Sidecar Orange Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- American Pale Ale (APA)
Ranked #1,913 - ABV:
- 5.3%
- Score:
- 84
Ranked #36,300 - 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: 763
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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
322 characters
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
322 characters
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.
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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.
283 characters
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.
405 characters
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.
405 characters
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
365 characters
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
365 characters
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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
381 characters
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.
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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.
390 characters
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.
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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.
168 characters
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
189 characters
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
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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
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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.
322 characters
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.
322 characters
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
544 characters
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
283 characters
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.
283 characters
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.
262 characters
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.
262 characters
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.
171 characters
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.
171 characters
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.
246 characters
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.
246 characters
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!
599 characters
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!
599 characters
Sidecar Orange Pale Ale from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
84 out of
100 with
763 ratings
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