SideKick Extra Pale Ale | Two Brothers Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Two Brothers Brewing Company
Illinois, United States
twobrothersbrewing.com
Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.10%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by MCain04 on 03-15-2013
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 860 | Reviews: 104
Reviews by ajanesz:
4/5 rDev +3.4%
ajanesz, Jun 13, 2013
More User Reviews:
3.9/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
this is a very light bodied, but tasty session beer. low abv, decent amount of hops, and super easy drinkable make this a great beer to drink when you are trying to get some stuff done while enjoying a beer.
207 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
this is a very light bodied, but tasty session beer. low abv, decent amount of hops, and super easy drinkable make this a great beer to drink when you are trying to get some stuff done while enjoying a beer.
207 characters
3.99/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from tap at the Two Brothers Scottsdale into a standard pint glass. Pale yellow color, active bubbles rising from bottom, low head which quickly dissipates, but leaves some amount of lace around the meniscus.
Aroma is excellent - sweet tangy orange, orange blossom, bright citrus. Something else pleasurable, can't pin it down right now.
Color is pretty pale. Paler than the tastee.. I'd expect it to be a bit more orange given the body and flavor.
Even after 10 minutes, the mouthfeel is solid. Continuous rising bubbles, solid effervescence.
Both front and back end taste is hoppy, but not overpowering.
Nice beer and one which I'd have anytime.
655 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from tap at the Two Brothers Scottsdale into a standard pint glass. Pale yellow color, active bubbles rising from bottom, low head which quickly dissipates, but leaves some amount of lace around the meniscus.
Aroma is excellent - sweet tangy orange, orange blossom, bright citrus. Something else pleasurable, can't pin it down right now.
Color is pretty pale. Paler than the tastee.. I'd expect it to be a bit more orange given the body and flavor.
Even after 10 minutes, the mouthfeel is solid. Continuous rising bubbles, solid effervescence.
Both front and back end taste is hoppy, but not overpowering.
Nice beer and one which I'd have anytime.
655 characters
4.06/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Canned Pale Ale? Hell yes. SideKick pours a deep straw color with some golden tints bellowing throughout. It's kind of showing a partial transparency, although it appears to be pretty damn opaque in the center. It clears up a bit over time. The foamy and soapy, stark white head is quick to recede but leaves some generous lacing in its warpath.
SideKick smells pretty damn good. I guess I didn't know exactly what I was getting myself into, but I don't think I expected a citrus bomb quite like this. Lots of fruits and citrus out of the gate - oranges, grapefruit, and maybe even some light pineapple. Almost tropical-like, competing side-by-side with zesty hops; lightly piney and resinous with a touch of perfume on the tail. The citrus outweighs the raw hop flavors a bit, but who ever said that was a bad thing?
One of my biggest fears for "lighter", sub-6% ABV pale ales or IPAs is that the taste sometimes comes off as a bit "watered down" and not as "full" as the nose would have you believe. It's only slightly the case here, as SideKick tends to feel a bit watery at times, but still comes loaded with substantial flavor for a brew clocking in just over 5% ABV. The fruit flavor definitely hits the palate first, but it comes off as a fairly staunch, citrus pith and peel-like bitterness, keeping my taste buds on their toes at all times.
Lots of bitter and zesty fruits join in - most notably grapefruit and tangerine. Hops attack pretty shortly thereafter, pungent and oily with a bit of spiciness in the form of white pepper and leaves. The malt base in SideKick is pretty heavy and provides a big-time bread flavor that really becomes more noticeable after your palate gets broken in to the hops and citrus. The finish contains an abundance of hop oils, resinous pines, and some fading grapefruit and citrus peels. Pretty light bodied with a crisp, slick, and slightly wet mouth feel.
Wasn't expecting much out of this, ended up really enjoying it. That's how it usually works out, right? I'd compare this closely to Dale's Pale Ale, and if given the choice between the two, I'd definitely give the nod to this one. Easy drinking pale ale with lots of citrus, yet still a powerful amount of bitterness for the hop freaks out there. Too bad this isn't available in my area.
2,291 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Canned Pale Ale? Hell yes. SideKick pours a deep straw color with some golden tints bellowing throughout. It's kind of showing a partial transparency, although it appears to be pretty damn opaque in the center. It clears up a bit over time. The foamy and soapy, stark white head is quick to recede but leaves some generous lacing in its warpath.
