Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

ocelot2500

Arizona

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

Pours a clear copper color with a nice white head. More than enough lacing on the glass.

Smells of some floral hops and malt. Nothing overwhelming, but everything balanced.

Tastes of the floral hops with the malt backbone. The malt provides a slightly sweet counterpoint to the hops and makes for one really balanced brew.

The mouthfeel is nice and crisp. There is an appropriate amount of carbonation.

This is very drinkable. No wonder this is the flagship brew for Sierra Nevada.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2009 04:42:14 | More by ocelot2500

jl28r1

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%

05-18-2013 16:31:19 | More by jl28r1

jbarletto

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%

05-18-2013 15:04:47 | More by jbarletto

mattsucks

Ohio

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-18-2013 13:58:11 | More by mattsucks

Anze

Slovenia

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-18-2013 11:45:04 | More by Anze

beernads

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -20.1%

05-18-2013 06:57:58 | More by beernads

mcdsports

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -20.1%

05-18-2013 03:16:06 | More by mcdsports

Aric

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-17-2013 22:22:31 | More by Aric

SMITHAND

Oregon

3/5  rDev -26.3%

05-17-2013 20:35:00 | More by SMITHAND

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

ChrisKayler

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%

05-17-2013 18:29:06 | More by ChrisKayler

Xzfgiimtsath

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%

05-17-2013 12:44:40 | More by Xzfgiimtsath

iHeartMNBeer

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-17-2013 04:43:33 | More by iHeartMNBeer

Boosnell

Louisiana

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-17-2013 04:37:05 | More by Boosnell

Nittanylion1991

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-17-2013 01:54:10 | More by Nittanylion1991

AL89BR

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-16-2013 23:03:56 | More by AL89BR

djre4orm

Virginia

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-16-2013 20:47:17 | More by djre4orm

Gregvg

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-16-2013 18:30:05 | More by Gregvg

lobster74123

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-16-2013 05:36:31 | More by lobster74123

SeasonEnds

Ohio

3/5  rDev -26.3%

05-16-2013 04:45:05 | More by SeasonEnds

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

BurnMeInMyBar

Florida

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-15-2013 20:57:52 | More by BurnMeInMyBar

barefoot71

Texas

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-15-2013 19:19:46 | More by barefoot71

tnbeatty

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-15-2013 19:12:37 | More by tnbeatty

Zimm

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-15-2013 18:34:25 | More by Zimm