Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (Draft)

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

On tap at a hole in the wall bar/club in Kirkland. The only beer worth drinking there besides Mirror Pond. The beer on tap is just as great as out of the bottle. A nice standard to go to when there isn’t much of a selection in places.

On Tap at Bitter Crek in Boise. Medium orange/amber witha small but persistan off white head. Not overly bitter. About right for a Pale and a smooth malt body. Slightl lingering bitterness and modest carbonation. File this under "I can’t belived I hadn’t had this yet!"

Draft at Brixx in Charlotte. Comes in a glass and looks kind of orange and yellow. Smell is pine and hops with some grapefruit. Taste is smooth and refreshing. Not really sure the difference between this and the bottle, but whatever - its still good. I do think the bottle is darker and perhaps a little richer.

Draft at the SN Taproom. Clear light copper in color with an ivory head. The hop aroma seems rather faint for a dry-hopped beer but it’s still perceivable with some grapefruit and pine notes. Warm malty flavor with a good bitter balance. Fruity with some watermelon notes. Lingering finish.
Earlier Rating: 10/1/2006 Total Score: 4.1
Draft. Caramel/ copper color with an off-white head. Malt aroma with a hoppy grapefruit and pine presence. Malty and bitter with caramel, grapefruit and floral notes. A classic.

Draft at the Hornet on 8/20/06. Very clear, nice copper color. No real head on this pour. Thin layer of white foam, very good lacing. Aroma - no real aroma, very faint piney hops and a little sweetness. Flavor - fairly high up front bitterness that remains throughout. Balanced, but towards bitterness. A little malt sweetness and a good bit of piney and a little florally hop aroma in the finish. A tiny bit dry. Palate - medium, good carb. Overall - Good, its SNPA, but not great. I remember the draft having more mouthfeel and hop flavor. This one (like everything at this bar) is probably served too cold, which lessens the flavor. So, it deserves a re-rate. Good, but I remember it being better on draft.

Upon close inspection the SNPA tap handle states "Draught Style". Overall a solid APA differences are as stated in commercial description; more amber color, garssy aroma, and lighter bitterness. Sample I had was served colder than required, full flavor came out after warming a few degrees.

This beer pretty much sets the standard for the APA style. Citrusy hops, with some fruity sweetness and a solid malt foundation. A real tasty, classic beer.

Draught. Pours light amber, small white head. A nice hops, citrus and malt aroma. One of my "standard" beers at places with a limited selection of beers. A very good pale ale.