Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

jamesDaExMoBeerGuy

Utah

4.35/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I know this one has been reviewed countless times... my contribution regardless:

Perfect amber orange in the glass with a full 3 or 4 finger head that persists and tempts. Foamy on top even through the last swallow. Smell contains citrus, hops, yeast... the smell is slightly muted considering the rest of the beer living so loud.

Taste starts with a light to almost sweet hop note that immediately turns bitter but is complex in the finish as it throws spicy citrus, pine without much yeast flavor that is otherwise in the aroma. It lingers on the tongue for a long time, with the pine and hops tingling well after the beer is washed down.

This is one of my favorite brews, a trusted outstanding ale that I can find nearly anywhere in the country and never leaves me wishing I had chosen something else. Paired today with a sharp cheddar and more muted farmers cheese, you just can't go wrong with the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 18:23:37 | More by jamesDaExMoBeerGuy

Alextricity

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Unfiltered. As the bottle says, all natural. It's a nice amber color with a bunch of floaters in the glass. There's a nice head that stays at about a centimeter through the glass, and there's also some pretty nice lacing as well.

Smell: Muted. Faint smell of hops and spiciness. Pleasant, and not very strong.

Taste: One of the best pale ales I've had. It's definitely a pale, but at times it seems TOO flavorful. Obviously, that isn't a problem, but this is a damn good beer. Spicy, hoppy, piney, but not too much so. If the ABV were a bit lower, I'd love this as a sessioner.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, some good carbonation... feels like I had this straight out of the tap. Pretty good.

Overall, this is undoubtedly worth every bit of praise it gets. If I had the choice between this and their Torpedo though, I'd probably go with the Torpedo. This is probably the best pale ale I have ever had. Be warned though, if you're used to your pale ales being "meh" and uninteresting, you'll be surprised when you take a sip of this.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 22:10:12 | More by Alextricity

Patrick2012

California

4.2/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in tulip glass

A: Copper with a small head. Not much lacing.

S: Hops and light citrus.

T: Light citrus and pine with hoppy bitterness. A very drinkable beer

M: Fruity aftertaste that is very nice and delicious. Bitterness at the back of my tongue

O: If you ever want to have a big party with good quality beer for a great price, this is it. It is a very delicious beer that I would like to see in my fridge often.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 02:48:49 | More by Patrick2012

Danny1217

Florida

4.08/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours copper with a small head that dissipates quickly. Nice floral hop scent. A bit like a subdued IPA smell. Pleasant. Taste is fairly hoppy, but mild too. Good balance of malts and hops. Very slight sweetness, some bitter citrus, pine, etc. Nice crisp finish. Medium body and carbonation.

SNPA is nothing out of this world. It is simply a very good beer. However, in terms of availability, price, and sessionability, this has to be one of the best beers out there.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 00:01:39 | More by Danny1217

57md

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours copper in color with a half finger of head that dissipates quickly. Nose is pleasantly hoppy. Malt and hops are well-balanced in this offering. The finish is dry and mildly bitter. The quintessential West Coast Pale Ale - a classic that is always a solid, if not extraordinary, choice.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 21:20:47 | More by 57md

obywan59

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Clear golden to orange-amber with a 2 finger whitish head that settles rather quickly leaving a ring around the glass and a smattering of lacing ,

Light spice and grassiness of hops with a bit of citrus in the aroma with some rich malt in the background.

I noticed some light sweetness and plenty of tart citrus upfront. The rising bitterness, however, will not be outdone. Light toasted malt in the end.

A bit on the light side of medium bodied. Almost fizzy at times and drying on the tongue with a burn in the throat.

I first tried this beer a few years ago, but it was skunked, in fact I had a string of skunked SN brews. Last week I bought it again, deciding to give it another chance. Saturday, I drank 3 of them, and though it wasn't skunked, I wasn't impressed. An off bitterness, and not much else. Perhaps my taste was off, because tonight, I finally see what everyone is talking about. A well-rounded, full-flavored brew. A greatt summer ale. I'll definitely buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 02:15:22 | More by obywan59

sevenarts

New York

4.23/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Glistening golden orange with a big white head that fades to a thin skim on top, with moderate lacing clinging in its wake.

