Sweetwater IPA - SweetWater Brewing Company

Josiah2729

Tennessee

4.2/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Serving type: Bottle poured into pint glass.

Appearance: Bright hazy orange, Tall white head, nice lacing, some floaties(yeast?) present in bottle.

Smell: HOPS! Citrus hops, with hint of graprefruit, slight malt scent. Nice bitter hop smell.

Taste: Hops and citrus orange/grapefruit. Some malt taste present. Nice West Coast style hop flavor.

Mouthfeel: Smooth easy drinking texture. This beer has a small to medium thickness that goes well with the style.

Overall: Delicious IPA. I am liking what this brewery has to offer.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 05:21:12 | More by Josiah2729

TheSeeker61

Georgia

4.35/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

In my opinion this is epitome of what an IPA should fundamentally resemble. It's not the greatest but a very good example of the style. It has a good appearance with a half inch head and lacing that hangs around throughout. The nose is a combination of hops and malts that's blended very well. The tongue gives way to hops with a hop/malt backbone. The mouthfeel is moderated with a dry finish. Really like this IPA and will indulge these more. Can't wait to get a growler of this soon. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 19:41:21 | More by TheSeeker61

soulfly1492

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aroma: Bold, sweet and bitter red grapefuit. Sweet pale malt in the background. Some orange citrus.

Appearance: Bold and bright orange. Medium-high haze. Head is off-white with an orange tint and pours very tall. Great retention and tons of lacing.

Taste: Bold bitter grapefruit followed by sweet orange citrus. The hops are strong, but don't linger harshly like many other IPA's. Decent malt backing, nothing too prominent. Light pale malt. I don't taste and pils malt.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body. Finishes mildly dry. Mild to moderate carbonation.

Overall: Immensely pleasant. Not over the top like most California IPA's, and not bitter piney like many others. There are not too many IPA's that I would want to sit down with a 6-pack of, but this is one of them. Impressive for an unfiltered IPA.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 23:19:36 | More by soulfly1492

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

Jadjunk

Georgia

4.53/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The bright crisp hop flavor makes this easily one of my favorite year round SweetWater beers. I find this is one of the most accessible IPAs I have ever had and it is one of my go-to brews. One of the IPAs that permanently turned me on to hops.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to my SweetWater IPA pint glass. Served at 49º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a 1.5 finger thick frothy head of a light golden cream complexion. Retention is slightly above average, thickening and slowing as it recedes. Lacing is thin but foamy. Color of the beer is a beautiful golden orange, nearly transparent with a very slight haze. Color is a touch darker than the average IPA, suggestive of a bit more substance than expected. With a lasting head and an even more impressive lacing presence, this would be a winning appearance. 3.5

(Smell) Aroma is crisp, clean grapefruit and citrus aroma hops, with a slight spiciness in the background, the leading aroma is filled with hops galore, overshadowing malt character. Sweet tones are ever present, however, suggestive of a low bitterness and a bolder clean malt presence, although neither come through the beautiful fruit stand of hop notes. The aroma is very indicative of west coast hop varietals, a very citrusy and grapefruit combination, making for a very pleasing aroma overall. 4.5

(Taste) Taste is very much like the aroma, although more balanced. Hop flavor is in the front of this brew, complete with sweet grapefruit hops, sweet honey malts and wrapping up with a thorough clean bitterness which is ever present on the finish, a touch musty and with a hint of spice. There is a ton of hop flavor in this IPA, but a substantial malt palate really backs it up well with a sweet malty blend, choice of a flavorful pale malt. I could drink this all day, although the body is a little thicker than the average IPA, making this a slower drinking beer and with a higher ABV, I'd be done after just a few of these. Overall it's a wonderful IPA, one of the east coast's best available. A hoppy, yet balanced wonder to behold. 5

(Mouthfeel) Texture is a bit slick with a creamy fizz that mildly accentuates the already robust hop presence. Finish is a long lasting resiny hop flavor. Body is light/medium and the alcohol presence is low, overshadowed by the sunny bold hop profile. Overall I find the mouthfeel good when paired with the flavors of the beer. 4

(Overall) I see a very small niche population turning this beer away, as the appealing citrusy hop character seems to attract even the biggest haters of bitter beer. While the flavors of this beer certainly doesn't stray far from some of the IPA/DIPA masterpieces (I think of it as Hopslam's baby brother IPA), the flavors and balance makes it to be one highly accessible, flavorful and bright IPA, best consumed young but best savored any time of the year. Recommended. 4

SweetWater Brewing Company's
SweetWater IPA: India Pale Ale
4.53/5.00

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 00:23:00 | More by Jadjunk

deepchills

Texas

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

I bought a 6 pack at Bruno's in Gulf Shores Alabama.

