Sierra Nevada Summerfest Lager - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Groomsy

Kentucky

3.88/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into Sam Adams Perfect Pint.

Appearance: Classic pilsner appearance - clear and transparent golden yellow with active, lively carbonation and a fluffy/slightly soapy head of three-fingers consistency, eventually dwindling down to a full cap of foam and leaving occasional loose lacing down the glass. Retention and lacing were fair at best, but the carbonation stayed persistent through the session.

Smell: Again, classic pilsner. Nails the style, but doesn't necessarily add anything. The spicy and floral notes from the Noble hops are definitely present, if a little more faint than expected - even so, the nose on this is bolder than most pilsners I've had. The malt shows up in the form of some grainy sweetness and some pils malt. There's just a smidge of citrus that appears, and lemon comes to mind. Very well done. Mild but enticing.

Taste: Mirrors the nose almost exactly. The malt presence has a little bit of buttery flavor to it, but doesn't overwhelm the palate. The hops are in focus here, and the trademark pils flavors are all here: The spiciness, floral notes, and subtle bitterness from the hops balanced by bready and grainy flavors from the malt. SN nailed what a pilsner should taste like. They didn't amp it or change it, but they made a simple, balanced, and enjoyable pils. For that, I can't complain.

Mouthfeel: Probably the lightest beer from SN I've had so far. Light bodied with crisp carbonation, a slightly dry finish, and subtle lingering flavors of lemon on the back of the palate.

Overall: They've made a consistent, highly drinkable pils for the right time of year. Sure, it's not breaking ground, but what it does, it does well. Excellent summer beer, but certainly not the best summer seasonal or even SN's best seasonal. Take it for what it is: Simple, clean, refreshing, and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2011 02:44:08 | More by Groomsy

45nDown

Arizona

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%

05-21-2013 03:10:59 | More by 45nDown

grubefresh

Arizona

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%

05-21-2013 02:00:51 | More by grubefresh

dcbeers

District of Columbia

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%

05-21-2013 01:58:16 | More by dcbeers

Kingcurio

Oklahoma

3.75/5  rDev +1.9%

05-21-2013 01:53:33 | More by Kingcurio

johntfox

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +1.9%

05-21-2013 01:37:33 | More by johntfox

Lucoli

New York

4/5  rDev +8.7%

05-21-2013 01:23:42 | More by Lucoli

hyoung41

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -11.7%

05-21-2013 00:53:31 | More by hyoung41

norinco

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -11.7%

05-20-2013 22:20:37 | More by norinco

InspectorBob

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev +1.9%

05-20-2013 16:01:07 | More by InspectorBob

thampel09

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev +1.9%

05-20-2013 13:37:32 | More by thampel09

twkirkby

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%

05-20-2013 09:50:00 | More by twkirkby

MarshMan71

Illinois

4/5  rDev +8.7%

05-19-2013 15:32:37 | More by MarshMan71

Snellgg5

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%

05-19-2013 15:04:37 | More by Snellgg5

BeerAficionadoMCMXC

California

3.13/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

It appears a golden yellow. Carbonation is good. Smells a of cereal and barley with a hint of citrus background. The flavor follows the nose with regards to cereal like quality. The finish is slightly sweet with a balanced bitter finish. A nicely balanced lager on the palate and a light body characteristic to lagers. Being the third year I've had this beer in a row, I feel as though this year's batch is a little more bitter than before, but the balance is there, it lacks complexity. A fine lager nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 06:27:16 | More by BeerAficionadoMCMXC

tbone1384

Wyoming

4/5  rDev +8.7%

05-19-2013 01:22:17 | More by tbone1384

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +15.5%

05-19-2013 00:46:48 | More by BeerForMuscle

Glen0matiC

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +15.5%

05-19-2013 00:28:02 | More by Glen0matiC

Orion901

Michigan

4/5  rDev +8.7%

05-18-2013 23:47:56 | More by Orion901

afrokaze

California

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%

05-18-2013 22:36:10 | More by afrokaze

bzach

Indiana

4/5  rDev +8.7%

05-18-2013 22:15:45 | More by bzach

jbarletto

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%

05-18-2013 15:05:29 | More by jbarletto

beernads

Florida

3/5  rDev -18.5%

05-18-2013 06:58:30 | More by beernads

Omer4176

California

4/5  rDev +8.7%

05-18-2013 05:15:03 | More by Omer4176

Xzfgiimtsath

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +1.9%

05-17-2013 12:47:12 | More by Xzfgiimtsath