S: Pleasant hoppy aroma of citrus and pine, low-key but very nice.

T/M: Crisp and hoppy and perfectly balanced. Big pine and citrus flavor up front, with a sweet and subtle malt backbone lingering along with the otherwise predominantly piney aftertaste.

O: This is of course a classic and a staple pale ale. Its reputation is very much well-earned, as it's a delicious, hoppy, refreshing beer that's pretty much perfect as an everyday pleasure.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 21:43:07 | More by sevenarts

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This one completely amazes me - I will be its 2501st reviewer, not having reviewed it previously in any serving style; my mother lives in Chico and I have visited her on a couple of occasions, making my first statement more incredible; and the first person to review it from a CAN was my local CANTrader and fellow CANQuester (TM), tone77! It took me a while to find this in a CAN with Torpedo seemingly more accessible. SMH!

From the CAN: "Purest Inredients"; "Finest Quality"; "CAN Conditioned".

Just the Crack seemed to release a lot of hops aroma into the room. The inverted Glug really made it seem as though I had sprayed hops air freshener and I would be lying if I said that my mouth was not watering. I was looking at a massive two-plus fingers of dense, French Vanilla-colored head with excellent retention when I was done with my pour. Color was a deep amber with NE-quality clarity. Nose was full of pine hops and now I was starting to drool. Mouthfeel was medium-to-full, slightly viscous and the hops were soft, not overpowering as in some (many?) AIPAs. The melding of the hops with the malt was very pleasant and caused me to think back to the mid-1980's when I had this for the first time. I remember thinking that it was too bitter, but now it is just what the doctor ordered for this Jonesin' hophead. Finish was semi-dry and both pleasant and refreshing. I am so excited to see it being CANned and I would recommend it for anyone's cooler under any circumstances. Believe the hype!

Serving type: can

08-31-2012 02:30:20 | More by woodychandler

Alkey

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 22oz bottle golden color with finger of off white head and lots of tiny bubbles. Smell is sweet malt and citrus and grass hop aroma. Taste is sweet grapefruit at first, slightly thin and watery feel then turns a bit dry and bitter lemon peel flavor. Overall a very easy to drink tasty pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 20:02:11 | More by Alkey

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-a dark amber color with a nice off-white head and some lacing

S-toasted grain, pine, citrus

T-malt with nice pine and citrus flavors and a solid bitter hop finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, smooth and crisp mouth feel

O-a nice solid pale ale with great flavor and balance, wide availability makes this a nice standard ale

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 21:43:37 | More by MDDMD

AllanJ

5/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Discovered this at age 73 after my daughter left a bottle. I have never had a beer or ale anywhere as good as this!

I drink it with steamer clams and sauteed oysters. Heaven! Next will be sauteed scallops. I need 54 more characters to post, so "+++"

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 21:25:55 | More by AllanJ

CheezyBlaster

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The perfect American Pale at the perfect price point? Almost, but the price and consistency nail this thing to the wall as the quintessential American Pale. Not to mention, it's probably the beer I've bought the most of in my craft career. Not quite sessionable, on account of the abv, but a great easy drinker.

Takes notes from the original English pale, but quite American with a tad more bright, crisp citrus and a bit more mild toasty grain. I don't think it gets better per dollar in the US.

Serving type: can

08-22-2012 00:58:01 | More by CheezyBlaster

ZethOfTheNorth

Louisiana

4.2/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz can from a 12-pack bought for $15.99 at Whole Foods, New Orleans. Poured into a wine glass.

A: Gorgeous frothy head. Dark copper, pretty opaque. Very handsome pale.

S: Obviously a hop-forward APA. Sharp grapefruit, then mellower citrus. Absolutely great for the style.

T: The worst pales are thin, weak, and watery. SNPA is none of those: it's immediately full, with distinguished Cascade hops on the back end. Citrusy, but not "fruity," and certainly not cloying.

M: Maybe slightly more carbed than the average APA. Slippery texture. Lingering hops might be a bit sticky/drying for some.

