Sierra Nevada Glissade Golden Bock - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

warnerry

Michigan

3.2/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

2011 release; notes from Feb. 2011

A - Pours a clear straw color with two fingers of white head and nice slow rising carbonation.

S - Slightly sweet malts and grain.

T - Some subtle hops not present in the smell. Also more earthiness than the smell suggests, which lingers in the aftertaste. An unfortunate metallic taste really takes away from the good things going on here.

M - Medium mouthfeel with lingering bitter earthiness and metal funk.

O - Some off notes in the taste really reduce my enjoyment of this, which is unfortunate because I am a fan of the style and was looking forward to this one. Probably would not get again.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 02:20:48 | More by warnerry

ZenAgnostic

Texas

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Duvel tulip. Heel of bottle stamped 018 11.

Appearance - Hazy amber-yellow body. Pours one finger white head with low stick and decent retention.

Smell - Sweet and grassy. Hidden corniness underneath. Faint honey and alcohol.

Taste - Light splash of complexity. Thin honey malt followed by light hop. Very balanced and mild. No off characters.

Mouthfeel - Light. Some bite. Thin honey stickiness that doesn't linger.

Overall Drinkability - Pretty legit. Demands to be a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 02:25:41 | More by ZenAgnostic

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.93/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a bright golden color with a moderate sized head and minimal lacing. Smells slightly grassy and with a bit of citrus.

Taste- has a citrus kick from the hops, followed by sweet bready malts.A slight bitterness at the end closes out a nice blend of flavors. Lots of great tastes coming through here yet it all balances well. Mouthfeel is great, smooth and very drinkable.

Overall a great seasonal. It has a great balance between the spicy hops and sweet malt. Very easy to drink as well.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 03:38:02 | More by Treyliff

BilbosNuts

California

3.3/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pilsner glass.

A: Pours a clear golden color with a big white head that has decent retention but eventually fades to a thin film over the top. It looks very lively with a high amount of carbonation. It looks like a dark colored champagne.

S: The overall aroma is quite mellow with light floral and grassy hops as the backbone. In the background, some grainy and bready malts can be found.

T: Pale malts and herbal hops are front and center, while the hops provide a mild bitter finish.

M: It has a light body with a high amount of carbonation that allows the beer to dance on the palate. The carbonation effectively cleanses and refreshes for the next sampling.

O: This was sort of a mellow beer overall. I wasn't overly impressed with much and with all the other great Sierra Nevada offerings readily available, I probably won't be visiting this one again soon.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 03:33:16 | More by BilbosNuts

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer is an extremely hazy liquid, with a moderately sized white head. It's aroma is a little malty, nutty, and woody. Not as aromatically intense and I expected, but it does have an appealing, earthiness in it's smell. The taste is notably stronger...malt, a touch of hops...nice balance. It is a bit more carbonated than necessary. Medium body. All in all, a nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 01:21:14 | More by Suds

mdagnew

United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)

3.58/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

330ml bottle bought from The Vineyard, Belfast..

Poured a golden yellow colour. White head poured big, thick and fluffy then faded slowly to wispy coating with thick edging. Barely any carbonation... some faint lacing...

Aroma - Sweet slightly overripe fruits, marzipan / almond notes, quite grainy, wet and maybe slightly rotten grass, pepper spiciness, treacle / golden syrup notes, some toasted bread...

Taste - Quite a lot of bready and grainy malts, spicy dried fruits (raisins, currents, figs), honey sweetness, some metallic notes, definitely some marzipan, salty hints, some peppery and grassy notes..

M&D - Sharp initally then becomes slightly cloying... medium bodied... a little sickly for my liking to be very drinkable...

Overall - An ok bock which is maybe a bit on the sweet side... worth a try though...

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 07:46:06 | More by mdagnew

windypete

United Kingdom (England)

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle. Harf a finger head that did'nt hang around to long.

Aroma was light grass notes & sleight hoppiness.

Taste was crisp & light malts. This beer does'nt hide the alcohol very well.

