Sweetwater IPA - SweetWater Brewing Company

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.14/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A - Golden body, white head has decent retention and lacing.

S/T - Tropical fruit hop character with grapefruit flesh, orange, some pineapple. Pine hop finish. Sweet caramel malts stay underlying throughout the drink.

M - Medium body, medium carbonation. Smooth, finishes moderately bitter.

O - Fine libation to find at an airport bar. I'd be happy if all airport bars had something this good on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2013 13:59:42 | More by garuda

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap in Atlanta.

A - Medium yellow/orange; somewhat cloudy. A small layer white head and good lacing.

S - Grapefruit, pine and light peach aromas with some malt sweetness in the background.

T - Good bitterness up front with grapefruit, pine and orange peel flavours. A light malt sweetness and some caramel flavour in the background.

M - Light to medium body. Moderate carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

08-16-2012 15:32:43 | More by TheSevenDuffs

MrHassellYaHurd

Louisiana

4.28/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sorry about the quick review.

Pours a light copper with slight chill haze and thick cream-colored head.

Prominent grapefruit note. Some sharp pine resinous aromas as well as a background of syrupy sweetness.

The hops bitterness is well-balanced by malty sweetness. Citrus fruit and an astringent dryness. Delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2012 18:44:32 | More by MrHassellYaHurd

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from tap into pint glass at mellow mushroom panama city, fl.
Pours a slightly hazey orangey color with nice foamy head. Really amazing citrus and cotton candy aromas. Fantastic taste...again citrus and cotton candy hops with nice smooth malt base. Great smooth mouthfeel. Overall a really great IPA...too bad its not available in NY!!

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2012 22:10:50 | More by DrinkSlurm

MagicJeff

Georgia

4.08/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap countless times around ATL, this time at Taco Mac

A: Slight head with decent lacing. Hazy, copper body...standard IPA look.

S: Citrus and slight mango. Some floral and pine, very subtle malt.

T: Immediately taste grapefruit and mango. Surprisingly sweet for an IPA. Even has a hoppy backbone finish...pine taste on the finish as well. As it warms, the alcohol is present and compliments the hops. The initial grapefruit taste is almost overwhelming, but I feel like there is not much in the middle of the tasting...once used to the hops, the beer lacks a full bodied taste...it's almost too balanced for its own good.

M: I would say medium mouthfeel. Chewy, watery finish that makes you want to take another sip.

Overall: As an Atlanta native having access to any kind of Sweetwater brew, I would definitely say this is my favorite beer this brewery puts out. Would love to try an imperial from them--have heard certain "Dank Tanks" are delicious. This beer is a reasonably priced "go to" beer if you are at the store and not sure what to get--it doesn't let you down. Very enjoyable, solid beer. Recommend to all, not just hop heads.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2012 22:54:28 | More by MagicJeff

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Second beer at the ATL airport during my 3 hour layover.

Pours a deep golden straw color with a bubbly white head. half inch thick.

Smell has so much more juicy fruit than I was expecting. Lemons and Grapefruits. Sticky malt in the backbone.

The flavor is eerily like Two-Hearted. Powdery malt backbone and sticky chewy fruit. The big difference is the bitterness. They gave it a good bit of bitterness up front. I wanna say it helps, but im not so sure. Maybe I dont like how that bitterness feels in combination with the rest of the beer.

Its stil a really good IPA. I love the fruity hops. Very well put together Sweetwater!

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2012 01:55:00 | More by VncentLIFE

TheFightfan1

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at taco mac in Perimeter. Pours a clear golden color with a nice one and half finger heading. Left good lacing throughout the tasting.

Nice flowery like aroma's. Nice citrus like pop in the nose with a sweet crisp malt bckbone.

Much like the nose but a bit more of a citrus hoppy presence here. Also a good touching of tropical fruit which bnds well with the sweeter malt finish. Nice bitterness this one.

Medium bodied , great cabonation and a little lighter one the balance side.

A good IPA but in a world of great IPA's this is just good. But I would definately tell you to try it if you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2012 23:21:57 | More by TheFightfan1

rangerred

Tennessee

3.9/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hap on tap at the brewery.

Pours a clear dark gold with a half finger white head.

Smell is quite citrusy with a little bit of light grain thrown in.

A lot of citrus up front along with a sharp bitterness that lingers throughout. A touch of bready malt in there for balance but the hops really dominate.

