, 2021
4.21/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
by AllAboutTheStout from Arkansas
Let me preface this with - I don’t like pale ales very often. While cruising down my very small town Walmart aisle, I saw this and took a chance. Good decision. Lovely, citrusy grapefruit and piney tastes, golden honey color, hoppy, sweet, almost sunshiney smell. Head was just wispy trails poured in a Pilsner glass. Nice sharp carbonation. Want also to point out that my label is different with a 420 Highway type sign being the prominent part of the label (small fish under Sweetwater logo) and and an ABV of 5.7%. I like this very much.
Aug 28, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
by AllAboutTheStout from Arkansas
Let me preface this with - I don’t like pale ales very often. While cruising down my very small town Walmart aisle, I saw this and took a chance. Good decision. Lovely, citrusy grapefruit and piney tastes, golden honey color, hoppy, sweet, almost sunshiney smell. Head was just wispy trails poured in a Pilsner glass. Nice sharp carbonation. Want also to point out that my label is different with a 420 Highway type sign being the prominent part of the label (small fish under Sweetwater logo) and and an ABV of 5.7%. I like this very much.
Aug 28, 2021
420 Extra Pale Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
4057 ratings