Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale - SweetWater Brewing Company

glid02

Georgia

3.53/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Cask dry-hopped with Glacier at the brewery.

Pours a hazy light copper color with a one-finger off-white head. The head recedes into a patchy layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of pale malts with a slightly bread-y aroma from the yeast. The hops are surprisingly muted considering the dry-hopping but what little exists impart citrus and floral aromas.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Bready pale malt flavors up front are joined by mild citrus flavors midway through the sip. The hops carry through to a mildy bitter finish.

Mouthfeel is alright. It's a bit on the thin side with soft carbonation.

Drinkability is OK. I finished my glass however I'm not sure about another.

Overall I think I like this beer better on-tap. The thickness isn't enough to support such low carbonation.

Serving type: cask

02-22-2010 03:02:17 | More by glid02

Tonmeister

Georgia

3.89/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle Poured in a tulip shaped glass

Appearance: Golden Amber with a solid head, about one finger thick. The lacing is maintained when tilting the glass.

Smell: a hint of earthiness and somewhat citrusy, and It's fairly sweet.

Taste: earthy, citrusy. It tastes like it smells.

Mouthfeel : thin/medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

Overall, This is a great APA. By far one of my favorites. It is very smooth and refreshing. This is a perfect session beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 22:00:02 | More by Tonmeister

scomstock55

Kansas

3.36/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A--this beer poured a semi-cloudy yellow straw color. the head was thin and wimpy and the lacing didnt last very long

S--didnt have a very strong smell at all...a little citrus, and just a bit of hoppy aroma

T--the taste belies the smell! very nice hoppy / citrus flavor...very good balance of the two

M--this beer was delightful on the palate...a light crisp finish with just the right amount of carbonation.

O--overall I could sit and drink a few..maybe more than a few of these..especially on a hot day...very refreshing...

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 13:40:24 | More by scomstock55

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.59/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap, BWW- Myrtle Beach

A- bright golden-yellow color, clear with a creamy two-finger head, solid retention and lace

S- some citrus hop with a bit if spice, nice malty backbone and a but yeast on the end

T- buiscity malt, light citrus hop flavor, a bit of sweetness on the finish with a dry citrus finish

M- light bodied with moderate carbonation, creay mouthfeel with a smooth finish

O- an easy drinking pale ale, not very complex but worth a try if your looking for a lighter session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2013 20:26:41 | More by Treyliff

kshizzle101

Washington

3.7/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap in ATL airport

A - dark yellow/golden. small white head and little lacing

S - citrus hops, malty backbone with some yeast component coming through as well

T - follows the nose

M - medium bodied. but over carbed i think

Overall - decent, but nothing spectacular here

Serving type: on-tap

05-10-2013 23:44:19 | More by kshizzle101

zac16125

South Carolina

2.93/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap into pint glass

A: copper in color, translucent, 1/2 finger of head which quickly dissipates to nothing, leaves effectively no lacing

S: very mild aroma, some hop spice and malt sweetness, not a lot going on here

T: again pretty mild. Caramel and pale malts, faint citrus with some lemon notes, some spicy rye like notes, very little hop characters

M/D: lighter body, carbonation on the heavier side, moderate drink ability

O: pretty disappointing, not sure if this an old keg or what but there are almost no hop characters in this one. It's not a bad beer, but its no better than average. That being said I find myself drinking this fairly often as its often times the one craft beer among an otherwise B/M/C lineup at many restaurants / bars here in the south east

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2013 00:00:11 | More by zac16125

BrianJohnson

South Carolina

4.16/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: nice golden color, hazy in a good way, white one-finger head
Smell: Grass, bread, slight citrusy hops smell
Taste: Warmth of bread, biscuit, with a slight hops overtone
Mouthfeel: Very clean, crisp, and not heavy at all
Overall: I really enjoy this beer. Very summery, but could be enjoyed in the fall. I wouldn't pick this beer for a cold winter's day by the fireplace, but definitely an enjoyable brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 23:51:20 | More by BrianJohnson

tut2528

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a nice golden color that is murky, but does have some transparency. it creates a nice a nice 1-2 fingers worth of head formation with rather decent lacing. head is slightly off white in color

S: nice crispy bready/biscuit right up front with a nice malt backbone and subtle hops lying in the background. i also pick up on a just a slight touch of orange peel. i find the balance quite enjoyable.

T: similar to the nose... biscuits, touch of graininess, slight bitterness from the hops, and a nice citrus note to complement the flavors. not overly complex, but decently well balanced. slight creaminess in the finish

M: medium bodied brew (a bit thicker than I was expecting). leaves a nice dryness on the palate along with some bitter hops.

