hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Old Chico

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Tap to rate
🌍 United States · American Wheat Ale · One of 38 American Wheat Ales in hopIQ

A filtered wheat beer named after the Old Chico Brewery, which operated in the town from 1865 to 1899 and appears on the label. Malted wheat and two-row pale barley give a clear, light gold beer with a firm white head and a soft cracker and bread-dough base. Crystal and Perle hops bring grassy and lightly floral aromas, and a hint of fresh pear and green apple sits in the nose. The body is light and crisp, and a moderate grassy bitterness keeps the finish dry.

ABV
4.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter26 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
golden5
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Off-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Very crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The texture leads here, with everything else held in gentle reserve.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Wheat Ale.
Hop character
grassy
floral
Malt character
wheat
bready
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
Distinctive notes
peach

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Old Chico

◎ Appearance

A pale gold body that is crystal clear and bright, reflecting light with transparency. The dense white head sits with firm retention and creates fine lacing that clings to the glass. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, contributing to the beer's crisp visual presentation.

pale goldcrystalline clarityfirm white headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with fresh, grassy notes from the Perle hops alongside delicate floral undertones. A soft cracker and bread-dough character emerges from the malted wheat base, grounding the aroma. Behind these foundational scents, hints of ripe pear and green apple provide subtle fruit brightness and freshness.

grassy, lightly floralcracker and bread-doughfresh pear and green apple

◐ Taste

The palate enters with a light, clean body that showcases the wheat and pale barley base without heaviness. A moderate grassy bitterness from the hops builds through the mid-palate, maintaining balance and keeping the beer refreshing. The finish follows this dry trajectory, with the bitterness lingering pleasantly without astringency.

light and crisp bodymoderate grassy bitternessdry, balanced

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and prolonged, with the grassy hop bitterness persisting and the cracker notes fading gradually. The aftertaste remains clean and refreshing, without any harsh or lingering sweetness.

dry and lastinggrassy bitterness lingers
77
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
76
Appearance
79
Finish
75
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Old Chico

Serve at 5–8°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 5–8°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Old Chico

About American Wheat Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Wheat Ale?

American Wheat Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar American Wheat Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same wheat, dry, grassy character as Old Chico will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other American Wheat Ales in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →