SweetWater Brewing Company

SweetWater Brewing Co. Kicks off the New Year with H.A.Z.Y. 710 Pale Ale

Posted on December 31, 2021 by mashingin

SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that it will launch H.A.Z.Y. 710 Pale Ale at the start of the 2022.

Expounding upon SweetWater’s love for cannabis-filled holidays, H.A.Z.Y. 710 Pale Ale is a Hazy/Juicy Pale Ale featuring an addition of “the INCOGNITO® hop innovation to deliver a highly assertive tropical fruit and piney hop chop.” Coming in at 5.4% ABV and 37 IBUs, H.A.Z.Y. 710 Pale Ale is a “tasty and aromatic state-of-the-art pale ale [that] won’t be kept under wraps long as your new go-to undercover lover.”

H.A.Z.Y. 710 Pale Ale will launch in January 2022 with availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft. You can expect to find this new offering at craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Colorado and throughout the rest of SweetWater’s distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for H.A.Z.Y. 710 Pale Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – ???; launching January 2022
Style – Hazy/Juicy Pale Ale
ABV – 5.4%
IBUs – 37
Featured Hops – INCOGNITO hop product
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

SweetWater Brewing Co. Approaches Spring with Seasonal Release of Troptimistic Wheat Ale

Posted on February 11, 2021 by mashingin

SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that it will begin the Seasonal Release of Troptimistic Wheat Ale in early February 2021.

Here to ease you “out of the winter doldrums . . . [with] something light, bright and optimistic,” Troptimistic is an American Wheat Ale infused with “natural passionfruit and kiwi flavors . . . [to combine] tropical vibrancy and easy drinkability for a thirst-quenching liquid.” Coming in at just 5% ABV, Troptimistic is “the perfect sessionable beer to get into a spring state of mind.”

“This tropical American Wheat is hopped with Eldo and Sultana, delivering a refreshingly bright blast of tropical fruit, pineapple, pear and watermelon. Seasonals are our playground to have a little fun — we thought about drinking beers during a round of golf, out on the water as the weather changes, or on the beach during spring break while creating Troptimistic.”
– Brian Miesieski, Chief Marketing Officer of SweetWater Brewery

Troptimistic is rolling out now and will be available throughout the months of Spring 2021. You can expect to find this new Seasonal available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, in the Tacklebox Variety 12-pack, and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Troptimistic Wheat Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal; launching February 2021
Style – American Wheat Ale
ABV – 5%
Malts – Pilsner, Malted Wheat & Wheat Flakes
Hops – Sultana & El Dorado
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, Tacklebox Variety 12-pack & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

SweetWater Brewing Gives the Year a Proper Send-Off with EFF 2020

Posted on December 31, 2020 by mashingin

SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of EFF 2020 Triple IPA in late December 2020.

Dropping as SweetWater’s newest Dank Tank Series release and a final adios to the year from hell, EFF 2020 is a Hazy/Juicy Triple India Pale Ale “packed with Citra, Sultana, Vic Secret and Azacca hops for notes of peach, tropical citrus, pineapple and pine.” Clocking in at 55-60 IBUs and a hefty 9.2% ABV, EFF 2020 is guaranteed to “wash the taste of 2020 goodbye.”

“This year, 2020 hit us hard so we decided to answer back by raising a hand and slapping it back behind us,” said Nick Nock, Head Brewer at SweetWater. “To do that we had to dominate and go big and bold, busting out a beer at 9.2% ABV, representing we conquered 2020. Despite being in your face, it’s still silky smooth with a bouquet tropical citrus to welcome in 2021. Every sip leaves you with a lingering smile waiting for another taste.”

EFF 2020 hit the Taproom at SweetWater Brewing Company on December 23 and is entering distribution now. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 16 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of the brewery’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for EFF 2020 from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Dank Tank Series; late December 2020
Style – Hazy/Juicy Triple India Pale Ale
ABV – 9.2%
IBUs – 55-60
Featured Hops – Citra, Sultana, Vic Secret & Azacca
Malts – 2-row, Flaked Wheat & Oat Flakes
Availability 16 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

SweetWater Brewing Company’s Festive Ale Returns for the Holidays

Posted on October 23, 2019 by mashingin

SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that it will begin the annual Limited Release of Festive Ale in late October 2019.

