Sweetwater Dank Tank Magnum IP - SweetWater Brewing Company

BeerDawgs

Georgia

4.6/5  rDev +17%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

A - A dirty golden/orange color. Not clear.

S - I can smell the hops, but floral and honey are present.

T - Awesome is the first word that comes to mind. It tastes at 1st like it wants to be sweet, but then backs up and has a smooth finish, with some leftover hoppiness.

M - Medium carbonation. Smooth.

D - I could drink this all night long, and probably end up on the floor because it packs a punch. I was thrilled to find this in a wine store in December, I think it has been sold out for awhile, as the Border Hopper has been out for a month now. I wish they would put this out as a seasonal!

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2010 00:52:36 | More by BeerDawgs

Ryan011235

Ohio

4.58/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter on 9/7/10

"Good call on this one" to PDXHops for sending this great beer that would have otherwise never been on my radar. Thanks Jeff!

Bright & hazy golden tangerine in color with pineapple highlights. Poured one finger of white foam that dropped considerably, though it holds a slim layer. Decent lace so far, but it doesn't look like it will last. Head retention is but a skim & lacing is at a minimum.

I really like the aroma of this one. It exhibits prairie-like notions of grass, hay, lemongrass & herbal wisps. Suggestions of apples. Distinctive notes of toasted grain. It's clean but at 9% abv it shows it's magnitude, though it doesn't at all smell boozy. Floral overtones & modestly spicy hops. Very subtle citric twinge.

Magnum IP tastes quite good, if structured a bit differently from the aroma. The flavor is incredibly grainy; some choice malts must have gone in this. Light grassy & earth tones around the edges. Quite floral; not too much in the way of citric hops (maybe a spritz of lemon zest) nor is it very bitter. Just enough hop bite to motivate the grainy aspect. The flavor profile is pretty clean, too; gets just a touch muddled as it warms up. Again, the alcohol is very well hidden.

The great structure of this beer makes it seem lighter than it is. I could call it robust or dense (accurate enough for the style) but that isn't quite a fair translation. Magnum IP is nimble regardless. Carbonation is [somewhat surprisingly] low. Graininess is such that is embodies the feel of the beer. The modest bitterness & carbonation seem specifically designed to to aide the graininess as it rolls o'er the tongue. Clean residual flavors linger long on the finish.

Truth be told, drinkability is quite high. I'm not entirely convinced this is 9% abv. More like 7-7.5% abv. Whatever. I suppose toward the end of the bottle the abv is more apparent. I'm not sure about the 100 IBUs either, but no matter. The best Imperial Pilsner I've had. Seek it out if you like the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2010 02:25:49 | More by Ryan011235

avalon07

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from a bottle to a pilsner glass. Had a golden yellow color and a hazy texture. There was an inch of bright white, creamy, long-lasting head. Good lacing.

S: A big aroma of citrus hops, malt, and some citrus.

T: Tasted of citrus hops and grapefruit up front, with a malty backbone in the finish. A big, bold flavor. Very tasty.

M: A well-carbonated beer with a somewhat slick finish. Medium-bodied. Much thicker than you'd expect from a pilsner.

D: Excellent. Supremely drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2010 12:25:33 | More by avalon07

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.35/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a beautiful semi-transparent golden with a thick, fine-bubbled persistent head that is just barely off white. Rich, malty aroma has a sweet fruity overtone that is mainly banana. Flavor is strong and surprisingly hoppy with tones of evergreen, banana and malt and woody hint. Texture is smooth and rather lively. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2010 02:22:06 | More by Cyberkedi

elgiacomo

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle, no date, but just hit the shelves today.

Pours somewhat syrupy golden amber with a one finger white head, quickly reduces to a light foamy cap, which does hold well to the bottom of the glass, and leaves some temporary spots of lacing. Better head and lacing on the second half pour that was left to warm up on the counter.

Aroma starts fairly subdued, some fruit and citrus, orange, banana, sweet bready malt, yeast. Some good pine notes come in as it warms.

Citrus hops start in the flavor, followed by some floral hops, pine, fruit, sweet banana bread in the middle and a strong bitter finish with a fair bit of alcohol, but no burn, and the excellent bitterness ultimately does win the battle over the booze. The alcohol, however, does work with great effect, a solid 9% at the very least. This is a big beer.

Medium bodied, medium carbonation, somewhat sticky and syrupy.

A damned good Imperial Pils. Haven't had many from this style, definitely like this one better than Uber Pils. Need to try Sam Adams Hallertau again when it comes out this year.

