Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - Sierra Nevada (5.6% ABV)

Sierra Nevada get a lot of love from the craft beer loving community, so it was only a matter or time before I had to try one myself. This is the first SN brew I have ever tried, and this is their 'entry level' ale, if you will...

Pours a golden straw colour, nice and clear. Produces a bubbly off-white head which drops to a thin layer. Some light lacing on the glass.

Smells of pale & caramel malt with a ton of citrus and aromatic floral hops. Nice light bouquet with an underlying grass and straw note.

Straight away, the citrus hops crawl over the palate; grapefruit and lime with a pleasant pithy bitterness. The malt does make a good job to anchor the hops with biscuit and caramel to give a healthy balance. Finishes with lightly spiced, herbal and grassy hops with a clean, crisp and dry bitterness.

Light/medium body and a good amount of astringency to leave the palate needing more. Balance seems about right and the carbonation helps this go down a treat. Well, SN certainly know how to put a beer together. Time to try their IPA and Porter next I think!