Sidecar Orange IPA
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- American IPA
Ranked #5,824 - ABV:
- 6.8%
- Score:
- 84
Ranked #33,466 - Avg:
- 3.73 | pDev: 9.38%
- Reviews:
- 83
- Ratings:
- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 4
- Gots
- 53
SCORE
84
Good
84
Good
Notes:
We pushed the complex and citrus-heavy flavors of hops to a new level with this orange-infused IPA. Combining bright and bold hops with real orange in the fermenter creates layers of citrus-crazy flavors, yet it maintains a balance and a crisp hop bite that make it the perfect aromatic IPA.
Reviews: 83
| Ratings: 229
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3.83/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle from variety pack. It poured a 1/2” head, light honey but slightly cloudy color and surprisingly little aroma since it’s marketed as an orange IPA. It tasted very smooth, well crafted and I barely noticed a citrus flavor (which I prefer). The only con was that alcohol was one of the predominant flavors. Overall a very good beer.
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look: 2.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle from variety pack. It poured a 1/2” head, light honey but slightly cloudy color and surprisingly little aroma since it’s marketed as an orange IPA. It tasted very smooth, well crafted and I barely noticed a citrus flavor (which I prefer). The only con was that alcohol was one of the predominant flavors. Overall a very good beer.
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3.47/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
11/16/19...pours bright gold with very light foam sitting on top. Nose of orange peel. Very faint citrus. Fruity flavor hints of rind. Buzzy carbonation. Strong rind bitter to close. all orange.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
11/16/19...pours bright gold with very light foam sitting on top. Nose of orange peel. Very faint citrus. Fruity flavor hints of rind. Buzzy carbonation. Strong rind bitter to close. all orange.
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4/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours golden yellow to light orange, with 1/2 inch cream colored head. Light lacing.
Strong aroma of orange, orange zest, grapefruit.
Taste follows nose: Strong orange zest, grapefruit. Nice bitterness, which appears to come mostly from citrus zest.
Medium bodied, semi-dry mouthfeel. Bitter aftertaste.
This is a very good beer. Orange juice for grown ups.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours golden yellow to light orange, with 1/2 inch cream colored head. Light lacing.
Strong aroma of orange, orange zest, grapefruit.
Taste follows nose: Strong orange zest, grapefruit. Nice bitterness, which appears to come mostly from citrus zest.
Medium bodied, semi-dry mouthfeel. Bitter aftertaste.
This is a very good beer. Orange juice for grown ups.
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3.58/5 rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle, PKG 06/13/19. Thanks to Ken for giving me a bottle to try! I had the Sidecar Orange Pale Ale a few years back, but didn't realize they changed the recipe into an IPA. Orange-copper colored ale with a foamy beige head that eventually dissipates to a thin layer of foam. Orange pith and zest, caramel, grain, and pine for aroma. Pungently bitter on the palate with bold notes of pine and orange zest, along with grapefruit, caramel malt, bread crust, and some earthy & spicy hops. Full body, very resinous with bitter hop oils building on the palate; moderate carbonation, and a punishing bitter finish. Orange has never been a favorite of mine in beer, and even though this is done well, I wouldn't get it again.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle, PKG 06/13/19. Thanks to Ken for giving me a bottle to try! I had the Sidecar Orange Pale Ale a few years back, but didn't realize they changed the recipe into an IPA. Orange-copper colored ale with a foamy beige head that eventually dissipates to a thin layer of foam. Orange pith and zest, caramel, grain, and pine for aroma. Pungently bitter on the palate with bold notes of pine and orange zest, along with grapefruit, caramel malt, bread crust, and some earthy & spicy hops. Full body, very resinous with bitter hop oils building on the palate; moderate carbonation, and a punishing bitter finish. Orange has never been a favorite of mine in beer, and even though this is done well, I wouldn't get it again.
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3.93/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a bottle, mostly clear orange/gold with quickly dissipating white head leaving a bit of frosty lacing. Nose is very mild sweet citrus/orange with hints of resin and malt. Taste follows with more mild orange and some earthy hoppiness. Finish has an almost oily citric feel that ends a bit dry.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a bottle, mostly clear orange/gold with quickly dissipating white head leaving a bit of frosty lacing. Nose is very mild sweet citrus/orange with hints of resin and malt. Taste follows with more mild orange and some earthy hoppiness. Finish has an almost oily citric feel that ends a bit dry.
