Life & Limb - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

russwbeck

Virginia

3.55/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

A: The pour is dark brown, but some light makes its way through. About a finger of light brown head remains for a while and laces nicely.

S: Roasty malt character dominates the aroma. Booze, caramel, and molasses are there as well. Sort of nothing special

T: The taste seems a bit woody surprisingly, because it isn't aged in anything. Roasty finish, the beer is focused on malt and caramel. It's balanced we'll, but unremarkable.

MF: Medium body with a low carbonation. Booze is apparent, but it is very drinkable.

Value: The taster of this was only $3, which you won't here me complaining about! I was expecting it to cost a bit more, especially considering it's been aged quite a while now.

O: Overall this was forgettable. An average American Strong Ale that I would say could age well. I gotta say unexpected more from these two breweries.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2012 00:42:33 | More by russwbeck

57md

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is light brown with a finger of head, some of which lingers for a decent period of time. The foam leaves some nice lacing behind as this beer goes down.

The nose is more like wine than beer. Dark fruits are dominant upfront along with a strong alcohol finish that borders on the unpleasant.

Good, but not great. However, this is a noble effort from two of the best breweries we have in this country.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2012 07:46:24 | More by 57md

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

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

Poured from tap into flute glass at Lazy Boy Saloon.
Pours a deep brown...slight amber...thick off-whote head.
Great aroma of complex coffee and chocolate...slight dried fruit and alcohol notes.
Taste is very similar...chocolatey malts with dried fruit notes; slight coffee malted aftertaste.
Really nice brew. Alcohol is high, but not overwhelming. In fact, its very well hidden and blends nicely with the roasted malts. Very drinkable and worth a taste.
Wow...just noticing the abv now...nice.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2012 21:55:47 | More by DrinkSlurm

metter98

New York

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is dark brownish amber in color and poured with a thin tan head.
S: There are aromas of chocolate and candi sugars in the nose.
T: Similar to the smell, the beer is sweet and has flavors of chocolate.
M: It feels full-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: I could easily drink one or two of these, especially with dessert.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2011 04:18:21 | More by metter98

albertjr21

New York

4.3/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Into a wine glass, a very dark brown color (black really) rests under a mild layer of head. Aroma is a cool and mellow sweet milk and dark cocoa noted one. A smooth and crisply carbonated feel flows on through with harmonizing notes of sweet dark roasted malt and caramel. Sweet flavoring here is really delicious and I can't help but think of the pure maple syrup and birch syrup that may contribute to that. Fresh dark coffee noted finish. Goes together very well with a cheddar cheese beef burger and fries.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 23:57:03 | More by albertjr21

wcintula

New York

4.08/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I'm not one who prefers one packaging over the other ("tap beer is better than bottles!!") without at least trying it and have reason to prefer one over the other. But I can point out a more pronounced maple flavor and aroma in the beer and it's a touch sweeter. The beer is fuller bodied than it's thin relative found in bottles. If you didn't enjoy the bottle and happen upon this on draught, try it out.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2011 15:26:57 | More by wcintula

david18

New York

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had a draft of this at the Amsterdam Ale House on Manhattan's Upper West Side. It was pretty good but now as outstanding as I had hoped.

The appearance was a dark mahogany, nice dark carbonation and some good lacing behind.

Aroma was of dark fruit as well as roasted malt. A little bit of hops in the aroma but it was mostly about the malt.

Flavor was also very malty. Some dark fruit with a little bit of hops on the finish. Maybe a little on the hot side.

Overall a good beer. I had just hoped for better.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2011 19:57:34 | More by david18

dbmata

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

Definitely a good beer. Had it on tap, was a little sour in smell, and very light/thin in mouthfeel. I'd attribute that to unclean beer lines and not the beer.

Appearance: Beautifully dark brown, light head, and didn't last long. When held to light it doesn't let a lot through.

Smell: Slightly sour and malty, little smell of foresty-ness but very light.

Taste: Malty, resinousy a bit reminiscent of retsina. Slightly soured and a little tasty of carboard. I think the draft lines needed cleaning.

Mouthfeel: Very thin, body like water. Nothing to write home about at all.

Overall: Good beer, but I think questionable lines didn't help. It had a good quality of woodsiness, and a great story. The maple sap is definitely apparent in flavor, and definitely warrants and extended tasting.