Brewed only one day per year as a special holiday treat, Festive Ale is a Winter Warmer-style Ale featuring “a sleighload of Centennial and Golding hops and . . . capped with a dose of cinnamon and nutmeg.” Coming in at 8.1% ABV, the “strong cheerfully spiced” Festive Ale has “big complex flavors to keep you warm and toasted all season long.”

Festive Ale is rolling out now and will hang around throughout the 2019 Holiday Season (as long as supplies last). You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, in Seasonal Variety Packs and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing Company’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Festive Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Limited; returning late October 2019 for the Holiday Season
Style – Winter Warmer
ABV – 8.1%
IBUs – 27
Malts – 2-Row, Munich, 40L, 70/80, Carapils, Chocolate & Black
Hops – Centennial, US & UK Golding
Added Ingredients – Cinnamon & nutmeg
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, Seasonal Variety Packs & draft
Beer Finder – https://sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

SweetWater Brewing Company Adds to 420 Strain with Release of Chocolope Stout

Posted on August 19, 2019 by mashingin

SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has announced that it will officially begin the Seasonal Release of 420 Strain Chocolope Stout during the week of August 19.

Developed to mimic the flavor characteristics of the marijuana strain of the same name, Chocolope is an American Stout that unites a “roasty malt backbone” with SweetWater’s “unholy trinity of hops, strain-specific terpenes and natural hemp-type flavors.” Weighing in at 6.4% and 35 IBUs, Chocolope Stout offers its drinker “tropical fruit on the inhale, coffee on the exhale, gooey chocolate all the way through.”

420 Strain Chocolope Stout will make its debut in the 420 Strain Stash Box – a mixed 12-pack of 12 oz. cans that also includes 420 Extra Pale Ale, 420 Strain G13 IPA and 420 Strain Mango Kush – during the week of August 19 and will release on its own in Fall 2019. You can expect to find this new Seasonal available in 12 oz. cans, 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing Company’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for 420 Strain Chocolope Stout from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal; launching August 19, 2019
Style – American Stout
ABV – 6.4%
IBUs – 35
Malts – 2-Row, Munich, 70/80, Pale Chocolate, Chocolate, Roasted Barley & Wheat
Hops – Bravo & Willamette
Added Ingredients – Dutch chocolate
Availability – 12 oz. cans, 12 oz. bottles, on draft & in the 420 Strain Stash Box
Beer Finder – https://sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

Sweetwater Brewing Adds Mango Kush Wheat Ale to 420 Strain Series

Posted on March 18, 2019 by mashingin

SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that 420 Strain Mango Kush Wheat Ale will join the brewery’s Year-Round lineup in March 2019.

Arriving as the “second sticky hit from 420 Strain” (preceded by the release of 420 Strain G13 IPA), Mango Kush is a cannabis-inspired American Wheat Ale “packed with herbal, juicy mango notes and a distinctive dank nose.” Thanks to “strain specific terpenes and natural hemp-type flavors”, Mango Kush Wheat Ale (5% ABV) delivers a “euphoric” experience “that’ll remind you of the crowd pleasing kush strain.”

Mango Kush is available now on draft, and 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles are expected to drop any day now. You can find this new Year-Round offering at craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing’s distribution territory. Prost!

Vital Information for 420 Strain Mango Kush from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Year-Round, launching March 2019
Style – American Wheat Ale
ABV – 5%
IBUs – 30
Malts – Pilsner, White Wheat & Flaked Wheat
Hops – Nuggetzilla & El Dorado
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

SweetWater Brewing Brings the Dankness with Release of 420 Strain G13 IPA

Posted on July 12, 2018March 18, 2019 by mashingin

SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has announced that 420 Strain G13 IPA, a cannabis-inspired brew dosed with terpenes and hemp-type flavor, has officially released as the brewery’s newest Year-Round offering.

Specifically brewed to offer “an olfactory experience that mimics . . . the legendary G13 cannabis strain”, 420 Strain G13 IPA is an “aromatic super-hybrid sticky” India Pale Ale that begins with a solid base of malts and “some of [SweetWater’s] dankest hops, Columbus and Simcoe, plus two dry hop additions.” To complement the hops and further reinforce those dank aromatics, the brewers “found the perfect botanically-sourced, strain specific terpenes and married them with propriety natural hemp flavor.” This incredibly heady recipe yields a “phenomenally delicious and drinkable” 420 Strain G13 IPA that boasts “a great body, good head and nice amount of haze at a pleasurable 6% ABV.”