SideKick smells pretty damn good. I guess I didn't know exactly what I was getting myself into, but I don't think I expected a citrus bomb quite like this. Lots of fruits and citrus out of the gate - oranges, grapefruit, and maybe even some light pineapple. Almost tropical-like, competing side-by-side with zesty hops; lightly piney and resinous with a touch of perfume on the tail. The citrus outweighs the raw hop flavors a bit, but who ever said that was a bad thing?
One of my biggest fears for "lighter", sub-6% ABV pale ales or IPAs is that the taste sometimes comes off as a bit "watered down" and not as "full" as the nose would have you believe. It's only slightly the case here, as SideKick tends to feel a bit watery at times, but still comes loaded with substantial flavor for a brew clocking in just over 5% ABV. The fruit flavor definitely hits the palate first, but it comes off as a fairly staunch, citrus pith and peel-like bitterness, keeping my taste buds on their toes at all times.
Lots of bitter and zesty fruits join in - most notably grapefruit and tangerine. Hops attack pretty shortly thereafter, pungent and oily with a bit of spiciness in the form of white pepper and leaves. The malt base in SideKick is pretty heavy and provides a big-time bread flavor that really becomes more noticeable after your palate gets broken in to the hops and citrus. The finish contains an abundance of hop oils, resinous pines, and some fading grapefruit and citrus peels. Pretty light bodied with a crisp, slick, and slightly wet mouth feel.
Wasn't expecting much out of this, ended up really enjoying it. That's how it usually works out, right? I'd compare this closely to Dale's Pale Ale, and if given the choice between the two, I'd definitely give the nod to this one. Easy drinking pale ale with lots of citrus, yet still a powerful amount of bitterness for the hop freaks out there. Too bad this isn't available in my area.
2,291 characters
3.2/5 rDev -17.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
2.7/5 rDev -30.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Very disappointing beer. Very bad after taste and very watered down
67 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Very disappointing beer. Very bad after taste and very watered down
67 characters
3.99/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from BA Mag Issue #117 ( Oct 2016 )
Level, Fruity, Crust, Quenching
Big on citrus from rind to zest, pith to grove. SideKick is hoppy enough to quell that desire, and its crispness pops while the maltiness is dry and bready. Overall, the flavors are very well placed, and meld together nicely to focus on balance and drinkability. It is Pale Ales like this that demand the biggest mug you have and then a proper session to enjoy it with. Much respect for a style that doesn’t seems to get the attention it deserves. [Jason]
Look 3.75 | Smell 4.00 | Taste 4.00 | Feel 4.00 | Overall 4.00
598 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from BA Mag Issue #117 ( Oct 2016 )
Level, Fruity, Crust, Quenching
Big on citrus from rind to zest, pith to grove. SideKick is hoppy enough to quell that desire, and its crispness pops while the maltiness is dry and bready. Overall, the flavors are very well placed, and meld together nicely to focus on balance and drinkability. It is Pale Ales like this that demand the biggest mug you have and then a proper session to enjoy it with. Much respect for a style that doesn’t seems to get the attention it deserves. [Jason]
Look 3.75 | Smell 4.00 | Taste 4.00 | Feel 4.00 | Overall 4.00
598 characters
3.98/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
12 ounce can, with "swirl by" dating on the bottom 12/29/13
Clear lighter amber, eggshell white head, lasts decently, then goes to a nice thicker film, thicker low sheeting and then well developed fields of top to bottom heavier lacing.
Citrus foward nose with orange and lemon.
Fresh tasting and nicely zesty, with more oranges and spicy hops on the palate. Lighter mouthfeel add to refreshing qualities. Nice summery APA, would make a lot of sense in a cooler loaded for a day on the beach, boat (like I have a boat...ha) or deck.
Enjoyable, nicely crafted and sessionable offering from 2 Bros.
600 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
12 ounce can, with "swirl by" dating on the bottom 12/29/13
Clear lighter amber, eggshell white head, lasts decently, then goes to a nice thicker film, thicker low sheeting and then well developed fields of top to bottom heavier lacing.
Citrus foward nose with orange and lemon.
Fresh tasting and nicely zesty, with more oranges and spicy hops on the palate. Lighter mouthfeel add to refreshing qualities. Nice summery APA, would make a lot of sense in a cooler loaded for a day on the beach, boat (like I have a boat...ha) or deck.
