Swell Rider
D9 Brewing Company


Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- American IPA
Ranked #6,255 - ABV:
- 5.1%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #39,241 - Avg:
- 3.59 | pDev: 10.86%
- Reviews:
- 13
- Ratings:
- From:
- D9 Brewing Company
- North Carolina, United States
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 1
- Gots
- 11
SCORE
83
Good
83
Good


Notes:
A kickflip of an IPA, Swell Rider is made to be enjoyed relentlessly throughout the day. Splashed with tangerines and waves of pineapple, mango and stone fruit hops.
Reviews: 13
| Ratings: 42
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Reviews by SlainteAlbanyNY:
3.43/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
More User Reviews:
3.52/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
I wish this beer tasted as great as it smells. Nose is the highlight. Very much tangerine! Taste is very light to say the least. Session IPA should be renamed light lager in my opinion.
185 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
I wish this beer tasted as great as it smells. Nose is the highlight. Very much tangerine! Taste is very light to say the least. Session IPA should be renamed light lager in my opinion.
185 characters
4.49/5 rDev +25.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
D-9 puts out some exceptional beers, and this is clearly one of them in my book. Are their tangerine, pineapple, mango and stone fruits both in the nose and on the palate? Is the Pope Catholic? But what sets this 5.1% session Beer apart is a crisp, clean mouthfeel and taste that sends just a hint of bitterness on the back end. It may have just been dumb luck, but I ordered this beer to accompany a six-time award-winning clam chowder in Havana’s Restaurant in Carolina Beach, NC. The pairing was so good, I urged the manager to offer this to any patron who orders the chowder henceforth. This is a match made in heaven! Good job D-9 and Havana’s!
653 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
D-9 puts out some exceptional beers, and this is clearly one of them in my book. Are their tangerine, pineapple, mango and stone fruits both in the nose and on the palate? Is the Pope Catholic? But what sets this 5.1% session Beer apart is a crisp, clean mouthfeel and taste that sends just a hint of bitterness on the back end. It may have just been dumb luck, but I ordered this beer to accompany a six-time award-winning clam chowder in Havana’s Restaurant in Carolina Beach, NC. The pairing was so good, I urged the manager to offer this to any patron who orders the chowder henceforth. This is a match made in heaven! Good job D-9 and Havana’s!
653 characters
3.32/5 rDev -7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
I am CANtinuing New G7, I mean, D9, New Beer Summit, I mean, Sunday (Weak, I mean, Week 694) with this beer. It's going to be yuge!
From the CAN: "Tangerine Session IPA"; "A kickflip of an IPA, Swell Rider is made to be enjoyed relentlessly throughout the day. Splashed with tangerines and waves of pineapple, mango and stone fruit hops."; "Artwork by Christie Shinn Honolulu, Hawaii".
At last, a CAN! I Crack!ed the vent & beCAN a slow, gentle Glug since I am getting tired & a mess is not something that I want to clean up. An in-glass swirl raised a brief finger of fizzy, foamy, rocky, bone-white head with moderate retention that left behind nice lacing in its wake. Color was Straw-Yellow (SRM = > 2, < 4) with NE-quality clarity. Nose had a nice, pleasant tangerine-citrus quality. Mouthfeel was medium. The taste was kind of weak, like a light beer with citrus flavoring. It is too bad that it is identified as an AIPA since it lacks any sort of bitterness, which is a hallmark of the style. It was almost like drinking a citrus pop in that it was so innocuous. It's hard to hate on something that barely registers, but this was like empty calories with no return. Finish was dry, citrusy & refreshing, but so is Sprite or 7-Up. Meh.
1,243 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
I am CANtinuing New G7, I mean, D9, New Beer Summit, I mean, Sunday (Weak, I mean, Week 694) with this beer. It's going to be yuge!
From the CAN: "Tangerine Session IPA"; "A kickflip of an IPA, Swell Rider is made to be enjoyed relentlessly throughout the day. Splashed with tangerines and waves of pineapple, mango and stone fruit hops."; "Artwork by Christie Shinn Honolulu, Hawaii".
