Sweetwater Brewing Co.
Atlanta, GA
Available: GA, AL, NC, FL, TN, SC
SweetWater Brewing Co. brewed Waterkeeper hefeweizen ale to benefit the Waterkeeper Alliance. The Alliance is a global movement uniting 200 Waterkeepers that focuses citizen advocacy on the pollution issues that impact our waterways and communities.
ABV: 5.7
ABW: 4.54
Color: N/A
Bitterness: 15
Original gravity: N/A
A spritzy citrus nose, with spice (clove, cinnamon) poking through, and just a touch of light floral notes. The beer hits brisk, but turns immediately bitter―someone’s been dropping hops in the hef. It’s not just that I don’t like that, but you can tell that this was a nice little weiss without them.
I’m as much a fan as anyone of charity-minded brews such as this―drinking to do good!―but it helps if the beer is as laudable as the cause, which this just about is. Hazy gold with a gently fruity nose, candied citrus backed with soft and peppery spice, leading to a sweetish and yet still thirst quenching body of fruit cocktail maltiness and a steadily growing, spicy hoppiness. A fair way from being a classic hefe, but, served cold, a fine hot weather refresher nonetheless.
Lew Bryson writes about beer and whiskey from his home in southeast Pennsylvania. He has a family and two dogs. That's all you need to know.
Once described as “beerdom's Brillat-Savarin,” Stephen Beaumont is the author of five books and countless articles on beer, spirits, food, travel, and how it all goes together.
