Solar Storm - Beer Camp #71
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American IPA
ABV:
5.8%
Score:
88
Avg:
3.97 | pDev: 7.81%
Reviews:
3
Ratings:
15
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 26, 2014
Added:
Jun 12, 2012
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jimmygord:
Photo of jimmygord
Rated by jimmygord from Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

Jun 23, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.5 by spycow from Illinois

Oct 26, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by crbnfbr from Kentucky

Aug 12, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Kirk from England

Jun 23, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by LoriCrotty from Minnesota

Oct 23, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by mzeld from Michigan

Oct 10, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by flexabull from California

Oct 01, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by Rich540 from California

Sep 21, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by bishopdc0 from Maine

Sep 20, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by mrebeka from Michigan

Aug 12, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by Listers from Illinois

Jul 11, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by ortie from Kentucky

Jul 04, 2012
Photo of beerme626
Reviewed by beerme626 from Kentucky

3.96/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
On-tap in a sampler at Pazzo's in Lexington, KY

A: A much darker amber than most IPA's, understandable due to the unique characteristics of this beer.

S: Much more farmhouse-y than an IPA. More grass, more hay. Still some IPA citrus hints though

T: An amber IPA, through and through. Much smoother and milder, like an amber lager, but with the citrus and pine of an IPA as a gentle, familiar background. More grassy than expected, but not unwelcome

M: Felt as crisp and bright as an IPA, but a little smoother.

O: A great one to taste. A unique alternative to IPAs, and another success by Sierra Nevada.
Jul 03, 2012
Photo of barczar
Reviewed by barczar from Kentucky

3.65/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a slightly hazy reddish copper color with a dense half inch cream head that lingers as soft foam.

Grapefruit and lemon citrus hop opens the aroma, with a hint of wheat and caramel malt sweetness carrying through to a slightly piney finish. There's a hint of onion and dankness.

Flavor is more bitter hop dominant than the aroma suggests. There are notes of grapefruit pith throughout the profile, which opens with lemon and wheat and finishes grassy and herbal. Lightly toasted malt adds support.

Body is moderate, with moderately high carbonation, finishing slightly astringent and dry.

Overall, a solid offering, though I'd prefer a little more flavoring hops in lieu of the bitter dominance.
Jun 13, 2012
Photo of BEERchitect
Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky

3.62/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Stepping slightly out of their comfort zone, the usually steady hoppy beer makers of Sierra Nevada explores new and exciting hop flavors with the backing of red wheat.

Solar Storm pours with a hazy redish color with tarnish rust and maroon hues blended about. The beer develops an airy off white foam with sturdy retention and moderate lace.

A dry impression of bread crust, mild toast, medium kilned grain, and slight starch provides a terse base scent from which the hop character of citrus, wood, and grass rises to quickly dominate the nose.

The dry malt taste manifests in flavor with low lying starchy caramel flavors meet dry toast, crust, and freshly baked barley. The red wheat provides a mild bread and limey twang that introduces hop flavors of white grapefruit, freshly mulled grasses, light pine, and an overall stemmy taste. Malt and hop flavors are quickly thrown aside, favoring a growing bitterness of mild resin and citrus pith. Mild alcohol flavors of white wine or gin create an oddly alluring refreshment.

The beer sheads the common wheaty notion of rich breads, instead allowing the tart character of yeast and grain to provide dryness from start to finish. The light arid creaminess of carbonation is quick and fleeting and ushers in a sudden finish of earthen stem-like bitterness with pine resin, minty alcohol warmth, and short aftertaste.

The introduction of odd ingredients to the IPA profile creates a lot of interest and curriosity. Tart red wheat, largely untested woody hops, winy hops, and recessed barley show a lot of flexibility even with such a bitter-dominant beer.
Jun 12, 2012
Solar Storm - Beer Camp #71 from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 15 ratings