Sweetwater 420

Not so long ago, the Upstate of South Carolina was finally introduced to one of the best beers on the market today. At the time, the arrival of this beer was so anticipated that stories were written about it, ads were published in advance and bars and restaurants clamored for the chance to be one of the first to offer it.

It was called Yuengling and it has remained a fixture of beer drinkers since that day.

Recently, another beer — a more local beer — made the trek to Anderson and Clemson and a similar buzz is building as it populates more bars and restaurants.

Sweetwater 420 is a pale ale made by the Sweetwater Brewing Co. out of Atlanta. This beer is a favorite among aficionados and amateur drinkers alike for its smooth taste, robust hops flavor and mass appeal to the general public.

First, know that Sweetwater 420 is a very dry, very hoppy brew. It’s not a surprise seeing as it’s a pale ale, but it’s important to know before trying. It’s a light beer, almost the color of a bright sunrise, and the head froths up and remains like a quality ale should.

Sweetwater is almost sweet at the start. The first sip is like none you have likely experienced and it’s an explosion of flavor from the start. But the hops do kick in about 20 seconds after that first sip and you have to prepare for that flavor with every taste.

But that’s what sets it apart. That flavor doesn’t really dissipate with each taste. Rather, it reminds you each time that you are drinking a craft-brewed pale ale that can’t be compared.

Right now, Sweetwater 420 is only at Chief’s, Wild Wing, Uptown Lounge and McGee’s in Anderson and a handful of bars in Clemson. It’s also available all over Greenville.