Seeing 100 IBU's and 9% ABV makes one want to think DIPA, but this definitely has the unique Pilsner character going on. Very enjoyable, and another great Dank Tank as a follow up to BSP Quad.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2010 02:08:05 | More by elgiacomo

Deus1138

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Saw this in a fridge at the package store, remembered reading about its release, so I snatched it up.

Poured into a Pilsner glass. Pours a nice, golden yellow Pilsner color. Carbonation's slow rise to the top indicates some thickness.

Smell hoppy, mostly pine and floral. Very nice.

Taste is excellent! The hops are a perfect combination and in perfect proportion. A little bready, mostly sweet malts balance out the hops. Alcohol is only slightly noticeable. It's 9%, so watch yourself.

Mouthfeel is medium, very nice.

Drinkability is excellent. I'm not a huge Pilsner drinker. I enjoy a few, occasionally. This one is excellent!

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2010 04:12:35 | More by Deus1138

scottyshades

Florida

4.3/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Growler from Green's in Greenville, SC

A: Pours a hop-hazed golden/copper color with an AWESOME fluffy/billowy head. Retention is excellent.

S: Floral hops immediately greet the nose, along with a big sweetness and malt. The hops are spicy, very grassy and tart, and earthy. Very unique

T: Holy smokes, I was told this has 100 IBUs, and the bitterness is so balanced. Hops are absolutely delicious in this one...really floral and earthy - not resinous/piny/or citrusy.

MF/D: Heavy mouthfeel, smooth carbonation, alcohol is very well hidden.

Notes: Really scared to drop $12 on a growler of an imperial pilsner, but this was totally worth it. Will seek this out again.

Serving type: growler

09-11-2010 00:38:59 | More by scottyshades

Snamnoum

Georgia

4.28/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - light cider color with one finger of white head and big rocky clumps of lace

Smell - is light and acidic. Lemon zest, citrusy hops, and some light malt, alcohol is definitely present

Taste - is very much like it smells but maltier. Sweet upfront, tart in the middle with a pilsner-like bitter finish. I silently shed a tear knowing this beers days are numbered. Why oh why does it have to end.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability - medium/full bodied with medium carbonation. This drinks much like a double IPA and has some of the hoppy oiliness that can be associated with that style. For the ABV its very drinkable and quite refreshing. A nice change from Double IPAs. I very much enjoyed this and look forward to having it again. Damn good brew from the folks at Sweetwater.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2010 01:18:54 | More by Snamnoum

BrewCrew2010

New York

4.28/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: A light golden orange body with a fluffy sticky head that leaves behind a little bit of lace.

S: A rich nose of honey, spices, bitter citrus hops, grains, and sweet malts.

T: Not what I expected! A rich and thick flavor of sweet malts, white sugar, and honey swirl around the tongue and are balanced with light bitter citrus hops and spices.

M: Thick chewy texture with a medium-full body and medium carbonation.

D: I really enjoyed this one. Not what I expected, but was very easy to drink and I wish I had more.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2011 18:34:04 | More by BrewCrew2010

babaracas

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear gold color, one finger white head head from a vigorous pour, spotty lacing. Smell: from beneath a pile of pils malt emerges spicy and piney hops with just the tiniest hint of lemon peel. Taste: super spicy and some pine for good measure, lightly bready and semi-sweet. It ain't crisp, but the needly, bitter, and tad sticky finish is pretty nice. IBUs galore, check.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2010 00:59:07 | More by babaracas

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.2/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy dark golden with a constant stream of bubbles rising upwards, but just a moderate head. This is often a style I find to be done fairly poorly and uninspiring. I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised. This is a good deal better than most Imperial Pilsners, with a nice spicy, earthy hop attack combined with a nice lager tanginess and a relatively crisp finish. Lots of herbal, almost floral notes as well as a nice lingering bitterness that combines with the tang and a lingering juiciness. Really quite nice.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2010 00:29:21 | More by Georgiabeer

PDXHops

South Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bomber poured into a Duvel tulip. Hazy golden orange with 2 fingers of off-white. Decent retention with some nice patches of lacing.

A Cascade/Sterling hop combo, says the label, and it smells like both were utilized generously. Loads of grapefruit, floral and grassy aromas, with pine and some toasty grain also clamoring for attention.

Thickish with a somewhat coating body that is doughy sweet at times, but a searing bitterness rips through it with ease. Huge sting of spiciness kicks in midswallow; it seems that the Sterling is more influential in the flavor than nose. Plentiful grit and grain, yet other than some lingering booze, it finishes pretty cleanly. It's not really boozy, either; in fact, quite the opposite. It goes down entirely too easy for a 9% beer.

