Sidecar Orange Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats
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- Style:
- Pale Ale - American
Ranked #2,014 - ABV:
- 5.3%
- Score:
- 84
Ranked #38,661 - Avg:
- 3.71 | pDev: 10.24%
- Reviews:
- 200
- Ratings:
- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 12
- Gots
- 193
SCORE
84
Good
84
Good
Notes:
We love hops with a bright, citrus-heavy character. We always wondered what it would be like to punch up the citrus while maintaining a crisp hop bite and balance. The result is this new take on the hoppy pale ale brewed with Cascade, Equinox, and Mandarina hops with a hint of orange peel from additions in both the brew kettle and the fermenter that tweak the classic hop profile and add a zesty pop of bright orange flavor.
BITTERING HOPS: Magnum
FINISHING HOPS: Cascade, Equinox, Mandarina
MALTS: Two-row Pale, Honey malt, Munich
OTHER: Orange
35 IBU
BITTERING HOPS: Magnum
FINISHING HOPS: Cascade, Equinox, Mandarina
MALTS: Two-row Pale, Honey malt, Munich
OTHER: Orange
35 IBU
Reviews: 200
| Ratings: 765
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spectru from Florida
3.69/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Clear amber, white head, dissipates to a bubbly film, lacy; Not much smell, no hint of orange; Mild flavor, still no orange, not bitter, not sweet; good mouthfeel, good carbonation; Not bad, a pleasant beer.
My bottle has a different label from the one shown here on BA and, it says Orange IPA instead of Orange Pale Ale
Sep 06, 2019
3.69/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Clear amber, white head, dissipates to a bubbly film, lacy; Not much smell, no hint of orange; Mild flavor, still no orange, not bitter, not sweet; good mouthfeel, good carbonation; Not bad, a pleasant beer.
My bottle has a different label from the one shown here on BA and, it says Orange IPA instead of Orange Pale Ale
Sep 06, 2019
cyclonece09 from Wisconsin
3.6/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Pours semi cloudy orange with a small white head. Smells of stronger citrus hops. Tastes of citrus hops, especially orange, with slight sweet grain. Beer is light bodied and easy drinking, good carbonation. Overall, an above average beer.
Dec 08, 2018
3.6/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Pours semi cloudy orange with a small white head. Smells of stronger citrus hops. Tastes of citrus hops, especially orange, with slight sweet grain. Beer is light bodied and easy drinking, good carbonation. Overall, an above average beer.
Dec 08, 2018
Tone from Missouri
3.86/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy amber color. 1/3 inch head of a white color. Good retention and good lacing. Smells of orange, citrus hops, pale malt, and slight sweet malt. Fits the style of an American Pale Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of orange, citrus hops, pale malt, hint of piney hops, and slight sweet malt. Overall, good appearance, simple, but refreshing and tasty.
Nov 13, 2018
3.86/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy amber color. 1/3 inch head of a white color. Good retention and good lacing. Smells of orange, citrus hops, pale malt, and slight sweet malt. Fits the style of an American Pale Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of orange, citrus hops, pale malt, hint of piney hops, and slight sweet malt. Overall, good appearance, simple, but refreshing and tasty.
Nov 13, 2018
WunderLlama from Massachusetts
3.87/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
bottle poured into a pilsener glass
clear amber, slow carbonation, three finger solid froth off white foam cap, good lacings, very good foam retention
aroma of orange rind, orange and more orange
taste of orange with gentle hop nibble
low sudsing, hop nibble lingers with the orange flavor
if you like orange flavored litely hope beer, then try this
Nice beer
Sep 02, 2018
3.87/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
bottle poured into a pilsener glass
clear amber, slow carbonation, three finger solid froth off white foam cap, good lacings, very good foam retention
aroma of orange rind, orange and more orange
taste of orange with gentle hop nibble
low sudsing, hop nibble lingers with the orange flavor
if you like orange flavored litely hope beer, then try this
Nice beer
Sep 02, 2018
MamashieldsMeow from Texas
3.53/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This is ok. I smell the orange and it has nice bubbles and feel. It doesn’t have a big orange flavor. As it warms up slightly, I don’t care for the taste.
Jun 03, 2018
3.53/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This is ok. I smell the orange and it has nice bubbles and feel. It doesn’t have a big orange flavor. As it warms up slightly, I don’t care for the taste.