Overall an above average IPA. Pretty refreshing as well.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2012 17:55:07 | More by rangerred

SallyBirkhart

North Carolina

3.83/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

floral aroma but a mango presence dominates , not too much of a grassy aroma unfortunately,Cloudy orangish color with the light turning the sides of the glass a bright yellow, wow..hopness bites you in the ass at first with mangoness floating in the foreground, bittersweet hop bite in the finish...tart mango aftertaste

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2012 18:57:36 | More by SallyBirkhart

redcap45

3.63/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours bright orange with a foamy beige head. The aroma is intense resin, pine and floral hops, with some hay and bread notes. The flavor is very bitter and well balanced up front, with the bitterness dominating the finish. The palate is medium to heavy, sticky, acidic and astringent. The aftertaste is long, very bitter and acidic. Overall, this is a good IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2012 15:32:09 | More by redcap45

JohnRioux

5/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is my favorite beer, hands down! I haven't yet tasted anything better. I may be partial because I'm from Atlanta, but I can't find anything better!
This was the beer that opened my eyes to IPAs. Bell's Hopslam and Intuition Ale Works' Rail Spur are about the only beers that can compare.

Just had another Sweetwater IPA! Incredibly smooth. Reminds me of home.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2012 15:21:14 | More by JohnRioux

Merkur

Tennessee

4.28/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap into a pint glass at 5 points Pizza in East Nashville.

Beer pours a nice clear yellow-orange color. A bit of ring around the glass.

Very strong citrusy, hoppy aroma.

Beer tastes very crisp and strongly of grapefruit, followed by only a slightly hoppy, earthy bitterness.

A bit thin on the mouthfeel.

Overall, a very solid IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2012 03:30:53 | More by Merkur

MTNboy

Missouri

3.95/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: It had a copper like body with a thick a beautiful white head and nice lacing.

Smell: It was very hoppy but it mainly had a melon and citrus like aroma.

Taste: Great use of hops. The flavor was complex. Bitter fruit finish, there were tones of citrus, pine and melon. There is a strong bread tone that I have found is in most of the Sweet Water beers

Mouthfeel: A little bit chewy and made me pucker.

Overall: It had been about six months since I had an IPA or any beer when I tried the in the Atlanta Airport. So, I thought I would try and tone in my beer palate.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2012 04:52:20 | More by MTNboy

sidetracked

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

On-tap at Mellow Mushroom in Atlanta.

Clear, golden yellow-orange in color with a dense white head. Good head retention. Lots of lacing.

Bitter aroma of citrus and grapefruit.

High bitterness upfront with flavors of citrus, pine, and lots of grapefruit. Finish is slightly sweeter. Some caramel malt. Lingering bitterness.

Light to medium body. Kind of creamy and thick at the finish.

Bursting with grapefruit bitterness. A solid IPA on the more bitter side.

11/20/2011

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2012 16:57:10 | More by sidetracked

Chizoad

California

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Coppery amber, 1 finger cap that left decent lacing.

Piney and citrus aroma with a good vegetably hoppy smell. Malts seep through.

Well balanced, well hopped. Nice malts, sticky hoppiness and more forest flavors from the hops than citrus.

Good carbonation, medium to medium-heavy body for an IPA. Works well. One of the best IPAs not made in California.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2011 04:31:22 | More by Chizoad

warnerry

Michigan

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at ATL airport draft house.

A- Pours a clear reddish orange with a small off -white head. Does leave some lacing.

S -- Mostly citrus hops up front. Subtle aroma, but good.

T - Definitely hop-forward, but not a hop bomb. Again, mostly citrus but a bit of pine as well. A subtle malt presence throughout the taste. Finishes dry and pleasantly bitter.

M -- Medium mouthfeel with nice creaminess. Carbonation level seems spot on.

O -- A very good IPA,and one of the best beers I've ever had in an airport, but a step below the best of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2011 21:20:15 | More by warnerry

DesMoinesMike

Iowa

4.13/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The first beer I had after a week of Presidente while in the D.R. and it was so damn refreshing and tasty. The amber color and low carbonation was nice to look at. The aroma was hoppy and a bit woody. The taste had a lot of the hops up front with a touch of citrus followed by a light driness then a sharp flavor decrease. The body is spot on and burps up a good amount of the hops. Little malt present. This is definitely a repeat buy if I go through Atlanta again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2011 18:11:51 | More by DesMoinesMike

MayLattimore

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep copper color with a thick, creamy head that leaves a lot of lacing on the side of the glass. It has a wonderfully sweet, floral, perfume-like aroma. This floral hop character is well-balanced, however, by an abundant but light malt sweetness. The hop character is a welcome change from the citrus hop flavor that is so prevalent in many of the IPAs on the market. In addition, despite being an IPA, the bitterness is not overwhelming, making this a very easy-drinking.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 19:48:51 | More by MayLattimore

