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Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

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The beer the brewery was built on, first brewed in 1980 and hopped exclusively with Cascade, a variety that was new at the time. Two-row pale and caramelized malts give a smooth, lightly toasty base with a touch of caramel sweetness. The aroma leads with pine resin and grapefruit peel, followed by orange zest and a faint floral note; the palate stays balanced before a firm, drying bitterness closes the finish.

ABV
5.6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter38 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Gold Award · 2025
World Beer Cup
Extra Special Bitter
★Gold Award — World Beer Cup (Extra Special Bitter)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
pineyhoppycitrusy
piney
hoppy
citrusy
caramel
toasty
floral
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced pine resin and grapefruit peel, the signature markers of Cascade hops in their classic form.
also:clean
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

Clear golden amber body with bright, lively carbonation. A dense, off-white head forms and clings persistently to the glass, leaving fine sheets of lacing on each sip. The clarity and vivid hue reflect the two-row pale malt foundation and careful brewing technique.

golden amberbright carbonationpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced pine resin and grapefruit peel, the signature markers of Cascade hops in their classic form. Orange zest and a subtle floral note follow, layered atop a smooth, lightly toasty malt base that adds depth without overwhelming the citrus character. The overall impression is fresh, herbaceous, and inviting.

pine resingrapefruit peelorange zestfloral whisper

◐ Taste

The palate leads with a clean, malty sweetness grounded in the caramelized grain, offering a touch of caramel at entry without cloying. The mid-palate remains balanced and approachable, allowing the hop character to emerge as citrus and herbal notes. A firm, drying bitterness builds toward the finish, assertive but not aggressive.

caramel sweetnesscitrus hopclean maltdrying bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is medium in length with a lingering, dry bitterness that gradually subsides. A faint herbal and pine note persists in the aftertaste, reinforcing the Cascade hop signature without harshness.

drying finishherbal aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
82
Appearance
80
Finish
78
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

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

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

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All 9 beers from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. →

About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same piney, bitter, hoppy character as Sierra Nevada Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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