Han Solo was euphoric. He and his partner, Chewbacca the Wookie, had just made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs, and they needed a break. Landing on the planet Ninkasi in the Bier system, they popped into a local cantina for a few quick drinks. As often happens in these situations, one drink led to another and soon the pair were arguing over who could drink the most Eisbock from Hoth. The two pounded brew after brew, staring at each other the whole time looking for signs of inebriation in their partners turned opponents. After several hours of hard drinking, Chewbacca let out a howl and collapsed to the floor, fast asleep. With a smug air of superiority, Han Solo promptly stood up and shouted “Wookie down! Wookie down!”

In honor of this momentous contest of Champions, Atlanta’s Sweetwater brewery has produced……wait a minute. I can’t support any of this. It never happened, OK? Sweetwater Dank Tank Wookie Down Imperial Red Ale is named for festival wookies, who are in turn named for real wookies, but that’s the real truth. Since this beer is a special release for Sweetwater 420 Fest, the name now makes sense, no?

From the label:

Dressed to get pressed at the fest, El Dank took one whiff of his stash of Simcoe, Mosaic and Waimea hops and dove straight in. Feeling no pain with lots to gain, El D saddled up next to a big bodied mahogany/red beauty of an ale looking to mingle a blast of his stash of tropical citrus aromas with her big bodacious sweet maltified booty. Overindulging as always, Danko peaked at 7.6% ABV, causing him to spin with the spinners ’til he spun out and was left face up in the field. Eyes open but case closed.

They just told you Dank Tank Wookie Down Imperial Red Ale has an alcohol content of 7.6% by volume, I’ll tell you that it has 82 IBUs. I paid $5 for an 11-ounce glass at Taco Mac and I bought a can at Total Wine where it sells for $9.99 for a 4-pack of 16-ounce cans. It came with a free Samuel Adams can coozie. I have no idea why. This is the second imperial red I have enjoyed from Sweetwater, the first being Sweetwater Dank Tank Red Hot Mama a few years ago.

My glass of Sweetwater Dank Tank Wookie Down Imperial Red Ale arrived a dark russet color with a thick creamy head formation and a rutty malt nose> Taking a sip, those nutty malts are present in the palate, too, along with chocolate chip cookies and stewed malts, berry fruit, a hint of spicy rye, and it all ends with a long dry grassy bitter finish.

I loved it! A few of these bad boys and I might be doing a wookie down myself. I can only wonder if that will give you a Han-gover?

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled, canned

(D)=Draft

 

 

 

 



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