Sidecar Orange IPA
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
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- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- IPA - American
Ranked #3,505 - ABV:
- 6.8%
- Score:
- 84
Ranked #23,991 - Avg:
- 3.7 | pDev: 9.46%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 28, 2022
- Added:
- Mar 20, 2018
- Wants:
- 5
- Gots:
- 50
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.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.04 by Beecham from California on Mar 28, 2022
3.29 by TMoney2591 from Illinois on Nov 29, 2021
3.19/5 rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by joaopmgoncalves from Portugal
Poured into a stemless glass.
A: Body is crystanille yellow showing a minimal white head that presents little to know retention.
S: Aroma is very powerful in tangerine, grapefruit, orange.
T: Taste starts with a very powerful tangerine like (I know the label states orange peel but it does taste a lot more like tangerine), moving on to a somewhat empty flavor only that only beats for a small note of hop.
M: Body is medium. Carbonation is medium to low. Alcohol is unnoticeable. Bitterness is medium.
O: Though it doesn't taste bad, I'd see this as a sub-par beer.
Jan 08, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by joaopmgoncalves from Portugal
Poured into a stemless glass.
A: Body is crystanille yellow showing a minimal white head that presents little to know retention.
S: Aroma is very powerful in tangerine, grapefruit, orange.
T: Taste starts with a very powerful tangerine like (I know the label states orange peel but it does taste a lot more like tangerine), moving on to a somewhat empty flavor only that only beats for a small note of hop.
M: Body is medium. Carbonation is medium to low. Alcohol is unnoticeable. Bitterness is medium.
O: Though it doesn't taste bad, I'd see this as a sub-par beer.
Jan 08, 2021
3 by 1971bernat from Virginia on Sep 09, 2020
3.64 by jaxon53 from Connecticut on Aug 15, 2020
3.83/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Maltyhead from Massachusetts
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.
Dec 18, 2019
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Maltyhead from Massachusetts
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.
Dec 18, 2019
4 by NightINgale from Russian Federation on Dec 08, 2019
3.47/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by KTCamm from New Jersey
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.
Nov 28, 2019
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by KTCamm from New Jersey
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.
Nov 28, 2019
4.25 by -Andrew- from Michigan on Nov 24, 2019
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Peach63 from New York
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.
Nov 05, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Peach63 from New York
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.
Nov 05, 2019
3.75 by jak from North Carolina on Nov 02, 2019
4 by woodchip from North Carolina on Oct 20, 2019
3.58/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by barnzy78 from Illinois
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.
Sep 12, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by barnzy78 from Illinois
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.
Sep 12, 2019
3.72 by Dentist666 from Russian Federation on Sep 12, 2019
4.53 by igl from Russian Federation on Sep 11, 2019
3.94 by Walnut from Missouri on Sep 04, 2019
3.25 by BdM from Netherlands on Aug 29, 2019
3 by boszormeny from Canada (ON) on Aug 27, 2019
4.03 by Jcarriglio from Florida on Aug 26, 2019
3.61 by Connybumbum from Colorado on Aug 03, 2019
3.75 by bryanzk from Canada (ON) on Jul 31, 2019
3.74 by moundbz from North Dakota on Jul 25, 2019
3.93/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by sjrider from California
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.
Jul 22, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by sjrider from California
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.
Jul 22, 2019
3.12 by Mcb99d from Massachusetts on Jul 20, 2019
2.82/5 rDev -23.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
by nick_perry from North Carolina
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.
Jul 18, 2019
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
by nick_perry from North Carolina
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.
Jul 18, 2019
3.83/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by HardCider from Pennsylvania
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!
Jul 05, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by HardCider from Pennsylvania
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!
Jul 05, 2019
3.64/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by Mindcrime1000 from South Dakota
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.
Jun 30, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by Mindcrime1000 from South Dakota
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.
Jun 30, 2019
3.59 by T66tah from Pennsylvania on Jun 28, 2019
3.89/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by smcolw from Massachusetts
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.
Jun 28, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by smcolw from Massachusetts
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.
Jun 28, 2019
3.73/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
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.
Jun 28, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
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.
Jun 28, 2019
3.84/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by VoxRationis from New York
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.
Jun 25, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by VoxRationis from New York
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.
Jun 25, 2019
3.54 by bpkrippner from Missouri on Jun 20, 2019
4.19/5 rDev +13.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by rex_4539 from Greece
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.
Jun 17, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by rex_4539 from Greece
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.
Jun 17, 2019
3.47 by brentblackwell from Georgia on Jun 16, 2019
2.68/5 rDev -27.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
by Beer_Right_Back from Arizona
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.
Jun 15, 2019
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
by Beer_Right_Back from Arizona
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.
Jun 15, 2019
3.72 by TXRobbo from Texas on Jun 15, 2019
2.21/5 rDev -40.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
by Red5StandingBy from Maryland
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.
Jun 09, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
by Red5StandingBy from Maryland
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.
Jun 09, 2019
3.78 by bump8628 from Oklahoma on Jun 07, 2019
3.93 by rangerred from Tennessee on Jun 04, 2019
3.25 by C_Adams from Ohio on Jun 03, 2019
Sidecar Orange IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
84 out of
100 with
234 ratings