A cloudy golden pour with a 1/4 inch foamy head.

A balanced nose of hops, sweet malt & floral notes.

A big grapefruit flavor jumps out right away, followed by sweet malt, some orange, light crisp hop bitterness and a floral flavor.

This is a delicious, dry hopped, unfiltered IPA. It starts crisp and has no lingering aftertaste. A real IPA without being tweaked with "Belgium" or "Imperial". SweetWater brewed a great true IPA that you owe it to yourself to try.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 18:48:59 | More by deepchills

armeck

4.43/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I love this IPA and usually have a six in the fridge at all times. It is not too high on bitterness and has a wonderfully bright, hoppy aroma. Hints of citrus on the palate. Excellent mouthfeel and nice lacing throughout the entire drinking. This is a very drinkable and good example of an American IPA.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 02:06:36 | More by armeck

NittanyBeerFan

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep coppery brown color that is a little bit murky, too. The head is thick, creamy, and fluffy, reaching a full 2-fingers and then sitting well-retained for almost 20 minutes as it slowly inched down to about 1/2 cm and sat there. Thick rings of foam and intricate walls of lace cover the entire back side of my glass as I sip.

The aroma is full of floral notes and a dank hop bitterness that reminds me of some of my favorite fresh-hop IPAs. The flavor is a bit more mellow, as the bitterness is tempered nicely by caramel and toasted malts. The floral notes and dank notes remain.

Smooth and easy to drink, but slightly undercarbonated. This is definitely a solid beer to pursue while in the South, especially given its near universal availability.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 20:56:50 | More by NittanyBeerFan

jsulko

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle poured into cup

Slightly hazy yellow with white head

Smell is piney hops with a hint of malt

Taste is slighty grapefruit with a oily piney finish
Hop bite very strong on the aftertaste

An IPA not available in my area but I wish it was
Makes me want to try their other beers

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 02:28:56 | More by jsulko

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

kjyost

Manitoba (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle BB 02.06.12 (June 2?). Received in CanBIF 2012 via phyl21ca. Poured ~4C into a Duvel snifter. Bottle shaken and lost ~2-5 mL in transport (neck still partially full)

A: Poured hard and only a little bit of head comes up (1/8") that laces lightly. The ring sits atop a really hazy copper body.
S: Grapefruit rind, citrus, clementines, pine & hints of malt.
T: A little thin on the hop flavours, especially given the nose. Some sweetness that easily loses the battle to the hops. Dank hop flavour in the background. Rather light on any flavours. Must let it warm a little to open up. Nope half an hour later, still not much more flavour in the body.
M: Average carbonation with great built;ding bitterness that matches the style well. Finishes dry, though almost watery.
O: A solid IPA, that I wouldn't actively have traded for but glad I got it. Would like to try it fresher in the future, as I am assuming BB June means it has been bottled 3-5 months minimum.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 02:05:17 | More by kjyost

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

Cresant

Kentucky

4.43/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served this 12 oz. bottle in a Sam Adams glass. Best by: 6-28-12. The body was hazy, unfiltered orange copper with a creamy white head. Solid lacing remained in the glass.

The smell was citrus sweetness with pithy bitterness. Minty. Mangoes and tropical fruits.

The taste reflected the aroma well. Juicy citrus bittersweetness. Actually well balanced for an IPA. Well constructed and solid, very flavorful. I could drink this one frequently if were available in my area. I wish I had purchased more!

The mourthfeel was medium bodied with plenty of carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 14:14:57 | More by Cresant

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

GallowsThief

Florida

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

Poured out of a bottle into a tulip.

A – Pours out a fairly clear light caramel brown color with a small white head that left a slight lacing down the glass.

