Sweetwater Spinnerbait -what the hell is it? That’s a good question I think. My first answer to that question would be-it’s good. Very good. I had this beer, you say, just the other night on tap at Taco Mac. They had it listed as a “Belgian Pale Ale”. Except, of course, that it wasn’t pale in color at all, but instead was more of a deep russet in color. I think you could call it more of a Belgian Amber Ale, really, but if there is one thing the Belgians are good at, it’s turning style on its head. So kudos Sweetwater for honoring that tradition.

But wait! There’s more! One of the disadvantages of drinking draft beer is you can’t read the label, and now looking at one it seems Sweetwater calls this a “Belgian-style red”. Ok, that makes a lot more sense, although I don’t think I’ve had a Belgian Red before. Flanders Red, yes, but this beer is not that. But again, back to that whole Belgian penchant for ambiguity again.

Here’s more from that label:

The flash of this spinnerbait stimulates the senses with its sweet malty currents and deep red hues. Our BA reels with fruity esters and spicy notes from the Ardennes yeast which swirl through the Belgian rock candy, casting the perfect presentation for the hops to set the hook on this big boy.

Whatever that means. Anyway, I can also tell you that Sweetwater Spinnerbait has an alcohol content of 6% by volume with 25 IBUs. I paid $5.50 for a 20-ounce mug and you can get a six for just $8.99. Sweetwater, my friends, prices its beer fairly. Sweetwater Spinnerbait is a winter seasonal made with following ingredients:

Grains: 2-row, Pilsner, Aromatic, Wheat, Black Wheat

Hops: Columbus, Willamette, US Golding

And oh yeah the Belgian rock candy sugar.

Well OK, my mug of Sweetwater Spinnerbait showed up a rather dark ruby color with a little fruit and a lot of funk in the nose. Taking a sip, I got big stewed malt, toasted nuts, and bigger funk in the palate than the nose promised. A balancing herbal bitterness rounds this delicious beer out very nicely.

You see? You can tell me it’s a Belgian Pale Ale folks, but that ain’t gonna throw me off the tracks. The stewed malts and of course color got me off that track really fast. Don’t miss it. I loved it and I’m off to buy a 6-pack.