Sierra Nevada Stout - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

jackndan

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sierra Nevada Stout: Wow, was I impressed with this beer, it had a wonderful balance, with a smooth mouthfeel. The color was a deep cordovan, with a thick tan head that lasted throughout, and coated the glass the whole way down. Very well balanced with roasted malts dominant, but a fairly aggressive hops bite to keep the malts from going way over the top. Extremely flavorful beer, with alcohol warmth. Excellent and interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2002 20:18:40 | More by jackndan

BitteBier

Indiana

4.38/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours black with tight head that dissipates rather quickly but laces all the way down the glass. Nice, stoutish nose to this one with strong roasted and chocolate/coffee scents dominating. The pour and smell seem to lack the creaminess that I appreciate in a balanced stout, but the taste says otherwise--hoppy crispness and bitterness after the initial roasted smoothness. Unexpectedly nice mouthfeel and drinkability, particularly for a stout. Like other Sierra Nevada fare, this beer probably is as good as a "mainstream" beer can be. What it lacks in quirky uniqueness it makes up for in consistency and solid appeal.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2002 18:30:36 | More by BitteBier

Pegasus

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Deep mahogony brown in color, all but opaque. Massive caramel covered cloudtop head can barely be contained by a pint glass and seems to last forever. Five minutes after pouring it was still one and one-half inches thick with lots of sticky lace.

Aroma: Aroma of dark roasted malts, dark fruits, earthy hops, and a slight note of brown sugar.

Taste: Flavor is wonderfully complex, begins with the dark roasted malt flavors which carry the taste throughout, but there are also bitter cocoa flavors, coffee, and strong, but not overpowering earthy hops.

Mouth feel: Rich and smooth, with a slight tingling on the tip of the tongue.

Finish is dry and a touch bitter with a slight sting of carbonation.

Drinkability/notes: This is a beer whose merits can scarcely be overstated.

Presentation: Packaged in a short twelve ounce bottle with a twist-off crown, served in a standard pint tap glass.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2002 21:13:41 | More by Pegasus

hyuga

North Carolina

3.65/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nearly pitch black with a beige head which retains exceptionally. Pleasant aroma of dark fruit, prune to be exact, combined with a nice fresh hoppy aroma. Roasted grain and hops combine in a coffee and rind-like bitterness on the palate. Dark chocolate is underneath rounding out the flavor well. Creamy yet tingly mouthfeel. Finish is a bit on the dry side. A good stout with good balance.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2002 09:58:45 | More by hyuga

Dogbrick

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I found this to be an excellent Stout, pours almost black with a thin head. Nice dry roasted/coffee flavor and pleasant aftertaste. I enjoyed this one the entire glass. This is probably my favorite Sierra Nevada offering.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2002 12:41:22 | More by Dogbrick

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.75/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cool, colorful looking label that really caught my eye – then when I realised it was Sierra Nevada – I bagged 1 of ‘em. I have made the mistake of serving US Stouts and Porters too cold in my last reviews, so I allowed this to warm up a little after taking it out of the fridge, I’m glad I did. The 12 fl.oz. bottle poured thick, black and treacly like, and with a steady hand the head rose and stopped perfectly at the top of my Pint Glass. It just looks like a Perfect Pint of Stout. Beautiful smooth brown-tanned head, that started to resemble the Moons surface, as soon as it started to collapse, but eventually it rescinded to a nice ¼” tight head that stayed the distance. Mmm. Chocolate and LOTS of it in the nose. Simply looks and smells gorgeous, and I haven’t even tasted it yet. Wow – bags of flavour, chocolate, malt dominant, very thick mouthfeel, dry, really dry and…., wait a minute….. hold on…. is it me?.... or can I detect…. robust Hops in the faintly bitter aftertaste.
I just belched – Yep, Man those Cascades takes some beating!!!!!
A superb example of a Stout. I am a huge fan of US Stouts, and this does not disappoint me.
5 Points, 5 Stars, 5 More please – for it’s not 1, but a 6-Pack for me next time.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2002 21:18:37 | More by TheLongBeachBum

