Sierra Nevada India Pale Ale

Brewed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Chico, California USA

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a shaker glass, amber with a medium white head. Aroma was light and hoppy. Taste was of floral hops, a touch of malt and some bitterness, yadda, yadda, yadda. I prefer the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale to this one.

12 oz. bottle, marked "2007." Soapy, sweet, floral aroma. Slightly "beery." Ultimately, the smell is characterized by its hoppiness. Pours a translucent, bright, sparkling light copper with a small amount of beige head. Appetizing appearance. Very bitter, strong, English-style hops dominate the flavor. The beer is not particularly complex, but that’s okay because the hops are so good. Taste of pretzels and bitter chocolate. A hint of lemon emerges after multiple sips. Excellent, long, bitter finish. Chalky. Moderate to full in body. Easy to imbibe. Satisfying. Whereas the classic Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is famously accessible, Sierra Nevada India Pale Ale is a challenge to those averse to bitter, hoppy beers (most people). I’m a bit of a hop head, so this is my kind of beer. As much as I love the citrusy, Pacific Northwest hops-dominated beers, it is nice to have a truly bitter American IPA like this every once in a while.

This is not what I would consider an IPA. Hardly any hops, and pretty bland. If I was hard up for a beer, I wouldn’t pass this up, but there’s so many better IPA’s out there.

2007 bottle. Pours a clear medium amber into a tulip glass with no head and no lacing. Aroma is pleasant blend of carmel with floral and citrus hops. Taste is light malts, earthy hops and more bitter than anticipated. Rather thin mouthfeel. A little too bitter to be considered highly drinkable. Good average IPA.

I was glad to see this, slightly disappointed. Id rather drink the regular PA. Light body, moderate in flavor, slightly bitter. Stronger in alcohol than the PA however which is appreciated.

(Draught at The Rover, Göteborg) Clear deep golden color, fluffy tan head. Malty and bitter taste. Malty scent, very weak. Medium bitterness, medium mouthfeel. Rather boring.

not bad, hop flavor was decent, could have been better, bitter typical ipa finish, fairly standard by comparison to other microbrew ipas.

Draught at Delirium Café, Göteborg, Sweden. Nice clear amber, with small off-white head. Pleasant but not very complex aroma, some fruity malt and some floral and herbal hops. Medium bodied and smooth. Alcohol well hidden, nice and long bitterness in the finish.