Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

spoony

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From a 12 oz bottle into a globe.

A-A mildly aggressive pour produced a healthy, two-finger tall head. The foam was slightly yellow-hued, off-white. Funky colored foam...Anyway, the brew was clear and light copper in color.

S-The smell is floral hops up front with a backing of grass, pepper, and hay. I get a little bit more citrus as the brew gets near room temperature.

T-Taste tracks the smell pretty closely with slightly bitter hop flavors (grass, pepper, orange citrus) balancing nicely off a light, bready, malty note. The hops are just pungent enough to keep your palate interested. The hops linger a bit on the finish.

M-Feel is lightly creamy to start out and a touch oily on the back end. I could have used a touch more bight from the carbonation.

O-This is a good bear no matter how many times I try it. The hops are aggressive, but balanced enough to keep this from becoming one-dimensional. In terms of taste per availability unit (if there is such a thing) or taste per dollar, there are not many beers out there that top this one. Faults are minor and include a slightly off appearance and underwhelming mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 04:54:11 | More by spoony

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

bsuedekum

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -14%

05-18-2013 22:09:31 | More by bsuedekum

bluestar0828

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%

05-18-2013 21:10:33 | More by bluestar0828

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