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2.82/5 rDev -24.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
Orange flavor is there, but isn’t very strong. The problem with this beer is IPAs are often citrusy on their own, especially since this one uses Cascade and Mandarina hops. I wouldn’t know they added orange peel to this one at all. Not awful, but it certainly doesn’t stand out.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
Orange flavor is there, but isn’t very strong. The problem with this beer is IPAs are often citrusy on their own, especially since this one uses Cascade and Mandarina hops. I wouldn’t know they added orange peel to this one at all. Not awful, but it certainly doesn’t stand out.
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3.83/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Clear amber colored with a moderate head that dissipated rather slowly. Moderate lacing. Very pleasant sweet, citrus-fruit aroma. The taste is slightly peppery. I do detect orange favor and a nice level of bitterness. Also, somewhat dry. A smooth and creamy feel. A very crushable beer in spite of it's 6.8 ABV!
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Clear amber colored with a moderate head that dissipated rather slowly. Moderate lacing. Very pleasant sweet, citrus-fruit aroma. The taste is slightly peppery. I do detect orange favor and a nice level of bitterness. Also, somewhat dry. A smooth and creamy feel. A very crushable beer in spite of it's 6.8 ABV!
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3.64/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours a hazy apricot/amber/gold with limited head but decent lacing.
Solid citrus aroma, mostly orange peel and pith. Rather subdued and not much else for aromas.
The brew hits the palate with lots of sweet malt and orange/citrus flavor on the tip of the tongue, It crosses the mid-palate with tangerine, ruby red grapefruit, crackery/spicy yeast, and yes, some orange flesh. The quaff closes with more citrus but some good grassy earthy hops (finally).
The brew has a nice medium feel, and is well carbonated.
Overall, a decent albeit one-note song of an IPA.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours a hazy apricot/amber/gold with limited head but decent lacing.
Solid citrus aroma, mostly orange peel and pith. Rather subdued and not much else for aromas.
The brew hits the palate with lots of sweet malt and orange/citrus flavor on the tip of the tongue, It crosses the mid-palate with tangerine, ruby red grapefruit, crackery/spicy yeast, and yes, some orange flesh. The quaff closes with more citrus but some good grassy earthy hops (finally).
The brew has a nice medium feel, and is well carbonated.
Overall, a decent albeit one-note song of an IPA.
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3.89/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Clear, amber color. Small, but lasting, head. A good start to the lace but it diminishes to spots toward the end of the tasting.
Initially, I get traditional pale ale aroma but soon there’s an interesting smell that reminds me of a creamsicle.
The orange presence is more up front on the taste. The hop cuts into this semisweet start. The lower carbonation makes the beer come across watery. Interesting balance. The finish may be a bit too sweet for me, but I do enjoy how flavorful the overall effect is.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Clear, amber color. Small, but lasting, head. A good start to the lace but it diminishes to spots toward the end of the tasting.
Initially, I get traditional pale ale aroma but soon there’s an interesting smell that reminds me of a creamsicle.
The orange presence is more up front on the taste. The hop cuts into this semisweet start. The lower carbonation makes the beer come across watery. Interesting balance. The finish may be a bit too sweet for me, but I do enjoy how flavorful the overall effect is.
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3.73/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle
clear, light golden color, white head. citrusy aroma, obviously mostly orange. but some grassy and piney undertones in there too. taste leans fruity too, but maybe not as strong as I expected, in a good way. well balanced, not overpowering. thinner bodied, easy drinking on a hot day.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle
clear, light golden color, white head. citrusy aroma, obviously mostly orange. but some grassy and piney undertones in there too. taste leans fruity too, but maybe not as strong as I expected, in a good way. well balanced, not overpowering. thinner bodied, easy drinking on a hot day.
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3.84/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Decanted from a 12 oz (355 ml) bottle into a Sam Adams custom taster pint; bottle 03/14/19.
A: Pours a slightly hazy golden orange color with a one finger, white head, no more than rim retention and very spotty lacing.
S: Aromas of citrus, especially orange, toast, and berry.
T: Semisweet to semidry. Malt very light but evident with orange predominating. I know they state this as made with "orange peel," but really tastes a touch artificial (which is clearly not a mutual exclusive from that representation). Almost a orange Pixie Stix flavor. Light bitterness (for an IPA), which has a nice, but not overwhelming bite.
M: Light bodied with light to moderate carbonation. Very light, easy drinking
O: I really drinkable and enjoyable, but actually not overwhelmingly hoppy, IPA. Enjoyed this variation on the style.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Decanted from a 12 oz (355 ml) bottle into a Sam Adams custom taster pint; bottle 03/14/19.
A: Pours a slightly hazy golden orange color with a one finger, white head, no more than rim retention and very spotty lacing.
S: Aromas of citrus, especially orange, toast, and berry.
