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SweetWater IPA

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SweetWater's boldest core beer — aggressively hopped with Centennial and Chinook for resinous pine, grapefruit and a firm bitter finish. The IPA that proved Atlanta could hang with the coasts.

ABV
6.3%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppypineyresinous
hoppy
piney
resinous
citrusy
clean
fruity
Aroma
The nose is assertively hoppy, leading with resinous pine and bright grapefruit citrus notes from the Centennial and Chinook hops.
also:orange
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for SweetWater IPA

◎ Appearance

SweetWater IPA presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a moderate white head that persists with good retention. The beer displays vibrant, lively carbonation that creates an inviting visual presentation characteristic of well-crafted American IPAs.

bright goldenclearwhite headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose is assertively hoppy, leading with resinous pine and bright grapefruit citrus notes from the Centennial and Chinook hops. Secondary floral and tropical fruit aromas add complexity, while a subtle grain backbone provides balance without overwhelming the hop-forward character.

resinous pinegrapefruitfloraltropical fruit

◐ Taste

The palate opens crisp and clean with immediate citrus and pine hop flavors that command attention. The mid-palate maintains medium body and dry character, building toward a firm, assertive bitterness that defines this IPA without becoming harsh or astringent.

hoppy citruspine resinfirm bittercrisp and dry

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and dry with lingering bitter notes that fade gracefully, leaving a pleasant resinous aftertaste. The complete package demonstrates excellent balance and drinkability despite its aggressive hop profile.

dry finishcleanlingering bitterness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
81
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Tulip glass

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with SweetWater IPA

More from SweetWater Brewing Company

SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale
SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale
American Pale Ale
5.7% · 38 IBU
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SweetWater Goin' Coastal IPA

About American IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar American IPA

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all American IPA beers in hopIQ →New to American IPA? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →