Sierra Nevada Summerfest Lager - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

brandonlovesbeer

1.3/5  rDev -64.7%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

I got a growler of this yesterday. It was fresh and the keg was just hooked up to the tap. No more than 20 minutes old.

My first response after tasting this for the first time was that it was a Budweiser clone. So the next day, I did a side by side tasting of the Budweiser and Summerfest. The difference were so minimal that if someone were to switch these two, I would not be able to tell a difference. The only differences were in the appearance and slight bitterness. The head on Summerfest stuck around proving that it used malt instead of corn and rice. There was only a slight more bitterness. So slight that I am just digging for things to differentiate it. But the Aromas and Flavors were identical. There was absolutely NO hop character whatsoever. No Pine. No citrus. No, nothing that is described on their website.

This is what I would consider an epic fail on Sierra Nevada’s part. If they were looking for a way to make a more expensive version of Budweiser, then they have succeeded.

Serving type: growler

05-06-2012 00:14:49 | More by brandonlovesbeer

hrmhrm

California

3.88/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is what an American macro brew should taste like. Would I accept one if offered on a hot summer day? Gladly. Would I happily pluck one out of a cooler otherwise filled with Buds and Millers and Coors. Indeed, I would. Would I pay a premium micro brew price for this beer again? No, I would not.

Serving type: growler

07-23-2011 07:29:37 | More by hrmhrm

nasty15108

New York

3.7/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a Growler filled by KD at Pawling Beer and Soda. Poured into a pilsner glass.

A - A light golden color. Pour produced a head of white foam and decent lacing.

S - Crisp smell of cut grass and light lemony citrus. Also detected a light aroma of malt.

T - Slightly malty up front followed by a grassy citrus hop bite.

MF&D - A good summer choice. Light, crisp and refreshing.

Serving type: growler

06-15-2008 01:11:53 | More by nasty15108

Rosanne

California

2.5/5  rDev -32.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

much like a Carlton draft but smoother

Shared a taster on-tap as part of four flights at the brewery; Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, Chico, USA. As part of a six-week West Coast beer tour. I rate to taste, not to style. See my blog for more details: carbeers.wordpress.com

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2013 07:48:20 | More by Rosanne

Premo88

Texas

3.74/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

12 oz. bottle poured into pilsener

L: yellow ... pale yellow; about 1-inch head of white foam, pretty solid chunk of a head but little lacing; crystal clear ... in fact, might be the clearest beer i've ever seen.

S: grain; weak grain; slowly start to detect some very light, sweet malt ... definite sweetness, the biscuit/bread sweet

T: spice ... the spicy hops really bite up front, very noble pils-like; just a slight sweetening on the back end, not overly so but a nice little malt finish ... grain also shows up on the finish, light corn almost or maize

F: full carbonation, solid construction ... not watery or too light

O: what you'd expect from Sierra Nevada -- a solid pilsener, plenty of spice with a little sweetness that shows through here and there, about as drinkable a brew as one could find. also an obvious choice for a gateway beer. the alcohol kind of sneaks up on me with this one, which seems odd ... i'd like it more at 4.7% ABV or so, but hey ... i'll gladly take this one as is.

of all the summer pilsener/kolsch options here in texas, i'm not sure where this one ranks. but it's a can't-go-wrong choice because it's mighty good.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 19:58:12 | More by Premo88

SmashPants

Australia

3.66/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: reasonable 355mL brown bottle with an original and decent label.

Appearance: pours a mid yellow in colour with small floaties throughout the profile. A one-finger white head pops up and disappears within about 20 seconds - a bit disappointing.

Aroma: clean and crisp but pretty standard pilsner stuff. Grass and citrus hops, some sweet malts. Nice, but nothing special considering the price.

Taste: sweet bread and toffee malts with lemon and grass hops again. Very nice, very refreshing and fills the mouth well for a pilsner.

Aftertaste: drops away fairly quickly, but a touch of hops comes back. Nice.

Mouth feel: moderate to full body for a pilsner, moderate carbonation. Again nice - these guys really know what they're doing.