Overall this is a nice crisp beer but it dont stand out much. I like sierra's other offerings more & would pick them over this beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 15:05:55 | More by windypete

Blueribbon666

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. Unlike 90% Sierra Nevada's offerings no intense hop scent from bottle or glass when poured into dimpled mug. Been very interested to try this different style as I am familiar with their Pale Ale, Stout, Porter, Bigfoot, Torpedo and Celebration Ale. This Glissade is from 2011, pours a copper color with a grassy smell and a bit of maltiness in their as well. Very nice, well balanced mouth feel malt is very subtle without being too much and a slight hop finish that adds a crisp clean finish even though the abv is evident from the 1st sip. I enjoyed this and would get more of this to enjoy 3 or 4 of w/a meal. An enjoyable and different offering from Sierra Nevada

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 13:33:51 | More by Blueribbon666

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I poured this beer from a bottle into a tapered pilsner glass. The initial head was very light and fluffy. This dissipated pretty quickly into a small halo around the top of the glass.

This beer is a orangy/yellow. This beer is pretty clear.

I didn't get much off the top of this glass. There was just some grassiness in the nose.

The body was pretty thin, as you would expect for this beer. I get more of the grassiness in the flavor and some sweet taste. In the after-taste I get a pretty decent amount of bitterness.

This was an interesting experience. I'm glad that I was able to pick up a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 22:41:46 | More by ummswimmin

LittleCreature

Australia

3.58/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - 4.5
Pours two fingers of creamy, off white head which gradually recedes to thin layer over a clear body of deep gold to light amber.

Smell - 3.5
Subtle but pleasant aroma of sweet and bready malt, balanced with spicy and herbal hops.

Taste - 3.5
Starts promising, but falls down on the back of the palate. Sweet, bready pilsener malt with the lightest hint of toastiness, hop bitterness is moderate, hop flavour is leafy and a little metallic. Very short, dry finish with noticeable alcohol.

Mouthfeel - 4.5
Medium body, moderately carbonated, very smooth drinking.

Overall - 3.5
A well made, clean, malty pale lager. Downsides? There isn't enough malt or hop character to hide the obvious alcohol. A bit like a slightly too strong Oktoberfestbier.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 07:36:38 | More by LittleCreature

obrendano

Maryland

4.28/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

one of the first true microbrewed beers I ever had, still liking this one a lot

A - sunny golden color, bleached white head dies down after a bit, slightly sticky. lots of carbonation

S - clean grassy hops, pale malt and a bouquet of light fruity esthers

T - has a very nice bite from the hops, but they do not overpower, or even really come to the forefront. very well balanced with the malt. ever so slight note of the booze in there too. a bit peppery around the edges as it warms up

M - super crisp and light, malt is a little sticky and that's fine with me

O - a very solid beer. I like when a brewery can take a relatively uncomplicated style and just hit a home run like it's no big deal at all. many of their beers fall into that category.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 20:27:02 | More by obrendano

rroberts1013

Georgia

3.58/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I tried the Glissade after hearing a few of my co-workers claim that it was awful and decided to sample with an open mind. The appearance reminded me of apple juice in color and the head looked great, hanging around for about a minute. The smell was fine and the taste was surprising. I wonder what my co-workers were thinking. It's pretty damn good, balanced, and just enough hops. I would recommend!

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 18:12:40 | More by rroberts1013

pBRale

Iowa

3.53/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From tasting notes 9-4-11

Appearance:Clear, deep gold with 1/2 in. head that quickly dissipates leaving very little delicate lacing behind.

Smell: Delicious malty blast with a trace of grassy hops.

Taste: Strong malty flavors and smooth with a touch of hops to balance the finish, which is crisp and smooth.

Mouthfeel: Fairly light bodied beer that is crisp and highly carbonated.

Overall: Good, refreshing beer that quenches the thirst and is perfect in warm weather.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 00:19:20 | More by pBRale

SkeeterHawk

Texas

3.93/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but I am down to my last two beers from a six-pack to review, so I must have liked it at some point. Let's give it a proper review with a fresh palate.

Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy yellow golden color with a small 1/4" head at the peak during the pour that settled into a thin layer of foam within about 45 seconds. There were a few bubbles lazily making their way to the top, but the carbonation is visibly a little low.

