Sep 24, 2013

Sweetwater Brewing Crank Tank

Sweetwater Brewing is releasing Crank Tank, a 5.8% ABV Helles Lager, as part of a fund rasier for a local (for the Atlanta area at least) fund raiser. The event is biking-oriented, hence the name of the brew. An honestly, they couldn’t have picked a better style to help with proceeds.

Crank Tank is a damn refreshing beer, as any good lager should be. I can’t think of a better style of brew to reward myself and reinvigorate the muscles/soul than with a crisp lager. It’s the one style I wish I had in the house each and every time I’ve been working outside on a hot Summer’s day. Granted, I’ll pretty much drink anything as a way of saying “job well done,” but a lager usually hits the spot like no other. Crank Tank is very much in that same vein.

Appearance

Crank Tank pours with a dense, bright white cap of foam atop the slightly hazy, straw colored brew.

Aroma

Grain, crackers, biscuity malt a a light citrusy, peppery back end fill the nose nicely.

Taste

This is a solid lager with a great bready, biscuity base. Crackers, grain, soft citrus notes and a touch of grassy hops all join in on the fun as the crisp mouthfeel refreshes the palate. A gentle bitterness lingers for a good while in the slightly drying finish.

Overall

Crank Tank is the ideal style of beer for quenching your thirst after a solid day’s work/fun outside. It’s got a refreshing quality that you want in a lager — plain and simple. I’d love for this to be a year-round release (or at least a seasonal effort) from the company.

Rating: 3.75/5

This is a review of a promotional sample from the brewery.

More: , ,