Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

tectactoe

Michigan

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

Pours a brilliant golden color, nearly amber; white head with some heft to it, simmers down quick but lasts in the form of lacing on the glass. Aroma is strong and solid; nice dose of American-style hops, leafy and earthy with a hint of citrus, on top of a huge malt canvas, full of some sweetness and bread-like yeast attributes. The taste is spot on for the style - west coast APA full force, leafy and earthy hop presence, mild bitterness which is both the king of the forefront yet overall mild at the same time. Mild citrus flavor in the form of orange peels and grapefruit - it's there, but not in large amounts. You'd swear the malt is given in nearly equal parts, as it cuts in about halfway through to give a nice sweetness full of rich barley and slightly toasted grains, with a finish that turns to the caramel aftertaste of the malt and the biscuity character of the yeast. Some lasting bitterness resides on the tongue, but it's relatively low and easily accessible, once again - great for this style. Tight, abundant carbonation and a medium body.

This is certainly a "go-to" APA when you're looking for something to sit back, relax, and drink a bunch of. You can certainly toss these back all day - great drinkability, tons of flavor. Also a great beer for introducing people to the world of craft beer, namely hop-forward beers, as it has a large hop presence but is relatively mild and far from overpowering, especially to a new palate. This is APA done simple, and done right.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 12:40:59 | More by tectactoe

RBCIPA

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%

05-24-2013 00:09:24 | More by RBCIPA

visionaries

California

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%

05-23-2013 17:07:31 | More by visionaries

kvnstfrd

Missouri

1/5  rDev -75.4%

05-23-2013 13:51:23 | More by kvnstfrd

ipas-for-life

Virginia

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-23-2013 13:09:30 | More by ipas-for-life

jroberts8811

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-23-2013 12:58:33 | More by jroberts8811

Topher78

California

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-23-2013 02:49:02 | More by Topher78

UWBadgerFan4Life

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-23-2013 01:36:52 | More by UWBadgerFan4Life

erialbill

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-22-2013 23:11:05 | More by erialbill

Kuaff

Alaska

4.21/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass slightly warmer that fridge temperature.

Upon being poured, Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale develops a wonderfully long-lasting, two-finger head of dense, white foam. The liquid is transparent gold.

The smell is pretty subdued, but I get a sweet biscuit scent and maybe a slight hint of citrus.

This beer’s taste is remarkably well-balanced and packs a lot of flavor for its style. More than anything else, I taste sweet, bready yeastiness, but it also has some pine and citrus, and a subtle, hoppy bitterness.

The mouthfeel is crisp and smooth, yet substantial.

This is what plain old beer ought to taste like. Really high-quality plain old beer, that is.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 22:08:15 | More by Kuaff

woostergooner

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-22-2013 21:31:04 | More by woostergooner

EduardoOrtega01

Panama

4.75/5  rDev +16.7%

05-22-2013 21:09:34 | More by EduardoOrtega01

Rdc67

Kentucky

3.25/5  rDev -20.1%

05-22-2013 20:36:46 | More by Rdc67

billbeers

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -26.3%

05-22-2013 17:34:43 | More by billbeers

bf7

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -26.3%

05-22-2013 17:15:59 | More by bf7

YamagamiTravis

Japan

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-22-2013 08:13:44 | More by YamagamiTravis

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