Serving type: on-tap

10-25-2011 02:41:18 | More by dbmata

dirtylou

Washington

3.58/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

on-tap, Uber Tavern, 4oz trial pour

appearance: undersized goblet, dark khaki body, light filmy tan cap and strong retention

smell: fairly mild - wood, caramel, molasses

taste: a bit underwhelming - the maple isnt really a very pronounced flavor, though there are notes of wood and molasses as a result. brown sugar, caramel, toffee - alcohol doesnt play a huge role

mouthfeel: creamy medium body

overall: my 4oz serving is sufficient - won't need a bottle

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2011 18:47:51 | More by dirtylou

Ego

New Jersey

4.3/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

on tap @ jasper's prince frederick md... way out of the way

dark brown with a nice consistent head, the head stuck around throughout the time in front of the gaping maw that is the bottomless pit attached to the front of my head. it was a nice solid color, almost murky but clean looking.

it smelled of a mild strong ale, subdued, the alcohol could be sensed but in no way was a distraction/hammer, maple notes really carry the day here and maple itself has a nice dark sweetness to it, not a dark fruit bonanza but yet just as satisfying.

it drank like a mild barleywine, I had to remind myself this was 10%+, this is a wildly smooth brew, it was just too easy, really like a birch beer with kick, but then yet the maple would add that complex note of bitter/sweet. the weight was just right, not quite heavy but definitely has weight on the palette.

verdict? delightful, surprised to find it so out of the way from my home base, I will definitely check this out in bottle form if I can find it back home.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2011 03:39:52 | More by Ego

jmarsh123

Indiana

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Tap takeover at the Alley Bar.

Poured into an Ovila chalice, this beer poured a very deep brown with small spotty off white head and lacing down the glass.

Very malty smell. Molasses and a touch of roastiness. Very little hop aroma.

Definitely a malty brew, but nowhere near cloying. Thick molasses flavor throughout with just a bit of hop spice.

Almost like a good thick barleywine. Thick consistently, but again not overly sweet.

Very good beer. Hides the alcohol well and drinks smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2011 16:55:31 | More by jmarsh123

angelogarcia3

New York

4.72/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This wonderful beer is poured into a small brandy snifter glass. It arrives a very dark brown with a dark tan head. The head dissipates quickly with very little lacing. Aromas of chocolate, cocoa, and hints of vanilla hit the nose as I take the first sip. The first sip explodes in my mouth with flavors spicy chocolate, cocoa, with hints of vanilla and coconut. It is a creamy beer with very little bitterness but the spicy chocolate lingers for a long time. Had it at Livingoods in Plattsburgh, NY with a coffee & peppercorn encrusted sirloin. The combo is fantastic.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2011 21:48:04 | More by angelogarcia3

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap 10/2/11 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains chocolate, caramel, roasted malts, some fruit and a faint touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out with flavors of dark fruit, chocolate and caramel. Then a nice hops bitterness comes in. The malt character is hearty and the hops presence is mild creating a good balance. There’s also not much trace of the high ABV. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty with a good complexity, goes down dangerously easy, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, this is a good high octane beer worth drinking for a long time.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2011 03:25:43 | More by TheManiacalOne

phichifiji00

California

3.68/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch 2: Poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: Pours very dark brown/black, minimal white head which fades quickly. No lacing.

Smell: Sweet, malty, raisins, plums, coffee, chocolate.

Taste: Malty, raisins, plums, coffee, bitter chocolate, licorice, bitter finish.

Mouthfeel: full bodied, good carbonation, smooth, bitter aftertaste. A bit boozy as it warms.

Overall: Good beer. The flavor profile seems a bit off somehow.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2011 04:38:27 | More by phichifiji00

iadler

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Piece. Served in a tulip.

A- A very dark brown with a thin head and no retention.

S- Roasted malt, brown sugar, dark chocolate, mollasses, pine, grapefruit, maple syrup, booze and a hint of dark fruits.

T- Mollasses and maple syrup is more present in the taste, with some roasted malt, pine, grapefruit and orange zest, raisins, figs and booze.

M- Low to medium carbonation and body. A fairly rich mouthfeel that has a boozy and dry finish.

O- I thought it was an interesting beer and was expecting a ton of syrupy sweetness, but was surprised how well balanced it was. It was pretty boozy, but being 10+ ABV, it still was pretty drinkable. Going to let my bottle sit for a while and see what happens.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2011 22:58:23 | More by iadler

Tone

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a black color. 1/3 inch head of an off-tan color. Slight retention and decent lacing. Smells of hops, sweet malt, slight roasted malt, slight dark citrus, alcohol, and spice. Fits the style of an American Strong Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, slight citrus, slight hop, hint of roasted malt, slight spice, alcohol, and hint of earthy malt. Overall, great aroma, body, blend, and complexity.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2011 20:46:14 | More by Tone

