Old Chico Crystal Wheat
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Crystal clear body, light gold; dense, lively carbonation; thick, white head, semi-creamy and sculpted, long lasting; spidery sheets of foam and fingers of lacing coat the glass. Light grain scent with a bright sweetness; nice esters, fresh cut pear and apple. Fair flavor; very light cracker; moderate overall hop bitterness. Light, crisp mouthfeel; mainly dry overall.

Nice, easy drinking beer that looks great and has decent other aspects.

Pouring temperature: 45 °F; bottling info: 080122 C

12oz can stamped 080122 C 09:32 (presumably 27 days old and brewed in California) poured into a wheat beer glass at fridge temp 4.8% ABV. Purchased at the Mills River gift shop two weeks ago. The beer pours bright, light gold in color with nearly white head. The head recedes to an uneven ring and a splotchy layer of bubbles. Full, web-like lacing is left on the glass. The aroma is mild with only wheat malt to my senses. The taste is semisweet wheat and 2 row malt with floral and grassy hops. Mild to moderate bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, very good beer. Not in the classic German style, if that's what you're looking for.

Bottle poured into a Sierra Nevada Brewing Co pint glass

A: Pours golden yellow amber with a frothy light tan head that settles to a firm layer and laces nicely.

S: Floral, grassy, fruity notes, a little peppery spice, a bit grainy, wheat twang, and just a touch of sweetness.

T: Floral, peppery spice, grassy, a little citrus zest, underlying fruity notes, peach, apricot, and pear, grainy malt, wheat twang, and just a touch of sweetness.

M: Light to medium body, moderate carbonation.

O: It's been a long time since I had my first taste of this one. Wasn't a fan back then, but I've warmed up to it a bit now. Not as ester-y as I was expecting, it's a fair bit crisper and cleaner. Nice beer for a warm spring day.

 

Very clear beer. Huge head with a good frothy head after being poured into a frosted pint glass. Smell was what you’d expect, typical wheat beer smell. Flavor was not bad: crisp, clean, and with a hint of white peppercorn.

 

Light golden with a hint of haze, champagne like carbonation and 2 fingers of off white head.

Smells of lemon juice, bubblegum and coriander.

The taste follows the nose and adds a fruity, floral quality. It ends in a light, dull bitterness.

Light body, lots of carbonation.

Got at Trader Joe's in Redding, drinking at Motel 6 North, Aug 5th, 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours a clean with clarity golden color, 2/3" white head on the top, good retention. Aroma was of wheat, grain, husk, slight lemon to it.

Taste, refreshing, highly carbonated, light mouthfeel of a beer. They stayed off the spice rack thankfully on this one. All those words about being crisp, refreshing, light, carbonated, vibrant seem to play here. The malt is light, the carbonation high. Mild citrus notes. A nice clean wheat beer.

Creamy white head. Clear medium gold with a really nice metallic sheen to it. It looks really nice.

Smell is delicious. Light honey with a moderate yet powerful banana note. There is also some light clove. An overall balanced but favoring the banana.

Taste is great. Banana note with a very light but still noticeable hop bitterness. Light clove.

Feel is also very good. Light body but doesn't lack any of the substance. Tingling carbonation with a refreshing finish.

Overall, fantastic kellerweisse. Worth searching for near the Chico brewery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a resident of the California area this is my favorite Sierra Nevada offering. Privy to only those in the Northern California area, this beer succeeds beautifully at exactly what it wants to be, a crystal wheat beer. Not too heavy, not too light, this beer is pure delight. It will bring a smile to your face after a long day of hard work outside, or a cold night snowed in by the fire. I love this beer, 365 days a year, no overpowering sourness or bitterness - have no fear. Crisp and refreshing, do not make the mistake of over-analyzing this beautiful gift. It is a mighty fine brew!
(If you like Corona with lime, not a big fan of wheat beers, a fan of wheat beers, if you like imperial, try this!!!) It has drinkability. Need more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had this on 2014-06-22 in Reno, NV from a 12 oz.

Tasty, light American Wheat. Very good mouthfeel. No clove or banana. Plenty of grain. Touch of lemon. Refreshing and smooth. Very little bitterness.

 

 

 

A simpler beer for simpler times.

 

 

Unless you are very, very big on pale ales with wheat in them avoid this one.

 

 

 

Very refreshing with a nice mouth feel. Heavy on the wheat.