Jun 03, 2018
vikinggary28 from California
3.58/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours an amber orange colour with a thin tan head and slight lacing. Definitely smells of orange peel with mild hops. Taste does not have the same strong orange presence that the aroma does but it is still detectable. Really nothing special here but still a nice summertime APA. Prost!
May 27, 2018
3.58/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours an amber orange colour with a thin tan head and slight lacing. Definitely smells of orange peel with mild hops. Taste does not have the same strong orange presence that the aroma does but it is still detectable. Really nothing special here but still a nice summertime APA. Prost!
May 27, 2018
darktronica from Indiana
3.69/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A perfectly serviceable but unremarkable citrus-flavored pale ale. The orange flavors from the peel are genuine, and noticeable, but restrained; if I had been told that the beer didn't contain any actual orange, it would be a believable lie.
May 15, 2018
3.69/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A perfectly serviceable but unremarkable citrus-flavored pale ale. The orange flavors from the peel are genuine, and noticeable, but restrained; if I had been told that the beer didn't contain any actual orange, it would be a believable lie.
May 15, 2018
SB2017 from Iowa
3.23/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Dark amber, maybe a tiny bit cloudy, very thin head with a long lasting foam and solid bit of lace. Sweet and fruity on the nose, a lot like blue moon. The flavor itself is quite mild, I just get fizz and alcohol more than anything. Lots of orange on the aftertaste. Dry in the mouth, but feels nice. Overall it's easy to drink but doesn't have too much interesting stuff going on.
May 14, 2018
3.23/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Dark amber, maybe a tiny bit cloudy, very thin head with a long lasting foam and solid bit of lace. Sweet and fruity on the nose, a lot like blue moon. The flavor itself is quite mild, I just get fizz and alcohol more than anything. Lots of orange on the aftertaste. Dry in the mouth, but feels nice. Overall it's easy to drink but doesn't have too much interesting stuff going on.
May 14, 2018
AmeriCanadian from Tennessee
3.86/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Really nice beach beer for those that want something a little lighter and fruitier but still offering a good hop bite and malt balance. Wonderful Sierra Nevada hop/malt balance, with a pithy and bright splash of citrus in the backend. The taste is definitely the primary attraction here, as the look, aroma, and mouthfeel are solid but relatively unnoteworthy. But a tasty offering overall.
Mar 29, 2018
3.86/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Really nice beach beer for those that want something a little lighter and fruitier but still offering a good hop bite and malt balance. Wonderful Sierra Nevada hop/malt balance, with a pithy and bright splash of citrus in the backend. The taste is definitely the primary attraction here, as the look, aroma, and mouthfeel are solid but relatively unnoteworthy. But a tasty offering overall.
Mar 29, 2018
rapayn01 from Kentucky
3.46/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I found this to have a surprisingly bland taste. It was orange to the nose though, which is why I rated the smell above the taste. Not nearly Sierra Nevada's best work.
Mar 29, 2018
3.46/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I found this to have a surprisingly bland taste. It was orange to the nose though, which is why I rated the smell above the taste. Not nearly Sierra Nevada's best work.
Mar 29, 2018
zeff80 from Missouri
3.75/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle. Poured out a bright orange color with a small, white head of foam. It smelled of orange peel with a touch of toasted caramel. Zesty orange flavor with sweet caramel and a sharp bitter bite.
Mar 26, 2018
3.75/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle. Poured out a bright orange color with a small, white head of foam. It smelled of orange peel with a touch of toasted caramel. Zesty orange flavor with sweet caramel and a sharp bitter bite.
Mar 26, 2018
TerryMills from Tennessee
3.29/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
More orange smell than taste , pretty much just get the orange peel bitterness on the flavor..
Very smooth and drinkable ..
Probably wouldnt buy again but it is a solid apa. Worth a try.
Mar 21, 2018
3.29/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
More orange smell than taste , pretty much just get the orange peel bitterness on the flavor..
Very smooth and drinkable ..
Probably wouldnt buy again but it is a solid apa. Worth a try.
Mar 21, 2018
Vandelay1863 from Florida
3.5/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Look: Hazy amber color with sediments suspended in the body.