O: i think this beer is highly sessionable and quite nice to be honest. as previously mentioned, its not overly complex and has a nice flavor profile.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 20:47:15 | More by tut2528

joefuzz

New York

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Gift from BA grizzlyadam

Pours hazy gold with a small white head. Smell faintly of hops and some biscuit malt. Tastes is fairly hoppy for a session pale ale and a crisp finish. Mouthfeel and carbonation are just about perfect for a session beer. Overall amazing session beer, if this were avaliable in my area I would drink it non stop from april until october.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 22:58:43 | More by joefuzz

tomgeorgia

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I just really love this beer. Like an old friend, 420 never fails to please. An excellent example of a well rounded, well balanced pale ale. Great year round, just enough hops to make it different with a great balance. Wonderful color, great pairing with burgers or ribs.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 14:55:37 | More by tomgeorgia

Madisonian

Georgia

4.43/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I've been enjoying this brew since moving down South last Fall, but up until this point only in bottles. Got tired of paying an average of $9.00 for a six-pack so I made the investment and looked into acquiring a kegerator.

Picked up a 1/6 barrel yesterday. Phenomenal. I was hesitant to commit to a beer that I would be drinking on-tap for a few months, but I made the right choice. After having a Sweetwater 420 in a bottle the day before I picked up the keg, I can honestly say there is a substantial taste difference. Just an overall impression of a fresher taste. Bottles were fine, but the keg is much better (and more cost-effective if you enjoy this beer regularly).

Excellent head when poured correctly. What I love about this beer is its subtle uniqueness. Once the liquid hits your lips it tells you that its better than your average brew and its mouthfeel says "hey, I'm very drinkable." Don't get me wrong, I love all kinds of beers but its a special thing when you find something that reminds you of an old friend.

I've been looking for an "everyday" craft brew for quite a while and so far Sweetwater 420 fits the bill.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2013 22:02:09 | More by Madisonian

tone77

Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap into a pint glass. Has a deep golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell has lots of malts, a youch of hops. Taste is malty, caramel, some hops, well balanced and very easy drinking. Enjoyable. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a quality beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2013 22:03:22 | More by tone77

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

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

Thanx Damian74Shensky:

Best if enjoyed by 04/07/2013:

A: pale golden body with a half finger white foamy head that leaves some nice foamy white spider-web lacing in its wake, some carbonation is seen rising

S: strong pale malts, subdued hops

T: mainly a bland sort of sweet through previously mentioned flavors

M: light to medium, slightly sessionable, some carbonation slightly felt, sweet aftertaste, no finish

O: ah, the extra pale ale style (reminds me of Baxter's Pamola, High and Mighty's XPA and Berkshire's Steel Rail a bit), extra pale ale - not really a style just yet or at least not that I know of, still good as an American Pale Ale, and light enough to have with food, I would have this XPA again

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 01:13:33 | More by kangarooAdam59

silverking

Florida

3.79/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

A- Pours a clear light amber with a white head. Head retention is minimal, but lacing is nice while it lasts.

S- Faintly hoppy with some bready malt in the background.

T- Malty with a slight citrus tang. The finish is mildy bitter, revealing slight notes of grapefruit rind.

M- The mouthfeel is light, and it almost feels oily. Carbonation is moderate and crisp.

O- I don't understand all of the hype behind this one. It's good, not great.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 23:42:56 | More by silverking

Immortale25

Florida

4.11/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Florida Beer Co. tapered glass. Label says Best if Enjoyed by: 04/04/13

A- Pours a dark golden color with a 1/2 inch off-white head that retains well before becoming a thin ring around the edge of the glass and a mostly full sheet of surface foam. Semi-resilient lacing leaves a thick ring behind on the glass.

S- Crisp, mildly hoppy aroma with some faint bready malt. Somewhat sweet smelling soft caramel.

T- A well-balanced pale ale with some pleasant bread-like malt sandwiched in between some piney hops. Alcohol is light and unobtrusive. Very drinkable.

M- Smooth and slightly sharp from the hops. Medium carbonation and a solid body for the style.

O- Spot-on for the style and super sessionable. If you want flavorful yet drinkable beer, go for some Sweetwater. I wish they had wider distribution so I could get it all the time.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 23:56:16 | More by Immortale25

obxchillin

4.45/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

What I love about this beer is the drinkability. Light and flavorful,this beer is perfect any time of the year but especially a hot day on the beach in the summer. Leaves a small pale ale taste in your mouth. The smell isn't strong but has a good flavor over all. Overall one of my favorite beers around.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 00:53:59 | More by obxchillin

guityler83

Wisconsin

3.66/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Straw yellow color with a finger of pillowy white on top. In the frosted pint glass it was served it was slighly hazy (after whipping of the frost). Dense lacing with each sip.

S: Very faint hop aroma, not much else

T: A grainy/husky malt taste. Strong bitterness and moderate piney hop taste. lager yeast like charector. very sessionable.

