Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

4.09/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: It has a nice hazy golden/orange color to it. It has a nice off-white head that dies down moderately and leaves some nicelacing.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of citrus, piney resins with some grainy and toasty malts.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a citrusy hops, pine, sweet grainy malts and a touch of caramel.

Mouthfeel: It has a med/high carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with good flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 20:30:47 | More by SebD

dougbassett

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

One of the "1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die" -- #24 of the ones I've reviewed here.

This is another American craft beer classic -- while it never really got as big/mainstream as Sam Adams, it did start up around the same time and is widely available in the US (particularly in Cities).

This is probably my favorite large American brewery, and their flagship beer, the pale ale, is excellent. The color is amazing, pretty close to the Platonic ideal of a pale ale: with a nice head that's lingers satisfyingly. A nose of flowery, spicy hops, quite pleasant. That's more or less matched in the flavors, although I'd appreciate the hops a bit more forward here, it's a bit too restrained for my taste. I do like the bitter hop finish, which is lasting, and I also like the mouthfeel -- this is an example to me of a beer that's brewed with just the right amount of body.

Ranks with Brooklyn Lager as a great session beer. Enjoyable in most situations/constructions. A step above the Budweiser/Coors/Miller sort of thing but not unapproachable. Really a classic all around, really enthusiastically recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 22:30:14 | More by dougbassett

KYGunner

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale is the consummate entry for the style. In what hits every category it does it with perfect example. From exacting body and color to perfect balance in scent and flavor SN does this beer right.

A pale ale should strike a balance between malt and hops and this does just that. Both scent and flavor has malt and hop appearances but neither overshadows the other to create an easy drinking flavorful beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2013 01:55:41 | More by KYGunner

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

We pour a brew of deep gold. It holds a one and a half finger head of crisp, tight white bubbles, showing nice retention. Sheets and patterns of lacing are left as it goes, with a thick film left across the top of the liquid. No haze or sediment is noted, and carbonation appears to be active. The aroma gives pale, lightly wheaty, and metallic adjuncty malts alongside citric and sweetly nectary hops. Vanilla sweetness, raw honey, toast, faint pine cone earthiness, and turkey meatiness come out with warmth. Our first impression is that the flavoring is nicely hopped, with a hearty and classically “pale ale” base. As we sip, lemon zest, sweaty pale malts, soured adjuncts, baker’s yeast, gingerbread sweetness, and orangey citric hop sugars start things off. The middle peaks with pale muddiness, coriander and cinnamon depth, German lager malts, green grassiness, and mossy tree bark. The finishing wash shows mineral water, gravel, spicy earthy hops, white sugars, continued grassy hops, sesame seediness, and a revival of bitterly drying pale malts. The aftertaste breathes of lightly wet wheatiness, grassy and citric rind hoppiness, flashes of white sugars, red cherry skins, sweaty saltiness, and adjuncty coin. The body is medium, and carbonation is light to medium. The mouths is cooled and coated with an oily film. This eventually dries into a softer astringency. Each sip gives okay slurp and smack, with lesser froth or cream. The abv is appropriate, and the beer glugs easily.

Overall, what we liked best about this beer was its drinkability. This guy is a staple for the style, as well as for the craft beer revolution as we know it. The hops are robust and biting, while the aroma is decently fresh, mildly warming, and inviting. The flavor retains its strength with each sip, and invigorates the palate with its blend. This is a classic sipping beer, and something every beer enthusiast should be familiar with.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 02:35:04 | More by TheBrewo

Roguer

Connecticut

4.18/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Beautiful, pale, coppery color. Lighter than SA-Boston Lager, but darker than a simple ale or lager. Small amount of carbonation; decent, 1 1/2 finger head, nice lacing.

S - Clean, slight pine, slightly citrus. Nothing overpowers, nothing stands out. Gives the impression of a very drinkable beer (which is spot on). Hoppy.

T - More pine and hops than a non-IPA has any right. A hint of citrus, but no strong individual citrus flavors. Not super-complex, and almost no sense of malts, but lovely and forward. The more I drink, the more a subtle sweetness creeps in. Did I mention pine?

M - This ale drinks more like a lager than any other. It goes down very easy, very smooth. The alcohol and carbonation content allows you to drink it as slow or fast as you desire. Try as I might, I can't quite decide to swirl it around much, preferring to just swallow it down.

O - This can easily, easily be a daily drinker type of beer. It's far more complex and bitter than a BMC offering; it's brighter and hoppier than Boston Lager (it's most obvious contemporary, for me); yet it still goes down very easy. It offers something new, whether you're new to the craft brew scene, or just revisiting an old friend. It may not be the most complex beer around, but it certainly has some interesting characteristics.