At last, a CAN! I Crack!ed the vent & beCAN a slow, gentle Glug since I am getting tired & a mess is not something that I want to clean up. An in-glass swirl raised a brief finger of fizzy, foamy, rocky, bone-white head with moderate retention that left behind nice lacing in its wake. Color was Straw-Yellow (SRM = > 2, < 4) with NE-quality clarity. Nose had a nice, pleasant tangerine-citrus quality. Mouthfeel was medium. The taste was kind of weak, like a light beer with citrus flavoring. It is too bad that it is identified as an AIPA since it lacks any sort of bitterness, which is a hallmark of the style. It was almost like drinking a citrus pop in that it was so innocuous. It's hard to hate on something that barely registers, but this was like empty calories with no return. Finish was dry, citrusy & refreshing, but so is Sprite or 7-Up. Meh.
1,243 characters
3.58/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
OK IPA. Poured from a 16 oz can into a pint glass. Hazy honey yellow color with a small white head. Average retention and patchy lacing on the glass. Nice aroma of pineapple and tangerine. Taste is dominated by citrus flavors. No hoppiness stands out and bitterness level is fairly mild. Mouthfeel is light and fruity. Very moderate bitterness level. Not bad for a fairly light .abv but not a standout session IPA either.
428 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
OK IPA. Poured from a 16 oz can into a pint glass. Hazy honey yellow color with a small white head. Average retention and patchy lacing on the glass. Nice aroma of pineapple and tangerine. Taste is dominated by citrus flavors. No hoppiness stands out and bitterness level is fairly mild. Mouthfeel is light and fruity. Very moderate bitterness level. Not bad for a fairly light .abv but not a standout session IPA either.
428 characters
3.68/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.63/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a lightly hazy medium golden apricot in color with moderate to heavy amounts of active visible carbonation rising quickly from the bottom of the glass and some moderate deep golden yellow + honey colored highlights. The beer has a two finger tall dense foamy beige head that slowly reduces to a very thick (almost pillowy) layer covering the entire surface of the beer with a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate aromas of citrus/tangerine and hops - tropical/pineapple, tropical/mango, and stone fruit/peach. Light aromas of pale malts + caramel malts with a hint of an almost Belgian yeast spiciness.
T: Upfront there is a light to moderate flavor of pale malts and caramel malts with only the slightest hint of sweetness. That is followed by moderate flavors of Belgian-like spicy yeast and light flavors of citrus/tangerine. Finally there is a moderate flavor of tropical/pineapple, tropical/mango, and stone fruit/peach hops which impart a light to moderate amount of bitterness which linger for a moderate amount of time.
M: Slightly heavier than light bodied with heavy amounts of carbonation.
O: Slightly over-carbonated but still easy to drink and enjoyable. Decent flavors and aromas from the hops and tangerine. Was not expecting the hints of Belgian yeast but still sessionable.
1,357 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a lightly hazy medium golden apricot in color with moderate to heavy amounts of active visible carbonation rising quickly from the bottom of the glass and some moderate deep golden yellow + honey colored highlights. The beer has a two finger tall dense foamy beige head that slowly reduces to a very thick (almost pillowy) layer covering the entire surface of the beer with a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate aromas of citrus/tangerine and hops - tropical/pineapple, tropical/mango, and stone fruit/peach. Light aromas of pale malts + caramel malts with a hint of an almost Belgian yeast spiciness.
T: Upfront there is a light to moderate flavor of pale malts and caramel malts with only the slightest hint of sweetness. That is followed by moderate flavors of Belgian-like spicy yeast and light flavors of citrus/tangerine. Finally there is a moderate flavor of tropical/pineapple, tropical/mango, and stone fruit/peach hops which impart a light to moderate amount of bitterness which linger for a moderate amount of time.
M: Slightly heavier than light bodied with heavy amounts of carbonation.
O: Slightly over-carbonated but still easy to drink and enjoyable. Decent flavors and aromas from the hops and tangerine. Was not expecting the hints of Belgian yeast but still sessionable.
1,357 characters
3.99/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
L: Had this beer on-tap at House of Brews, poured into a pint glass. Had an orange-yellow color and a somewhat cloudy texture. There was a small amount of foamy head that lasted a below average amount of time. Not much lacing.
S: A sweet, fruity aroma of citrus, hops, and some malt.
T: Tasted of a good amount of tangerine, light malt notes, a hint of lemon and lime, some tropical fruits (pineapple, especially), and spiciness. This is one of those beers that got better as it went along. Could have used a slight boost in the amount of citrus, but it was still pretty solid.
F: A fair amount of carbonation with a smooth finish. Light-bodied.