Enjoyable, nicely crafted and sessionable offering from 2 Bros.
600 characters
3.71/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.69/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Nice golden color with excellent clarity. There's a half inch of densely packed eggshell white head. Aroma is comprised of gentle citrus hops. The flavor is much more hop forward than the nose would indicate. There is a nice balance of light malt with a lingering gentle citrus hop and honey fade. The mouth is gentle but the bitter hops and carbonation bubbles prick the tongue.
384 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Nice golden color with excellent clarity. There's a half inch of densely packed eggshell white head. Aroma is comprised of gentle citrus hops. The flavor is much more hop forward than the nose would indicate. There is a nice balance of light malt with a lingering gentle citrus hop and honey fade. The mouth is gentle but the bitter hops and carbonation bubbles prick the tongue.
384 characters
4.25/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: It pours brilliant gold under a thin white foam cap that leaves splotchy lace. S: grassy nose over biscuit T: Starts with a mouth full of fresh fruit, citrus and passion fruit, that gives way to biscuit and finishes with a lingering hop bitterness and flavor and a slight citrus tang. The bitterness is moderate and not harsh. F: Crisp with medium body, high medium carbonation O: Refreshing and easy to drink.
413 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: It pours brilliant gold under a thin white foam cap that leaves splotchy lace. S: grassy nose over biscuit T: Starts with a mouth full of fresh fruit, citrus and passion fruit, that gives way to biscuit and finishes with a lingering hop bitterness and flavor and a slight citrus tang. The bitterness is moderate and not harsh. F: Crisp with medium body, high medium carbonation O: Refreshing and easy to drink.
413 characters
4.21/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 oz. can into a Sam Adams "Perfect Pint" glass. Best by date of 10/29/13.
Appearance: Pours a bright and clear golden orange with a lot of rising bubbles. Solid three fingers of white head with good retention. Leaves a decent amount of lacing around the glass.
Smell: A nice and crisp hop forward aroma with lots of citrus esters. Hoppy upfront with hints of orange peel, grapefruit, lemon zest, passion fruit, tangerine, and pineapple. Also some earthy and herbal hop hints of grass and pine. Soft bready malt backbone with hints of grains, cracker, biscuit, and yeast. Light hints of honey sweetness as well. A solid juicy pale ale aroma.
Taste: Like the aroma leads, a very hop forward and zesty pale ale taste with lots of citrus notes. Big hop presence upfront with zesty citrus notes of orange peel, lemon, passion fruit, grapefruit, tangerine, and pineapple. Earthy, herbal, and floral hop notes as well with some grass and pine. Soft pale malt background with notes of grains, crackers, yeast, and biscuit. Subtle honey like sweetness also in the background. A pretty nice taste.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Zesty, juicy, and fairly drying. Very smooth.
Overall: A very good pale ale. Definitely on the hoppy side. Very good citrus taste.
1,305 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 oz. can into a Sam Adams "Perfect Pint" glass. Best by date of 10/29/13.
Appearance: Pours a bright and clear golden orange with a lot of rising bubbles. Solid three fingers of white head with good retention. Leaves a decent amount of lacing around the glass.
Smell: A nice and crisp hop forward aroma with lots of citrus esters. Hoppy upfront with hints of orange peel, grapefruit, lemon zest, passion fruit, tangerine, and pineapple. Also some earthy and herbal hop hints of grass and pine. Soft bready malt backbone with hints of grains, cracker, biscuit, and yeast. Light hints of honey sweetness as well. A solid juicy pale ale aroma.
Taste: Like the aroma leads, a very hop forward and zesty pale ale taste with lots of citrus notes. Big hop presence upfront with zesty citrus notes of orange peel, lemon, passion fruit, grapefruit, tangerine, and pineapple. Earthy, herbal, and floral hop notes as well with some grass and pine. Soft pale malt background with notes of grains, crackers, yeast, and biscuit. Subtle honey like sweetness also in the background. A pretty nice taste.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Zesty, juicy, and fairly drying. Very smooth.
Overall: A very good pale ale. Definitely on the hoppy side. Very good citrus taste.
1,305 characters
3.67/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
4.55/5 rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
SideKick Extra Pale Ale from Two Brothers Brewing Company
3.87
out of 5
based on 860 ratings.