Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
By
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...
Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale defines the style in my mind. Pale and caramel malts create a smooth, sweet canvas upon which Cascade hops express a spicy creativity.
I chose this beer as the first of my “drink along” beers because Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale is a venerable classic that’s relatively easy to find — and even easier to enjoy, even if you aren’t a beer fanatic. Some pale ales push the envelope with hoppy bitterness; these aren’t bad beers (in fact, I really enjoy many of the super hoppy pales), but they can be off putting if you are just learning to drink flavorful beer. Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale strikes the perfect balance between malt and hops, flavor and drinkability.
My bottle came as a big, 24 ounce bomber, so I used a hefty English pint glass and the initial pour was all creamy foam. The aroma was delicious; spicy hops, citrus, and mellow malt. Though I’ve had this beer in the past, the aroma had me expecting a bitter taste — but when the foam finally settled and the copper-orange beer rose to my lips, Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale spread across my tongue as warm malt with citrus highlights. It grew into an understated bitterness, radiating sweetness and a spicy bitterness through the finish.
The Sierra Nevada website describes this beer as their most popular beer, and:
“. . . a delightful interpretation of a classic style. It has a deep amber color and an exceptionally full-bodied, complex character. Generous quantities of premium Cascade hops give the Pale Ale its fragrant bouquet and spicy flavor.”
As for me, the balance between sweet malt (caramel base-lined by pale) and the constrained expressions of fragrant and bitter hops make this beer beautiful.
I believe this pale ale can pair with nearly any meal. In fact, midway through my bottle I remember I had a small jar of “Sierra Nevada Pale Ale & Honey Spice Mustard” that came in a holiday gift basket. I spread the mustard on slices of bakery wheat bread as a snack, and have been munching contentedly as I write. The sweetness of the honey complements the malt and, as I sip the beer, brings out more of the hoppy bitterness.
Go out and buy a bottle — and let me know what you ate while drinking this pale ale. I’m curious about how the food paired with your beer, and how the beer complemented or contrasted with the food.
And if you can, pick up a bottle of Flying Dog “Double Dog” Double Pale Ale for tomorrow. Because tomorrow, I’ll be comparing the more agressive “Double Dog” to Sierra Nevada’s classic.
No related posts.
2 Comments
May 14th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Always a go-to beer for us, no matter what the season. Distributed very widely in the West, I’ve even found sixers in a pretty isolated Eastern Oregon Wal-Mart. This is one of my “comfort zone” beers when traveling, one of the quintessential West Coast beers.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
John, you’re telling me they sell beer at WalMart in Oregon? Now I’m convinced, Oregon is great — why do people live anywhere else?