Ground Score IPA Emerges from SweetWater Brewing’s Dank Tank

Posted on by mashingin

unnamed (15)SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that the next Dank Tank release will be Ground Score IPA, a collaboration with Relix and Kyle Hollingsworth of The String Cheese Incident.

When Kyle Hollingsworth and Relix editor Dean Budnick informed SweetWater Brewing Company of their brewing dream, the brewery decided to make it a reality by having Head Brewer Nick Nock meet them at Oregon’s Crosby Hop Farm for some applied “thinkin and drinkin” to develop the Dank Tank recipe for Ground Score IPA.  It was here that they carefully selected the hop bill for the beer, a juicy mix of El Dorado, Citra, Amarillo, and Idaho 7 hops.  Once they returned to the brewery, the collaboration team got to work on this hazy-ish India Pale Ale by putting those hops up against a malt base of “2 Row, flaked wheat and English Premium malts.” With a color described as “a sunset right before the big flash, . . . the flaked wheat gives Ground Score its blurred clarity and a nice frothy head, while the English Premium adds a slight sweetness of orange blossom honey.”  This “big, bold, and drinkable” Ground Score IPA clocks in at 7.1% ABV and promises to “hit your tastebuds with a hell of a lot of flavor.”

Ground Score IPA will officially debut with a Launch Party at Brooklyn Bowl on February 7, and plans are in place to have the beer hit distribution by the second week of February.  You can expect to find this limited Dank Tank release available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing’s distribution network.  Supplies are limited, so be sure to get your hands on some Ground Score IPA while it lasts.  Prost!

Vital Information for Ground Score IPA from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Dank Tank, February 2018
Style – American India Pale Ale 
ABV – 7.1%
Hops – El Dorado, Citra, Amarillo & Idaho 7
Malts – 2 Row, Flaked Wheat & English Premium
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

SweetWater Brewing Releases Details for 21st Anniversary Throwdown

Posted on by mashingin

21stParty-Facebook-EventFrom 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 17, SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) will host a 21st Anniversary Throwdown featuring an insane tap list and live music from Dirty Heads, Twiddle and People’s Blues of Richmond.

SweetWater Brewing Company will finally hit the legal drinking age of 21 in February, and you best believe that they will be throwing one hell of a party to celebrate that milestone.  The 21st Anniversary Throwdown will feature quite a few changes from previous anniversary parties at SweetWater, so it is probably best if we just break this whole thing down for you.

The Basics

What – SweetWater Brewing Company’s 21st Anniversary Throwdown
When – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 17
Where – SweetWater Brewing Company: 195 Ottley Drive NE, Atlanta, Georgia

The Beer

  • The 21st Anniversary Party will feature “a fat stash of draft options from [the brewery’s] cellar and specialty beers throughout the building! [SweetWater will] also be pulling out all the stops with the draft list in the Woodlands.”
  • Attendees will have the option to purchase a custom 21st Anniversary glass and/or a bottle of the 21st Anniversary Ale, an Oud Bruin
  • All ticketholders (21 & up) will receive a Souvenir 6-pack of the Great American Beer Festival medal winning TripleTail Tropical IPA

The Music

Everyone knows that you cannot have a party at SweetWater without an incredible lineup of musical acts.  This year’s lineup includes:

Ticket Information

Other Useful Information

  • This event is rain or shine and the bands will be playing on an outdoor stage.  Plan accordingly
  • There will be a vast selection of food trucks on-site to keep you fed all day long
  • Parking is VERY limited onsite, so MARTA, UBER, cabs, etc. will be your best bet!  Shuttles will be running from the SIP Coffee at the Lindbergh Marta station to the brewery.
  • Pets are not allowed at this event
  • Children may attend with a parent or guardian

That is all the information that we have for you at this time, but we will be sure to update this post with any details that may surface between now and the event.

The crew here at Mashing In has attended nearly a decade of anniversary parties at SweetWater, and we are here to tell you that they have just gotten better year after year.  With that said, we fully expect this 21st Anniversary Throwdown to achieve a completely new level of awesome.  Call your friends, make some plans, and get those tickets as soon as possible because we hope to raise a glass with all of you on February 17 to another great year with SweetWater Brewing Company.  Prost!

 

SweetWater Brewing Introduces Sinner’s Son

Posted on by mashingin

unnamed (64)SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has announced that Sinner’s Son, a Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Coffee, will officially arrive on Saturday, October 28 as the latest release from the brewery’s Woodlands Project.

