SweetWater 15 Years Of Heady Beers - SweetWater Brewing Company

superdedooperboy

Georgia

3.8/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22-ounce brown glass bottle poured into a SweetWater 15th Anniversary tulip. Served at approximately 45 degrees F.

Deep copper hue with a twinge of gold, showing off a thick, creamy head of beige froth that hangs determinedly to the walls of the glass, and a sparkling clarity. The appearance certainly hearkens back to this heady brew’s ESB roots.

The nose is full of piney, resinous hop notes, with a touch of earthiness, a slight hint of booze, and a whole boatload of malt character – sweet pan-caramelized brown sugar combines with medium-toasted bread and even a bit of cashew-like nuttiness. All together, the mélange of malt and hops is more than inviting – time to dig in and see what lies underneath.

Up front, the malts lay down a big ol’ base upon which to layer the hops. Sweet caramel-drizzled biscuit is overtaken in the middle by a huge dose of earthy, herbaceous, piney hop character with some grapefruit peel and orange zest; the bitterness is dry and intense, but not overwhelming, as the malt backbone keeps things in check. Toward the back and edges of the palate, the malt picks up momentum again, with rich toffee and bread pudding enveloping the palate before the bitterness kicks back in, finishing with a very dry, toffee-resin character and a bit of light boozy alcohol that all lingers long afterward and screams for a palate cleanser – be it another quaff or something altogether different.

Body is full and heavy, but the mild-to-medium level of carbonation, combined with the fairly high bitterness leaves the brew feeling sprightlier than it really is. Alcohol is, as stated, somewhat present on the palate, and leaves a bit of a slickness in the mouthfeel, but as far as headiness goes – well, this one is really much bigger than it lets on is all I can say. Be aware!

This is one brew that could use some age, no doubt – I’d wager that it could make it at least until the brewery’s 20th birthday, which, at the rate their going, is undoubtedly going to arrive. And I can’t wait to see that party! Cheers to fifteen years of heady beers, SweetWater!

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 12:11:15 | More by superdedooperboy

leftstagebrew

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-04-2013 18:54:39 | More by leftstagebrew

kscaldef

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

01-30-2013 02:49:10 | More by kscaldef

TheMarkE

California

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

01-11-2013 20:30:27 | More by TheMarkE

Bloodbuzz99

Georgia

4/5  rDev +6.4%

01-05-2013 11:15:55 | More by Bloodbuzz99

JIsaacMcKelvey

4.5/5  rDev +19.7%

11-20-2012 20:24:45 | More by JIsaacMcKelvey

sendbeer

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

11-12-2012 20:18:38 | More by sendbeer

baklo

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

10-21-2012 19:13:52 | More by baklo

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bomber courtesy of johnqvegas.
Served in Founders snifter.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3xdjo.jpg[/img]

Pours a ruddy, practically opaque, very murky diarrhea brown color. Ecru head of 3 foamy fingers settled quickly to a ring around the glass and a chunky film.

Smells... Lots of stuff going on here... This has toffee and caramel malt notes, along with some sweet breadiness. The hops are a little citrusy, tad piney, floral, and a hint vegetal.

There is a mild bitterness on the finish, but it is overpowered by the dry booziness.

Feels pretty full-bodied, little chewy. Firm carbonation.

Overall-- not quite what I'd hope for. If I had another of these, I'd put in the cellar and forget about it for about 3 years. Maybe 5. I do suppose that it has some aging potential.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 01:54:22 | More by AleWatcher

UnderPressure

South Carolina

4.23/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very clear red color. Fluffy white head. 3/4 inch. Decent lacing

Complex malty sweetness in the aroma. Some earthy hops.

Oh, wow! Great flavor! A nice bitterness with a balanced sweetness. Really complex. Oakish flavor.

Smooth, medium thick mouthfeel. A sticky, bitter finish.

This is a great beer. I got two bottles and I wonder what it will be like after a year or two.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 16:59:01 | More by UnderPressure

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber bottle purchased in Atlanta.

A: deep copper color, clear, with nice rocky light-tan head that eventually dissipated with lingering collar
S: deep roasted malt, some heat, reminded me of barley wine
T: deep roasted malt, slightly cloying, good hop finish but not enough for extended aging of more than 2-3 years,
M: rounded, full-bodied with dense roasted malt
O: very good but defies any categoy as stated on the bottle 'there is no style'

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 01:00:32 | More by wisrarebeer

MattCrowell

Tennessee

4.25/5  rDev +13%

09-10-2012 14:32:17 | More by MattCrowell

crownrl28

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +13%

09-08-2012 01:18:14 | More by crownrl28

ibew443

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +13%

08-25-2012 13:29:31 | More by ibew443

AdamSekulow

4/5  rDev +6.4%

08-21-2012 21:21:10 | More by AdamSekulow

CitizenGrain

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

08-05-2012 20:16:01 | More by CitizenGrain

abrand

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

23 ounce bomber split with a friend. Poured into pint glass

Pours a deep copper almost cola color. Small but nice looking head that fades quickly although doesn't leave much lacing on the glass. Aromas are full of hops and some malts. A hint of vinegar is also present. Taste is pretty centered around the hops with hints of raisins, grains, and toffee coming through as it warms. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and well carbonated. Overall this was really good. I think I'll let my other bottle settle for a while and see what its like without the hops dominating the taste.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 12:26:59 | More by abrand

Jason

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Gratz on 15 years guys!!

22oz brown bomber with a vintage date.

LOOK: Clear tawny color, great lacing show

SMELL: Herbal, citrus rind, mildly pungent, piney, leafy, biscuits, spicy, alcohol

TASTE: Smooth, creamy, resin, soft bitterness, oily, biscuity, pineapple, warming alcohol, mango, leafy, toasty, citrus, dry finish

There is something about this brew that makes it unique ... perhaps a few things. Good hopping all around with out being completely aggressive. The toasted grain character is real tasty and adds a layer that many bigger beers don't have. Maybe a bit of time is all this beer needed? Great all around.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 02:33:31 | More by Jason

Cresant

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served this 22 oz. bottle in a Tulip pint. The body was clear and bright copper/caramel colored. There was alight tan head that left freckles of lace.

The smell was syrupy malts. Spicy. Stewed fruits. Leather. Leafy/organic matter. Mild alcohol, and increasingly of dark bread as it warmed.

The taste was also syrupy/caramely. Subdued hops. Mild alcohol and dense whole grain bread. Sort of reminded me of Double Dead Guy. It took a while to finish this one.

The mouthfeel was medium to full bodied. Silky, slippery texture.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 13:29:12 | More by Cresant

buckyp

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +6.4%

07-08-2012 01:28:32 | More by buckyp

fatbatcat

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

07-07-2012 15:55:29 | More by fatbatcat

jrohrbacher

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +6.4%

06-25-2012 01:14:34 | More by jrohrbacher

kizyle

Georgia

4/5  rDev +6.4%

06-17-2012 01:13:43 | More by kizyle

nmann08

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

06-04-2012 13:50:52 | More by nmann08

ygtbsm94

Virginia

3/5  rDev -20.2%

06-04-2012 06:44:45 | More by ygtbsm94