Sweetwater Road Trip Ale - SweetWater Brewing Company

godlessape

Georgia

3.65/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

I had this one in a Samuel Adams pint glass. The crystal golden body reminds you of most American pilsners, lagers, and adjuncts but unlike a lot of them, the creamy white head stays for keeps.

The aroma is bready, and yeasty, with just a faint touch of lemon zest. I had to get 2 thirds down the glass before I could discern any malt.

The flavor is crisp, clean, and all about the hop bite--which is less than subtle, and rather formidable.

The mouthfeel is light, with medium carbonation and very refreshing.

Overall a great summertime brew. An interesting twist on a pilsner from the brew wizards at one of my favorite breweries.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 02:49:14 | More by godlessape

shand

Florida

3.53/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Road Trip is a bright tasty beer. Bright citrus and spicy hops are the rulers of the roost on both smell and taste here. There's some pilsner malt that isn't quite as sharp as is typical, but the spicy hops make up for that. The mouthfeel is light and moderately carbonated, and the drinkability is solid - but probably not sessionable. Overall, Road Trip is a solid pilsner-style beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 23:54:17 | More by shand

pixieskid

France

2.85/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I'm down with Sweetwater and German Pils but not with this beer.

Not sure if this beer is really supposed to be considered a German Pils considering that they state this beer was brewed as a lager but finished with an ale yeast. If anything it should probably be listed as a Cali-Common.

Pours a pale ale color, slightly hazy (doesnt look like a German Pils).

Nose; bready and somewhat hoppy.

Taste; pretty much the same with a nice bitterness.

Mouthfeel; some slickness (diacetyl) as well as way too full bodied; think keller bier but even more-so.

Overall; was hoping for something crisp, refreshingly, and hoppy enough to make it interesting; this wasn't that.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 06:39:37 | More by pixieskid

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an Olde Hickory glass on 4/9/13

Recommended by PDXHops

Light, hazy pale yellow/dull gold. Fizzy head with minimal retention. Scattered lace.

Punchy noble hop aroma; lemongrass and prairie grass. Clean, toasted grains behind the hops. The taste and feel are comparable crisp and lively; grassy hops aplenty with a hint of pine and citrus underneath. Not much in terms of malt; that is, it doesn't really come across in comparison to the nippy hops and ample carbonation. Slightly grassy on the finish, but pretty clean overall.

Road Trip is a nice little treat after a six mile bike ride.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 02:36:03 | More by Ryan011235

blackie

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

single from WF Raleigh

a: lager cylinder, golden straw color, nice thick white head with good retention and some lace

s: bready pils malt nose - crisp and clean, dried cut grass hops, lightly herbal, a touch of yeast, soft lemon aroma, simple but nice

m: carbon around medium - small, smooth bubbles, body light

t: white bread lager malts, crisp with a clean grain flavor, mostly dry but with just a touch of sweetness, ale yeast seems to add a touch of yeasty flavor - but the beer remains mostly in-line as a whole, dried grass hop flavor, finish clean with a touch of bitter

o: a nice if unexceptional pils, good flavor set with a nice refreshing structure

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 03:53:57 | More by blackie

babaracas

Florida

3.98/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Hoppy pils with ale yeast. Pours a slightly hazy (sediment) gold color with one finger thick fluffy white head. Smell: light pils malt sweetness, floral and spicy. Taste: spicy, grassy, lemon, biscuit. Medium body, feel is prickly into creamy. Nice quaffable pils-ish beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 05:03:28 | More by babaracas

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.33/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thanks to JonnyGalt (Reddit) for this interesting beer. Best by 7/23/12... oops, looks like it's been in the fridge a bit too long, although I don't think I've had it THAT long, so it may have arrived a bit past its prime as well, so I'll have to take that into consideration.

Pours a light fizzy pasty white almost 1 finger head that fades at a med pace, with some soapy looking lacing, over clear slight chill hazed golden straw honey colored beer.