Arriving just in time for Halloween, Sinner’s Son is an American Imperial Stout that is fresh out of SweetWater’s cellar at The Woodlands, an annex of the brewery designed specifically for barrel-aged and wild beers.  After spending “months” there maturing in Bourbon barrels, Sinner’s Son was then pulled and finished off with “a fresh blend of coffee and espresso beans from the JavaVino farm . . . to harmonize with the roasted malts and bring balance to its complex barrel aged soul.”  This all results in an imposing, 12.4% ABV Imperial Stout that ” is decadent and rich with chocolate and vanilla notes, a velvety mouthfeel and hints of oak.”

This introductory batch of Sinner’s Son will make its debut in SweetWater’s taproom on October 28.  Once early-November rolls around, this Limited Release offering will be available in 500ml cork & cage bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located within SweetWater Brewing’s distribution area.  Distribution will be limited, so stay vigilant and be on the lookout for Sinner’s Son next month. Prost!

Vital Information for Sinner’s Son from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Woodlands Project Series, arriving late-October 2017
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 12.4%
IBUs – 60
Malts – 2 Row, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, Flaked Oats, Crystal, Victory & Lactose
Hops – Columbus
Added Ingredients – A blend of coffee & espresso beans from the JavaVino farm
Treatment – Aged “for months” in Bourbon barrels
Availability – 500ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – http://sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

SweetWater Brewing Gets Fresh with Limited Release of Fresh Sticky Nugs

Posted on by mashingin

unnamed (61)SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) recently announced the official release of Fresh Sticky Nugs Hazy Imperial IPA as the latest offering to come out of the brewery’s Dank Tank.

Straight from the farm to SweetWater Brewing Company’s Dank Tank and then to your glass, Fresh Sticky Nugs has officially arrived to satisfy all your fresh hop needs.  This “super fresh, super sticky” Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale has been brewed with three, freshly harvested hop varietals from Crosby Hop Farm: Amarillo, Citra and Simcoe.  Clocking in at 8% ABV and 60 IBUs, Fresh Sticky Nugs is “dank, resinous and as one of [SweetWater’s] brewers said, ‘it’s like cracking open a hop field.'”

Fresh Sticky Nugs made its debut at the brewery on October 8 and is available now in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft.  This Dank Tank brew will see limited distribution to select craft beer establishments located within SweetWater Brewing Company’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Fresh Sticky Nugs Hazy Imperial IPA from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Dank Tank Series, October 2017
Style – American Imperial India Pale Ale/Harvest Ale
ABV – 8%
IBUs – 60
Featured Fresh Hops – Amarillo, Citra & Simcoe
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

Tasting Notes: Torikumi from SweetWater Brewing and Telluride Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

DankTankTorikumiPour_editedTasting Notes takes a bit of an unconventional turn this week as we sit down to examine a tall pour of Torikumi Wasabi Infused Blonde Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) and Telluride Brewing Co. (Telluride, Colorado).

Torikumi, which translates to mean a “sumo bout”, comes to us as a special collaboration beer crafted by SweetWater Brewing’s Nick Nock and Brewmaster Chris Fish from Telluride Brewing Co.  After an excursion to Atlanta’s Buford Highway, a culinary playground of international cuisine, the two brewers returned to SweetWater Brewing Co. with inspiration to fill the Dank Tank with what would eventually be known as Torikumi Wasabi Infused Blonde Ale.  Dosed with some “serious heat” from the added wasabi, this 7.5% ABV American Blonde Ale can be enjoyed as a pairing for a wide variety of dishes or – for those more daring heat seekers – on its own.  Torikumi is nearing the end of its availability, but it can still be found in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at select beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing Company’s distribution area.

Now that the background information has been handled, it’s time to face the wasabi and get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Torikumi Wasabi Infused Blonde Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company & Telluride Brewing Co.

Appearance: Torikumi presents itself as a deep golden colored brew with burnt orange hues radiating within and a bright white finger of foam resting on top.  When held to direct light, the color steadfastly holds but the yellows and oranges do gain a bit more vibrancy.  The beer is a touch on the cloudy side, but you can still spot a steady carbonation presence swirling about some particulate within.  Head retention is good, but it eventually falls to a half finger of thick, creamy foam that coats the glass with wide lace patterns.

Aroma:  With citrus and juniper leading the way, the first impression of this beer is an interesting and memorable mix of fruit and earthy spice.  The beer then shifts into that recognizable, nose-tingling presence of wasabi before settling into a solid malt presence of rye and wheat.

Taste:  Citrus – orange and lemon zest – and wasabi rush the palate just before a lovely, gin-like juniper works its way in.  That earthiness is further supported by some spicy rye and some wheat breadiness that rounds everything off.  Wonderfully unique, surprisingly pleasant, and incredibly balanced here.

Mouthfeel:  Torikumi is medium in body with an effervescent carbonation level.  It moves across the palate with expert-level balance, giving off a good mix of bitterness, sweetness, and wasabi heat.  It is actually a bit shocking that this brew clocks in at 7.5% ABV because there is not even a hint of a trace of alcohol heat . . . or it just might be hiding cleverly behind that subtle sting of wasabi.  The aftertaste is a nice combo of earthy rye, sweet orange and wasabi.

Final Thoughts:  Going into this experience, I must admit that I was not expecting to use the word “balance” too often.  Well, here we are and I can emphatically declare that Torikumi – wasabi and all – is an incredibly balanced brew.  The planning behind this recipe was damn near genius because the wasabi comes across with a beautiful grace as it mingles with the earthy grains, citrusy hops, and distinct juniper berries.  Oh, those juniper berries . . . their addition was a great call because they make the rye and wasabi really pop while still somehow taming them at the same time.   This allows the beer to retain some bite, but not nearly as much heat as the brewery’s description leads you to believe.  It honestly creates a flavor experience that is similar to a lightly sweetened gin cocktail that has been laced with just a bit of heat. Torikumi has balance and drinkability, and it just might be the most unique beer I have tried all year.  If you have been avoiding this one simply because the can reads “Wasabi Infused”, believe me when I say this is a must try brew.  Get beyond those apprehensions and give Torikumi a try before it disappears forever.  Prost!

SweetWater Brewing Co. Reclassifies TripleTail IPA as Year-Round offering

Posted on by mashingin

product-image-brew_triple-tailAfter a wildly successful debut as the brewery’s Summer Seasonal, SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that TripleTail Tropical India Pale Ale has graduated to become a Year-Round offering.

Hop heads, your orders at the bar and purchases at bottle shops this summer have spoken volumes, and the shot-callers at SweetWater Brewing Company have taken notice.  That’s right, TripleTail IPA is officially here to stay as the latest addition to SweetWater’s Year-Round portfolio.

For those of you who have not yet tried this tasty brew, TripleTail is billed as a Tropical India Pale Ale that boasts “lush, tropical flavors and aroma” from five hop varietals (Bravo, Mosaic, Denali, Waimea & Citra). These hops were hand-selected by SweetWater’s Brewmaster Mark Medlin “during harvest time; with Denali standing out as the one that would provide the big juicy, tropical, citrus flavors, while the bittering hop (Bravo) would give it the nice orange flavor.”  At an incredibly reasonable 5.5% ABV, TripleTail Tropical IPA has quickly established itself as a go-to, everyday kind of brew for lupulin lovers.  **If you would like a more in-depth description of this beer, you can click here to check out our Tasting Notes on TripleTail Tropical IPA.** 

TripleTail Tropical IPA is available now.  You can find this Year-Round offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, Variety 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles, Variety 12-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing Company’s distribution network.  Prost!

Vital Information for TripleTail Tropical IPA from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Year-Round as of September 2017
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 57
Bittering hops – Bravo, Mosaic & Denali
Dry hops – Mosaic, Denali, Waimea & Citra
Malts – 2-Row, Pilsner, Carapils
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, Variety 12-packs (12 oz. cans and 12 oz. bottles) & draft
Beer Finder – http://sweetwaterbrew.com/vibe/find-sweetwater/

Tasting Notes: TripleTail Tropical IPA from SweetWater Brewing Company

Posted on by mashingin

SWTripleTailThis week’s edition of Tasting Notes returns to the land of lupulin for a hop fix as we get into some TripleTail Tropical India Pale Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia).

Released back in June as SweetWater’s newest Catch n’ Release Seasonal, the summer-appropriate TripleTail “weaves juicy and bodacious hops with notes of papaya, pineapple and passionfruit into this lush hop-forward IPA.”  Clocking in at an incredibly reasonable 5.5% ABV, this easy-drinker promises to “refresh from sun up to sun down.”  TripleTail Tropical IPA is available now, and you can track it down in 12 oz. cans, 12 oz. bottles, Variety 12-packs and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing’s distribution footprint.