O: As many have and will continue to write, this is a stone cold classic. It's almost always available (even in the beer black hole that is Louisiana), is always cheap, and despite how many times I've had it, I'm honestly still surprised at how excellent it is. Fantastic flavor, more sessionable than an IPA, appropriate for all seasons. Enhanced overall score for style superiority.

SNPA is the gateway.

Serving type: can

08-21-2012 14:46:58 | More by ZethOfTheNorth

Living816

Northwest Territories (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

An exceptional example of streamlined simplicity in a beer style that is known for streamlined simplicity. This is beer that made Cascade famous, and it shows. A good lesson in how you can make something brilliantly colorful with just black and white ingredients.

It has a brilliantly piney, grassy, vegetative pop from the hops and carries through into the taste. There's a pervasive bitterness that rides above all else. It is something of a hallmark of Sierra Nevada, and you will either love it or hate it. The flavors a bit off balance, with the hops singing just a bit louder than the malt. In my book, that's okay. I am not a big fan of malty beers, especially pale ales.

You could make the argument that this is a borderline IPA in terms of stylistic components. It's not quite a simple pale ale pounder, and not quite an IPA sipper. But it's a little of both.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 12:47:58 | More by Living816

Gatch

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap @ The Horseshoe Pub in Hudson, MA. Finally reviewing the quintessential craft beer & Pale Ale.

A: Copper-amber in color with a nice, off-white head. A bit of lace but no retention.

S: Malty, spicy and roasty with a hint of hops. More of an Amber/Red nose.

T: Big, pale malt, subtle hops. This is a true Pale Ale. Almost seems more English than American. I was surprised how un-hoppy it actually is. Earthy, spicy, hearty.

M: Plenty of carbonation, good flavor and body, and easy to drink.

O: The beer that started it all. I got away from it for many years and this reminds me why. Good beer but it just doesn't have the flavor I'm looking for. To each their own. A great gateway brew for any novice craft beer drinker.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2012 05:12:54 | More by Gatch

zeledonia

Minnesota

3.83/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled 2 July 2012. Tasted 14 August 2012, reviewed from notes.

Pours a very clear medium golden orange color. One finger of whitish head, relaxing fairly quickly to a thin cap, and leaving some nice little patches of lacing.

Smell is warm, malty, and crisp. "Buttery" comes to mind. Nice light piney-resiny hops (like those freshly grown, light-green spring needles) overlay that and add a nice bundle of variety to the basket.

Taste is a pleasant, crisp balance of malts and mildly bitter hops. This beer is definitely not over-hopped. Perhaps a little under-hopped, even for my tastes. But mellow, smooth, and tasty. Light grainy malts, some herbal hops. But pretty tasty.

Light-bodied, a little low on the carbonation. Finish is fairly dry. Good enough.

I can see why so many people point to this as an intro craft beer. It has lots of the elements of more extreme beers, but all in moderation and gently executed. A very restrained beer, and that's what makes it so good. I was prepared to be underwhelmed, but I wasn't.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 21:33:14 | More by zeledonia

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Draft: Poured a medium amber color ale with a medium size foamy head. Aroma of citrus and piney hops is well balanced against some lightly sweet caramel malt base. Taste is also a wonderfully mix of floral hops notes from West Coast hops with nice line and citrus notes though they are never overwhelming. Malt base is not too sweet and well balanced against the hops. Body is about average with good carbonation. This si one staple that I will never get tired of.

Serving type: on-tap

08-16-2012 20:28:38 | More by Phyl21ca

Megahertz

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dated March 22, consumed on Aug 16.

A - Brilliantly clear bright amber with a large, frothy head and medium carbonation. Lots of lacing in a clean glass.

S - Aroma hits from arm's length - citrus and slight pine. Super fresh aroma evan at almost five months old.

T - Initial slightly sweet caramel and moderate carbonation hit the palate. Mid is slightly bready, slightly toasty, slightly caramel. Finishing is bitterness and bone dryness.

M - Medium to light body with good carbonation.

