Sierra Nevada Pale Ale – Mike Loves Beer Style!
June 18, 2010
If you’ve been a visitor to The Brew Club for any amount of time you’re familiar with many of the frequent commenters who add quite a bit to this blog and I’m ever grateful.
One of the long time friends of ours is Mike who is celebrating the second anniversary of his beer blog “Mike Loves Beer“. Two years is an accomplishment, and in his honor I’m going to review Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale in Mike Loves Beer style – although nobody does it better than Mike!
If you are lucky enough to be around DelRay Beach Florida tomorrow night, you might want to check out his second anniversary party at the Coffee District. Tell him The Brew Club sent ya (so they can laugh @ you!) Anyway, congrats on two years Mike – may you have many more!
On to the beer!
Name: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Country: United States
Type: American Pale Ale
Appearance – Light amber color and almost clear. Nice white head with good retention and it maintains a very respectable amount of lacing the whole way through.
Smell - Hops. Sierra Nevada uses Cascade hops for this beer, and to me they come across as citrusy. There is a nice bready component to the aroma as well. Very clean and refreshing.
Taste – Sometimes it happens. Taste follows smell to a ‘T’. This is one of those beers. Nice hop flavors in the front with some bready flavors to balance it. Not an over-the-top hop monster, but a nicely done beer that is perhaps the best American Pale Ale I’ve tried.
I’ve been forcing myself to try more of the American Pale Ale style of beer, and I’m really glad that I have! The Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is considered a classic example of the style, and its hard to argue with that assessment. A great beer that’s easy to find, refreshes without trying too hard. A real-deal good beer that I’ll try keeping around at all times!
Overall Grade: A-
(which is probably a 4.5 star beer here)
Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Ales, American Beers
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June 18th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Hey Congratulations to Mike! Two years, and from what I can tell still going very strong! Enjoy your party Mike, You deserve it!
So…onto the beer. SN Pale Ale is my go to beer. Out here in Ideeho there are a lot of bars that only carry majors on tap, and unfortunately in bottles too. However the SN Pale Ale is an oasis in the craft beer desert, and has saved my liver more than once. Most bars carry it. a few on tap, and most in bottles. It is a great beer, and has a great flavor. It is consistent, and available, and I go to it a lot. Good choice for a brew to keep on hand. now if they would just put it in a can!
Don´s last blog ..Sam Adams Losing “Craft Brewer” Status is All About Business, Not Public Perception
June 18th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Gotta love Mikes style…straight, to the point, and really feminine.
Joking on that last one of course.
This a classic beer for me. It was one of the first hoppy (comparatively speaking) beers I tasted back when I was transitioning out of my weapon of choice in college (Miller Light). Unfortunately, my first time drinking it made me ill. I attribute it not to the beer, but my slight overindulgence, and I really believe that a macro drinker’s body must adjust to craft beer.
nate´s last blog ..Beer is like the World Cup
June 18th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
@Don – good stuff. I agree, this would make a great can beer! So far, this is my favorite American Pale Ale, but I would still get the Dale’s over this for the can convenience depending on my mood.
@Nate – I was thinking Don had a more feminine writing style.
Anyway, I hear from many people that this was their first craft beer. Its cool to see that its stood the test of time and continues to impress considering all the craft beer options out there.
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Dale’s Pale Ale – A Beer Review
June 18th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Thanks Scott and everyone else for that matter. Nice job with my style. haha
I love this beer. Great session beer with a lot of flavor.
Mike – MikeLovesBeer.com´s last blog ..Festina Pêche
June 18th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Great impersonation Scott. I thought I was reading Mike’s site for a second. Wish I could join the party. We have the Florida heat here, unfortunately I’m surrounded by mountains and not the beach : ( Sounds like you’ll have some good stories to tell afterward.
Billy Broas´s last blog ..The Gadget I use to Nail my Kegerator Temps
June 19th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Well, I can only be there in spirit, Billy. I’m surrounded with what appears to be smog here in NJ today! (Actually, its a nice day but I’m sure the smog is there.) I just wanted to give Mike some props, and wish him well as he celebrates his second year of beer-blogging.
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Do Beer Glasses Matter?
June 22nd, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Thanks for the review Mike, I like your site a lot. Keep the review coming!
As for the Sierra Nevada – I am shocked that you did not describe at least the nose as having a “pine tree” or “pine needles” smell. That’s literally all I can think of when I smell a Sierra Nevada. To be sure I like the beer a lot; I just think it’s such a strong and clear aroma. The taste does follow the smell, like you say. A classic, reliable beer, made all the better by the fact that it can be easily found at most stores and bars (at least in California).
Royce´s last blog ..Music Tuesdays via Caitlin McCabe – Baby I’m Yours by Breakbot
June 22nd, 2010 at 7:46 pm
@Royce – I’m also happy that SN beers are relatively easy to find, even here in Jersey. I’m personally still getting acquainted with this style (American Pale Ale) so until I adjust, I’m going to miss a lot for sure. Indeed, the piney hop flavors take top-billing in this beer. So far, its my favorite!
BTW, Mike didn’t write this post! It was just done on his blog’s 2nd anniversary so it was a ‘tribute review’ on my part I guess. Mike has a good site and I encourage everyone to visit!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Jersey Summer Breakfast Ale – Cricket Hill Brewing
June 23rd, 2010 at 11:58 am
Ah, my bad for the confusion. Well nice review in honor of Mike’s 2nd anniversary then… you are really stretching it with the tribute review thing haha
Royce´s last blog ..Music Tuesdays via Caitlin McCabe – Baby I’m Yours by Breakbot
June 25th, 2010 at 2:02 am
I agree with you on this review. It is an excellent Pale Ale that isn’t overdone, yet isn’t lacking. Keep up the good work!
June 25th, 2010 at 8:10 am
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Robert! Thanks for stopping by!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..The ‘Official’ London Beer Taster