Overall: there's no denying that this is a good-quality Czech pilsner, as one would expectr from Sierra Nevada. I would imagine it would probably be worth-while in the U.S. too, but at over AU$85 a case of 24, the price is completely unreasonable.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 09:29:40 | More by SmashPants

stella77artois

New York

3.7/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Served on tap in a pint glass at a local bar I never go to. This place has a decent selection of beers, I just don't feel the need to spend $5 a pint.

A - Pours a dark yellow, with a smallish head. Head dissipated rather quickly.

S - Like an average pilsener. Some malt, some hops, a little booze. Not unpleasant, but nothing spectacular.

T - A quality pilsener. Refreshing, fresh taste. Just a touch of hops, some malt, and bit of pils sourness, which I like. Aftertaste is pretty much the same.

F - It's strongest feature. Nice and crisp, a good quencher. Though not much carbonation was seen, I could feel some fizzling action. Wasn't dry, went down well. Very crisp and refreshing beer.

O - A decent pilsener that I will certainly sample again on tap. Probably won't buy this in a 6'er, but will certainly enjoy in the future. Great summer beer that isn't gimmicky. A crisp and refreshing pilsener.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2013 22:30:09 | More by stella77artois

Kearneytheking

Arkansas

4.25/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

What a great summer brew! Wow, good to find a summer brew with no overwhelming lemonade, fruit, or gimmicky flavor profile to make it "refreshing"

Appearance: Beautiful yellow gold lager

Nose: Hoppy, lemony scent to it

Taste: Nice crisp lightly bitter hops, good citrus zest, and a bit of spice.

MF: lightly carbonated, good body.

Overall - my favorite summer lager of the year thus far (Still June, however.)

Highly Recommend!

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 02:01:37 | More by Kearneytheking

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a yellow color with a finger of head. Some lacing on the glass.

S: Fresh pilsner aroma.

T: Crisp taste - lighter side lager but again ample presence of pilsner. Really well balanced - almost perfect.

M: Full bodied yet light.

O: Great summer brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2013 23:49:42 | More by Oakenator

masonacoats

Louisiana

3.08/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

Not sure if I got a bad bottle. Some skunkiness detected.

A: Beautiful golden color with good retention and carbonation

S: Skunky, grainy, and piney

T: Follows the nose but the skunkiness is more prevalent. A little more hop flavor than the nose leads to believe.

M: Nice medium body with good carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 22:05:20 | More by masonacoats

GPF

California

2.5/5  rDev -32.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I read a bunch of the reveiws here and I feel like the kid in "The Emperor's New Clothes" wondering why this is one of the worst tasting lagers I've had in a long time but everyone else is singing it's praises. I love good lagers and I drink a lot of them and I always like to try new ones. I picked a couple bottles up at Trader Joe's because you can purchase by the bottle there and I figured I'd give it a go. I had to literally choke the beer down. A good lager should not be bitter like an ale and give a bad after taste. It should go down smoothe and have a pleasant aftertaste to the pallette. This did neither, it was very hoppy and more characteristics of a Pale Ale.

I really like Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale and it is my go to beer when I want something with a little bite and bitterness. I think they should stick with what they know how to brew and stay away from doing a Lager in the future. I am still perplexed though at what so many people find appealing about this lager.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 01:21:56 | More by GPF

UltramagnusX

Rhode Island

2.68/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

It is a lot more consistent in taste than that of the bottle. You can definitely experience more of a full flavor, whereas the bottled version is a lot more mellow. I've had this beer on draft as well, and being that I am not a fan of lagers, I was also not a fan of this beer in any of its forms. I find that the taste is too bitter, as if licking a mahogany wood post. I just can't grasp the bitterness and wish that there was more to offer in terms of its flavor.

Serving type: can

06-01-2013 23:09:40 | More by UltramagnusX

MaineBrewing

Maine

4.26/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - poured a clear straw color with brilliant white 2 finger head. Left good lacing and always appeared lively.

S - smell is a citrus forward and slight piney hop with cereal grains and a nice peppery bouquet.

