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Trail Pass Golden

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
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🌍 United States · Alcohol-Free Pale Ale · One of 34 Alcohol-Free Pale Ales in hopIQ

The brewery calls this non-alcoholic beer a Golden and has sold it since the launch of Trail Pass at the end of 2023. It pours clear gold with a white head. Pale, cracker-like malt carries the flavour, joined by light honey and graham-cracker notes; Bravo, Cascade and Centennial add a lift of orange blossom, citrus and flowers. The body is light, bitterness is low at 15 IBU, and the finish is crisp. A faint wort-like, cereal note sometimes shows in the aroma.

ABV
0.5%
Bitterness
Mild15 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Lean body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Light-bodied and mildly bitter.

Quiet in every register — the beer glides through with a soft, easy shape.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Alcohol-Free Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
floral
orange
hoppy
Malt character
malty
honey
bready

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Trail Pass Golden

◎ Appearance

Trail Pass Golden presents a clear, bright gold hue with excellent clarity. The white head forms readily and persists with moderate retention, displaying fine Schaumkleiden across the glass. Carbonation is evident but restrained, befitting a low-alcohol ale.

clear goldwhite headmoderate lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pale, cracker-like malt notes anchored by soft cereal and wort-like undertones. Cascade, Centennial, and Bravo hops lift the profile with delicate citrus, orange blossom, and floral character, while a light honey sweetness rounds the middle register. The aromatic expression remains gentle and approachable.

crackers, honeycitrus, orange blossomlight malt sweetness

◐ Taste

Entry is clean and light-bodied, with pale malt and graham-cracker flavors establishing a biscuity foundation. Mid-palate develops light honey and subtle citrus from the noble hops, while bitterness remains restrained at 15 IBU, providing balance without assertiveness. The body stays featherweight throughout.

biscuity maltlight honeygentle citrus

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and dry, with subtle citrus notes fading cleanly. No lingering sweetness or heavy residue; the aftertaste remains brief and refreshing.

dry, crispclean finish
76
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
75
Appearance
78
Finish
74
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Trail Pass Golden

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°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 Trail Pass Golden

About Alcohol-Free Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Alcohol-Free 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 Alcohol-Free Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same crisp, light, malty character as Trail Pass Golden will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Alcohol-Free Pale Ales in hopIQ

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