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.85/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

certainly one of the most unique brews i have ever tasted. poured a slightly red hue of dark brown, with a thin cream-colored head. the smell was sharp and earthy, sweet and pungent. the taste of the beer is where i got hung up. what IS that? it isnt unpleasant, bit i cant put my finger on it. i sipped on an 8oz pour for about an hour trying to figure it out. upon consultation with the bartender, i discovered it to be alaskan birch syrup. AHA! i enjoyed my second glass much better now that i understood the ingredient that gave it such an unconventional taste. could probably make a night of drinking this beer, but i commend the creativity! definitely worth a try if you can find it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2011 23:45:35 | More by StonedTrippin

devinoconnor

New Jersey

3.38/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Dogfish, Sierra Nevada... How could it possibly go wrong?

Pours a dark brown with a nice amount of light-brown head from the tap. Smell is intense and complicated. I got some yeast notes, most likely from the high 10.2% ABV. Sweet, caramel, sugary and some fruit as well. Tough to declare one item sticking out.

Taste is the same. A little too intense and sort of a mess of characters in one beer. Some floral hops came across as rather bitter. Very sweet beer.... as in sugary.

Overrated in my opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2011 21:18:39 | More by devinoconnor

far333

Connecticut

3.9/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark brown and nearly opaque with ruddy highlights at the edges.
Low light brown head that settles out fairly quickly. Aroma of toasty malt. Rich flavor of dark malts and a bit of sweetness upfront. Velvety maltiness with notes of brown sugar and root beer, some cocoa and dark fruit. Offsetting bitterness is just firm enough to be present without taking over. Notes of marshmallow and leather. Moderate and creamy mouthfeel.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2011 11:55:55 | More by far333

LittleDon

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. in a snifter at Back Country Pizza and Tap House on 9/18/11.

Beautiful appearance with the exception of the minimal lace. Very dark brown with a healthy head. Malty aroma with a touch of raisins and spicy hopping. Big mouthfeel, lots of body and medium carbonation. Very good balance, leaning somewhat toward the malty. Dried fruit is also evident in the flavor along with a touch of oak. Earthy hopping. The alcohol is well hidden but does show up. Bittersweet chocolate finish.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2011 14:55:26 | More by LittleDon

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.63/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Comes out of the tap a luscious warm sable with a fairly thick and fine-bubbled light tan head that sticks around for a while. Malty aroma has strong molasses and caramel notes. Mouth-filling flavor has a malty core and caramel, nutty, molasses and earthy notes plus a hint of honey sweetness. Full-bodied texture is rather smooth and has a firm, fine tingle. Risk life and limb for this 'un! ;)

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2011 18:48:25 | More by Cyberkedi

jale

Michigan

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

Had on tap at Crunchy's in East Lansing.

A: Pours black with a finger of tan head.

S: Roasted malt and a hint of vanilla.

T: Sweet malt upfront moving into pecans, maple and alcohol heat. Some oak tannins and a hint of earth. Slight hop bitterness in the finish.

M: Lighter side of heavy with good carbonation.

O: Had this when it first came out on tap and found it to be way too boozy. With some age on it, the alcohol is calmed down.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2011 13:06:59 | More by jale

ChadQuest

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Piece Brewery 7 Pizza in Chicago.
The presentation looks nice poured into the tulip with a dark chocolate nutty brown color with lacing that holds well.
The aroma only gives glimpses of whats coming, and lets some heat show out with some maple and black strap molasses. digging it!
Flavors are more complex then i was expecting in all honesty. Black Strap molasses and Maple syrup combine with some wet oak flavors and heat, and subtle pomegranite notes.

I enjoyed this tulip i got, i would totally order it again,.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2011 02:54:39 | More by ChadQuest

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch 2, served on tap in a tulip glass.

appears very dark brown, almost black. nice off-white head, with decent retention and lacing.

aroma and taste is close to a stout, roasted malt is dominant. a little sweet, the maple shows up a little in the finish. body is thicker, fairly creamy.

overall, a nice beer. I had a bottle of the first batch last year at the Dogfish brewpub, I seem to remember being even more impressed by that version.

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2011 02:36:29 | More by jmdrpi

robwestcott

Indiana

3.78/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

cold from the tap a deep mahogany brown at the bishop to a 10oz pilsner with a wisp of a short lasting mocha head

aroma of dark sugars and maple?

creamy, buttery dark brown sugars, graham cracker, toasted nuts, dark cherries?

smooth, big bodied, low carbonation, hot.

overall, very enjoyable, big, with abv well hidden.

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2011 00:01:19 | More by robwestcott