M: Clean and dry

O: After having a couple of these in a bar in southern Georgia I had to look up the style. I was certain it was a pisner or a czech pilz, a lager of some kind. Clearly i was wrong. if you like GI honkers ale or SA Boston Lager this has a very similar vibe, but with a bit more hop bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2013 02:44:09 | More by guityler83

sammygt

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a great drinking IPA. It is not a super hoppy monster, but that is not what it is supposed to be. i think it fills the niche of a very drinkable Pale Ale very well. its got a good level of citrus and carbonation, its not too heavy on the palate, and you can just keep on drinking it. overall a good beer, perfect for anything from tailgating to a night out.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 17:06:37 | More by sammygt

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Initial head was somewhere around an inch after an aggressive pour. body is like a light lager, crystal clear light straw yellow, Powdery white big bubbled head floating on top.

Smell is bitter malt. Spruce and pine come to the forefront. Light bodied malt only slightly comes out. The main aroma is that bitter spruce/pine.

This thing is crazy drinkable. Light slick malt kind of reminds me of a British pale. No real bitterness at all, and I like it. Its totally different than hoppy pales, its a smooth malty pale that I actually really enjoy.

I enjoy this thing, the mouthfeel is slick and just crazy drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 00:52:25 | More by VncentLIFE

harrymel

Washington

2.45/5  rDev -33.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Best by 13MAR13

Light grainy gold with a solid quilt of fine white foam. Smells faint - grain, sweet malts, some corn and a little grassy (dried grass). Taste is corn, resin, a little bitterness, really tastes cheap; almost reminds me of corn pops cereal. Medium bodied with moderate carb and a semi dry finish. Meh.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 05:38:43 | More by harrymel

chickenflea

Florida

3.03/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Ap: The pour is clear and burnt orange in color with a small fluffy white head. S: The nose is somewhat floral with a light citrus component. Very light. T: The hop profile is almost all floral. Medium long finish that may be the most satisfying component of each sip. M: The body is on the light end of medium with a crisp and plentiful carbonation. O: This is one of my least favorite styles. However, the floral hops and the lightly sweet taste provide a refreshing brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 23:48:07 | More by chickenflea

barczar

Kentucky

3.4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Two months past the best by date.

Pours a slightly hazy deep golden color with copper highlights and a frothy one inch cream head that dissipates relatively quickly, leaving spotty lacing.

Grainy malt, mango, tart orange and a touch of cut grass form the aroma.

Flavor is initially subtle. Fairly sweet, lightly bready backbone has little malt character whatsoever. Tart citrus flavors underlie the weak malt, and the finish is a touch resiny and fairly bitter.

Body is worty and a bit full, with moderate carbonation. The stale malt character gives the impression of lower carbonation. Slightly astringent.

Fairly disappointing in both malt and hop presence. Pretty flat flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 05:12:43 | More by barczar

FungusBrewer

Illinois

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Fours across the boards. Sweet Water Extra Pale Ale has all the qualities of a perfect session beer, but leaves you fishing for that acme note to greatness.

Taste: Floral sweetness with a lazy bitterness coming on soft and sticking around comfortably. Almost a tad too light for a "extra pale ale" in my opinion. In comparison Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is much more astringent and earthy. 420 is sweet, remarkably sweet and palatable. No hot alcohol bite here. Session, session, session-in need of a new six pack.

Aroma: Effervescent hops with dried sugar cane.

Appearance/Mouth-Feel: Honey-comb yellow with moderate lacing. Gentle carbonation suiting the style perfect.

Overall, 420 seems light on the hops and heavy on the sweets. This isn't a bad thing by any means, as the beer proves to be justly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 06:36:46 | More by FungusBrewer

siege06nd

Virginia

3.4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Always a pleasure to enjoy a beer from the brewery that began my love affair with craft beer.

A. Pours a very clear golden copper color with about two and a half fingers of dense, foamy head. Head slowly sifts down to a finger and there it lingers. Lacing is soapy and sticky, leaving its legs all down the glass. Beautiful.

S. Grainy, grassy with a mild hop presence. Very earthy and musty. The strength of the bouquet is relatively mild, however. Almost has a skunkiness to it. It is a fresh bottle, though, pulled out of the fridge at Hop City, so I would be surprised if it were bad.

T. Corn, light pine resin, earth, grain. Tastes a bit like an adjunct, the malt bill is grainy and sweet. High and dry finish from some light hop bitterness. Not bad.

M. Highly carbed and crisp. The bitterness is one note and rides throughout the beer. Not the most rounded pale I have had.

O. A light, crisp, pale with dry bitterness. This in no way resembles the hop forward pale ales that have emerged in recent years such as Zombie Dust and Perpetual. An adjunct-like malt bill and one dimensional hop presence make this a classic pale. Which doesnt make it bad. Just not particularly impressive. I would say this is the least enjoyable of the Sweetwater year rounds for me.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 23:58:26 | More by siege06nd

match1112

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

a: light copper colored body, very translucent, short off white head leaves plenty of lacing.

s: light citrus hops, bread, grass

t: floral citrus hops up front, turns to a bready malt body with some earthyness on the finish.

m: good carbonation, medium body, short dry finish.

o: pretty mellow all around, nothing bad to say, it just doesn't jump out at me as one of the better apa's i've had.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 23:32:07 | More by match1112