Overall impression: Another winner from Sweetwater. At least for the time-being, this is my measuring stick for imperial pilsners.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2010 21:14:38 | More by PDXHops

gford217

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours an exceptionally clear golden amber with a creamy off-white head that leaves a bit of lacing on the way down.

The aroma is lightly sweet with toasted pale malts and some earthy and floral hops mixed in. It seems a bit lighter and grainier than some of the crazy sweet IPs I've smelled lately.

The taste is really nice and very well balanced for the style. It's got the sweet malt backbone but doesn't get overly sweet. There is a nice grassy hop character and a tingling spiciness on the tongue.

The mouthfeel is light to medium bodied for the style with good carbonation and not syrupy in the least.

I've actually had a few different IPs lately and this one is probably the best. It is undoubtedly the most drinkable as the sweetness isn't overdone and the hops are a major factor in the taste. Well done Sweetwater.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2010 02:22:22 | More by gford217

Tilley4

Tennessee

4.13/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Terrific looking in my Duvel tulip... Glowing hazy golden with a small but tight head... Very hazy and opaque...

Freshly cut flowers, some hay aromas, a lightly toasted biscuit malt and a healthy dose of hops as well... Very complex... There's a lot going on here... Not a trace of booze...

Sweet almost honey-like malts dominate here but they are accentuated heavily by the floral bitter hops and an earthiness that I can't quite put a finger on... Rather warming in the throat although I can't taste the booze... Finish is slightly bitter although not overly so... Very nice...

I could get in trouble with this one... Its a well crafted brew that I could easily have 2 bombers of without blinking an eye... Glad I got to try this one...

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2010 04:38:08 | More by Tilley4

jeddsp

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I always anxiously await the new release of SW Dank Tank. This release was no disappointment. Poured fairly clear and golden...was able to get a great head that lasted at least half the beer....good lacing as well. Taste was sweet hoppy, but not overdone. Thought it was very drinkable and will pick up some more...to me the 9% ABV was barely noticeable if at all which is great. Another great beer by the Dank Tank squad.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2010 00:13:20 | More by jeddsp

JamnesCameron

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a willis glass.

Pours a slightly hazy deep gold brew with a meringue like head that leaves lots of lacing. Head is off white.

Aromas of dried hay, flowery hops and a little citrus.

First sip is of citrus (orange) and flowers, with a malt backbone. Imagine a czech pils, multiplied by at least two. The malt is there to provide balance to the hops. You get the full hop profile, bitterness, flavor, and aroma. The hops flavor and aroma are off (american mutts vs. european noble), but the idea is still there.

Mouthfeel is medium, a little filling. But it coats the inside of your mouth with a load of hops and then a slathering of malt to take the edge off.

Very drinkable, and very dangerous at 9%. Don't session this or you'll be posted on Late Night Mistakes with marker all over your face. Very nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2010 03:06:08 | More by JamnesCameron

GrizzlyBrew

Georgia

4.08/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Deep golden color with nice frothy white head that hangs around decently.

S - Wonderful! You get all the sweet pilsner malt character supplemented by a soft citrus/pine hop aroma.

T - This beer is extremely deceiving!!! 110 IBU's?!?!? 9%?!?!?!? You get this rich, rich pilsner malt flavor balanced perfectly by the hops - not a trace of hot alcohol that I can detect. It's crazy. While it finishes a little sweet, here's a solid bitterness that finishes nicely and builds as I'm working my way through the first glass.

M - A little "thick" for my tastes, could have used some lightening from more carbonation.

D - Decent, I'm blowing through this bomber pretty quick, but probably won't being going for the second tonight.

For an imperial pilsner, this is pretty tasty. It may lean on too much of the wrong type of hops, but it's right up my alley. I would definitely recommend this one.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2010 23:19:25 | More by GrizzlyBrew

glid02

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at the brewery.

Pours a slightly hazy golden color with a one-finger off-white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of crisp pilsner malts with good amounts of breadiness. Good amounts of grassy and lightly herbal hop aromas are also present. As it warms very faint hints of licorice seem to waft out from time to time.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Robust pilsner malts beefed up by good amounts of bready flavors from the yeast kick things off. Joining in shortly thereafter are solid grassy hop flavors that turn slightly herbal midway through the sip. The hops carry through to a solidly bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is very good. It's got a smooth thickness with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I finished my glass quickly and could have another without any problems.

Overall this is a top-tier beer for the style but there are no large flaws. An easy-drinking beer for a big ABV style, worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2010 16:26:05 | More by glid02

Chello

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very nice representation of an Imperial Pilsner, just what you should expect. Upon pouring, you're greeted with a 1" thick white head that fades to a nice glass rim liner. Leaves a nice thin lace along the sides of the glass. Taste is sweet up front, but balanced nicely by the bitterness. At 9%, there was very little noticeable alcohol heat.

