Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale

Review Date 8/31/2000  Last Updated 3/2/2017  By John Staradumsky

  Style: American Pale Ale   Brewery: Sweetwater   Country: USA   State: Georgia   $ Per OZ: $.12 (B), $.30 (D)   ABV: 5.4%

Atlanta can get hot. Very hot. I found this out on a recent trip to the city. The city is often called Hotlanta, and there's a good reason why. In this weather, light and refreshing beers can really hit the spot, yet a little flavor doesn't hurt either. Fortunately, Atlanta's Sweet Water Brewery has met the need for this type of beer with their 420 Extra Pale Ale.

At this point, you're more than likely wondering about the name. What exactly does the 420 stand for? Nobody I have come across seems to know. Sweet Water is not the only brewery to have such a beer. At least one brewer on the West Coast has an IPA thusly named, and Maine's Stone Coast also has a 420 IPA. The number seems to have a connection with marijuana; it seems a 420 is a police code for a pot offense. Hops are related to cannabis, so perhaps that is the nature. Stone Coast claims they brew their beer in batches of 420 barrels (presumably they meant gallons). Perhaps this is the nature of the term. Atlanta's Sweetwater appears to use a 15 barrel system too.

420 Extra Pale is light golden in color with a buttery, slightly fruity nose. The palate is crisp and malty with subtle notes of fruit and buttery diacetyl. There's a balancing to slightly bitter hop finish that is more pronounced as the beer warms. Served ice cold, this beer would lose a good deal of it's character since it is rather delicate.

Do you want to know more? You can visit the brewery for tours Mondays at (you guessed it) 4:20 PM.

Update 3/20/2017: Sweetwater is beer of the month, and I took advantage to order up a huge 23-ounce mug of Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale.

You keep the tankard, plus the Pint Night glass and the beer  for $14.95. I just love the soft caramel malt and lightly resiny hops of 420 Pale Ale. Why not pair it with a juicy burger? I ordered up a specialty burger with two quarter pound patties each covered with cheese, house made bourbon onion jam, and bacon strips with Sweetwater 420 Batter. I did substitute Broccoli in for fries to ease my conscience. Taco Mac's famous fish and chips (or onion rings if you prefer) with Sweetwater 420 batter is another solid choice, too.

 Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??