Now that we have all that background information out of the way, let’s find a place to lounge and get into some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for TripleTail Tropical India Pale Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company

Appearance:  TripleTail fills the glass as a soft orange-colored brew wearing two fingers of fluffy, bright white foam.  Held to direct light, things change dramatically as the beer gains vibrancy and exposes a sunny golden yellow residing within.  The body has just a touch of haze to it, but you can still easily spot a gentle carbonation presence bubbling away.  Head retention is fantastic, falling only slightly to a lasting finger of chunky foam that effortlessly notches the glass with lace.

Aroma:  Tropical hop notes burst from the glass with papaya leading the way.  Ripe pineapple then takes control as things move in more of a dank hop direction.  A little lemon zest turns up just before the profile closes with some crackery malt sweetness.

Taste:  Although absent in the aroma, the passionfruit really asserts itself here alongside that papaya.  Pineapple plays more of a subtle role behind a developing citrus character of grapefruit zest and juice.  Just a grace of sweetness works its way in at the end, but it is only present for a bit of balance.  One thing is clear here: TripleTail is all about those fruity, juicy hops.

Mouthfeel:  This beer is leaning toward the lighter side of medium in body with a medium carbonation level.  Although quite hoppy in aroma and flavor, the bitterness is tame thanks to one hell of a balancing act.  The beer dries up almost immediately, leaving the drinker with an incredibly clean and refreshing experience.  Aftertaste is minimal, but a bit of papaya and grapefruit can be found lingering.

Final Thoughts:  If you are looking for a refreshing summertime brew that is still serious about its hops, TripleTail Tropical IPA has you covered.  The true highlight of this beer is the fact that is just so damn clean and easy-drinking.  Those juicy and fruity hop notes are big, but not at the expense of refreshment.  Thanks to a tame level of bitterness and a low ABV, this beer is completely chill and has no aggressive qualities at all.  Its main goal is to establish that tropical beach vibe and allow you the opportunity to escape the heat, kick back and relax. Goal achieved, yo . . . and I do believe it is time for another.  Prost!

SweetWater Brewing Introduces TripleTail IPA as New Summer Seasonal

Posted on by mashingin

TripleTail-Bottle-FullSizeSweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) recently announced that TripleTail Tropical India Pale Ale has been officially released as the brewery’s latest Catch n’ Release Seasonal.

Since last year’s summer Seasonal – Goin’ Coastal IPA with Pineapple – graduated to year-round status earlier this year, the brewers at SweetWater decided to keep things moving in a tropical direction when they developed TripleTail Tropical IPA for the summer of 2017.  TripleTail sources its “lush, tropical flavors and aroma” from five hop varietals (Bravo, Mosaic, Denali, Waimea & Citra) that were hand-selected by SweetWater’s Brewmaster Mark Medlin “during harvest time; with Denali standing out as the one that would provide the big juicy, tropical, citrus flavors, while the bittering hop (Bravo) would give it the nice orange flavor.”  At an incredibly reasonable 5.5% ABV, TripleTail Tropical IPA is a hophead’s go-to remedy for any hot and humid day.

TripleTail Tropical IPA launches in mid-June and will be hanging around through October.  You can expect to find this Seasonal brew available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12 oz. cans (coming in July) in Variety 12-packs and on draft at beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing’s ever-growing distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for TripleTail Tropical IPA from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal/Catch n’ Release, mid-June through October 2017
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 57
Bittering hops – Bravo, Mosaic & Denali
Dry hops – Mosaic, Denali, Waimea & Citra
Malts – 2-Row, Pilsner, Carapils
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft; 12 oz. cans arrive in July via Variety 12-packs
Beer Finder – http://sweetwaterbrew.com/vibe/find-sweetwater/

SweetWater Brewing and Telluride Brewing Collaborate on Torikumi Wasabi Blonde Ale

Posted on by mashingin

unnamed (24)SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has announced a release date of June 8 for Torikumi Wasabi Infused Blonde Ale, the brewery’s latest Dank Tank release and collaboration with Telluride Brewing Co. (Telluride, Colorado).

Chris Fish, Brewmaster at Telluride Brewing Co., recently ventured to Atlanta to meet up with SweetWater’s Nick Nock so the two could share the ol’ Dank Tank for a little collaboration action.  After the two explored Atlanta’s Buford Highway, a culinary playground of international cuisine, they returned to the brewery with the inspiration to brew something with wasabi.  That something became Torikumi Wasabi Infused Blonde Ale (7.5% ABV and 27 IBUs).  The addition of wasabi provides some “serious heat” to the Blonde Ale base, making the beer a perfect candidate to enjoy as a pairing for a wide variety of dishes.