Heck, if you're reading reviews about SNPA, what are you doing? Go out there and drink one!

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 19:42:53 | More by Roguer

bennett_loves_good_beer

Wyoming

3.81/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Pours a nice light orange amber color with a soild pale white head with great retention and tons of lacing. Smell: Citrus hops dominate the aroma. Taste: Great, crisp, refreshing, good cascade hop flavor. Piney and refreshing and finishes with some grapefruit. Great mouthfeel and overall a great, crisp refreshing pale ale. One of the best as far as pale ales go that I have tried.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 22:53:32 | More by bennett_loves_good_beer

bkeach

California

4.45/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

S.N.P.A: My go to low abv summer day drinker. In my opinion this is the best representation of a basic pale ale. So consistent on the balanced hop flavor, mouthfeel crisp and refreshing, very drinkable and just plain delicious. SN has been the most consistent brewery from my experience in the profiles of their beers. SNPA is always a safe bet, and goes well with many types of food.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 23:36:34 | More by bkeach

JesseMurdock

Hawaii

4.33/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

This is a great all-around beer. It's sweet malty taste combined with the floral and citrus hop character makes this an easily drinkable beer for even those unacquainted with craft beer. While lacking the bitterness and complexity of an IPA, this is an easy-going, yet delicious brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 22:17:08 | More by JesseMurdock

Falcynn

California

4.45/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Probably my favorite anytime beer. Poured from a bomber into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Beautiful. Pours out a rich slightly hazy gold/copper with an off-white head that holds up nicely and leaves a nice lacing.

Smell: Citrus, piney, floral hops, with just enough malt to balance it out.

Taste: Almost exactly like it smells with some notes of grapefruit and grassiness. The bitterness is very nicely balanced by the somewhat sweet maltiness in the background.

Mouthfeel: Very crisp and refreshing. Finishes clean.

Overall: Nothing about this beer really pops out and makes me go "wow", but by no means is that a bad thing. What I love about this beer is that everything is very balanced. It's a very easy to drink beer, but still has plenty going on to make for an enjoyable experience whether out with friends or just sitting down to a well prepared meal.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 04:35:34 | More by Falcynn

dar482

New York

4.39/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

This beer comes in a slight hazy gold.

The aroma has light hops of a bit of flowers, lemon and grapefruit.

The taste goes the same with lemon, bittering hops, with some malt backbone. There’s a dry finish.

It’s a lovely easy to to drink pale ale that has wonderful decent amount of hops to make it complex. One of my favorite pale ales.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 03:02:50 | More by dar482

Premo88

Texas

3.8/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12 oz. bottle poured into pub glass

L: clear gold; solid 1/4- 1/2-inch head and the lacing is nuts.

S: citrusy, hoppy at first. it fades into a weak grain smell at times, but the citrus still lingers, too.

T: solid hop bite with a good malt balance; sweetens out in the finish in a quite wonderful way. but every sip starts with bitter hops in a refreshing way.

F: lots of carbonation, solid weight.

O: such a great middle of the road pale ale -- neither the super hop-bomb American IPA/DIPA nor the malt-shake English pale ale. it's really the best of both worlds, achieving a balance I wish more American pale ales went for. it's in my Top 10 of go-to beers: when in doubt, this one is guaranteed to hit the spot everytime.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 07:29:59 | More by Premo88

HopsGoblin

California

5/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer is my "Ol' trusty" in my fridge. You can always go to it and it always delivers, every time!

Let me explain why I chose to give this a 5 across the board. The taste is exceptional, and it's a classic pale ale, lots of pine! But what truly makes this beer excellent is the value. For what you pay and what you receive, one truly gets a bargain.

Put this beer head to head with any in its class, and it will beat them hands down. However, compare the price of this beer to those in its class, and it is every bit a bargain as you can find. For instance compared to Dogfish, which makes exceptional stuff, it crushes the competition. Dogfish will break your bank account to get some of their product. But Ol' trusty comes through once again, delivering a superior product at a better price point!

And that in itself deserves a 5 across the board, and yes it is that damn good!

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 04:03:02 | More by HopsGoblin

Jafne

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Poured a medium amber, well carbonated, decent head. Left a good amount of lacing. Poured clear till the bottom of the bottle, where some suspended particles and foginess entered the mix - my favorite part.

Smell- To my nose it smelled piney, resiny, and a bit citrusy.

Taste- Tasted much like it smelled; piney, citrusy, maybe a little grassy. I tend to like maltier brews. This Beer is not malty, caramely, nor sweet. I'd say more antiseptic, clean, and biting. Maybe it's just hoppier then malty. I did not review the beer till after my third time trying one. Third one was the charm, maybe an acquired taste for me. Definitely on the citrus side, pungent, with a bitter taste that lingers.

