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DirectorySweetWater Brewing Company

SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale

SweetWater Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · American Pale Ale · One of 196 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

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.

Flavor Profile

How this beer tastes, mapped across 48 flavour tags

hoppy
100%
citrusy
100%
clean
60%
dry
60%
floral
60%
malty
60%
fruity
30%
crisp
30%
refreshing
30%
light
30%
bitter
30%
Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Compare with another beer →Browse United States beers →

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AI matched

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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.

Other American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

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
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Food Pairing

What to eat with SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale

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