SweetWater Brewing Company will officially release Torikumi Wasabi Infused Blonde Ale at a brewery launch party on Thursday, June 8 (click here for more details on the party).  Starting the week of June 12, this limited offering will have availability in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer bars, restaurants and retailers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Torikumi Wasabi Infused Blonde Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company and Telluride Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Dank Tank Series, launch date: June 8, 2017
Style – American Blonde Ale
ABV – 7.5%
IBUs – 27
Malts – 2-Row, Wheat, Carapils, Rye Malt & Oat Flakes
Hops – Magnum, Saaz & Sorachi Ace
Added Ingredients – Wasabi
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Suggested Food Pairings – “Sushi, ginger, Japanese noodle dishes, or just some grilled chicken.”
Beer Finder – http://sweetwaterbrew.com/vibe/find-sweetwater/

Tasting Notes: Hatchery Series #2 – Mexican Style Lager from SweetWater Brewing Company

Posted on by mashingin

hatcheryMEXlabelNow that we have successfully completed the move of Mashing In’s headquarters, it is finally time to celebrate with a little Tasting Notes action featuring Hatchery Series #2 – Mexican Style Lager from SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia).

Released as SweetWater Brewing’s official beer of Cinco de Mayo and summer (a.k.a. Lawnmower and Shower Beer Season), Mexican Style Lager is the second packaged release from the brewery’s Hatchery Series – a line of limited release beers (typically draft only) created on the brewery’s new pilot system.  For their take on the Mexican-style lager, SweetWater laid a base with a proper malt bill (2-Row, Flaked Maize, Vienna Malt, Carapils) and then dosed it with “El Dorado hops to give this brew slightly sweet, malty, and tropical fruit aromas.”  At just 4.8% ABV and 29 IBUs, Mexican Style Lager is an easy-drinking, go-to option meant for any occasion during the summer months.  12 oz. bottles of Hatchery Series #2 – Mexican Style Lager are available now exclusively in SweetWater’s Summer Variety Pack alongside Cool Breeze Cucumber Saison, Goin Coastal IPA with Pineapple, 420 Extra Pale Ale, and Hash Session IPA.

Now that the details are covered, that can only mean one thing: cerveza time!  Let’s get into these Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Hatchery Series #2 – Mexican Style Lager from SweetWater Brewing Company

Appearance: Mexican Style Lager fills the glass as a bright golden brew topped with a finger of loose, pure white foam.  When held to the light, the beer radiates with tones of rich golds and electric yellows.  The body is perfectly clear and wonderfully displays the beer’s spirited carbonation activity.  The head has decent staying power, but eventually falls to a chunky ring that notches the glass after each pull.

Aroma: The aromatic experience begins with that alluring and quintessential lager note of lightly sweet, bready grains.  A touch of corn rises up and gives way to a delightful hop character.  Notes of apricot and sweet melon easily distinguish themselves, but do so in a manner that still allows room for those gorgeous malts to remain and bloom. Beautiful.

Taste: Malts once again lead the way with notes of quality bread, sweet corn, and just a dollop of honey.  The hops play more of a role here by really showcasing a pronounced apricot character, but a touch of pineapple and watermelon can be found kicking around in the back.  The fruitiness is relatively subtle, but just forward enough to give the flavor profile a bit of added depth and complexity many may find lacking in typical Mexican-style lagers.

Mouthfeel: Just as it should be, this lager is light in body with a pretty sizable carbonation presence.  The beer is playful on the palate with a slight sweetness that is consistently canceled by just enough hop bitterness.  Skillfully balanced, incredibly clean, nicely crisp and damn refreshing.  At just 4.8%, the ABV displays zero effort to make its presence known.  Aftertaste is a slight but wonderful mix of grain and apricot.

Final Thoughts: Hatchery Series #2 – Mexican Style Lager is exactly as billed . . .  a really good take on a Mexican-style lager.  Although the El Dorado hops are a fresh (and lovely) addition to this established style, the beer remains a beautiful homage to the many beers that came before it.  It pulls this off by really emphasizing each and every aspect of its malt bill to give it that incredibly recognizable lager grain quality.  By perfectly setting the dials marked “malt” and “hops”, the brewers at SweetWater have supplied their fans with a stunning lager that is somehow both simple and dynamic.  Those terms may sound contradictory, but those descriptors are truly a requirement for any great lager of this style.  You simply do not run across many memorable Mexican-style lagers, but Hatchery Series #2 – Mexican Style Lager absolutely is one.  Be sure to check it out this summer.  Prost!