420 Strain G13 IPA is steadily rolling out now as a draft-only offering. This new Year-Round brew is available now at select bars and restaurants located in Georgia and will experience expanded availability throughout SweetWater’s distribution footprint as time goes on (click here to see release schedule). 420 Strain G13 IPA is scheduled to hit shelves in 12 oz. bottles in September 2018. Prost!

Vital Information for 420 Strain G13 IPA from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Year-Round, debuts July 2018
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 6%
IBUs – 48
Hops – Columbus & Simcoe; dry-hopped with a double dose of Simcoe & Columbus
Malts – 2 Row Malt, Wheat & Flaked Oats
Added Ingredients – Botanically-sourced, strain specific terpenes & propriety natural hemp flavor
Availability – Draft-only; bottles follow in September 2018
Release Schedule – https://sweetwaterbrew.com/nowlegal/
Beer Finder – https://sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

SweetWater Brewing Introduces Twisted Fish Pils as New Summer Collaboration

Posted on May 18, 2018 by mashingin

SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced the release of Twisted Fish, a Crystal Pilsner brewed with and to benefit Building Conservation Trust.

One of five beneficiaries of SweetWater’s annual Save Our Water campaign, Building Conservation Trust – the Coastal Conservation Association’s National Habitat Program – recently “competed against the other non-profits in a social media campaign, winning the opportunity to create a beneficial brew.” $1 from every case of that beneficial brew – Twisted Fish Crystal Pilsner – sold will be donated by SweetWater “to fund projects that benefit sustainable fisheries and recreational anglers, creating and restoring habitats and advancing the science of marine conservation.” These funds are “in addition to SweetWater’s donation of $100,000 every summer to clean water and natural habitat protection initiatives around the nation.”

As for the beer itself, Twisted Fish is a modern take on the Czech-style Pilsner that “uses traditional Czech yeast and fermentation temps, with traditional and non-traditional pilsner hops – Crystal, Citra and Mandarina add a juicy aroma and flavor profile more typical of IPAs, mixed with spicy and herbal notes from the Hallertau for complexity.” Weighing in at 5.3% ABV, this refreshing Pilsner promises to be a perfect warm weather go-to.

Twisted Fish Crystal Pilsner will officially release on May 21 and will hang around for a limited time. You can expect to find this Special Release available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing Company’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Twisted Fish Crystal Pilsner from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Limited, late May 2018
Style – Czech-style Pilsner
ABV – 5.3%
IBUs – 30
Malts – Pilsner, Carapils & Vienna
Hops – Hallertau Mittelfruh, Citra & Mandarina Bavaria; dry-hopped with Crystal, Citra & Mandarina Bavaria
Yeast – Czech Pils
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

Tropical Lover Set to Debut as SweetWater Brewing’s New Summer Seasonal

Posted on March 23, 2018 by mashingin

SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that it will launch Tropical Lover, a Berliner Weisse with mango, passion fruit and guava, in early April as the brewery’s newest Seasonal offering.

Born from the mind of Nick Burgoyne, Lead Brewer on SweetWater’s Woodlands Project, and inspired by “his love for 80s pop rock”, Tropical Lover is a “refreshing, approachable” Berliner Weisse that features “additions of mango, guava and passion fruit working together to provide a clean, crisp finish.” Weighing in at just 4.5% ABV, Tropical Lover promises to be your “easy-to-love summer fling.”

“I developed this liquid because selfishly I wanted a beer that is refreshing and low ABV, but also had interesting characteristics and delicious flavors,” says Nick Burgoyne, lead brewer for SweetWater’s Woodlands Project barrel aging facility. “When we put test batches on tap at the Woodlands and in our main taproom, people kept commenting on how drinkable and refreshing it was; they loved the tropical flavors. I imagine Tropical Lover will be a hit with folks hanging out on the water all summer, kicking back with a few daytime drinks.”