S – Very nice aroma with a big hit of bitter hops along with a grapefruit smell. Tiny bit of sweetness in the nose.

T – Not nearly as hoppy as the nose would suggest but still get a nice hoppy bite. The citrus is there with the flavors of grapefruit and lemon. Sweet malts balance out the bitterness. Caramel like at the finish before it dries out.

M – Light to medium bodied with ample carbonation and a nice creamy feel.

O – Really nice IPA here. It has a excellent aroma followed by a creamy bitter to sweet flavor palate. Easy drinker. Well worth a try and I will be having more of these.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 23:40:49 | More by GallowsThief

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

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4.43/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another brew Colby hooked up! Thanks dude.

Poured from bottles best by 3/27/12 the beer appears a brilliant golden brownish color with a nice 2 finger white head, some retention, and good lacing. Somewhat murky. The nose is fruity sweet with citrus hop character. Very appealing. The flavor is more powerful than the nose, a nice blast of citrus fruity sweetness and hop character immediately. Medium bitterness. As the beer warms it becomes more balances with the sweet malt and hops. Lighter end of medium bodied and a bit chewy. Easy to drink and refreshing. Overall, this was a pleasant surprise! It is a treat, I'd recommend it for sure!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 21:49:36 | More by hopfacebrew

SLeffler27

New York

3.7/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours clear and dark, tawny copper, with a modest, fine, white head that leaves a thin coating of lacing.

Smells of sweet orange with background pine and caramel. Straw aromas come out with warmth.

Has a well-balanced flavor of caramel and clearly less bitter than most IPAs. There is a background flavor of ginger.

A surprisingly light body with no real sense of alcohol and light carbonation.

A fine summer afternoon beer to enjoy while watching a ballgame, but there is no real thrill here.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 02:38:30 | More by SLeffler27

CPDalton

4.5/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Golden brown with a two finger head and quiets down pretty quickly. Tons of sediment floating around. Looks yummy.

Smell: Very sweet, with a lot of fruit coming through, most notably a grapefruit like scent. Not as grassy or earthly as most IPA's, it's very unique.

Taste: Immediately you get the sweet grapefruit taste from the nose. It ends with a very nice bite of the hops, but the sweetness never really fades away. It balances out the hops very nicely.

Mouthfeel: It's pretty light with a little stickiness, which probably comes from the lacing. Very refreshing.

Overall: This is one of my favorite, if not my favorite, IPA's. It's lip smackin good, and I'd drink these all day if I could. Every sip leaves you wanting another.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 04:48:20 | More by CPDalton

JoLight

Georgia

4.35/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Golden/orange, with lots of sediment floating around, and an eggshell frothy head that leaves lots of nice lacing.

Smell: Citrusy orange, lots of pine and floral hops, and a tad bit of barley malt.

Taste: Floral and piney hops, clean water, and some light breadiness to finish it off.

Mouthfeel: Medium

Overall: It's a lot less flavorful than I suspected, but for what it is, it is very good. I might describe it as a watered-down Sierra Nevada Torpedo.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 01:41:09 | More by JoLight

JustinAniello

Connecticut

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

A - Pours cloudy gold with a foamy one and a half finger head. Dissipates to a substantial cap and lacing that stays stuck to the glass.

S - Heavy fruity aroma of grapefruit and apricots, quite sweet. Light malty caramel in the background.

T - Starts out as sweet malt with decent amounts of apricot, though not as bold as the smell. Grapefruit begins to become more prevalent as you swallow. Bitterness throughout, strengthening in the aftertaste.

M - Medium body and carbonation. Almost a little syrupy.

O - This is a very excellent beer, though a bit more fruity than most would expect from an IPA. Still, nice flavors and enough bitterness to not disappoint. Very excellent aroma, makes it feel like a mid-summer night. Definitely recommend giving a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 01:15:52 | More by JustinAniello

illidurit

California

3.58/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle courtesy of markwise. Pours a bruised peach color with a solid ecru head. Aroma is fruity and malty, pineapple and grapefruit at the fore with canned peaches and cornbread. Flavor is also pretty fruity, with the peaches coming on a little stronger alongside the emergence of crystal malt. Somewhat lacking in bitterness. A pretty decent beer, but one that might be better off calling itself a pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 05:28:47 | More by illidurit