The best Imperial Pilsner i'v had. Balanced, and easy drinking at 9%

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2010 00:10:48 | More by Chello

drabmuh

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I'm never sure what to think about this place. For a long time Sweetwater was the only game in town in the SE but then Terrapin came along and now Cigar City (along with a few others). I guess Sweetwater decided that in order to stay relevant they had to be hyper annoying with their beer names and marketing. This was the imperial pilsner from their Dank Tank series of beer, and it was way way better than I expected, but this may be another case of me just liking lagers more than all of you.

Beer is yellow and clear with thin white head of small bubbles that fails to be propped up by decent levels of carbonation. No a lot of lacing on the glass, looks OK.

The aroma is simple and clean, slightly sweet with mostly a pilsner malt backbone. Good.

A lot of imperial pilsners make a mistake of finishing too dry, this almost always results in an unpleasant aftertaste that rises up after the dryness, this does not make that mistake. There is some almost tannic bitterness at the back of the mouth that is less than pleasing, but the bitterness is not drying and does not ruin the beer. Its medium to light in body, decent levels of carbonation on the palate and reasonable sweetness and creaminess on the front end. It was a decent beer and a pretty good IP.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2010 18:56:44 | More by drabmuh

ectomorph

Tennessee

4.03/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Bomber split with a friend, poured into a Pilsner glass. The bottle shows that it's 100 IBU and 9% ABV.

A - Bright yellow and gold blended body has good clarity, but an oiliness from the hops and alcohol. White head forms thick, and fades to a nice ring leaving good lacing behind.

S - Clean, with citrus hops and fresh cracker maltiness. Alcohol is also noted here as it begins to warm.

T - Holy Hoppy Pilsner Batman!! The 100 IBU's is no joke. This is an IPA of an IP!! Great upfront bitterness is an attention grabber, but doesn't destroy the tongue. Big malt backbone is just enough to showcase the Cascade and Sterling hops.

M - Medium body, the alcohol warms the back of the throat on the way down, but not hot.

D - The 9% ABV is very well hidden here, and you may find yourself thinking you can have a few of these, but the truth is you will be shmammered if you try it.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2010 13:12:40 | More by ectomorph

MbpBugeye

Ohio

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another stellar extra from MMAJYK and the Blind Beers BIF.

Poured into a pilsner glass and enjoyed outside on the porch.
A- I had this up next to Prima Pils and this beer is significantly darker. That doesnt mean that this is a dark beer by any means, it just shows a richer gold color. Lots and lots of effervescence rises up the whole time. It feeds an eggshell colored head that leaves patches clinging to the glass.

S- More grassy noble style hops and more toasty malts than a standard pils (obviously). Biting grass and light citrus/lemon.

T- Not as bitter as the label suggests it is. Its nicely balanced by the rich bready malts. Alcohol is totally felt more than in a normal pils. It tastes just like you would think and imperialized pilsner would. Big zesty lemon and grass hops with an almost doughy malt bill and some alcohol.

M- Quite rich. The alcohol pushes this over the edge a little.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2010 19:12:56 | More by MbpBugeye

saintwarrick

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear gold with a substantial foamy white head. Light pilsner and grain aroma is overwhelmed by the leafy hops and honey in the nose. Has all the familiar symptoms of a DIPA. Taste is surprisingly light, befitting a lager. Fresh cut grass, grain and honey notes give way to a hoppy bitterness, some citrus and pine. Unlike some Imperial Pilsners, this one actually retains a lot of the characteristics of a pilsner instead of just being an overhopped IPA that happens to have a pilsner yeast. Surprisingly easy to drink as the alcohol does not stand out. A very good lager hop heads will enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2010 09:49:16 | More by saintwarrick

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a yellow color with a white head. The aroma is a mix of pilsener malt with a lot of grassy hop characteristics. The flavor is bready and biscuity malt with some grassy hops. I also get some citrus notes. The beer has only a low amount of bitterness, less than I expected. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2010 05:41:53 | More by Mora2000

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #43 (Aug 2010):

Lacing adorns the glass as the hazed, golden color glows in the light. There are smells of spice and tropical fruits in the nose. Yeah, it's exotic. Its big body and smoothness ride slow but steady. It has a big, biscuity malt base, and is yeasty as well. The hops come along and drop a bit of a bomb on you, with bitterness and a thick herbal flavor that soon battles with its quickly warming alcohol character. Doughy malt and leafy hops finish off the brew. It's a proud member of an American beer style, and deservedly so.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2011 03:51:04 | More by BeerAdvocate