Judge’s Review: 94 Rating – Free Swim by Two Pitchers Brewing Co.

Fruit Beer | Year-Round | USA

By Sean Coughlin

Judges Rating: 94.00
Aroma: 22.00
Appearance: 5.00
Flavor: 38.00
Mouthfeel: 10.00
Overall Impression: 19.00

Free Swim from Two Pitchers Brewing is being evaluated as a Fruit & Spice Beer (2021 BJCP Guidelines 29B) with the special considerations of being a “Pale Lager” with Lime and Salt as special ingredients. 
Bright lime is prominent in the aroma and offers freshly peeled zest and squeezed juice with the complexity of real fruit rather than a one-note artificial character. There is nothing else to note in the aroma aside from the fact that the fermentation is very clean, allowing the lime to be showcased. The beer pours a hazy light blonde with a thin white head that dissipates quickly.  
The flavor is lime-forward, which offers a subtle tartness but it comes across on the palate as “bright” rather than “sour.” The salt is well-balanced and helps to counter the acidity from the lime without being overwhelming. Hop bitterness is appropriately very low and there is no hop flavor. While the lime is strong, it does not linger on the palate — every sip is a new discovery.  
The beer has a medium-light body with moderate carbonation. There are no rough edges from tartness, bitterness, or salinity and the alcohol level seems low, resulting in a very refreshing beer.  
This beer isn’t too far off from an alcoholic carbonated Lemon Lime Gatorade and I mean that as a compliment. It has fantastic drinkability and is packed with well-balanced flavor. This is a beer that would absolutely hit the spot poolside, at the beach, or even after hitting the gym. The salt practically encourages you to open another can while you’re still working on the first. A well-executed beer that is more Gatorade than margarita, but still delicious.