Aroma: I initially got mostly toasty malt notes as I would expect with a small amount of hops that I am questioning their nobility, but since they are reserved, that is still OK. I am anxious to come back to the hops when the beer warms up some. As the beer has sat for a while, the alcohol is adding more spice than the hops are intensifying, so this is falling more in line with a MaiBock as it warms up, but the alcohol is a bit noticeable.

Taste: The flavor is pretty malty with some obvious hops in for balance. The hops add a mildly green flavor to the beer that seem like they may be some off-shoot of Hallertauer. Overall the malt is in charge, which is a good thing. The carbonation is low, so the beer comes across a bit heavy on the palate and near the finish the alcohol comes into play to make the finish slightly lighter, but not by much. Overall the beer is medium to slightly full bodied, and the low carbonation accentuates this property. There is some warming that comes in late in the finish, and this gives a slight spicy impression as well.

Opinion: Overall this is a pretty decent representation of the style. I would certainly like it to be a bit drier, but I am not sure if it just needs more CO2 or if it is under-attenuated. I am guessing the former, so they just need to get it adjusted. I would try this beer on tap if given the chance, and I would probably look for it to try as well, and that is a compliment to an American brewer making a German style beer as those are my favorite, bar-none.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 03:16:30 | More by SkeeterHawk

sixthglass

Indiana

2.93/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: golden in color with a white head. Not much lacing...

S: the bouquet is dominated by bread and honey, and some hops

T: bready, with a hint of honey and then hops

M: medium body, slightly sticky, carbonation is ok at best.

D: A decent brew from a solid company, who puts out good decent sessions brews.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 23:03:50 | More by sixthglass

CraftBeerTastic

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ba Review #35
Served On: 8/17/2011
Glassware: Wheat Glass

Found this one hanging out in the back of my beer fridge. A leftover spring seasonal, no doubt.

Look: Poured a white 4 finger pillowy head. Color was a crystal clear golden color with tons of carbonation bubbles. I know a wheat glass isn’t usually used for bocks, but this beer looks gorgeous in one.

Smell: Had a real malty sweetness in the nose. Some slight citrus hops. Also a bready yeast note.

Taste: Carbonation really took off at first. The sweet malts coated the tongue and the finish had a crisp honey taste - blander malt notes faded into the aftertaste. No real citrus detected - more like a tangy honey. A mild warming sensation started somewhere in the middle of each sip and lasted till the end - probably the 6.4% ABV making its appearance.

This is a great example of the Helles Bock style. It offers a complex palate, but still proves to be drinkable – even at the 6.4%.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2011 00:05:21 | More by CraftBeerTastic

DavidST

Texas

3.55/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pilsner glass. Bottled on 1039 (Feb 8?).

This pours a clear light golden color with a nice foamy white head. The smell is bready and malty with a little grassy and floral hints. Feel is medium to light. Taste is a little bready and sweet at first, then a little grassy with some bitter aftertastes. Overall a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 22:47:09 | More by DavidST

StaEva

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

very clear golden straw color with a slightly off-white two finger head.

smells of honey-malt, slight grassy herbal quality.

tastes nice and mildly sweet honey-malt, slighty grassy hop finish. medium carbonation and slightly syrupy mouthfeel.

one of my all time favorite beers.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 21:02:08 | More by StaEva

jondeelee

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Glissade, one of Sierra Nevada's Seasonals, is a Golden Bock that smells of light citrus (orange, apricot), gently toasted grains, caramelized sugars, and, though I hesitate to add this one, reminds me of the scent of rainstorms.

On the tongue, the beer turns out to be slightly more bitter than the nose implied, with a medium-light pine and grapefruit-bitter buzz rolling across the tastebuds. Grape Nuts-like grains run beneath that bitterness, along with light oranges and apricots, and hints of nut. The aftertaste is a grapefruit-and-nut combo that lingers for a while. Mouthfeel is medium-light, and carbonation is medium-high.