Mouth feel- Well carbonated. Smooth on the swallow, but a definite bite to the tongue.

Overall- This is my first review here. Overall it's a great beer. Has a nice bite. I personally like maltier brews and had to give this a few tries before really appreciating it. Right now, I'm thinking of having a second one. Plan on having some other pale ales, so I can compare.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 20:47:55 | More by Jafne

bambam2517

Arizona

4.05/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a pub glass, then covered with Murphys Irish Stout poured over a spoon. Served at 45F. IMO its a real Black-n-Tan upgrade, becoming a St Paddys Day tradition around here...

Well, just now reviewing this ale but it is one I've enjoyed for years in many ways. Whether draft or bottle, alone or in a session, by itself or as mentioned above; this has stood for a good quality pale ale all along. Craft beer stalwart!

A - Coppery with an off-white head. Mildly carbonated, leaves a thin amount of lacing down the glass.

S - Hoppy and mildly citrus.

T - Always tastes fresh, nice hop flavors span from the citrus to slightly peppery.

M - Crisp and easy drinking since it doesn't linger too long on the palate.

O - There are others out there with more craftsmanship, and more interesting offerings too. For a beer than can be had so readily its still a great one.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 20:13:07 | More by bambam2517

barczar

Kentucky

3.79/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours a brilliant caramel copper color with a dense, foamy half inch ivory head that slowly correlates, leaving solid lacing.

Pine, muted citrus, and lightly toasted malt form the initial aroma. There's a bit of fresh cut grass, resin, and light floral notes.

Flavor reveals underpinnings of grapefruit and orange pith, with slightly bready, toasted malt at the backbone, carrying into a somewhat bitter, lightly resiny finish. Tastes a little watery, perhaps oxidized. Could be the tap lines. Skunky and floral hops emerge as it warms.

Body is moderate to a touch watery, with moderate carbonation, a touch of warmth, and slight astringency.

Very sessionable brew. Fairly balanced, but leans slightly toward the bitter/hoppy side.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2013 01:44:15 | More by barczar

kojevergas

California

2.59/5  rDev -36.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

2000 reviews and I somehow haven't done this one yet. Go figure. Bottled February 1st according to the bottle code. 5.6% ABV confirmed. 12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard ("Use Bottle Opener"!) pressure cap acquired at a local Trader Joe's and served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are above average; I'm rarely impressed with Sierra Nevada, but this is indisputably a classic craft beer which did a lot historically. Regardless of what I may or may not think about the beer after enjoying it, I do respect it.

Served straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Not paired with food.

A: Pours a four finger beige colour head of nice cream and thickness, and good (~5 minute) retention. Little lacing as the head recedes. Body colour is a fairly vibrant pale copper; transparent and translucent. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. It's generally appealing and is typical of the style. There's nothing unique or special here, but there are no overt flaws.

Sm: Floral hops, ejected shell casings (seriously), artificial pine, soap, and pale malts. The soapiness is bothersome, and becomes more reminiscent of detergent the more I smell the beer. Bubblegum. Yeah, this spent too long in primary. An average strength aroma that isn't particularly appealing.

T: Okay. Muted citrus, dominant soapy character, light artificial pine, and some mild floral hops. Bland pale malts form the foundation. There's not a whole lot going on here, and I'm none too keen on what is. Imbalanced and badly built for the style. A bit too bitter for the style as well, but it's also too sweet up front.

Mf: Way too dry on the finish, eradicating any refreshing feel that it might have had prior. Smooth and wet up front. Too thick all around. Overcarbonated, to boot. Weak. Doesn't suit the flavour all that well. Palate presence is okay.

Dr: I'll finish this bottle, but it's really not that drinkable for a pale ale. I'm shocked at how underwhelming this beer is given its influence on the style. I'll try to revisit this on-draught; maybe this was just an off bottle arbitrarily. As it stands, this is rather pedestrian and I see no reason to get it again. Hides its ABV well. Another disappointment from Sierra Nevada.

C-

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 05:19:46 | More by kojevergas

orcsinspace

Virginia

4.88/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

The only pale ales that I have had that surpass Sierra Nevada Pale Ale have all been home brewed. The flavor is outstanding, and perfectly balanced. I have always found Pale Ale somewhat of a contradiction, because it has a simple, yet extremely complex taste at once. The mouthfeel is perfect as well, not too watery, not too much texture.

