Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Deserves a higher rating here—never came across a beer produced on as widely a scale, as available, as consistently delicious and as drinkable as this. It’s the go to!

 

 

 

12oz bottle purchased from the fridge as a single for $2.49. PKGD 09/12/23, so this beer is just over two months old.

Look: It has a very nice copper color. Essentially clear but there is a slight haze. There is a steady stream of tiny bubbles rising up the glass. There was a frothy, eggshell-colored head of about two fingers that eventually reduced to a thinner layer.

Smell: It has the trademark Cascade hop nose that Sierra Nevada has become known for. Lots of citrus notes, pine, some floral and honey notes, and earthy goodness. It has a bit of caramel malt character also. The nose is also a bit peppery. More specific notes of orange peel, pine tar, and resin. The aromas are so nice, this could be a nice perfume or cologne.

Taste: Ah, so refreshing and so tasty. It is very flavorful and also very easy to drink. The flavors on the palate very much mimic the nose. It's the prototypical West Coast Pale Ale: it's a hop-driven American Pale Ale that also has a substantive malty backbone with nice caramelly, biscuity flavors. It has a very nice orange peel flavor that is not overly bitter or sweet. There's a more subtle grapefruit pith and lemon peel character. The finish is moderately to highly bitter.

Feel: It's light to medium-bodied. Nicely carbonated; it has a slightly soft mouthfeel. It's very drinkable. Super clean and very crisp, especially for an APA.

Overall: This is an excellent beer. I can't believe that it took me so long to review this. I think that part of the problem and my only criticism of this beer is that I find it very hard to obtain fresh. I'm not sure why that is since SN has such good distribution (especially with the NC facility) and this is their flagship beer. I think that what sets this beer apart from most other American Pale Ales is its more bitter, drier finish. I think that it really adds to its refreshing-ness.

 

I will try to be unbiased but been drinking this beer for 35 years. Have to give it the real scrutiny in the taste test. From a can date 05/23/23 so getting up in age but ok. The pour is nice a dense small head off white for sure. It is not a clear beer as such color yellow darker than straw for sure. The nose on this is fruit and sweet it stands out given my recent ratings on beers. The feel is malt and hops at once. It has a bit of a bite at first for sure. The on-tap version is softer going into the mouth and feel. This is creamy and medium body but full compared to some straight up pale ales. It finishes wonderfully creamy, and the glass has nice lace. One can find better beer for a particular situation and occasion but not overall better. Many others offer of this style of American West Coast PA but frankly this is where it starts. You cannot go wrong.

What’s there left to say that hasn’t already been said? THE LEGEND!! One of the greatest beers ever made. Who knows where craft beer would even be today without this beer?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A classic

12 oz can acclimated to 49°F and poured into a nonic pint.

Pours a nice clear copper with a 2.5-3 finger seafoamy, barely off white head, leaving little leaving.

Initial aroma is caramel malt, a little pine, and really nothing else. After agitating I kind of just get a general grainy smell. Smells good, just simple.

Initial taste before swallowing is very sweet, with a cereal grain undertone, and a dry hop presence. After swallowing I get more of all of the previous, with the hops being bitter and dry, and seemingly growing in bitterness as I enter the aftertaste, it's not terribly bitter, but the intensity is high.

Mouthfeel is smooth, and goes down easily. The carbonation fades somewhat quickly but can be conjured for a short duration through agitation, it lends a pleasant creaminess through its small bubbles.

Overall it's solid, just simple. Limited flavor notes, in addition to a smooth mouthfeel, but a relatively strong bitterness make for an ale that's easy but not too fast to drink. Would make for a good beer for when you want to not think, or when you want to think. Want to turn your brain off? Drink something simple. Want to think about something? Drink something that doesn't require much thought.

May buy again, not something I would go out of my way for, though. If it's cheap I'll consider it.