First Look | SweetWater Goin’ Coastal IPA
The folks at SweetWater Brewing invited us to try out their newest seasonal release before it hits the shelves.
Goin’ Coastal is SweetWater’s new IPA with pineapple.
Here are the stats:
Goin’ Coastal IPA With Pineapple
SweetWater Brewing Co.
ABV: 6.1%
IBUs: 50
Malts: 2 Row, Munich, Wheat, Premium English, Crystal
Hops: Columbus, Cascade, Simcoe, Goldings, Centennial, Chinook
Dry Hops: Cascade, Simcoe, Goldings, Centennial
Tim’s Take
At SweetWater’s tasting event event we tried the draft version of Goin’ Coastal. The IPA is forefront in this brew, a new beer, not just a dosed version of one of their existing beers, but definitely SweetWater-esque. Aroma is pleasantly pineapple/tropical, the pineapple is light on the taste. Nick Nock (SweetWater’s Head Brewer ) asked me if I’d guess pineapple if I was blindfolded so I closed my eyes and took a whiff and a sip. I’m not sure I’d guess pineapple but there is definitely tropical notes on both the aroma and taste. There’s a bit of a pineappley acidic zing on the finish. They did clarify this is an IPA with pineapple and not a “pineapple IPA”.
As a parting gift SweetWater gave us a couple of cans of the beer to take with us. I was able to try this over the weekend with some friends and the pineapple was more pronounced in both the aroma and the flavor. When drinking the draft version I enjoyed it didn’t really think there needed to be more pineapple, I’m OK with lighter fruit in beers that allows the base style to really shine through. However, after trying the can and getting more pineapple I really enjoyed it. This took it from a beer that I thought was good to one that I thought was great. I’ll definitely grab some of these cans when they hit.
I’m curious to see if I get the same variation on this beer when I try it again. A lot of things can affect the way a beer is perceived but I sure hope I can get more like what I had in the can. Either way this is a good IPA, but the can version really impressed me.
Aaron’s Take
There’s a difference between a “Pineapple IPA” and an “IPA with Pineapple.”
I’m going to echo most of what Tim just said. If this didn’t have a fancy pineapple on the label, I probably wouldn’t have picked out that flavor. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This is a solid IPA (and different from their other IPA offerings, as Nick said) on its own. True to its name, it is a more juicy IPA that you’ll smell on the front and feel on the back. But in the middle, it’s all IPA.
Now, I will say that after my first few sips, I put it down for a few minutes, distracted by conversation and Holeman and Finch sliders (Because Holeman and Finch). So after the beer warmed up a few degrees, I did notice more of the pineapple notes on the nose. So there’s that.
If you’re a hophead that is asking yourself, “I really don’t want my IPA watered down with pineapple juice,” then you needn’t worry. However, if you have an IPA-phobic friend that you are trying to convert by giving them a lower IBU version that’s a little sweeter, then proceed with a little more caution.
Overall, this is a nice addition to their lineup, one that will be welcome come late spring/summertime. The 16oz tallboy cans are a great maneuver, because I definitely see this one being consumed outdoors.
Look for Goin’ Coastal around May 1 as part of their “Catch and Release” seasonals.
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https://beerguysradio.com/2016/04/18/sweetwater-goin-coastal/https://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/GC-cropped-logo.jpghttps://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/GC-cropped-logo-150x150.jpgBeer 101Beer ReleasesAtlanta,beer release,Beer Releases,Breweries,Events,Georgia,Georgia beer,Georgia beer news,News,SweetwaterThe folks at SweetWater Brewing invited us to try out their newest seasonal release before it hits the shelves. Goin' Coastal is SweetWater's new IPA with pineapple. Here are the stats: Goin' Coastal IPA With Pineapple SweetWater Brewing Co. ABV: 6.1% IBUs: 50 Malts: 2 Row, Munich, Wheat, Premium English, Crystal Hops: Columbus, Cascade, Simcoe, Goldings, Centennial, Chinook Dry Hops:...Aaron WilliamsAaron Williamsaaron@beerguysradio.comAdministratorAaron is the co-host of the Beer Guys Radio Show. He's worked in TV and radio for too many years to calculate. A degreed meteorologist, husband, father of 3 and a lacrosse dad.Beer Guys Radio Craft Beer Podcast
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