The hopped nose on this IPA is delightful and although its only 6.3%abv, I’m hoping to be able to find this one in Southern NJ sometime soon because I feel it is just wonderful. This is a reason to go to Atlanta all by itself and I am leaving tonight. Unfiltered, unpasteurized brews leave all the flavors intact and this brew is the epitome of “kick-you-in-the-teeth hop chop”. An east coast Stone IPA, only more flavorful, if you can believe that…i wouldn’t if i didn’t taste it for myself, WOW!
Received some of this beer from fellow brew bloggers for Christmas. And I must say I am enjoying it immensely right now. The hop comes thru immediately the biters are there throughout. Awesome IPA
Reblogged this on Brew Bloggers and commented:
Just got a fresh batch of this excellent IPA thanks to my parents and sister. It was driven back from South Carolina today and we are enjoying its fresh, hoppy deliciousness.
I was gifted a bottle of this beer and must say that it took most of the bottle before it grew on me. When referred to as “the Stone IPA of the East coast”, I was expecting a real punch in the face. That isn’t what I experienced. The balance of this beer seems to lean toward the hoppy side, but not to the extreme of some other IPAs I have tasted. There is a toastiness coming through that I really enjoy. I also enjoyed the piney notes of the hops as opposed to the citrus driven hop flavors and aromas that many breweries are choosing. The freshness of this beer was evident in the lack of oxidation and pleasant hop aroma that leaped from my glass.
You know AbdillHomeBrew, I have to follow up with a comment here because since I originally wrote the post above, I’ve learned a little bit about this delicious brew. Your take on this last taste, I feel is spot on. When this brew is at its freshest it reminds me most of Stone IPA. As it ages, Sweet Water IPA takes on a delicious flavor all its own, that to me, is all about the East Coast. I have a newer bottle of this that I’d like for you to try tonight and let me know if it tastes the same to you as the last bottle you tried. Cheers!
The difference between the first and second bottle of Sweet Water IPA truly surprised me. The hop character and malt profile were completely different between the two batches that were only a month apart.
I’m glad you got to experience this flavor phenomenon, I love it!
I was recently lucky enough to receive a batch of the “best if enjoyed by 11/09/14 B1537” as a birthday gift and not only is it amazing. This brew has been packaged in a sexy new bottle and I have to edit this post to feature the new bottle. YEE-HA Sweetwater Brewing Company!