SweetWater Extends Daytrip Line with Big Trip 9% Double IPA

SweetWater Brewing Company broadened its Daytrip IPA series with Big Trip Double IPA, a 9% ABV addition built to lean into the region’s appetite for double and imperial IPAs. The new release pairs a concentrated hop bill with a straightforward malt backbone to deliver bright citrus and tropical aromatics while retaining surprisingly smooth drinkability.

Big Trip is brewed with Mosaic, Idaho 7, Sultana, Citra and El Dorado hops and a grain bill of 2-row, Pilsner and Wheat. That combination puts hop character front and center: expect citrus, stone fruit and tropical notes from Citra, El Dorado and Sultana, resin and dankness from Mosaic and Idaho 7, and a malt base that supports higher alcohol without becoming cloying. SweetWater positioned the beer to capitalize on growing regional demand for stronger IPA offerings that still drink clean.

Packaging and distribution are aimed at social and on-premise occasions. Big Trip will be available in 19.2-ounce single cans and 6-pack 12-ounce cans at SweetWater taprooms, retail outlets and on-premise accounts across the Southeast. The 19.2-ounce single targets sharing and pour-for-two scenarios, while the 6-pack provides the grab-and-go option many craft shoppers prefer.

For drinkers, Big Trip fills a familiar niche: a stronger, aromatic IPA that remains accessible for multiple pours in an evening. Pouring it fresh will highlight the citrus and tropical hop aromas; the Pilsner and Wheat in the malt bill should keep the finish crisp rather than syrupy. With 9% ABV, pacing matters, pair pours with rich, spicy foods or stronger cheeses that can stand up to the hop intensity and alcohol level.

For homebrewers and local taprooms, the release signals where consumer taste is trending in the Southeast. The hop lineup offers a clear template for emulating the profile: layered late additions and hop-forward dry hopping with Mosaic, Idaho 7, Sultana, Citra and El Dorado. The malt base, 2-row, Pilsner and Wheat, shows how to support higher gravity without over-sweetness. Brewers chasing similar results will want to focus on yeast attenuation and fermentation control to preserve the bright aromatics while taming alcohol warmth.

Big Trip expands Daytrip’s identity beyond single IPA offerings and tests how much heat regional drinkers want in a packaged double IPA. Availability in taprooms and retail across SweetWater’s Southeast footprint means fans can expect to see the cans in local beer stores and bars soon. For readers, that means a new, hop-forward option to sample, compare and take home this season.