Nose has a light toasted malt, light straw and pilsner toasty malt with a touch of sweet malt, overall fairly light on the nose, light ale aroma, fairly clean with a touch of what could possibly be described as a hop aroma.

Taste starts with a big malt wallop, some pilsner, almost overly malted, vegetative, earthy raw malt straw and a bit of wheat, almost imperial pilsner like flavor that gets too much for the beer. There are some flavors that almost make it want to seem like unhappy yeast, light esters and a slight phenol like flavor. Then hops, that's where the herbal vegetative flavor is coming from, herbal earthy hops, a light sticky sweetness through all that, and a light fruity flavor probably from the yeast esters. Finish is fairly bitter with more earthy like hops, little grassy as well, with some light over done pilsner flavor again.

Mouth is med to lighter bodied, decent carb.

overall not quite my cup of tea. It's more like Americanized pilsner halfway between regular ale version of a pilsner and imperial pilsner, overdone in most of the things it tried to do. Not sure how much of that is age as it seems overdone and not attenuated too much on anything, maybe hops. I'll take most of the flavors with a grain of salt as it is a bit older, but still not a great beer IMO.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 23:34:10 | More by jlindros

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle . Bright yellow color, fizzy, small head. Smells a little sweet oddly, bit of malts. Flavor is crisp, slightly sweet (very slight), mouthfeel is a little slick which kind if makes it less drinkable. Overall not bad but not the most refreshing pilsener and not one I would buy again, glad I got a single.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 20:47:34 | More by ArrogantB

merc7186

New York

3.73/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this beer poured from a 12oz bottle into a tulip glass.

A: Golden Straw Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head, Minimal Lacing

S: Light German Malts, Mild Cascade Hops

T: German Malts, Cascade Hops

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Dry, Mildly Bitter

Overall, a really solid German Pilsner with a light yet solid nose and taste.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 04:03:40 | More by merc7186

rangerred

Tennessee

3.88/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a clear light gold with not much of a head at all. A tiny amount of lacing on the sides of the glass.

Smells lemony and orangy with a decent bready-ness underneath. Maybe a touch of cereal grain.

The same citrus from the hops comes through on the taste but there is a nice, thick malty backbone propping it up. A fairly strong bitterness, more than I was expecting, takes hold at the end leading to a dry finish.

This is a really nice and unique take on a pilsener. It isn't as "clean" as a lager might be but the ale yeast adds a little extra character. A perfect summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 23:32:23 | More by rangerred

mscudder

Georgia

3.2/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - A almost clear yellow, similar to bud light, with a fair sized pale head.

S - Some citrus, hops and grass. Nothing that I would ever enjoy subjecting to my nostrils to.

T - Smooth easy drinking pilsener. Nothing remarkable going on here, just some herbal/earthy notes with a nice malt backbone and some wheat inspired characteristics. Nothing crazy here, but not bad.

M - Nice big malt body for the style. Some solid carbonation compliments the hops. I would even go as far to say this is a creamy pilsener.

O - Sadly Sweetwater has yet to truly impress me with any of their brews and this is no different. An average pilsener with some fair balance is all to be had here.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 05:54:03 | More by mscudder

busterwhite

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a straw yellow with a 1 finger head. Small amount of lacing on the glass.

Smells of malt, some spice from the hops and a little yeast.

Malt flavor up front with a little pepper and citrus following. A nice dry finish.

Good carbonation with a decent mouthfeel.

This is an easy drinking, refreshing springtime beer. Great for warm day.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 00:18:39 | More by busterwhite

LiquidBread219

Indiana

3/5  rDev -16%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - A golden yellow, looks like a normal pilsner, not to much head and it disappears pretty fast and no lacing.

S - Citrus and grassy, a bit of hops I kind of smelled onions also.

T - Taste pretty much like the nose not a lot going on in this beer as far as taste you get more earthy or grassy notes in the taste.

M - Light bodied good carbonation.