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Visited J. Clydes in Birmingham and was able to due a flight of tap beers and selected Sweetwater IPA as one of five to try. Pours a hazy orange amber color with a white head that settles into a very sticky lace that loves to cling to the sides of the glass. Wonderful IPA aroma of pine oil with some underlying fruity notes. Medium in body with a good amount of active carbonation that does a nice job of offsetting the sticky texture of the beer. Taste begins with some sweet and biscuity malt flavors that soon give way to tart acidic citrus rind and bitter hop resins that remain in a lasting aftertaste. I certainly would recommend any hop head to try it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2011 02:49:28 | More by WoodBrew

bljebd

Alabama

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

perfect everday ipa

apperance good with darker than normal golden hue...decent head and good carbonation

smells inviting with a slightly citrus but hoppy smell dominating

taste is very well balanced..not overpowering...plenty of hops for bitterness and average citris (maybe even zesty feel) to the finish

mouthfeel and smell go hand in hand (no suprises) smooth finish...when finished, u know youve had an ipa

good buy good drink

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2011 22:07:53 | More by bljebd

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-golden amber color with slight cloudiness, a white thin head with a little lacing

S-citrus and hops with slight caramel maltiness and bread

T-pine and citrus with some bitter hops with a caramel sweetness

F-medium to light in body with moderate carbonation

O-decent but the sweetness was not something I like in an IPA and precludes it from a higher score

Serving type: on-tap

07-30-2011 19:05:26 | More by MDDMD

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.85/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap poured into a 10oz alt glass.

Pours a slightly haze pale amber with a generous fluffy white head. Nose is very grassy and a bit bitter, light maltiness evens it out.

Hop oriole on this is fairly unique, it's very grassy, citrus flavors and some pine notes. Mouthfeel is very creamy and smooth - almost like it's on nitro - but it's not. There's a good sharp light bitterness, it's not overwhelming at all though. It's quite drinkable and quite good!

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2011 19:46:32 | More by kingcrowing

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this gem at the ATL airport.

A - Pours a slightly hazy burnt orange with some nice golden edges. Very nice white head that is dense. Quite attractive and tasty looking.

S - Pine aroma and resin come up nice and bold with some good toasty biscuit malt. Quite delicious aroma. There is some slight tropical and papaya notes as well as some citrus but this mostly yields towards the piney.

T & M - Taste starts off with some nice piney and and resin filled hops. Some nice grassy spice and some dank notes. Reminds me a bit of Ska Modus Hoperandi. Taste is followed by some nice toasty biscuit malt and a good fresh earthy grain backbone. The hops are definitely the main attractions though but the malt is well represented. Mouthfeel is crisp and clean with a nice light bitter finish that is pleasing but not too intense.

O - Good brew that seems to be a bit under the radar. I've enjoyed both regular Sweet Water offerings that I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2011 17:35:52 | More by JoEBoBpr

musicforairports

New York

4.05/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at a restaurant whose name I cannot recall in Atlanta.

Comes in a Sweetwater pint glass looking a clear amber, with a fluffy one-finger head that goes on to leave some lacing.

Smell is hop-fruity and a bit dank. Grapefruit and pineapple flavors mostly.

Taste is hop-forward and fruity--tastes to me like a Simcoe/Amarillo mix. Some sweet malt beneath but no caramel flavors jump through. Very little bitterness, except in the finish, and while the hop flavors are spot-on and stellar for an East Coast IPA, the entire flavor is more muted and watery than I'd like. Nothing here jumps out and smacks you at all.

Mouthfeel is medium and good for the style and well-suited to easy drinking.

I love the hop flavor here, but I wish it hit a bit harder. Still, this is the kind of IPA I can put back very easily, and I'd drink it a lot if I could buy it where I live. A good East Coast IPA, and really cheap, at least in Georgia.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2011 03:52:50 | More by musicforairports

Vonerichs

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This has great color to it. It's a clear orange with an almost pinkish hue. It's very "tropical" looking.

Sticking with the theme, the scent has grapefruit and pineapple scents.

It has a respectable dose of grapefruit and a little herbal hops to go along with bready malt. It finishes with a light chalky mint that reminded me of candy cigarettes.

Mouthfeel is crisp, clean, and fresh. Good carbonation.

Overall, this is a good beer in every way. It doesn't have in-your-face hops, but it definitely has an adequate fix of them and is an all around solid beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2011 00:46:14 | More by Vonerichs