O - The classic, quintessential american pale ale - the inventor of the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 19:50:26 | More by Megahertz

jsawicki603

Maryland

4.83/5  rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

What new can I say about one of the best pale ales on the market? Well not a whole lot. It pours a nice coppery reddish brown. Light lace hangs on for while. Good citrus hop flavor with a light malt for balance.
One of the best, well balanced, drinkable ales on the market. Perfect for getting that friend into craft beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 14:38:57 | More by jsawicki603

MrHassellYaHurd

Louisiana

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a crystal-clear copper with a thin white head. Great clarity.

There is a citrus fruity aroma, as well as a clean sweet barley malt in the nose. Fairly simple, but perfectly balanced.

The most prominent taste is the sweet grains, followed by the subtly bitter citric hops.

Mouthfeel identical to bottle and draught.

Serving type: can

08-10-2012 23:13:59 | More by MrHassellYaHurd

AriRock

4.48/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I have always thought the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was quite good from the bottle, but then I tried it from the can and found the flavor far superior. This is one of the best beers on the market for its price, and it is easy to find. Very hoppy for a pale ale, with grapefruit, lemon, and piney notes and lots of small bubbles. Just enough malt to counter any slight bitterness from the hops, but this is a hop-forward, crisp, refreshing beer.

Serving type: can

08-07-2012 01:36:55 | More by AriRock

khensley

Washington

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Apperance was as expected, with a thin head that kept as the beer disappeared. Color was a wee bit hazy straw yellow. Nice legs on the way down the glass. More sediment than expected from a big brewery, but I dont mind.

Smell: tones of grass, yeast, and a faint bit of rust.

Taste was impressively hoppy for a pale ale. Tasted a lot like an IPA with citrus, pine notes. Begining flaver had notes of graham cracker, the middle got grasssy, with a grapefruit finish. Malt was a bit thin, but the hop finish was delightful. The bitterness fades to a tinny aftertaste.

Mouthfeel was a bit big for an ale of this style. Plenty of little bubbles to punch the tongue.

Overall this beer is a solid one to buy when the selection is limited, and if you want to pair with nice hot sandwich. More like an IPA in my opinion. 24 0z. a serving is just right.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 21:55:15 | More by khensley

TheRealBigC

Nevada

4.18/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

There is a reason why this beer has risen to dominance in the APA field. Sierra Nevada is known for its hops and this pale ale has a really wonderful hoppy aroma. The amber body and frothy head are quite appealing as well. Taste-wise, it's a blast of hops and a touch of pine follwed by an extremely mellowing dose of malts. In many regards, it tastes like the label: Green. This is not a bad thing, but I've found that it is not an everytime beer as a result.

Serving type: on-tap

07-30-2012 07:36:56 | More by TheRealBigC

schlimenhaumer

New York

3.93/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 fl. oz. bottle into a Samuel Smith nonic pint glass at low altitude. I've had this beer several times before -- a bit surprised I haven't reviewed it by now.

A: Pours a translucent golden hue slightly lighter than honey. Thick and creamy 3- to 4-finger head of good retention and very nice lacing. Carbonation bubbles drift slowly toward the top of the glass.

S: The smell is relatively subtle overall, with piney hops dominating and caramel malt notes in the background.

T: Starts off with a long buildup of sweet malt notes, followed by a long, resinous hoppy finish that lingers on the palate. The flavors here are very straightforward, but they complement each other well.

M: Light- to medium-bodied with a nice amount of carbonation. Finish is slightly dry. Stands up nicely to the flavors and easy to drink.

O: I can't think of many NYC bodegas that don't stock Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Coupled with the quality of the beer, that makes it one of my go-tos.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 23:26:52 | More by schlimenhaumer

Kisejohn

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aroma:  Mild pine and citrus hop aroma.

Appearance:  Golden honey color.  Clear bright.  Two fingers of head with good lacing.

Flavor:  Medium hop bitterness with some malt sweetness.  Hop flavors are pine with some citrus notes.  Overall this is a crisp beer that finishes dry.  Little to no hop bitterness lingers.

Mouthfeel:   A light bodied beer that finishes dry.  Well carbonated.

Overall:  Well balanced, with moderate hop flavor and bitterness.  A great session beer at 5.6 ABV.  This is not a west coast IPA, but it is a classic to be enjoyed on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 21:17:32 | More by Kisejohn