Tropical Lover will officially release in early April with availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft. Starting in May, Tropical Lover will also have availability in the “Protect Natural Habitats” Variety 12 pack of 12 oz. cans and the “Protect Natural Habitats” Variety 12 Pack of 12 oz. bottles. You can expect to find this new Seasonal offering at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Tropical Lover from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal (Summer) – launching early April 2018
Style – Berliner Weisse
ABV – 4.5%
Malts – 2-Row & Wheat
Hops – Centennial
Yeast – House English Ale
Added Ingredients – Mango, passion fruit & guava
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, “Protect Natural Habitats” Variety 12 pack of 12 oz. cans (May 2018), “Protect Natural Habitats” Variety 12 Pack of 12 oz. bottles (May 2018) & draft
Beer Finder – http://sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

Tasting Notes: Hatchery Series NE Style IPA from SweetWater Brewing Company

Posted on February 2, 2018February 2, 2018 by mashingin

Things get a little hazy as we close the week with some Tasting Notes on Hatchery Series Release #5 – NE Style India Pale Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia).

Arriving as the fifth release from SweetWater’s pilot system (a.k.a. The Hatchery), NE Style India Pale Ale is the brewery’s experimental, small-batch take on the hazy IPAs that are currently running rampant throughout the country. With a hop bill comprised of Centennial, Amarillo, Azacca, Idaho 7 and El Dorado hops, this offering is meant to be an “extremely hoppy beer” that has the New England IPA’s signature “restrained bitterness and . . . soft mouthfeel.” Staying true to the Hatchery’s focus on experimentation, the brewers at SweetWater did take some liberties with the style by adding “flaked rye for a bit of a dirty southern twist.” Hatchery Series Release #5 – NE Style India Pale Ale (7.5% ABV and 50 IBUs) is available now for a limited time in Tackle Box Variety 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing’s distribution area.

With those pertinent details now properly covered, I do believe it is time to work our way through this haze and put down some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Hatchery Series NE Style India Pale Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company

Appearance: SweetWater’s NE Style India Pale Ale fills the glass with a cloudy, deep golden yellow colored brew wearing just over a finger of bright white foam that is lightly stained with a streak of sediment. The beer is more than adequate in the haze department, and that sediment turns up again as a crazy amount of floaties are suspended throughout. Although it is a bit on the murky side, a steady carbonation can be seen coursing within. Head retention is good, eventually falling to a lasting half finger of creamy foam that leaves chunky bands of lace behind on the glass.

Aroma: Absolutely saturated with tropical fruits, the nose leads with a note of straight up orange juice that is followed by tones of tangerine, pineapple, apricot and grapefruit. That fruity sweetness mellows out just enough to allow the development of a piney and dank hop presence. The profile closes with a pleasant earthiness and a barely decipherable pale malt sweetness.

Taste: The brewery uses the term “fruit cocktail” to describe this beer, and they are spot on as juicy fruits dominate the flavor. Sweet mango and peach hit the tongue first and then it is awash with a variety of fruit juices: a mix of orange, pineapple and grapefruit juices spiked with a zing of lemon. As that lemon sharpness builds, the palate encounters a dank, hoppy bite of resinous pine and the experience finishes with a tinge of earthy, spicy rye.

Mouthfeel: Medium in both body and carbonation, this brew has a nice and soft texture to it. Although it is gentle and pillowy on the palate, it still retains a light hoppy bite that cleans up rather quickly. The ABV is well hidden and pretty non-existent for 7.5%. The aftertaste is minimal, but does leave behind a bit of pine, pineapple and grapefruit.

Final Thoughts: When all is said and done, Hatchery Series Release #5 – NE Style India Pale Ale comes together as a nice tribute to the OG New England-style IPAs that may not have been much to look at – think The Alchemist’s Heady Topper and its label directing you to “Drink From the Can” – but still have that trademark mouthfeel and reduced bitterness. Although it may be reduced, be warned that this brew does still retain some building bitterness that acts as a constant reminder that it is indeed an IPA. Also, the rye addition was a unique Southern touch that contributed to the haziness/cloudiness and added some earthy spice that mingled well with the beer’s overall dankness, but it could also act as a bit of surprise for those seeking a straight-up New England-style IPA. That said, it still has that lush, juicy experience that everyone is after and . . . it just works. If you keep the word “experimental” in mind while drinking this one, you are going to walk away from your pour a happy hop head. Be sure to check this one out before its limited run comes to end. Prost!

Mashing In

News & Perspectives on Beer and its Culture