Lupe

New York

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black with a creamy tan head that has excellent retention, and generous lace. Grain and fruity aromas with hints of hops and rum. Creamy, full mouthfeel with roasted barley flavor. A bit hoppy for a stout, but it handles the hops very well, not being overpowered. It has a nice dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2002 19:46:25 | More by Lupe

EagleTalon

Arkansas

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is a really good American stout. Very robust and uncommonly hoppy. It has that signature SN cascades hop aroma. It tastes sharp and bitter, yet balanced enough to drink easily. I have some fond memories attached to drining this fine stout. Damn good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2002 08:19:40 | More by EagleTalon

ryanocerus

Iowa

4.3/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Black as night with a thin tan creamy head that left excellent lacing. The aroma was a sweet malt with roasty undertones. The taste was chocolate, then roasted malt. As it warms, the roasty malt comes through even more. The carbonation was big and the flavor was long-lasting. Not being a stout fan, this is an excellent beer, closer to a porter in flavor profile though.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2002 12:57:45 | More by ryanocerus

BeerBob

Nebraska

4.43/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sierra Nevada Stout pours a dark maroon with a firm head of dense brown foam that sticks around.

Nose of burnt malt, and palate is of a slight semisweet burnt malt with bitter chocolate.

Not as sweet as I would have liked a Stout to be, but still worthy of your attention and lots of excellent flavor to keep anyone from boredom.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2002 15:59:19 | More by BeerBob

doerickson

Virginia

3.18/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

As black as the last banana; looks like a Coca-Cola but with a longer-lasting head, which by the way held up admirably under my incessant swirlings while I tried to put a finger on what the fruity smells were. Roasted flavors are up front and hold on throughout. Malt and hops battle to a draw. While this is a nicely balanced stout, I personally find that the intense roasted flavors keep it from being very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2002 18:52:17 | More by doerickson

jtw5877

Ohio

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very drinkable stout, as with all Sierra Nevada products I've tasted, it has their characteristic hoppy flavor to it. A good solid stout. I would recommend it to anybody who likes stouts.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2002 13:22:43 | More by jtw5877

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.63/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Smooth, creamy and full-bodied - not a summer beer but good anyway. Very dark (not black) with a roasted flavor. Good head that stays and good carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2002 15:40:31 | More by jdhilt

bditty187

Nebraska

3.65/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Smallish head… minimal lace.

A wonderful smell erupts the second it hits your glass. Long-term bouquet is fair and rather inviting.

Strong flavor of roasted malt (burnt coffee) with a noticeable backdrop of hops. A somewhat unique (odd) flavor.

A very dark & rich beer. A nice eye-candy of a drink.

A stronger aftertaste that I would prefer, but I'd drink another one.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2002 10:41:29 | More by bditty187

John

New York

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black and nearly opaque brew. Awesome head with thick foamy tan lace decorating the sides of the glass as it's emptied. Dark roasted malt, espresso and dark chocolate notes blend masterfully to produce a near perfect balance. The hops flex a little muscle for a well calculated contribution. Smooth with good drinkability. Well done SN.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2002 10:22:21 | More by John

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours a very dark ruby and throws out a great creamy brown head. Very nice roasted chocolate and burnt malt tones on the nose. Nice tasting stout here. Great java tones and mocha. Nice little bitterness coming from the burnt malt tones. Smooth mouthfeel and medium body. Solid effort.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2002 19:45:21 | More by Bighuge

Wildman

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer poured a nice dark color. It formed a small dark tan head that didnt' hold and didn't leave any lace. Maybe I had it too cold. Has an aroma of roasted/burnt? malt and coffee. The taste had elements of coffee and chocolate. A medium body to it. Not as heavy as some of the other stouts I have had. Nice flavor, but still prefer others to this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2002 15:56:39 | More by Wildman

