This Pale Ale is an American Icon
Written: Jan 25 '01 (Updated Jan 25 '01)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Nice Hop and Citrus Flavor; Not too Bitter, like some other pale ales
Cons: Price is a bit steep
The Bottom Line: This is a very good pale ale, with a good mixture of hop, citrus, and spiciness
|
|
|
| Bryan_Carey's Full Review: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale 6 Pack |
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company was one of the first craft- brewers in the United States. This California micro is one of the best- known brewers of high quality beer. It started out as a regional brewery and today its products are sold all over the U.S., making it one of the most recognizable names in craft brewing. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was introduced in 1981 and it has become one of the most popular pale ales in America.
Basic Characteristics:
This beer is medium bodied, with a golden/orange color. The aroma of the beer is striking, and the smell includes a mixture of spice, hops, and citrus, with a somewhat flowery nose as well. Foaminess is average. As you drink a glass of this beer, it leaves a pattern of lace on the sides of your glass. It's also common to find a thin layer of yeast sediment in the bottom of the bottle, the direct result of the Kraeusening brewing process.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale has a distinct hopped flavor. This beer is brewed using two- row barley malt, caramel malt, ale yeast, Perle and Cascade Hops. The taste of the Cascade hops is obvious, but this ale also manages to have a slightly malty taste, which helps keep the beer from becoming too bitter. There is a somewhat creamy taste also, with a citrus and spice accented body. The finish of the beer is bitter. The aftertaste is interesting, because you can't tell if you taste the flavor of hops, or if you taste hops and citrus fruit. It's almost like a mixture of hops, orange, lemon, and lime, all lingering on your palate.
The alcohol content of this product is 5.6 percent by volume and there are 172 calories per 12 oz. serving. These figures are both a little higher than other beers, but only slightly.
Food Compatibility:
With such a spicy, citrus flavor, this beer would go well with barbecue wings, beef roast, hamburgers, chinese food, Indian food, etc. It's also great to imbibe all by itself.
Awards/Recognition:
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale has won several awards. It has been recognized by the Great American Beer Festival, winning awards in 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, and 1994.
Final Thoughts:
This pale ale was the first of its style that I ever tried. First impressions are important, and this beer left me with a lasting, positive image of the pale ale style of beer. Today, this is one of my favorite types of beer, ranking just behind stouts and porters.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a classic American Pale Ale. The cost is a little higher than most mainstream beers, retailing for about $6.50 per six pack. But, when it comes to beer, spending a few more dollars is worth the improvement in taste. This may not be the best pale ale in America, but it's still very good. Because this was one of the first American Pale Ales, it has become a benchmark, against which other pale ales are judged. If you haven't already tried some, pick up a six pack and savor the great taste of Cascade hops.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.