O - Very drinkable decent beer while doing some yard work.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 23:02:19 | More by LiquidBread219

tdm168

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a pure golden yellow with a quarter of an inch of dense, soft, foamy, white head that has great retention. The nose is grassy, straw-like, and has a faint lemony aroma. The flavor is straw-like, grassy, lemony, earthy, and mildly bitter. The mouthfeel is light to medium bodied, smooth, and lightly carbonated.

This is a nice, easy drinking pilsner; perfect for the southern spring weather. It's flavorful enough to keep you interested but also light enough to be sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 01:38:26 | More by tdm168

aepb1

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- light yellow body with a fluffy white head

S- wheat and citrus and some spices

T- citrus and wheat start out with a bready middle and a spicy pepper finish

M- light body and moderate carbonation

O- a solid takon the style and an enjoyable brew

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 22:56:51 | More by aepb1

suspect

New York

3.9/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Samuel Adams Perfect Pint glass. Thanks to my buddy Audi for bringing this up from the ATL.

A: Pours a very pale cloudy yellow. Aggressive pour leads to a huge 3 finger head that overflowed! Left a nice ring with strong lacing that lasted for the length of the drink.

S: Some lemon, some grain, nothing too overpowering (or even nostril filling). Some hop, some malt, but all very faint, yet complex.

T: Grainy and zesty all at the same time. Hop presence is there, if not subtle.

M: Dry, lightly carbonated, crisp, refreshing and really a nice feel. Leaves a nice aftertaste that keeps me reaching for more.

O: A really nice summer beer with good flavor and a crisp feel. A solid Pils.

T: Nice

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 01:50:51 | More by suspect

iadler

Minnesota

3.53/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a Russian River stemmed glass. Another bottle from jsanford.

A- Clear light gold with a fluffy two-three finger head that slowly dissipates and leaves some nice lines of lacing.

S- A subtle aroma consisting of biscuit malt, grain, apricot, floral and citrus hops with some lemon and orange zest.

T- Biscuit malt, apricot, grain, green apple, mandarine. lemon notes as well as some minerals. Pretty clean with nothing standing out too much.

M- Medium carbonation and light body. Very crisp mouthfeel.

O- A refreshing pilsner. Well balanced and some nice citrus notes. Nothing really stands out, but a decent brew.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2011 19:55:35 | More by iadler

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev +5%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a tulip

A:Pours a very light straw yellow. It has a fizzy head with large bubbles, nothing spectacular.

S: Smells grainy along with biscuit maltiness, some cut hay and a dash of apricot as well. It’s quite pleasant.

T/M: Has a medium amount of carbonation and the flavor is lightly hoppy up front with some grapefruit and orange citrus, accompanied by that graininess afterwards.

It’s light and refreshing and altogether unorthodox. It’s an innovative brew that just tastes good.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2011 01:18:12 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

Jason

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz brown bottle w/ a freshness date on the label.

Quick head rises to the top, bright golden yellow lays on the lighter side of color. Hint of fresh herbs, wild flowers and faint apple mixes with dusty graininess in the nose. Crisp and clean palate, moderate sized body. Grainy and biscuity with a snap with intensifies for a second as the hop bitterness chimes in. Flavor soon fade into the finish, a dry lightly grainy finish at that.

A tasty hybrid brew of sorts, good substitute of there are no authentic pilsners available.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2011 04:36:36 | More by Jason

sommersb

Tennessee

3.4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tasted On: 07-06-2011
Freshness: Best by 08-22-2011
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle
Glassware: Pilsner glass
Purchased: Single from J. Barleycorn, Nashville

A: Mostly clear, straw-colored beer with a creamy white head 4 fingers high. Fair lacing on the glass. Lively carbonation.

S: Aromas are dominated by citrusy hop characteristics; also spicy and fruity notes.

T: Crisp, bitter flavors are up front, with little malt presence. Also detected some sort of off flavors that were unappealing.

M: Medium to high carbonated feel with a bitter/sour after taste.

