Sierra Nevada Crystal Wheat

Brewed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Style: Wheat Ale
Chico, California USA

The first thing I noticed about this “Wheat beer” was the presents of “Hops”, much more than I expected, and it was a pleasant surprise. Color on the pour a nice “Chill Hazed” light to medium amber with the head humongous in size, creamy in its consistency, and bright white in color, as the head eroded the lace formed a concealing sheet upon the glass. Hops a nice hop floral followed closely by the sweet malt, fresh and crisp, a real treat, start was also malt laden, somewhat sweet and the top slim in its feel. Finish mildly acidic, hops to the forefront, desert dry and lingering aftertaste. Damn another great beer I get to sample on draught only once a year if the “Beer Gods” see fit.

This beer rocks. This was the 12th and final beer I tried while at the brewery. I really don’t remember much about it offhand, but my notes indicate that it was well hopped and citrusy. That’s all my notes indicate. Oh, I wrote that it was a terrific Summer beer. I was on the patio and it was well over 90 degrees. I was drunk beyond belief. Somehow managed to make it to the Butte Creek brewery immediately after I order a pint of the Brown ale and some dinner.

A filtered wheat beer. Had food good citrus flavor. Is definitly crisper and cleaner that the sierra nevda standard wheat beer.

On tap at RNH (NYC): Pale blonde pour, thin head. More of a feminine-style beer due to its tangy taste and light feel. Dangerously drinkable. #012 on 14062009, DG.

Tap at Blind Tiger. Little aroma. Lightly vegetal, olive, cucumber, wheat taste. Dry, with clean, unassertive yeast. Very drinkable, if a touch thin. Surprised that I liked this at all, as I usually can’t stand American Wheat, but this was very well done. It avoided the pitfalls of so many others or the stuff.

Tap @ Red’s. Fogged glass!!!!!! SO upset! I could still tell the stuff was clear looking down into the glass, but aL:SKFJHLKSFJL >_<!!!! Straw colored and clear, white head and not much lace (dots and splotches here and there). Body was light to medium with lots of foamy carb and a lightly dry finish. Aroma was a light musk (dough), malty honey and rather earthy. Flavor was musky with sweat and leather. Noticable wheat flavor. Lightly bitter sour finish with a spicy hop presence and a lemon sour. Hop spice becomes more noticable with warmth. Lemon sour (no rind, just meat) with the spice is quite refreshing and nice. The beer was enjoyable and highly drinkable. Not knock your socks off impressive, but a top choice for session.

(tasting notes from Fall 2000): Smooth, with the sweetness not overwhelming. Pleasant afternoon beer.

On tap at the 06 Great Alaska Beer and Barley wine Festival. Pale gold color with a thin fizzy head. Lively nose with some lemon rind, yeast and I swear a little feet. Lightness in the body that makes it very easy to drink (I wish it were summer). Lemon/lime citrus with a buscuit doughiness. Clean and crisp and a good American wheat.