Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Pale AlePale Ale
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From:
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American Pale Ale
Ranked #205
ABV:
5.6%
Score:
90
Ranked #9,071
Avg:
4.03 | pDev: 11.66%
Reviews:
3,289
Ratings:
12,279
Status:
Active
Rated:
Wednesday at 08:36 AM
Added:
Jul 05, 2001
Wants:
  377
Gots:
  3,615
Our most popular beer, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a delightful interpretation of a classic style. It has a deep amber color and an exceptionally full-bodied, complex character. Generous quantities of premium Cascade hops give the Pale Ale its fragrant bouquet and spicy flavor.

38 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by magikbaker:
Photo of magikbaker
Reviewed by magikbaker from Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Here goes my first beer review ever. I am more nervous than expected. Please send me messages and let me know how I did, Thanks:

Bottle poured into a pint glass

A: Golden base with an orangish tint, slightly cloudy. Poured with a white head that formed to about a half-inch on the initial pour and quickly dissipated to a thin halo. There appears to be a few bubbles streams now and again. Overall a decent looking beer. Nothing too exciting.

S: Initial smell revealed a strong scent of hops with a moderate sweet scent. This beer is fairly aromatic. Hops are on the side of bitter and giving off a purely herbel scent. The beer has a good balance in my preference with bitterness overpowering the sweets, but also keeping a balance in check. There is little to no lacing which surprises me considering the hoppy smell. I am very excited to try this beer.

T: Just as suspected the bitterness slightly over powers the malt creating an incredible sensation. Almost a perfect balance in my opinion. I am a beginner brewer and am having trouble putting my finger on the tastes. It comes off as being a very simple taste with maybe a very very small fruity taste. Their is also evidence of yeast from taste and appearance. This beer is exactly what I imagine when I think of an American Pale Ale. Only complaint on taste is that it could definitely be bolder/stronger.

M: The beer is moderately carbonated and is of a medium build but nothing extreme. The fruity flavor only lasts for a split second and the rest of the flavor to a point. There is a excellent flavor that looms well after swallowing. It is def not strong enough to not make me want to get my mouth back on the glass.

D: I loved this beer and I cant believe I only have one. I am drinking it at a fairly warm temperate of 55 and it is going down way to fast. Still maybe a little too light. This beer would still be incredible to drink for taste as well as quenching my thirst after a strenuous activity. Like I said before this beer could be stronger. I feel as though I could drink it in 3 sips and not be satisfied after just one. That being said I wish I could drink 3 more right now. I love this beer!
Jan 08, 2009
More User Ratings:
Photo of TooManyGlasses
Reviewed by TooManyGlasses from Canada (AB)

4.37/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Years since I had one - never rated….
Pours a clear deep copper to amber colour with three fingers of tawny off white head.
Aroma malty with caramel, a touch of bread but with distinct piney and spicy hop notes, citrus, like its cousin Celebration quite floral on the nose.
Taste follows with the caramel malt sweetness giving way to a piney and citrus hop punch - moderate bitterness with some grapefruit peel.
Smooth medium mouthfeel with moderate carbonation and a crisp slightly dry finish.
Is it Celebration? No but this is very nice.
Wednesday at 01:35 AM
Photo of ChrisMoo
Rated by ChrisMoo

4.5/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
The OG! Very impressive to the taste and smell. Please Sierra Nevada keep it going forever..
Sunday at 11:19 PM
 
Rated: 4 by shadowslink7 from Illinois

Feb 17, 2024
Photo of mooseheadchris
Rated by mooseheadchris

4.55/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Perfectly hopped, bright, and endlessly drinkable. A gold standard.
Feb 15, 2024
 
Rated: 4.13 by Aitor from Spain

Feb 11, 2024
 
Rated: 4.25 by MEnoMoney

Feb 10, 2024
 
Rated: 4.4 by waudozer from Canada (BC)

Feb 01, 2024
 
Rated: 4.15 by gongfu from Connecticut

Jan 31, 2024
 
Rated: 2.3 by notaveragejoe from Georgia

Jan 20, 2024
 
Rated: 3.5 by Dethark from England

Jan 16, 2024
 
Rated: 4.58 by SpencerCaubarreaux from Louisiana

Jan 11, 2024
 
Rated: 4.63 by SeanP99 from North Carolina

Jan 11, 2024
Photo of LanceBiggums
Reviewed by LanceBiggums from Canada (AB)

4.47/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Light amber or dark honey colour. Huge aroma, with bready and caramel malt, rather English in character, and piney, earthy, and spicy hops. The taste follows exactly, with some extra citrus elements. There is a good amount of bitterness from the American hops, but it's well balanced by a stiff-upper-lip English style malty backbone. Goes down a treat as well, perfect amount of carbonation, solidly medium mouthfeel. Overall an excellent beer, the best American ale I've ever had, and well deserving of its reputation.
Dec 21, 2023
Photo of Pomcq
Reviewed by Pomcq

4.86/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
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!
Dec 03, 2023
 
Rated: 4.99 by KeithGreatNorth from Canada (BC)

Dec 03, 2023
 
Rated: 4.36 by Cole3515 from Tennessee

Nov 29, 2023
Pale Ale from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 12279 ratings