T: Semisweet to semidry. Malt very light but evident with orange predominating. I know they state this as made with "orange peel," but really tastes a touch artificial (which is clearly not a mutual exclusive from that representation). Almost a orange Pixie Stix flavor. Light bitterness (for an IPA), which has a nice, but not overwhelming bite.
M: Light bodied with light to moderate carbonation. Very light, easy drinking
O: I really drinkable and enjoyable, but actually not overwhelmingly hoppy, IPA. Enjoyed this variation on the style.
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4.19/5 rDev +12.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Slightly hazy amber color, one finger white head, spectacular lacing, light carbonation.
S: Orange peel, hops, malts.
T: Orange peel, hops, malts. Very nice!
F: Light bodied, extremely drinkable and refreshing on this hot and humid summer day!
O: Superb easy drinking, yet delicious IPA.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Slightly hazy amber color, one finger white head, spectacular lacing, light carbonation.
S: Orange peel, hops, malts.
T: Orange peel, hops, malts. Very nice!
F: Light bodied, extremely drinkable and refreshing on this hot and humid summer day!
O: Superb easy drinking, yet delicious IPA.
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2.68/5 rDev -28.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Just the vaguest hint of orange peel is found in this beer, and the remaining IPA flavors don't really stack up to even its counterparts at Sierra Nevada. A meeker offering from them for sure.
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look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Just the vaguest hint of orange peel is found in this beer, and the remaining IPA flavors don't really stack up to even its counterparts at Sierra Nevada. A meeker offering from them for sure.
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2.21/5 rDev -40.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Poured from 12oz bottle into Standard Pint Glass.
L: Pale Orange, two finger white head has good retention.
S: Soapy orange aroma.
T: Soapy orange flavor.
F: Light, not crisp, lingering soapy flavors.
O: Gross.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Poured from 12oz bottle into Standard Pint Glass.
L: Pale Orange, two finger white head has good retention.
S: Soapy orange aroma.
T: Soapy orange flavor.
F: Light, not crisp, lingering soapy flavors.
O: Gross.
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3.85/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a mostly clear golden color with a half inch white head that had decent retention but left little lacing, some floaties. Smells of orange, herbal notes and a hint of malt. Tastes of orange, orange peel, herbal notes, pine, light malts. Medium bodied and carbonated, medium bitterness, slightly dry finish.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a mostly clear golden color with a half inch white head that had decent retention but left little lacing, some floaties. Smells of orange, herbal notes and a hint of malt. Tastes of orange, orange peel, herbal notes, pine, light malts. Medium bodied and carbonated, medium bitterness, slightly dry finish.
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4.48/5 rDev +20.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Looks like an IPA. Clear burnished gold, nice white head, retention is lacking, but lace is not
Smells very much of orange, along with a bit of an herbal quality
Very orange-y, a bit herbal, a touch of light caramel. Pretty much reminds me of a sidecar
Spot on for an IPA
Of all the cocktail-inspired beers I've had, this is the best so far.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Looks like an IPA. Clear burnished gold, nice white head, retention is lacking, but lace is not
Smells very much of orange, along with a bit of an herbal quality
Very orange-y, a bit herbal, a touch of light caramel. Pretty much reminds me of a sidecar
Spot on for an IPA
Of all the cocktail-inspired beers I've had, this is the best so far.
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3.96/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
From a twelve ounce brown bottle, this brew is a golden-orange color with plenty of hazy and floaties. Thin white head. The aroma is fruity, with a bit of orange peel and hops. The taste, though, is where the fruit jumps forward with this beer. It is intense, bitter, balanced, and fun. Lots of orange peel notes. Well made and enjoyable.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
From a twelve ounce brown bottle, this brew is a golden-orange color with plenty of hazy and floaties. Thin white head. The aroma is fruity, with a bit of orange peel and hops. The taste, though, is where the fruit jumps forward with this beer. It is intense, bitter, balanced, and fun. Lots of orange peel notes. Well made and enjoyable.
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3.93/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I think it's better than the scores on here indicate. A nice, not too light IPA with a tinge of orange. At 6.8% ABV it's a step up from the rest in the 12 pack sampler, but never harsh.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I think it's better than the scores on here indicate. A nice, not too light IPA with a tinge of orange. At 6.8% ABV it's a step up from the rest in the 12 pack sampler, but never harsh.
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4/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Very tasty beer. It came in a sampler pack of Sierra Nevadas but given the opportunity I would definitely buy a pack of them individually. Very enjoyable beer.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Very tasty beer. It came in a sampler pack of Sierra Nevadas but given the opportunity I would definitely buy a pack of them individually. Very enjoyable beer.
