Swell Rider
D9 Brewing Company


Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- IPA - American
Ranked #6,621 - ABV:
- 5.1%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #42,343 - Avg:
- 3.57 | pDev: 16.81%
- Reviews:
- 14
- 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: 14
| Ratings: 45
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
Reviews by woodychandler:
woodychandler from Pennsylvania
3.32/5 rDev -7%
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.
Jun 11, 2018
3.32/5 rDev -7%
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.
Jun 11, 2018
More User Reviews:
Korbynlehr from Kentucky
3.52/5 rDev -1.4%
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.
Jul 16, 2019
3.52/5 rDev -1.4%
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.
Jul 16, 2019
realJohnnyHobo from Maryland
1/5 rDev -72%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
Welp. I have had thousands of beers, different styles, and even had small and macro breweries who have always been consistent with the product in the packaging. With D9 Brewing that wasn't the case.
When I got my D9 Swell Rider I poured out what I expected to be a tangerine sessionable IPA only to get a very very light hue'd, an unfiltered, sourish beer smell and taste that gave me a headache within 1 hour after consuming two.
When I contacted the brewery and mentioned to them about the difference in the beer I have, vs their website, and the rating on this site describing a totally different beer - I was even more worried. I drain poured the others as I didn't know what to expect.
It took over 3 weeks to hear back from the brewery who told me 'water' was introduced into the beer during the canning process and the distributor was told to pull the beer, however, there were still some floating around - it appears I got one of them. D9 proclaimed they would send me a replacement 4 pack and apologised for the inconvenience. 2 months later I never saw a single can, I emailed the brewery with no reply back. I know COVID has really taken its toll on American's but to make a promise and not follow up with it regardless of conditions is bad business. It is moreover worrisome that I could have ingested something not intended for consumption and could have poisoned myself. No Quality control at this brewery. HIGHLY avoidable.
Sep 05, 2020
1/5 rDev -72%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
Welp. I have had thousands of beers, different styles, and even had small and macro breweries who have always been consistent with the product in the packaging. With D9 Brewing that wasn't the case.
When I got my D9 Swell Rider I poured out what I expected to be a tangerine sessionable IPA only to get a very very light hue'd, an unfiltered, sourish beer smell and taste that gave me a headache within 1 hour after consuming two.
When I contacted the brewery and mentioned to them about the difference in the beer I have, vs their website, and the rating on this site describing a totally different beer - I was even more worried. I drain poured the others as I didn't know what to expect.
It took over 3 weeks to hear back from the brewery who told me 'water' was introduced into the beer during the canning process and the distributor was told to pull the beer, however, there were still some floating around - it appears I got one of them. D9 proclaimed they would send me a replacement 4 pack and apologised for the inconvenience. 2 months later I never saw a single can, I emailed the brewery with no reply back. I know COVID has really taken its toll on American's but to make a promise and not follow up with it regardless of conditions is bad business. It is moreover worrisome that I could have ingested something not intended for consumption and could have poisoned myself. No Quality control at this brewery. HIGHLY avoidable.
Sep 05, 2020
bendukes86 from South Carolina
1.75/5 rDev -51%
look: 1.75 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.75
Sep 25, 2020
1.75/5 rDev -51%
look: 1.75 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.75
Sep 25, 2020
Hopfenpeter from Maryland
3.79/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Jan 28, 2020
3.79/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Jan 28, 2020
pubscout from New Jersey
4.49/5 rDev +25.8%
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!
Oct 26, 2017
4.49/5 rDev +25.8%
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!
Oct 26, 2017
JayQue from Virginia
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.
Apr 06, 2018
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.
Apr 06, 2018
PaleAleWalt from New York
3.68/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Sep 07, 2018
3.68/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Sep 07, 2018
SlainteAlbanyNY from New York
3.43/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Sep 14, 2017
3.43/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Sep 14, 2017
dbrauneis from North Carolina
3.63/5 rDev +1.7%
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.
Jul 10, 2016
3.63/5 rDev +1.7%
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.
Jul 10, 2016
avalon07 from South Carolina
3.99/5 rDev +11.8%
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.
Sep 23, 2016
3.99/5 rDev +11.8%
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.
Sep 23, 2016
chinchill from South Carolina
3.65/5 rDev +2.2%
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
May 07, 2016
3.65/5 rDev +2.2%
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
May 07, 2016
Cylinsier from Pennsylvania
3.73/5 rDev +4.5%
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.
Sep 09, 2017
3.73/5 rDev +4.5%
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.
Sep 09, 2017
tone77 from Pennsylvania
3.57/5 rDev 0%
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.
Sep 15, 2017
3.57/5 rDev 0%
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.
Sep 15, 2017
crewfan1952 from Ohio
3.34/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Aug 19, 2017
3.34/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Aug 19, 2017
mdfb79 from New York
3.63/5 rDev +1.7%
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.
May 31, 2018
3.63/5 rDev +1.7%
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.
May 31, 2018
IdrinkGas from Pennsylvania
3.78/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Jul 13, 2017
3.78/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Jul 13, 2017
AngusOg from North Carolina
3.37/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
May 04, 2016
3.37/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
May 04, 2016
ADTaber from South Carolina
3.5/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dec 24, 2016
3.5/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dec 24, 2016
Mantooth from North Carolina
3.75/5 rDev +5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
May 02, 2016
3.75/5 rDev +5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
May 02, 2016
yaksurf from North Carolina
3.01/5 rDev -15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
Apr 30, 2016
3.01/5 rDev -15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
Apr 30, 2016
McBraniel from Virginia
3.5/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Apr 29, 2018
3.5/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Apr 29, 2018
Taphouse_Traveler from Florida
3.6/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Jan 11, 2019
3.6/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Jan 11, 2019
srw from Virginia
3.5/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nov 12, 2017
3.5/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nov 12, 2017
Swell Rider from D9 Brewing Company
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
45 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
Explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.
Close