Smell: citrusy, hop aroma- inconspicuous
Taste: surprisingly not very citrusy considering the smell and the labeling. Fairly anodyne taste- malty and dry
Feel: medium-bodied with little lingering aftertaste
Overall: drinkable, but not memorable
Mar 19, 2018
3.5/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Look: Hazy amber color with sediments suspended in the body.
Smell: citrusy, hop aroma- inconspicuous
Taste: surprisingly not very citrusy considering the smell and the labeling. Fairly anodyne taste- malty and dry
Feel: medium-bodied with little lingering aftertaste
Overall: drinkable, but not memorable
Mar 19, 2018
Spike from England
2.77/5 rDev -25.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
355ml bottle.
L: Dark orange colour, lots of suspended yeast, thin smear of head.
S: Faint hops.
T: Dirty citrus, bitter orange peel, more orange pith than orange zest. Dry finish.
F: Light carbonation, slightly watery.
O: Lacked the citrus oils I was expecting. Very dry, slightly medicinal tasting. Did not finish. Poor.
Mar 17, 2018
2.77/5 rDev -25.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
355ml bottle.
L: Dark orange colour, lots of suspended yeast, thin smear of head.
S: Faint hops.
T: Dirty citrus, bitter orange peel, more orange pith than orange zest. Dry finish.
F: Light carbonation, slightly watery.
O: Lacked the citrus oils I was expecting. Very dry, slightly medicinal tasting. Did not finish. Poor.
Mar 17, 2018
Fading2black from Michigan
3/5 rDev -19.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
What was notable to me about this beer was a complete lack of orange flavor. It smelled very mildly of orange, but I detected none in the taste. The taste was OK but very simple, and nothing noteworthy to write about. It finishes slightly bitter and then disappears with no aftertaste. Overall, Meh. No reason for me to buy this beer again.
Mar 03, 2018
3/5 rDev -19.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
What was notable to me about this beer was a complete lack of orange flavor. It smelled very mildly of orange, but I detected none in the taste. The taste was OK but very simple, and nothing noteworthy to write about. It finishes slightly bitter and then disappears with no aftertaste. Overall, Meh. No reason for me to buy this beer again.
Mar 03, 2018
TBDave from Florida
4.18/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This is a perfect beer to be drinking on a hot summer day in South Florida. It has a nice orange citrusy flavor and it goes down really mellow. I’ll buy it again.
Feb 20, 2018
4.18/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This is a perfect beer to be drinking on a hot summer day in South Florida. It has a nice orange citrusy flavor and it goes down really mellow. I’ll buy it again.
Feb 20, 2018
tone77 from Pennsylvania
3.41/5 rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a bronze color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is very mild, light oranges, not much else. Taste is oranges, zesty, some malts, mild bitterness, easy drinking. Feels medium bodied and overall this is a pretty good beer.
Feb 20, 2018
3.41/5 rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a bronze color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is very mild, light oranges, not much else. Taste is oranges, zesty, some malts, mild bitterness, easy drinking. Feels medium bodied and overall this is a pretty good beer.
Feb 20, 2018
FLima from Brazil
3.62/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Amber color with a thick two finger head with good retention.
Mild aroma with notes of orange peel, cream and a bit of pine.
Flavor with notes of orange and grapefruit citrusy, pine, a bit of mango, tea leaves, lychees and mandarin. Dry and bitter aftertaste, though rather friendly.
Light bordering medium body with appropriate carbonation.
Pleasant APA with citrusy notes and some extra green and tropical flavors that matched well the overall recipe. Good hop profile; orange was not too prominent, therefore maintaining APA characteristics.
Jan 30, 2018
3.62/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Amber color with a thick two finger head with good retention.
Mild aroma with notes of orange peel, cream and a bit of pine.
Flavor with notes of orange and grapefruit citrusy, pine, a bit of mango, tea leaves, lychees and mandarin. Dry and bitter aftertaste, though rather friendly.
Light bordering medium body with appropriate carbonation.
Pleasant APA with citrusy notes and some extra green and tropical flavors that matched well the overall recipe. Good hop profile; orange was not too prominent, therefore maintaining APA characteristics.
Jan 30, 2018
elNopalero from California
3.46/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Pours like a SNPA, with maybe a little more foam. The aroma is surprisingly muted, without an expected citrusy hop character. Taste has a prominent orange character, with peel and pith. Chalky aftertaste sticks the landing with a somewhat medicinal finish.
