Sweetwater Tavern Gold Rush Ale

Draft @ Merrifield. Chill hazed golden straw colored body with a white head. Nose of sharp pine cone hops, lemon zest and dry cracker pils malt. Flavor is sharply bitter but not pungent or dank at all, more like a sharp ESB with C-note hops. Medium body, very fresh, but with some malt-extract-like twang on the back. But otherwise fairly good and easy to drink, if a little simple overall.

Tap at Centreville location. I think the newest batch of this stuff may be a different recipe than previous years based on the very average past reviews in contrast to the 4+ reviews given on the recent version. This is an excellent ale, somewhere between an APA and IPA. Golden color with full flavor, somewhat strong bitter hop finish. Aroma and flavor is grapefruit/pine. Another sessionable brew from Sweetwater that isn’t too harsh on the palate (or the wallet)

Gold color with a heavy, hoppy aroma. A very well balanced ale that gives you the full flavor you expect from a gold ale. I really liked this beer, I would highly recommened this if you are ever at Sweetwater having some beers.

Draft at brewery. Orangish gold color, very slightly hazy. Tiny white head. Pleasing hoppy aroma. Really well balanced flavor of grapefruits, pine, cirtus, and sweet sugars. Tastes like a lot of small micros I’ve had out west, but truly unusual for a brewpub in Virginia. If I could buy this one in stores, you better believe I would.

Medium clear gold. Off white thin head. Candied PA aroma. Medium to medium-heavy mouth. Smooth drinking, but unremarkable. Some citrus, some light caramel, a little underbittered. Orange peel finish.