Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

CRichardsMN

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance:
Pours out a clear amber orange body with a light though creamy off-white head. Retains head for a short while then falls to more of a film and ring which leaves lots of lace behind. Don't know if it is the norm, but there are a few floaters which eventually settle to the bottom (really the only visual detraction IMO).

Smell:
Light maltiness and a nose full of hops. Much more hops than I would have expected from a straight up PA, more like a EPA or IPA.

Taste:
Again, light maltiness or biscuit and mostly citrusy hops. Finishes cleanly with a moderate amount of bitterness.

Mouthfeel:
Medium bodied with a crisp carbonation. Smooth and dry finish.

Drinkability:
Not typically into pale ales (or higher) but this one is very well done. If it fit my palate, I'm sure I'd have multiples of this one around.

Comment:
This is only my second brew from SN and I was a bit gun-shy (so shy in fact that not until a neighbor gave me this one did I venture forth...). The first was Bigfoot, which was not a welcome brew as it was more like biting into a grapefruit rind then getting punched in the back of the head. This beer is much more reasonable and I'm now willing to try more from SN.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2010 23:07:37 | More by CRichardsMN

BillyLrsn

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%

05-21-2013 23:36:30 | More by BillyLrsn

pin

Australia

3.5/5  rDev -14%

05-21-2013 22:39:16 | More by pin

verge

California

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-21-2013 18:13:15 | More by verge

cfaulman

Louisiana

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-21-2013 15:06:21 | More by cfaulman

cfitterer

Arizona

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%

05-21-2013 02:49:13 | More by cfitterer

Kingcurio

Oklahoma

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-21-2013 01:53:12 | More by Kingcurio

Lucoli

New York

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-21-2013 01:21:40 | More by Lucoli

johntfox

Florida

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-21-2013 00:27:41 | More by johntfox

atr2605

New York

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

A-pours a clear golden/soft copper with a white head with decent retention that clings to the sides of the glass
S-pine, hint of caramel sweetness and a bit of biscuit
T-delicate balance between bitter piney hops and a sweet malt background that compliment each other very nicely
M-medium bodied
O-such a solid pale ale. one of my favorite session beers

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 00:24:19 | More by atr2605

jbeervt

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-20-2013 21:45:19 | More by jbeervt

thampel09

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-20-2013 13:38:19 | More by thampel09

kristenspaintings

California

3.2/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

This beer tastes okay. Nothing amazing about it. It's not too hoppy (a plus) and doesn't have a strong soapy taste like some IPAs I've tried.

I'd say it lacks interest for me though. The flavors I look forward to in a beer are not there. It's pretty one-dimensional and it's just okay in my opinion. I'd drink it if my only other party alternatives were soda or iced tea but I wouldn't seek it out either.

To be fair, there's nothing wrong with Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale. It's just not what I look for.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 12:45:49 | More by kristenspaintings

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-20-2013 04:06:53 | More by Kmat10

T100Mark

California

4.19/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A 12 ounce bottle poured into a pint shaker glass.

Appearance - Golden color. Slightly hazy. Nice head but didn't stick around for long. Plenty of lace!

Smell - Citrus. Spicy. A touch of sweetness.

Taste - Citrus. Hoppy like a good IPA but there is difinatly a malt presence. Bold yet clean.

Mouth - Oily. Tingly. Very pleasant.

This beer is the gold standard of California IPAs. The balance between the hops and the malt is, in my humble opinion, perfect. The beer has just the right amount of citrus kick. As a Californian, I might be a bit biased but this is a world class beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 00:41:03 | More by T100Mark

MockY

California

5/5  rDev +22.9%

05-19-2013 22:05:07 | More by MockY

MJSJr

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-19-2013 18:48:14 | More by MJSJr

Ayrron

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +16.7%

05-19-2013 18:46:34 | More by Ayrron

anteater

Oregon

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-19-2013 16:20:47 | More by anteater

BigOldOaf

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-19-2013 12:47:18 | More by BigOldOaf

ChrisL24481

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-19-2013 11:29:05 | More by ChrisL24481

BeerAficionadoMCMXC

California

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

I've had this beer many times in my life, but now I am tasting it professionally as an amateur. It is an incredibly balanced beer. No wonder SN has had such success with it. I hope they put out better seasonal beers though. This one gets an 9/10 in my book.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 06:59:13 | More by BeerAficionadoMCMXC

KerryCummins1977

Kentucky

3.25/5  rDev -20.1%

05-19-2013 02:20:58 | More by KerryCummins1977

andysc83

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-19-2013 01:55:00 | More by andysc83

MACO

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%

05-18-2013 23:04:59 | More by MACO