SweetWater Brewing sweeps the taps at Gecko's on July 25

If you like beer (and I have a feeling you do), wait 'til you read this. SweetWater Brewing Company is officially taking over the taps at Gecko’s Pub & Grill on Hillview starting July 25. The brews you are about to enjoy offer an all-American, "crafty" tribute to summer.

I recently caught up with Fiona Farrell, the Beverage Director and Bar Manager for the popular Southside Village hangout, to follow up on a St. Paddy’s Day feature (you may recognize Fiona as Sarasota’s face of Ireland). Guess who she was with? The SweetWater Brewing Company rep, Lee Martin! Boy was I in luck that day. Not only did I get to pick Lee’s brain about the Atlanta-based brewery, I also got the insiders’ pour on the Tap Takeover. Yes, I enjoyed an early sampling of these ice-cold specialties just so I could deliver all the juicy details to you. Take a plunge into these flavor profiles with me.

The Insiders' Pour

Fiona brought out a loaded paddle, designed exclusively for Gecko’s to enhance guests' sampling experience. The first pour consisted of SweetWater’s IPA, which just happens to be Lee’s top pick from the line-up. This unfiltered pale ale is hip-hoppy but nicely balanced. A very flavorful beer indeed---I could taste hints of citrus and grapefruit almost right away. If you miss the Tap Takeover, don’t fret; this harmonious bev is always on tap at Gecko’s Hillview location.

Next in line was SweetWater’s Blue, which is, as you may have guessed, a blueberry wheat ale. This fresh and seasonally appropriate selection is light with a hint of berries and entirely “poundable” as deemed by Lee. Fiona and I agreed---this sample disappeared quite quickly and ranked as our favorite throughout the tasting. I can picture it now alongside my numero uno, a Gecko’s Caesar Salad with Blackened Shrimp (and on a really naughty day, some sugary sweet potato fries.) Seriously, I think you should try the combo.

I was then introduced to the well-known 420, an Extra Pale Ale first brewed April 20, 1997 (hence the name). SweetWater’s flagship brew is a West Coast-style ale that makes up about 60 percent of company sales. This one was less hoppy than the IPA, but I personally found it to be slightly more bitter. Overall, the 420 is approachable in all the right ways and I can almost promise you’ll like it.Next it was hefeweizen time. The Waterkeeper I sampled was bottled 20 days ago, so the giant, goofy-looking grin on my face was justified. You have to love a good, fresh summer beer. The Waterkeeper is not only off the hook because of its singing notes of banana and clove, but also because a portion of sales benefit the Waterkeeper Alliance, which helps keep our waterways clean. Last year, SweetWater raised around $100,000 during this program. So after you sample it at the Tap Takeover, you won’t feel guilty ordering a pint or two. (Read more about the project here.)

The final taste of the tour was Dank Tank, a high-gravity beer with an alcohol-by-volume ratio of  9 to 11 percent. This series is produced four times annually and highlights the flavors of the best ingredients attainable at the time. Every series is a little different than the last. At first glance, I thought it was going to be heavy and overly rich, but they say not to judge a book by its cover---why judge a beer by its label? It was surprisingly light-bodied and finished with a smoky chocolate twist. I imagine it would very nicely wash down a fully loaded summer burger fresh off the grill.

Why SweetWater?

Sweetwater is one of Fiona’s favorite Southern breweries. She was first introduced to SweetWater beer while working at an Irish pub in southern Georgia, where she quickly became a fan of the 420, Blue and Georgia Brown. So after she relocated to Sarasota and found out they were expanding into the Florida market, she jumped on it. Gecko's and SweetWater share similar passions, such as sourcing local ingredients, taking part in community projects and fundraising, passions also close to Fiona’s heart.

SweetWater is the 25th largest brewery in the country and currently distributes in only six states. Their beer is dated, an unusual practice in the craft beer world, and the “Hop Cop” makes sure the max time from brew to shelf is no longer than 90 days. (Just call the brewery and ask for her if you’re concerned.) “Oxygen kills beer,” explained Lee, and while the beer doesn't necessarily spoil after 90 days, it’s not as premium and fresh as SweetWater founders Freddy Bensch and Kevin McNerney would like you to have it.

Following a recent expansion, SweetWater's original 100,000 barrel capacity increased to around 500,000. To put that into perspective, two large kegs are equivalent to one barrel. They are currently looking to explore new markets, Louisiana, Kentucky and Virginia among them.

“Don’t float the mainstream” is SweetWater’s rule of thumb. Be sure to stop in to the Hillview Gecko's on July 25 to enjoy a beverage, and while you are there, remember to offer the soon-to-be Mrs. Fiona Messex congratulations: She and her other half, Terry, recently got engaged. The couple is planning a 2015 wedding in a rustic castle in Fiona’s homeland of Ireland. How’s that for “thinking outside the box?”

Sweetwater Brewing Company TAP TAKEOVER

Where: Gecko’s, 1900 Hillview Street

When: Thursday, July 25 from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m.

Extras: Specialty kegs, flight specials, glass giveaways, prizes and meet Lee Martin!

Check out details on the exclusive Tap Takeover Facebook Page. Discover extra fun and play with the #CraftBeer hashtag.