O: A solid IPA that's light, sweet and drinkable. Worth a try.
712 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
L: Had this beer on-tap at House of Brews, poured into a pint glass. Had an orange-yellow color and a somewhat cloudy texture. There was a small amount of foamy head that lasted a below average amount of time. Not much lacing.
S: A sweet, fruity aroma of citrus, hops, and some malt.
T: Tasted of a good amount of tangerine, light malt notes, a hint of lemon and lime, some tropical fruits (pineapple, especially), and spiciness. This is one of those beers that got better as it went along. Could have used a slight boost in the amount of citrus, but it was still pretty solid.
F: A fair amount of carbonation with a smooth finish. Light-bodied.
O: A solid IPA that's light, sweet and drinkable. Worth a try.
712 characters
3.65/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
On tap at the 2016 NCBMF.
Mainly hoppy aroma with a suggestion of fruit, but a very fruity body with a load of fresh citrus flavor featuring tangerine.
Clear golden body. Weak head
181 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
On tap at the 2016 NCBMF.
Mainly hoppy aroma with a suggestion of fruit, but a very fruity body with a load of fresh citrus flavor featuring tangerine.
Clear golden body. Weak head
181 characters
3.73/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle
Pours slightly hazy light orange gold, coarse head retains as a bit of sudsy lacing.
Smells lightly of tangerine and citrus zest over cereal malt.
Flavor is of light cereal malt and some bright citrus tang.
Light body, fizzy carbonation on the tongue.
Decent session ale with some good citrus bite. Pretty light and drinks very easy. Nice beach beer or summer beer.
387 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle
Pours slightly hazy light orange gold, coarse head retains as a bit of sudsy lacing.
Smells lightly of tangerine and citrus zest over cereal malt.
Flavor is of light cereal malt and some bright citrus tang.
Light body, fizzy carbonation on the tongue.
Decent session ale with some good citrus bite. Pretty light and drinks very easy. Nice beach beer or summer beer.
387 characters
3.57/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
A thanks goes out to the reigning champion of canned beer consumption, woodychandler, for this beer. Poured from a 16 oz. can. Has a bright golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of tangerines, light pineapple. Taste is tangerine, orange peels, some pineapples, very light bitterness for the style. Feels medium/light bodied in the mouth and overall is a pretty good beer. Great artwork on the can.
403 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
A thanks goes out to the reigning champion of canned beer consumption, woodychandler, for this beer. Poured from a 16 oz. can. Has a bright golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of tangerines, light pineapple. Taste is tangerine, orange peels, some pineapples, very light bitterness for the style. Feels medium/light bodied in the mouth and overall is a pretty good beer. Great artwork on the can.
403 characters
3.34/5 rDev -7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.63/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Nice nose with a lot of citrus and tangerines, taste is a little muted and heavy on wheat and grains. Cloudy yellow color, medium body and low carbonation. A decent summer wheat beer, not a hoppy IPA.
200 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Nice nose with a lot of citrus and tangerines, taste is a little muted and heavy on wheat and grains. Cloudy yellow color, medium body and low carbonation. A decent summer wheat beer, not a hoppy IPA.
200 characters
3.78/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.37/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.75/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.01/5 rDev -16.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.6/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.68/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.95/5 rDev +10%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Quite possibly the best tangerine-flavored beer I've ever had...
A very light colored, slightly opaque amber brew (light yellow in other words) pouring from the big can into my pint glass. The smell was all tangerine but not overpowering, not balanced either, but still good. Mouthfeel was light-bodied and light on carbonation (like I like it) with a balanced flavor of tangerines and malt, neither one tamping out the other. This is definitely a sessionable brew (as advertised in the can) and I could probably pound these at the beach for hours. I'll have to keep that in mind next time I come across a sixer of these...
628 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Quite possibly the best tangerine-flavored beer I've ever had...
A very light colored, slightly opaque amber brew (light yellow in other words) pouring from the big can into my pint glass. The smell was all tangerine but not overpowering, not balanced either, but still good. Mouthfeel was light-bodied and light on carbonation (like I like it) with a balanced flavor of tangerines and malt, neither one tamping out the other. This is definitely a sessionable brew (as advertised in the can) and I could probably pound these at the beach for hours. I'll have to keep that in mind next time I come across a sixer of these...
628 characters
Swell Rider from D9 Brewing Company
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
42 ratings
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