Sierra Nevada Brown Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer poured into the glass clear light brown with an off-white head which lasted very shortly and then departed but it did try as best it could to lace the glass.

The aroma was lightly nutty with some caramel, but mostly light, and dry, chocolate. Some grassy hop presence was notable as was a lightly tart attitude. The aroma also contained a lightly smoky character.

The flavor was strong caramel and chocolate, but in a dry sense. The flavor was nutty, as if created with Munich malt, but the malt character was well balanced with hop. The smoke from the aroma was present at a low level in the flavor as well. The flavor also had a bit of the grassy hop bittering and flavor which kept everything in check and the malts toward the dry side.

The finish was dry with a lasting impression of caramel and chocolate and a slight acrid dark grain bittering in the aftertaste. The body was medium with a moderate carbonation. A nice brown ale, could use a better head retention and perhaps that acrid aftertaste worked on just a bit.

12 ounce bottle marked 2006 on neck label and purchased at Sams in Durham.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2006 23:42:20 | More by GCBrewingCo

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +6.4%

05-25-2013 21:24:13 | More by Slatetank

Kinzei

Texas

4/5  rDev +6.4%

03-30-2013 21:11:41 | More by Kinzei

matjack85

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

02-07-2013 00:07:26 | More by matjack85

popery

California

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%

01-28-2013 06:41:40 | More by popery

t0rin0

California

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

01-20-2013 02:20:54 | More by t0rin0

big_kevin

2.75/5  rDev -26.9%

01-17-2013 00:21:07 | More by big_kevin

cliff1066

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

12-13-2012 03:40:41 | More by cliff1066

InfernoBoss

California

4/5  rDev +6.4%

11-19-2012 05:30:40 | More by InfernoBoss

ThomasG19

California

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

08-17-2012 16:27:06 | More by ThomasG19

ssjkyle

Nebraska

4.5/5  rDev +19.7%

07-14-2012 22:37:02 | More by ssjkyle

drabmuh

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beer is brown and clear with a tan head of small and medium bubbles, low carbonation, no lacing, low carbonation.

Aroma is mildly malty and mildly roasty.

Beer is medium to light in body, simple but nice. Not very hoppy in flavor or bitterness, a mild roastiness in there, a mild nuttiness. It was decent, I'd probably have it again at a party but I think this has been discontinued.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2012 13:12:09 | More by drabmuh

Nate

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

03-08-2012 03:43:42 | More by Nate

jethrodium

California

3.58/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Beer Revolution. Pours a dark brown with a small light tan head that has good retention and leaves some light lacing on the glass. The nutty toffee, earthy hops, and a bit of caramel. The taste has a light sweetness with a bit of nuttiness and toffee. There is also some caramel and a bit of earthiness. The finish has a hint of bitterness and a little sweetness. Medium body. Medium carbonation. Descent brown ale. I think I like this one a little more than Tumbler.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2012 21:11:17 | More by jethrodium

Tyrawlings

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

02-12-2012 03:46:35 | More by Tyrawlings

shigg85

Japan

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

01-31-2012 23:46:26 | More by shigg85

jfcaa193

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

01-30-2012 03:01:25 | More by jfcaa193

JAHMUR

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

01-14-2012 19:35:11 | More by JAHMUR

Stoffel

Texas

4/5  rDev +6.4%

01-07-2012 03:54:24 | More by Stoffel

Burt

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +6.4%

11-17-2011 00:44:26 | More by Burt

Pjev11

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +6.4%

11-16-2011 02:45:38 | More by Pjev11

rrryanc

California

4/5  rDev +6.4%

11-14-2011 21:07:33 | More by rrryanc

ehammond1

California

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

On Tap

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

Dark brown and auburn. Thin tan head. Regular lacing down the glass.

Earthy and slightly nutty aroma. It's a welcome departure from the pine aromatics of most other Sierra Nevada beers and definitely appropriate for the style.

Earthy and bready, a touch of caramel and a slight nuttiness, along with some hop bitterness.

My favorite part of this beer is it's mouthfeel. In my experience, brown ales tend to be relatively thin and usually lack the body and heft I enjoy in my favorite beers, though this one is big, creamy, even a touch chewy. A pleasure to drink and a great vehicle for this beer's earthy flavor.

A great, classic brown ale. One of my firsts--one of my favorites.

Serving type: on-tap

07-18-2011 19:37:33 | More by ehammond1

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.4/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The ol' precursor to Tumbler. This one didn't stay in production long, I think it was only bottled one season. Anyways, brown ale poured brown, minimal head to it. Blase aroma here, fractional smell of roasted malt, but very reserved.

IBU and hops kept down in a SN beer, no way! This one was smooth, a little thicker than Newcastle. Reflections of nuttiness, caramel and toffee. Carbonation is spot on for creating a smooth experience. Not a bad beer, but with so much awesome stuff by SN, this one just didn't ever become anything I had beyond satiating my curiousity.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2011 16:37:54 | More by Beerandraiderfan

JizackFH

New York

4.4/5  rDev +17%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on-tap at the Sierra Nevada Draft Takeover at Bierkraft in Brooklyn, NY.

A - This beer pours a nice clearish brown color, that has a nice tan head on it. The head had good retention, and left a decent amount of lacing on the glass.

S - This smells of toasted malts, nuts, and chocolate. There is also a nice spicy hop aroma present.

T - The taste is of toasted malts, a lot of nuttiness, and a nice hop bite. There are also nice notes of bittersweet chocolate and toffee. The finish tastes of Caramel sweetness and some hoppy bitterness as well.

M - It has a nice medium body and moderate carbonation. It is nicely balanced, and there is also a slight tingly feel as well as a bit of a chewy quality to it.

D - This has high drinkability. It is one of my favorite brown ales that I have tried so far. It is nicely balanced, and has a great hop character to it. I could drink this beer all the time. It is a great beer, and I'm glad I got the chance to try it. Good job SN, good job.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2011 12:23:25 | More by JizackFH