Sweetwater Hazy Pale Ale 6Pk

SweetWater Hazy Pale Ale 6Pk is a hop-forward hazy pale ale from Atlanta's SweetWater Brewing Company, packaged as a six-pack of 12 oz cans at 5.4% ABV. Released in 2024 as part of the expanded 420 lineup under the name 420 Citrus Haze, this expression extends the legacy of SweetWater's iconic flagship 420 Extra Pale Ale into hazy territory with pronounced tropical hop character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.4%  |  Origin: Atlanta, Georgia  |  Style: Hazy Pale Ale  |  Brewery: SweetWater Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

SweetWater Brewing Company was founded in 1997 in Atlanta, Georgia, by Freddy Bensch and Kevin McNerney, and is now owned by Tilray Brands. The brewery built its reputation on the 420 Extra Pale Ale — a beer that earned a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2002, the same year SweetWater took home Small Brewery of the Year honors. The 420 Citrus Haze represents a 2024 expansion of that flagship brand, translating the 420 ethos into a hazy pale ale format loaded with tropical and citrus-driven hop varieties that deliver passionfruit, coconut, and pine notes without the higher ABV of a typical IPA.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright tropical fruit leads immediately, with ripe passionfruit and tangerine dominating. Underneath, softer suggestions of coconut and resinous pine add complexity to an otherwise fruit-forward nose.

Taste: The entry is juicy and citrus-saturated — orange and tangerine flavors land first, followed by a mid-palate wave of passionfruit and a subtle coconut sweetness. Pine and floral hop notes emerge toward the back, keeping the sweetness in check and adding a layer of herbal complexity.

Finish: Medium in length, with a clean citrus-rind bitterness that prevents the tropical notes from lingering into cloying territory. The final impression is dry, refreshing, and gently piney.

How to Drink 420 Citrus Haze

Serve cold, ideally around 40–45°F, poured into a tulip glass or straight from the can. This is a sessionable beer designed for easy drinking rather than contemplative sipping.

• Radler: Combine with fresh grapefruit juice for a shandy-style radler — the tropical hops amplify the citrus without added bitterness.
• Michelada: The bright citrus profile and moderate ABV make it a strong base for a michelada, where lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire add savory contrast.
• Beer Margarita: Float a few ounces into a classic margarita — the passionfruit and tangerine notes merge naturally with lime and tequila.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and outdoor gatherings where a full IPA feels too heavy
• Introducing hop-curious drinkers to hazy styles at a sessionable ABV
• Pairing with grilled seafood or lighter warm-weather fare
• Stocking a cooler for tailgates or beach trips where refreshment matters most

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SweetWater Hazy Pale Ale taste like? It delivers a juicy, citrus-forward profile dominated by orange, tangerine, and passionfruit, with supporting notes of coconut and pine that finish clean with a citrus-rind bitterness.

How does 420 Citrus Haze compare to SweetWater Hazy IPA? Both share a hazy, hop-forward approach, but the Citrus Haze sits at a lower 5.4% ABV and leans more toward pale ale drinkability than IPA intensity. Some reviewers have noted the flavor profiles overlap significantly, with the Citrus Haze reading as a lighter, more sessionable version of the Hazy IPA.

Is 420 Citrus Haze good for beginners? Yes — its moderate 5.4% ABV and approachable tropical fruit flavors make it a solid entry point for drinkers exploring hazy and hop-forward beer styles without the bitterness or alcohol punch of a double IPA.

Where is SweetWater Hazy Pale Ale made? It is brewed by SweetWater Brewing Company in Atlanta, Georgia, a brewery founded in 1997 that has become one of the Southeast's most recognized craft beer producers.

What foods pair well with 420 Citrus Haze? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos complement the tropical hop character. Spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes contrast the citrus sweetness effectively. A fresh ceviche mirrors the beer's bright acidity. Soft, mild cheeses like burrata or fresh mozzarella let the hop flavors take center stage. Jerk chicken works particularly well, its warm spice playing off the passionfruit and coconut notes.

What sizes does SweetWater Hazy Pale Ale come in? The standard format is a six-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the most widely distributed size for this expression.

Is 420 Citrus Haze worth the price? It positions as a mainstream craft offering in the standard six-pack price tier, competing directly with other widely distributed hazy pale ales. For drinkers who value tropical hop flavor at a sessionable ABV from an established craft brewery, it represents solid value within its category.

Why 420 Citrus Haze?

This beer draws directly on a proven pedigree — the 420 series has been SweetWater's calling card since the late 1990s, anchored by an Extra Pale Ale that medaled at the Great American Beer Festival. The Citrus Haze variant channels that heritage into the hazy pale ale format that dominates current craft beer shelves, but does so at a restrained 5.4% ABV that prioritizes drinkability over intensity. The tropical hop bill — heavy on passionfruit, coconut, and pine — gives it a distinct identity within the crowded hazy category, where many competitors lean exclusively on citrus and stone fruit. For drinkers loyal to the 420 brand looking for a hazy option, or anyone seeking a sessionable hazy pale ale with genuine flavor complexity, this is a credible and well-positioned release.