SweetWater Brewing teams with up with Atlanta neighbor Delta Air Lines

Soon Delta customers conquering the skies between New York and Atlanta will be able to crack open a refreshing can of SweetWater 420. SweetWater Brewing Co. announced last week that it was partnering with Delta Air Lines to debut a new in-flight craft beer offering. Delta will begin serving SweetWater’s flagship brew — 420 Extra Pale Ale — on Delta’s 34 daily flights between Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International and New York’s LaGuardia Airport starting April 1.

“Delta is a world-class organization, as well as a local neighbor, so we couldn’t be more excited about this alliance and the opportunity for SweetWater to be featured onboard,” said SweetWater Founder and Big Kahuna Freddy Bench. “Our new cans eliminate the glass restrictions that previously held us back from offering our beer in great spots like airplanes, stadiums, beaches and more. This is an exciting time for craft beer and I’m personally looking forward to enjoy a few 420s on my next trip to The Big Apple!”

With the advent of SweetWater beers being available in cans, this is the first time passengers have had the opportunity to enjoy SweetWater’s craft beer at altitude. SweetWater Brewery announced the launch of its first-ever canned beers in early March to include 420 Extra Pale Ale and IPA in 12- and 16-ounce options. The homegrown collaboration guarantees Delta passengers will enjoy the freshest in-flight brews possible as SweetWater’s beers are brewed and canned just a few miles from Delta’s headquarters.

As a brewery known for keeping quality of craft top of mind, all of SweetWater’s canned brews undergo an advanced can-conditioning process that naturally keeps the beers fresher for longer. After adding a small amount of priming sugar and live yeast to the beer prior to being sealed, cans are then kept for seven to 10 days at alternating temperatures to allow the yeast to metabolize the sugar and excess oxygen in each can, creating a more stable beer while also naturally extending its shelf life.

Delta continues to expand its team of chefs and culinary partners as it evolves its in-flight food and beverage approach to offer menus that complement regional tastes.

“As Atlanta’s hometown airline it’s exciting that we can now offer Atlanta’s hometown brew onboard,” said Joanne Smith, Delta’s senior vice president of In-Flight Service. “Our customers have told us that they want fresher local flavors onboard and serving SweetWater 420 is a great way to give our global travelers a taste of Atlanta.”