Overall, this is a good beer, though I do find that the hops tend to overshadow the malts, and the beer is slightly out of balance in this respect, giving the aftertaste a distinct taste of pine sap. I would have liked a slightly stronger sugar and apricot base to help counter this.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2011 03:36:44 | More by jondeelee

Jerone

Florida

3.48/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a light amber with a bright white quickly fading head, light carbonation.

S - Smells of malt with a touch of hops, maybe light caramel with a bit of floral.

T - Starts out with some sweet malt then goes into some floral hop character and then ends with some better and a sweetness that I don't like.

M - Light body with light carbonation, very drinkable.

O - Nothing impressive about the beer, but nothing bad either. It's not really my type of beer and for some reason it reminds me of a very good macro.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2011 00:30:04 | More by Jerone

Samp01

New Jersey

3.35/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a golden/yellow with a short lived white head. Aroma of sweet malt some grassy notes and light hoppiness. Taste is sweet malt, some light hops spiciness and light fruity notes. Palate is a light to med body with nice crisp mouth feel. Finish is sweet malts, some grassy notes and light spicy hops bitterness. Overall a nice refreshing brew

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2011 01:04:01 | More by Samp01

fields336

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz Bottle marked 1021, Jan 21st 2011
Served in SN Snifter

A: Golden orange color with .5 finger of white carbonated head. really clear. The head dissipates quickly leaving small bubbles in the middle of the liquid.

S: bready and malty, quite traditional of the style. Some biscuity malts are definitely present, maybe some caramel as well. Some fruit is there, and some very latent floral or grassy hops maybe?

T: Sweet and caramelly at first, some hints of toffee. As it progresses to the back of the tongue it has some grassy earthy hops. Finish is of bitter hops. Definite fruit present as well.

M: Medium bodied and still fairly drinkable. lightly carbonated but you don't notice it until the end of the sip. Slightly syrupy but that can probably be expected since it is a little bit of an old bottle.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2011 20:31:21 | More by fields336

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

2.88/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A-Honey color. Liquid is quite clear. Head is slight. By the time I am ready to smell and drink Glissade the head is but a patchy layer using the liquid as a water bed. The diminutive head does leave some pretty good lacing however.

S-Euro hops and as weetness that reminds me of apple juice. Very structured aroma. Does not give you that 'what does that smell like?' feeling.

T-European hoppiness that is complemented by some mildly sweet malt. A bit of grain and grass for good measure. A hint of cinnamon?

M-Carbonation is there. Feel is good. Not blatant downsides.

O/D-Hey, it doesn't suck. It is perhaps Sierra Nevada's least exciting beer I have come across. I recently have reconciled with my now fiery passion for SNPA. This is pretty weak in comparison. This may be Sierra Nevada's weakest beer. Even worse, its the seasonal that follows Celebration Ale. Big shoes to fill. I am having it much later, and do not need to live with the disappointment of the annual death of Celebration Ale. But this one is still pretty boring.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2011 06:01:25 | More by VelvetExtract

ericj551

British Columbia (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sierra Nevada Glissade pours a beautiful golden color with hints of orange and red. The head is thin and doesn't linger. Sweetish pale malt and light, pleasant herbal hops fill the mild aroma. The flavor is delicious, mildly sweet bready malt gives way to a nice herbal and slightly earthy hop character. Some honey flavors pop up in the finish, lingering nicely. The carbonation is fairly low.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 06:37:06 | More by ericj551

wschmit

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle into a Perfect Pint.

A: Golden bock is about right: perfectly clear, effervescent golden body with just a tinge of bronze. The head is goodly-sized and consists of large bubbles that fizzle out pretty quickly, leaving a bit of lacing.

S: A bit of bready malt, and perhaps a touch of hops, but not much else besides. Not bad, but nothing stellar at all.

T: Taste picks up quite a bit--really solid malt character, just bordering on the cloying. Some slightly grassy hops to go along with it. Not bad, but not great either. The malt comes and goes quickly, leaving little behind, flavor-wise.

M: Good level of carbonation, but it's a bit sticky to me. Not too good.

O: Stick with something German. This offering is fine, and if it's on tap or available somewhere with little else besides BMC, I'd get it again, but otherwise, there are better beers around.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 04:54:20 | More by wschmit