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SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale

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SweetWater's flagship and the Southeast's best-selling craft beer. Named for April 20th, 420 is a hop-forward pale with citrus and floral Cascade character, balanced malt and a clean dry finish. Atlanta's everyman craft pint since 1997.

ABV
5.7%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppycitrusyclean
hoppy
citrusy
clean
floral
piney
Aroma
Prominent Cascade hop character dominates the nose with bright citrus notes—lemon and grapefruit—layered with delicate floral undertones.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

A bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a crisp white head that settles to a thin persistent collar. Vibrant carbonation visible throughout, creating an inviting and appetizing presentation typical of well-crafted pale ales.

goldenbrightwhite headclear

◌ Aroma

Prominent Cascade hop character dominates the nose with bright citrus notes—lemon and grapefruit—layered with delicate floral undertones. A subtle malt backbone provides gentle breadiness without overshadowing the clean, hop-forward aromatic profile.

citrusfloralcascade hopsbright

◐ Taste

The palate opens crisp and refreshing with immediate citrus flavors complemented by a balanced malty sweetness that prevents one-dimensionality. Mid-palate delivers the promised hop bitterness at 42 IBUs—noticeable but not aggressive—while maintaining excellent drinkability with fruity undertones.

hoppycitrusbalancedcrisp

◑ Finish

A clean, dry finish with lingering hop bitterness that fades gracefully without astringency. The aftertaste is refreshingly light with subtle floral notes, inviting another sip.

drycleanrefreshing
80
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
81
Appearance
83
Finish
78
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale

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American IPA
6.3% · 60 IBU
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About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, citrusy, clean character as SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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