Just the right amount of lacing and the right amount of head. The color is a perfect golden color with little carbonation lingering. The smell of the beer is subtle, not too strong, not too weak--just right.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 17:42:35 | More by orcsinspace

Aaron_Ramson

California

4.11/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Surpassed only by Deschutes Mirror Pond pale ale, Sierra Nevada's offering is still the benchmark of what a great pale ale is. The epitome of balance and nuance, drastically simple and overwhelmingly pure, Sierra Nevada's use of whole hop leaf allows all of the flavors and aroma to shine through, highlighting the best part of a good beer: the sublime hop flavor, which this beer has plenty of! Delicious, and a great "anytime" beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 04:30:03 | More by Aaron_Ramson

Nixonbrew

California

4.59/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

As a chico state grad this was a staple of my education.

A - always a golden color with medium carbonation (amount depending on how rough it was tubing down the sac that day)

S - cascade hops, fresh malt, chico strain yeast, clean

T - cold, refreshing, a whiff of hops, light crystal malt flavor, with a slight bitter finish

MF - cold, clean, nothing better

O - excellent while tubing down the sac, at a party on 5th and ivy, or with the friends while fishing in deer creek off hwy 32

My favorite pale ale hands down. No other like it.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 05:49:53 | More by Nixonbrew

paymerick

Texas

3.91/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

first review ever.. take it for what i...you get it...

12oz bottle, poured into pint glass

A: Half to 3/4 finger of head. Doesn't hang around too long. Darkish orangish color. Lacing is minimal.

S: Citrusy, piney. A little bit of grain and malt back there, but mostly citrus and pine

T: Again, citrusy and piney. There is a sweetness back there that i enjoy, kind of peaks out during the citrus and pine just long enough before the bitterness takes hold. Enjoy the bitterness. Not too harsh, but for sure not shy.

M: mouthfeel is what I'd call medium *leaning light, but medium. Tingly carb.

Overall: It's solid. Maybe not the best, but solid.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 03:04:09 | More by paymerick

UncleBart91

Indiana

2.9/5  rDev -28.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Golden blonde, like a Swedish goddess. Rich foam. Thick fermentation

Aroma: Crisp Cascade hops, definite pale blend of pine and spice

Taste: Light, yet hoppy with a very crisp aftertaste. Almost on the lighter side of pale ales

Overall: Not my favorite pale ale, but a decent beer. Too crisp for my taste. Very defined aftertaste leaves a very pale aroma. Not bad for a craft brew.

Serving type: Bottle/Pint Glass

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 04:04:21 | More by UncleBart91

Huffs

New York

3.86/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a Sam Adams glass, developed a nice off white head which dissipated surprisingly quickly and had only some lacing. Appearance was a light amber with a slight haze. Aroma was light and of malt and grain. Taste had hints of caramel, grain and a sweetness on the finish. Mouthfeel was very full and nice with a clean, slightly sweet aftertaste.

Serving type: can

02-17-2013 22:38:27 | More by Huffs

Bernardkowalski

5/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Absolutely one of my favorite beers!! honestly can go good with anything, but you are better off enjoying this beer by itself. it has so much too offer, such great combination between the yeast and malt's making this an outstanding brew. you can put this on my list of top beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 21:14:18 | More by Bernardkowalski

screamking

Ohio

3.99/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

12 oz can poured into snifter.

Appearance-pours a nice apricot color, white foam head that doesn't linger long. 3.75

Aroma-grapefruit right up front, orange, lemon zest, some lite floral notes. 4

Taste-bitter citrus mostly grapefruit, apricot, hint of pine, honey. 4

Feel-leaves mouth feeling bitter, light bodied easy to drink, but overly bitter and dry in my mind. 3.5

Overall-for a beer that everyone can get just about anywhere this is a no brainer. One of the first craft beers I ever had still lives up to what it was 10 years ago. Price is among the cheapest for any craft offering. If you have few options in beer this is the one to get. 4.25

Serving type: can

02-17-2013 20:43:39 | More by screamking

ElSid

California

3.91/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

The Beers of California

#66

Bottled Date: None

A: Golden and copper with a finger of white foam. The foam leaves some lace on the glass ultimately dissipating to faint residual layer.

S: Caramel and bread with fresh pine and citrus. Ample bitterness is also detected; overall a classic pale ale nose.

T: Equal portions caramel and buttery bread maltiness and pine and citrus hop freshness. The finish is clean with a herbal bitterness and a dash of aromatic spicyness.

M: Feel is medium with a hop oily linger and moderate carbonation. Smooth and well balanced making for a highly sessionable brew.

O: The touchtstone of the APA style and an ideal gateway beer into the craft brew world.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 04:45:55 | More by ElSid