T - taste is close to the aroma, nice hop flavor profile dominated by citrus notes with a little piney and resinous character in the background. The hops are well balanced with the light malt character with notes of toast and cereal grains. Finishes very dry with a slight bitterness and a nice clean lager yeast character.

M - very light and carbonated, easy drinking perfect for the style.

O - overall this is a nice flavorful summer lager. Looks great and smells great, the flavor is very balanced and it is quite drinkable. I would session this easily on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 18:15:17 | More by MaineBrewing

Moose90

Colorado

3.69/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A – 12oz bottle into a shaker pint. Pours clear bright pale yellow with a thin bright white head. Lacing is thin, and spotty, adequate for the style.

S – Light, crisp and unassuming. Some light lemon notes come through here, as well as fresh cut grass/hay. Not bad.

T – Light crystal malts, very fresh and crisp. No real complexities here, some light lemon notes come through again.

M – Carbonation is on the high side, as per the style. A nice crispness to this one, very smooth as well.

O – On a hot day, this would be tough to beat. Overall though, it is pretty standard for the style. Has some light lemon and citrus notes that deviate it from the rest of the pack. But overall it is a nice, clean, refreshing pilsner. Perhaps greater than the sum of it's parts.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2013 04:42:21 | More by Moose90

Odouls15

Connecticut

4.06/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

One of my first reviews.

Served from a bottle poured into a pilsner glass.

Overall a very pleasurable experience. Two finger head with a clear body. The beer was, however, a little darker than I expected for a lager. In the typical style of Sierra Nevada, the beer had a definitive strong note of hops, but unlike other years the citrus note was absent in the 2013 summerfest. The beer had a very smooth finish, and like most other lagers the flavor did not hang around for long.

I was not disappointed, but I would be interested to try it on tap.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 23:33:07 | More by Odouls15

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

TheFightfan1

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a NCBC pilsner glass. Crystal clear yellow color with a fluffy two fingered heading. Little lacing throughout, doesn't really stick around very much.

Extremely lemony citrus blast in the nose with a nice medicinal hop in the background. Heavy earthy yeasty notes in the finish. Very feint aroma of sweeter cracker like malts.

Taste is pretty much the same. A citrus blast with a little touch of grassy hops and very medicinal - earthy finish.

Light bodied with decent carbonation. Very crisp and clean finish.

A damn good pilsner. I am not a to big a fan of Czech pilsners and have always shyed away from them. This one is an exception though. I will drink these over any mainstream brew any day of the week. Flavor,crisp, and satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 12:41:42 | More by TheFightfan1

archyquaffer

Montana

3.59/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a Shaker pint glass. A halfway aggressive pour produces one-quarter inch of bubbly white head that dissipates quickly but coats the top of the beer. The bubbling stays lively for awhile. The color is a moderately pale golden.

The beer has that lovely aroma and taste that I associate with a good `Pilsener, and is crisp and fairly clean on the palate. The bubbles help with lots of pungent burps, which waft through the nose. The hops are of just the right intensity for a beer of this style- a pleasant surprise since some of the beers from this brewery are just a tad too hoppy for my taste (but still quite good nonetheless).

I give this beer a good grade because I think they capture the style well, without going totally overboard with the hops.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 23:53:57 | More by archyquaffer

Andrew041180

Massachusetts

3.64/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A - Poured from a bottle into a standard pint glass. The beer is a clear gold with about a finger's worth of head. The head holds for a while, then dissipates into a thin covering which leaves a small amount of lacing on the glass. I am impressed.

S - The thing that I don't dig so much about lagers, and pilsners in particular, is that malty funkiness that I associate with European style beers. However, there is something about the blend here that is encouraging.

T - I still taste that funkiness that I'm not a huge fan of, but I also taste a sweeter malty note that really causes me to reflect. The finish is very clean and leaves me wanting more, not because I'm trying to cover up an unpleasant finish, but because I like the way the taste develops.

M - I like the bubbles. Very smooth and clean tasting.

O - I happened to have this beer on a relatively cool night while grilling up some BBQ chicken, but I've also had it playing lawn games on a hot afternoon. I find it to be a refreshing break from my IPAs and always look forward to this one, despite my hangups on the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 11:00:12 | More by Andrew041180

BeerDocT

Georgia

3.51/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Served in an Imperial pint glass.

