Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Sierra Neveda Pale Ale

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
American Pale Ale (Quintessential)
5.6% ABV
OG: 13 degrees Plato
FG: 4 degrees Plato
37 IBUs

12 oz bottle, barely short of 3 months from bottling, poured into a Samuel Adams Perfect Pint.

Appearance 5/5
Quite clear for a bottle conditioned ale, SNPA pours deep amber with a big off white crown with good retention and excellent lacing. A truly good looking and inviting beer.

Aroma 4/5
Perhaps the beer is too old, although I picked it from the fridge at a beer store of repute, but I do not get much hops in the aroma. However, there is a very delicate and delicious bready malt character, and some floral/perfumy esters.

Taste 4/5
Slightly sweet with a nice hop bite that is bitter but not big on any specific hop character. A good body to support the relatively light bitterness. As far as I am concerned this beer doesn't stand out in terms of being "big" or complex but is a nice drinking beer that one can have a few of without tiring the palate or straining the liver all that much, and is the defining beer for its style.

Mouthfeel 5/5
Right carbonation, right body, and the right finish. Nails it!

Drinkability 5/5
I got a six pack and had four without even realizing. SNPA is the beer!

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