Sweetwater v. Terrapin
Decatur Metro | February 3, 2011A while back someone openly wondered in the comments what would be the fewest number of words that could get a conversation going on DM. I mulled it on and off for a bit and came up with this “versus” idea.
The idea is quite simple. Put up two competing people, places, things and let people argue which is superior.
It’s a pretty quiet day on the Decatur front, so I figure we give it a shot. If popular, subsequent “Versus” posts will be little more than the post title.
If you have suggestions for “Versus” topics, send ‘em in!
Latest from Decaturish
Wild Heaven
I prefer Sweetwater 420 Pale Ale over Terrapin Rye Pale Ale. However some of the more recent Terrapin releases have been quite interesting. Hopsecutioner comes immediately to mind.
+1 on the Hopsecutioner…
Both, please . . .
Funny you should ask. Stopped in at Burnt Fork BBQ the other night and ordered a Terrapin “Moo-Hoo” Chocolate Milk Stout but was actually poured a Sweetwater Happy Ending. Granted, I’d only had the Moo-Hoo once before and it was a few months ago, but they were pretty darn close in taste. Toss up.
Sweetwater IPA is my fallback if I can’t make up my mind at Brickstore, but the Terrapin Hopsecutioner is pretty dadgum good.
And I think I like Terrapin’s pale ale better. I’m kinda burned out on 420.
Terrapin. I actually find myself faced with this specific decision regularly in the beer aisle. Terrapin wins most of the time.
Relevant post and fair matchup DM.
Sweetwater by a (420) nose.
but it is a good matchup, I agree.
Terrapin.
Terrapin Rye pale ale
Versus Topics vs. FFAF
I am Sweetwater fan (420, Blue, Happy Ending,Festival Ale) but I think it only fair I test some Terrapin right away to give a fair assessment – .
I’m looking at this as brewery vs. brewery, and I’ve got to go with Sweetwater. They both make some good and great beers in a tough legal/distributor environment, but Sweetwater wins out for having more fun with their names and being farther away from UGA.
Sometimes too much fun: Donkey Punch
Farther from UGA, salient point!
Sweetwater.
Speaking of beer, I heard yesterday that Athens has growlers at The Growler. If SC can pour them and sell them with a shrink wrap top to meet the open container laws, why can’t Decatur???
I’ve actively been trying to help facilitate this. Both Cook’s and Ale Yeah! are very interested in growlers, but seem to need a little help with the “process” of approaching the city and asking the formalized question. I should have some sort of update soon. Good news is that all parties are open to the idea, we just need to figure out the hoops and then jump through them. Stay tuned!
DM, I love you!
I was practically giddy when I found them on Folly Beach — all they did was put a shrink wrap top over the cap and presto! Closed container!
Both are very good beers.
But even though I am not a huge fan of the rye, Terrapin’s other brews are more tempting to me than Sweetwater’s alternate offerings.
Big Hoppy Monster (or Big Happy Monster as I am apt to call it) is the deal clencher.
Two words: who cares
One word: Buzzkill!
You do, apparently– enough to expend the energy to comment.
Terrapin, though by only a slight margin. And let me say that, though I like to buy local, I think Sierra Nevada is the best brewery overall in the country. Haven’t had a variety that I don’t like, and they are not expensive.
I’m kind of tired of both of them, but if someone else is buying I go with Sweetwater–I’ve had too many Terrapins that were off or just weird.
Bring on the Well’s!
I prefer Terrapin to Sweetwater in pretty much every way. Sweetwater’s beers are just kind of bland and mediocre. Terrapin’s beers are more complex and flavorful.
I vote Terrapin based on brewery alone. They’ve got an awesome grassy backyard big enough to play a football game. Sad to see ABC (Red Brick) not mentioned here too, because their brewery is great too.
Sweetwater’s IPA is just too good. However, Terrapin’s Hopsecutioner is very complex. I love standing in front of both at the store and letting whim make the choice!
I agree. SW IPA is one of the best IPAs available. The sad thing about SW is that they don’t seem to be able to make their other beers at quite the same level as their IPA. Dank Tank is OK; 420 leaves something to be desired; Festive is good, but usually missing something.
Terrapin, on the other hand, has a collection of outstanding beers: Moo Hoo, Wake n Bake, Rye Squared, Hopsecutioner, to name a few.
If I had to chose a brewery, I’d go for Terrapin. If I had to choose a beer to drink on the regular, I think I’d go with SW IPA–it’s one of my favorite beers, and it’s my IPA yardstick. Either way, we’re lucky to have both breweries here!
Agree with this. Sweetwater IPA is hands-down the best beer offered by either of these fine breweries, and so I see it as the tie breaker. On the other hand, maybe Blue cancels it out. Yuck.
Sweetwater. The IPA is awesome and so is 420.
Sweetwater has a place in my heart because they put Atlanta on the map for microbrews. Yes, I know Red Brick was here first but they never took off the way SW did.
I think that Terrapin’s Big Hoppy Monster is my favorite of any beer brewed by either entity. However, I like more of SW’s releases.
That’s basically my general feeling. I could never get into Terrapin’s Rye Pale Ale, while SW 420 and IPA have become standbys for me. But some of the new brews outta Athens are pretty tasty. Also, I recently realized that I preferred SW IPA to Dogfish Head’s 60 minute (I had both in the fridge at the same time).
However, I’m not sure if I was subconsciously influenced by DEM’s recent condemnation of Dogfish or not, but I certainly wouldn’t rule that out.
I’m in your head now, sucka! I go back and forth between which of those 2 IPAs is better. I do think that they’re each in the top 5 of all IPAs I’ve ever had.
I know. It’s very, very bad.
Dogwood. Miss that.
I’ll take Terrapin here, because they’re more adventurous.
Dogwood hit the ball out of the park with Decadence Ale — limited release, best beer I ever tasted. I managed to find about four pints then they went out of business.
I don’t care much for Sweetwaters corporate bastardization of earthday but I do love their beer….
kinda like being gay and shopping at Target.
And why is Decatur not on this list?
The 9 Best American Cities for Drinking Beer
http://daily.likeme.net/2011/01/21/9-best-american-cities-for-drinking-beer/
I love both! I usually get Terrapin when I see it on tap though, I guess because I don’t see it in as many places?
Sweetwater 420 was my standard. But I find I prefer Ranger IPA now.
Big ups on the Ranger love. When it comes to IPAs on the lighter side, it’s my go-to.
Sweetwater. Terrapin. ABC. Wild Heaven. O’Dempsey’s. I believe more research is needed.
Sweetwater IPA wins in my fridge, and my bar tab, over any single Terrapin offering. However, Sweetwater often runs into trouble past the IPA. The best part of the Dank Tank series is the label. Blue would be my least favorite ever, if Abita Purple Haze did not exist. Shudder…
Terrapin is better overall. We are lucky to have these two very good breweries in GA. Kudos to Sweetwater for getting into so many restaurants, even those that otherwise only have Bud, Coors Light, and other flavorless brews.
Not a big fan of the normal line of Sweetwater or Terrapin products but their seasonals and limited edition brews can be quite tasty. I give the edge to Sweetwater, you can tell they use better quality ingredients. The beers taste fuller and fresher. Terrapin tastes like they get all their ingredients off a Sysco truck.
From what I’ve tasted from Wild Heaven so far….wow. These guys blow both Sweetwater and Terrapin out of the water. A true craft brewery is a commin’!
Don’t make me choose between my children!