-Appearance 3.0: Light golden in color; perfect lager color. Lots of CO2 bubbles, but very little head and no lacing to speak of. Just looks like your typical lager.

-Smell 3.25: Nice bouquet. Typical notes of adjuncts (although I think that in lagers, these smells may be linked to the lagering process) and grains. However, the level of this bouquet is deeper than your average macro brew.

-Taste 3.75: Front is light and somewhat dry. Middle is smooth with slight alkaline hoppiness. Finish is where big waves of barley and deeper hop smoothness come in. Aftertaste is of medium length and is somewhat dry, but very refreshing.

-Mouthfeel 3.25: Hits the nail on the head for the style and gets extra points for the dry and smooth finish.

-Overall 3.50: One of the better lagers I have had in a long time. I like lagers but am certainly not enamored with the style. However, this beer is thirst-quenching and a delicious representation of what a lager can be.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 04:24:45 | More by BeerDocT

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Looks a pale gold with fine bristling carbonation suds supported by little bubble streams. Laces not so much. The head hangs a bit, then slowly leaves behind a thin cap.

Pale malts that are a touch on the sweet side. Pretty mild. Light spiciness, almost in a mustard-y. The aromatic hops are a little citrusy and a little grassy. Very light in the nose.

Nice affirmed bitterness that doesn't linger. Washes clean with good and clean pale malt grains. On the bright side. Maybe a tinge of toast. More citrus and grassy flavors from a happy hop. Overall, a clean and simply flavorful summer lager.

Smooth and a little spritzy. Carbonation is fine and right around medium. Simple and clean. Clean is the word. Clean and summery.

This is a go-to for the warmer months. A beer interesting enough to enjoy, yet simple enough to have more than one in a session.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 14:52:06 | More by thecheapies

STEELERFAN2390

Florida

4.23/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

this beer is an excellent summer brew..
my version of lawnmower beer seeing how i'd never even consider drinking an American lager of any type.
not the greatest Czech pils ive ever had ,but its up there with a slight sierra Nevada hop twist.
overall , im liking it a lot. pick it up at your local grocer for 13.99 a twelve I you can!

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 22:46:09 | More by STEELERFAN2390

roundthewaygirls

Virginia

3.23/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

poured into a wine glass

A: a crystal clear light yellow color. looks like champagne. very bubbly. half a finger of frothy white head dissipates instantaneously.

S: lemon. light floral hops. clean. pale malts.

T: bready character. lager yeast. crisp hop finish.

M: very well carbonated. light bodied.

O: a crisp, refreshing offering from sierra nevada. doesn't blow my mind, but it's a very well done summer lager/pilsener. excellent to drink with food. good day-drinking session beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 21:32:00 | More by roundthewaygirls

raynmoon

California

3.79/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Looks average, super crystal clear yellow, slight orange to it.

smells like some light lemon/lime citrus, some bready malt.

The taste is similar but has a nicer hop bite to it. It is very refreshing. Similar to an adjunct lager but then upon the taste gives you a nice bitter hoppy bite that covers up any unpleasant bready malt.

Not my favorite from Sierra Nevada, but appropriate for the summer.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 02:44:01 | More by raynmoon

Roman5150

Michigan

2.88/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 1.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

Bottle poured into tulip glass

Appearance: Piss yellow... typical light pils color, large white bubbly head

Smell: light bready yeast, water, some malt presence

Taste: A pretty tasty pilsener, but that's sort of an oxymoron. It's a great light beer, a classic czech pils, and that also means it doesn't have much flavor. But for the style, and in the right instance (hot summer day), this would be extra amazing.

Mouthfeel: Some carbonation, watery

Overall: A decent pils, but to be honest they all taste the same to me. If you want a great czech pilsener, nothing will beat a Staropramen, straight from Prague. I would buy one of those of this or any other light lager/pilsener anyday. With that said, this is a well balanced brew that I would drink after mowing the lawn.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 04:40:51 | More by Roman5150