BeerManDan

California

3.7/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Not Impressed - There is something lacking in this brew. Short in finish, with very little flavor of chocolate and plums. Not for me.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2002 23:17:00 | More by BeerManDan

budgood1

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

black with a nice tan head which sticks nicely. roasted malt along with the signature SN hops in the nose tells me i'm in for a real treat. full bodied in the mouth....taste is of bitter burnt malt which imparts some choco and java notes. the cascade hops assert themselves but don't overwhelm, proving the stout style can handle those northwest hops. a hophead stout for sure. in comparison to rogue shakespeare stout, i'm not sure which is better, but they're very similar. an excellent brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2002 12:58:36 | More by budgood1

Murph

Arizona

4.47/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours blacker than black with a great two finger tan head that last all the way down and rings the glace. Smells of roasted malts, coffee, slight chocolate, and bitter hops dominate. Taste starts off with some roasted malts which then changes to a coffee flavor with a faint bitterseet chocolate taste in the background. Great bittering hops make this truly an american stout. Nicely creamy and extremely drinkable. This is a great american stout, right up there with Rogue's Shakespeare.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2002 08:12:15 | More by Murph

frank4sail

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hoppy bitter, roasted malt nose with a touch of sweetness. Untraditional, but great smell. Black/opeque color with a nice tan head. Not an imperial, sweet, or classic stout in style but it borrows nicely the good traits from each. This brew is the stout for the hop lover... Very drinkable for the stout family.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2002 16:21:08 | More by frank4sail

ADR

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had no evidence that I had an old bottle, and I have to disagree with the majority here.

Dark, lets a touch of light through. Cottonly, small-bubbled one inch head. Aroma a little like plum sauce (that shows up in the taste, see below)...Slightly winey and the deep roasted malts retain a touch of plum as well. Acidic and dry finish, but flavor fade seems very fast. There's something strange in the balance to me, too much spicy hop or something (Rogue Shakespeare does it right). Mouthfeel adequate, but then again, off tastes and quick fade. Good enough but ordinary in a weird way. Sierra Nevada Stout joins the Pale Ale in the "over rated" category, in my mind.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2002 12:37:44 | More by ADR

Thrasher

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Billowing tan head. Wonderful coffee aroma, burnt malty flavor initially. Unlike many stouts this is not smooth or silky, but quite sharp with a distinct West Coast bite. This is due to the familiar Sierra Nevada hops, and this is what gives the beer such great character. Even so, it is remarkably balanced and the slick oily mouthfeel gives way to a wonderful finish. This is a healthy and complex brew; there's a lot is going on here, making each sip a treat, even if the beer is not as compulsively drinkable as some of the most addictive brews.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2002 18:50:10 | More by Thrasher

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Huge tan rocky head, cascading micro-bubbles. Black body with ruby red highlights. Chocolate in the nose. Hint of alcohol in nose, more noticeable to taste. Mouthfeel a touch thinner than many stouts. Hops noticeable, a bite across the tongue. Solid, but not as spectacular as I remembered.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2002 21:51:46 | More by RonfromJersey

marc77

California

4.38/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

The beige, rocky head is well retained and covers a nearly black brew. When held to light, a deep garnet hue and flecks of yeast from the bottle conditioning are apparent. The sharp, coffee - like roasted barley aroma is balanced by the citrusy Cascade hop nose. Toasty Munich malt notes are subtle, but present as well. The overall aroma is quite similar to Shakespeare Stout, but not as rich. It's medium bodied, with a relatively high carbonation for a stout. The taste is wonderfully bittersweet-- the dark crystal malt, roasted barley
and high hop bitterness coalesce well. The flavor is akin to dark chocolate. The finish is dominated by hop bitterness and a roasted barley dryness. If this stout had just a bit more body, it would be absolutely superlative. Anyway, this is an outstanding example of an assertive west coast stout, and is probably the best widely distributed stout available in the U.S. Just a notch below Willy Shakes. Cascade hops really can work in a stout!

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2002 19:17:11 | More by marc77