Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

rickyleepotts

Arizona

2.98/5  rDev -26.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

They make this beer sound delicious… but it's really not. I mean, it's a good beer. But it's not a great beer by any means. This is a beer that is for someone that doesn't understand what craft beer is but wants to fit in at a party. Sure, Sierra Nevada makes some good beers. But this is just middle of the road in my opinion. I am impressed that a brewery can have such a hold on the market and that when someone thinks of a "pale ale" he or she generally thinks of Sierra Nevada. Sheryl called this beer, "boring". Can't say I disagree. But I will give this beer my FULL attention this evening.

In the Glass: I am really digging the color. It's a thick, rich golden color and reminds me of an imperial pilsner. I have been hooked on the Odell double pilsner. Tastes better on draft, though. The head is a thin white later on the top of the glass that just sits there begging to be drank. With as much as they produce of this beer, finding it is the easy part.

Nose: The aroma is that of a pale ale… subtle hop character with a simple, yet satisfying appeal. The aroma is nothing to write home about, and if they didn't tell me they used only whole-cone hops in this, I would never have been able to guess.

Flavor: It's been a while since I have had this beer, but it tastes about like what I remember. Initially there isn't much going on, then the hops start to work. It almost reminds me of an early IPA, and as my palate has changed, the expectations of a strong, powerful beer have also changed. Very rarely will you see me order a pale ale. After the subtle IPA overtones, it settles to a typical pale ale finish leading to the somewhat disappointing aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is decent. It has an almost creamy character on the tongue, and shoves some subtle carnation to the top of the mouth. Then you swallow, expecting some of those characteristics to still be there… but they're not. I guess for a beer that costs a buck a bottle, you can't expect much in terms of complexity.

Aftertaste: The aftertaste is nice, and while it sticks around for a few minutes, it dwindles from the second you swallow. It isn't as bitter as the book explains, but it's present reminding you that you are drinking a mouthful of hops.

This beer is decent at best. Since starting at Total Wine, I have been meeting a lot of people. Some are REALLY into craft beer, and others just want to get drunk on a Saturday night. This beer would be a good beer to introduce someone to that isn't into craft beer, but wants to understand what a hoppy, bitter beer tastes like. Sierra Nevada is a good brewery, but they have never released anything I feel was spectacular.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - The bottle says: "Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a completely natural ale. There are no additives, only the finest malted barley, whole hops, brewer's yeast, and crystal-clear water. The fine layer of yeast in each bottle is a result of the traditional bottle-conditioning process that produces carbonation naturally."

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 02:28:14 | More by rickyleepotts

Roman5150

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

can into tulip

appearance: orange/amber, unfiltered with some particles, thick and bubbly 1 finger white head, not much lacing

smell: piney, floral, bready notes, apple, citrus

taste: very floral and pine oriented, sweet and sharp herbal bitterness that coats your tongue with a sweet malt presence. Also getting some bready notes on the forefront, with some citrus and lemon and apple notes as well. Easy to session, satisfies your thirst very well.

mouthfeel: average carbonation, medium to full bodied for a pale ale

overall: A great benchmark Pale Ale, although not my favorite, I typically find myself comparing most pale ales I drink to this classic brew. Everything is greatly balanced, not too much of any one thing, very refreshing. I personally think it tastes better in a can, but that's just me.

Serving type: can

06-18-2013 05:42:03 | More by Roman5150

BeerMeInStl

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%

06-18-2013 02:55:48 | More by BeerMeInStl

marley2112

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-18-2013 02:47:33 | More by marley2112

spw109

New York

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

06-18-2013 01:40:10 | More by spw109

TargaFlorio

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

06-17-2013 23:46:14 | More by TargaFlorio

JackMcAwesome

Florida

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-17-2013 21:59:44 | More by JackMcAwesome

Hoptron_3000

Australia

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

06-17-2013 14:59:10 | More by Hoptron_3000

BlesstheHarvest

Texas

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-17-2013 14:29:41 | More by BlesstheHarvest

clarknova

Germany

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-17-2013 09:22:41 | More by clarknova

Danmullens1

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

06-17-2013 03:32:33 | More by Danmullens1

Cleaver35

Oklahoma

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

06-17-2013 01:13:12 | More by Cleaver35

swinyeju

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

06-16-2013 15:38:26 | More by swinyeju

TheBeeraholic

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-16-2013 15:33:04 | More by TheBeeraholic

adityashekhar

India

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-16-2013 14:09:21 | More by adityashekhar

Orange

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

06-16-2013 07:33:35 | More by Orange

dbkdev

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -20%

06-16-2013 01:47:42 | More by dbkdev

MarkGutz

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-15-2013 23:06:00 | More by MarkGutz

Walletsworth

North Dakota

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-15-2013 22:43:04 | More by Walletsworth

IchLiebeBier

Virginia

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-15-2013 22:35:30 | More by IchLiebeBier

007rtw

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%

06-15-2013 21:44:01 | More by 007rtw

das_Bier

Alabama

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-15-2013 20:50:39 | More by das_Bier

TheShat

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

06-15-2013 19:16:20 | More by TheShat

Benny3000

Michigan

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-15-2013 15:57:45 | More by Benny3000

hokieguy95

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

06-15-2013 12:51:23 | More by hokieguy95