O: An interesting beer - I think the ale years gives it a unique twang, but the taste was not something that would make me seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2011 03:22:54 | More by sommersb

Crabbicuss

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

TY 2 Betsona for this one!

Poured from a 12 oz bottle to a HS Pint Glass

A - Pours a golden straw color with rapid carbonation forming a nice pillow'y' head.

S - Nice Floral/Earthy hops with a mild whiff of sweet malt. Some grain (bread) but mostly mild grassy with a hint of heat.

T - Very mild working towards an aggressive finish with great carbonation. Some spice (pepper) maybe a nice light touch of roasted malt. Semi-strong citrus flavor through out. Well balanced having the hops not leading malt, vice versa.

M - Almost jubilant with exceptional carbonation. Fine, thin lacing but still "brewing" off the bottom of the glass. Fair retention affords this beer a lively approach to one's palate.

O - Easily a session beer which holds it's own in the Pils category. This beer doesn't take you to any extreme as it is a simple version which delivers a great balance of Hops and Malt, with whatever chemistry they used to hold the edge. IMHO, this is a very medium to light and easy drinking beer which won't let the buyer down

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 20:47:03 | More by Crabbicuss

alleykatking

Indiana

4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle. Thanks for the beer betsona!

A- Pours a semi-hazed golden straw yellow color. Two finger white head shows medium retention. Nice streaks of lace all over the walls of the glass.

S- The aroma was quite simple which I expected it to be. Pretty much from the get go there was a nice pils malt base with hints of grain to it. Light earthy grassy hops come in the ending and add a little extra to the aroma. Everything was light but not muted. Alcohol was also crisp and I liked it.

T- Pils malt right off the bat with hints of pepper in the mix. Middle shows a little grain bill to it but nothing that is screaming adjuncts to it. Ending is more of the clean pils malt with a fresh grassy hop that is light but balanced out the beer nice. Alcohol is crisp, clean, and light in the ending.

M- Light mouthfeel. Carbonation is good for the style. Pils malt, light pepper, and grassy hops are left on the palate. Aftertaste is light alcohol, pils malt, and grassy hops. Well balanced for the style. No off flavors at all in the beer. Light alcohol drying on the palate.

O- This beer was a very nice simple pilsner. I enjoyed the fact that they didn't overdo the hopping this which lead it to be a very clean and easy drinking beer. Sweetwater I think has a balance on making both easy drinking beers along with huge over the top beers.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 01:13:01 | More by alleykatking

NODAK

Tennessee

3.6/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Has an aroma of citrus along with a grassiness and a bit of grain. Pretty standard stuff for style.

Starts off a bit citrusy and peppery spicy in the body. Turns into a nice bit of sweet grassiness....finishing with a bitterness piercing at the back of the tongue with moderate intensity.

Average...a little spicy, but otherwise nothing that strays too far from your typical pils. Drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2011 00:38:19 | More by NODAK

JayS2629

Alabama

3.43/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A slight notch above your everyday pilsner. No adjunct corn sweetness and a light floral hoppiness that differentiates it. Its a pale hazy yellow with thin white head that fades fast and leaves minimal, spotty sea foam lace. The smell is crisp, dry biscuit malts with faint floral and earthy hops. The taste is dry biscuits and floral notes. Crisp, dry, and refreshing. Nicely done pilsner, but nothing that stands out.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2011 18:02:48 | More by JayS2629

rrski198

Missouri

3.8/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Cloudy yellow similar to a hefe. SMall white head that disappeared quickly. Huge slow rising bubbles make the beer look enticing.

S: Crisp straight forward pale malt. Mild but sharp hop scent. Crisp and clean.

T: Citrus, spicy, dry up front followed by a great crisp apple like sweetness from the malt. Nice balance here.

M: Spicy and full. Great carbonation and very clean and crisp.

O: Great session beer. Nice clean and crisp. Great beer for a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2011 03:58:10 | More by rrski198