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3.9/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a clear, deep golden amber coloration with a medium, foamy head. Smells of biscuity malt, citrus notes and pine needles. Taste follows the nose, with a very nice balance of biscuity, caramel malt citrus notes of orange and grapefruit and pine, as well as some herbal undertones. Finishes with a medium/strong bitterness and some citrus and pine lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.
This is perhaps a little too sweet and oily, but makes up for it with a rather resinous character and a good, herbal bitterness.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a clear, deep golden amber coloration with a medium, foamy head. Smells of biscuity malt, citrus notes and pine needles. Taste follows the nose, with a very nice balance of biscuity, caramel malt citrus notes of orange and grapefruit and pine, as well as some herbal undertones. Finishes with a medium/strong bitterness and some citrus and pine lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.
This is perhaps a little too sweet and oily, but makes up for it with a rather resinous character and a good, herbal bitterness.
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3.75/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Part of a variety 12-pack $13.88 Safeway
Smell of oranges
Golden amber tinged color
Medium mouthfeel
Medium carbonation
Sweet orange flavors with a slight bitter aftertaste
Overall a nice IPA. Would buy again.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Part of a variety 12-pack $13.88 Safeway
Smell of oranges
Golden amber tinged color
Medium mouthfeel
Medium carbonation
Sweet orange flavors with a slight bitter aftertaste
Overall a nice IPA. Would buy again.
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3.78/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
L: Hazy light orange, thin white head dissipates quickly
S: Orange citrus zest predominant
T: Less citrus than I was expecting, based on the smell. Starts sweet and then hop bitterness takes over, ending dry
F: Medium to light. Good carbonation
O: A decent summer beer, crisp and refreshing
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
L: Hazy light orange, thin white head dissipates quickly
S: Orange citrus zest predominant
T: Less citrus than I was expecting, based on the smell. Starts sweet and then hop bitterness takes over, ending dry
F: Medium to light. Good carbonation
O: A decent summer beer, crisp and refreshing
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3.63/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
I love Sierra Nevada. It was the first non macro beer I tried and SNPA has been my all round favorite for nostalgia, taste, and availability since. It’s not the best beer I’ve had but it’s just all around solid. Sidecar, however, is a bit of a disappointment for me. It smells like the time I spilled wort, and the taste is oily and muddled, but with a decent hop flavor trying to push its way to the front of your palate. It’s not terrible and I’ll drink it as a part of a sampler, but I wouldn’t buy a sixer of it.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
I love Sierra Nevada. It was the first non macro beer I tried and SNPA has been my all round favorite for nostalgia, taste, and availability since. It’s not the best beer I’ve had but it’s just all around solid. Sidecar, however, is a bit of a disappointment for me. It smells like the time I spilled wort, and the taste is oily and muddled, but with a decent hop flavor trying to push its way to the front of your palate. It’s not terrible and I’ll drink it as a part of a sampler, but I wouldn’t buy a sixer of it.
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3.75/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Basically just the Side Orange Pale Ale but with higher abv.
Transparent, just slightly hazy orange-copper color with a small white head. Spots of lacing.
Smells of orange zest, orange oils, grapefruit and pine hops; honey and toast.
Tastes oily and pulpy; lots of orange zest and peel; pink grapefruit, black tea, and pine needle; honey and toast. Lightly sweet, a little bit of bitterness on the finish, fairly clean and crisp.
Medium-ish mouthfeel, maybe leans a bit light, well carbonated, smooth and crisp; slightly sticky from orange and hop oils.
A decent orange/citrus IPA. A solid beer.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Basically just the Side Orange Pale Ale but with higher abv.
Transparent, just slightly hazy orange-copper color with a small white head. Spots of lacing.
Smells of orange zest, orange oils, grapefruit and pine hops; honey and toast.
Tastes oily and pulpy; lots of orange zest and peel; pink grapefruit, black tea, and pine needle; honey and toast. Lightly sweet, a little bit of bitterness on the finish, fairly clean and crisp.
Medium-ish mouthfeel, maybe leans a bit light, well carbonated, smooth and crisp; slightly sticky from orange and hop oils.
A decent orange/citrus IPA. A solid beer.
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3.77/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Look cooper with a light haze
Smell: very citrusy, orange
Taste: citrus is certainly main flavor with a subtle Martinez’s
Feel: medium body, dry finish
Not a bad citrus forward IPA
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Look cooper with a light haze
Smell: very citrusy, orange
Taste: citrus is certainly main flavor with a subtle Martinez’s
Feel: medium body, dry finish
Not a bad citrus forward IPA
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Sidecar Orange IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
84 out of
100 with
229 ratings
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