Jan 29, 2018
3.46/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Pours like a SNPA, with maybe a little more foam. The aroma is surprisingly muted, without an expected citrusy hop character. Taste has a prominent orange character, with peel and pith. Chalky aftertaste sticks the landing with a somewhat medicinal finish.
Jan 29, 2018
dkoehler42 from New York
3.3/5 rDev -11.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
This beer pours a hazy orange color I expected indicative of a wheat beer, with a basic white head. The taste is of the orange flavor with appropriate hop bitterness. The mouthfeel is pleasant. This is an okay beer, I'd try it again.
Jan 13, 2018
3.3/5 rDev -11.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
This beer pours a hazy orange color I expected indicative of a wheat beer, with a basic white head. The taste is of the orange flavor with appropriate hop bitterness. The mouthfeel is pleasant. This is an okay beer, I'd try it again.
Jan 13, 2018
Ciocanelu from Romania
3.65/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Clear golden orange color with off-white head. Aroma has grainy malt and some fruity citrus notes. Taste starts with orange soda flavor, continues with bitter orange rind and finishes with a medium resiny hop bitterness. Medium body and carbonation. A really decent citrusy pale ale.
Jan 07, 2018
3.65/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Clear golden orange color with off-white head. Aroma has grainy malt and some fruity citrus notes. Taste starts with orange soda flavor, continues with bitter orange rind and finishes with a medium resiny hop bitterness. Medium body and carbonation. A really decent citrusy pale ale.
Jan 07, 2018
Davedrinkinbeer from Indiana
3.89/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Beer mostly smells like hops, but not strong. Taste is a perfect blend of orange peel and citrus hops-- each blending together perfectly and finishing clean. Slight bitter aftertaste but light feel overall with average carbonation. Overall beer is refreshing.
Dec 27, 2017
3.89/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Beer mostly smells like hops, but not strong. Taste is a perfect blend of orange peel and citrus hops-- each blending together perfectly and finishing clean. Slight bitter aftertaste but light feel overall with average carbonation. Overall beer is refreshing.
Dec 27, 2017
mintzmeet from Washington
3.07/5 rDev -17.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Not bad! Bubbly. Nice orange zestiness. Bold hops. Alcoholic aftertaste. Don't know why, but it tastes bucolic. Surprisingly frothy. Out the bottle. Good w grilled cheese.
Nov 20, 2017
3.07/5 rDev -17.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Not bad! Bubbly. Nice orange zestiness. Bold hops. Alcoholic aftertaste. Don't know why, but it tastes bucolic. Surprisingly frothy. Out the bottle. Good w grilled cheese.
Nov 20, 2017
billybob from Massachusetts
3.57/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
pours amber in color no head to speak of and a wispy light lace. smells of orange and citrus. taste was ok could have used a little more carbonation light mouthfeel and no after taste. only had the one beer to try so have not made up my mind yet.
Nov 18, 2017
3.57/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
pours amber in color no head to speak of and a wispy light lace. smells of orange and citrus. taste was ok could have used a little more carbonation light mouthfeel and no after taste. only had the one beer to try so have not made up my mind yet.
Nov 18, 2017
monkist from Hungary
5/5 rDev +34.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Sierra Nevada is solid gold, no matter what they make. This time they put (candied?) orange (peels?) into the wort, a bit more caramel malts and it all goes extremely well with your West Coast style Californian PA.
This is what they had to say about it:
"Adding tangy orange to the classic style we pioneered didn't come naturally to us. Our brewers argued over the perfect blend of bold hops and orange peel to create the best flavor and crisp, citrus bite. The result is a hop-forward beer that can stand alongside Pale Ale as a craft beer classic" and you can mark their word.
An instant classic!
Nov 11, 2017
5/5 rDev +34.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Sierra Nevada is solid gold, no matter what they make. This time they put (candied?) orange (peels?) into the wort, a bit more caramel malts and it all goes extremely well with your West Coast style Californian PA.
This is what they had to say about it:
"Adding tangy orange to the classic style we pioneered didn't come naturally to us. Our brewers argued over the perfect blend of bold hops and orange peel to create the best flavor and crisp, citrus bite. The result is a hop-forward beer that can stand alongside Pale Ale as a craft beer classic" and you can mark their word.
An instant classic!
Nov 11, 2017
Sidecar Orange Pale Ale from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
84 out of
100 with
765 ratings
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