Epic Portions

Tag: Sierra Nevada

  • Epic Product Reviews: Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale

    I know I promised a series of Oktoberfest beer reviews, and many of those are still coming.  For now I will expand the series to include any other seasonal fall release that I see fit.  Why?  Because I can, and because Sierra Nevada has entered the fray with their fall beer, and how can any true beer lover pass up a new entry from Sierra Nevada? 

    Sierra Nevada Tumbler, as awesome as you would expect.

    On that note, yesterday I opened up a bottle of Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale.  It was an appropriate day for this brew; the air was laden with the feel of fall.  Temps were in the mid 60s with a wind that made it feel cooler.  The Fightin’ Wolverines were playing, and it was nice to watch Shoelace save Rich Rodriguez’ job for one more week.  And best of all, the beer was delicious.

    Did I expect anything less from Sierra Nevada?  No, but it is nice to have high expectations realized.  The roasted malt flavor was robust enough to qualify as a legitimate fall beer, but never overpowered the hops which were present for the finish.  The beer poured a very appealing orangey, ambery color.  As this is a seasonal, I have to say I will be picking up another six pack soon; it was too good not to have at least one more time.  I found this to be a very drinkable beer; a top notch brown ale.  Better than Bell’s Best Brown, maybe even better than Newcastle.  More research may be needed to confirm this.

    I’m glad that Sierra Nevada has added Tumbler and Summerfest to their already impressive repertoire.  The macro-craft brew capital of the United States has been Boston for as long as Sam Adams has been around.  But if Sierra Nevada keeps this up they will surpass Sam and the distinction of best macro-craft will be Chico, CA.  Sam gets his shot next time, when I review Samuel Adams Oktoberfest.  I will also be at Corner Brewery’s Oktoberfest celebration later this month, and hope to have a couple new local brews to write about as well.  Auf wiedershen!

  • Epic Product Reviews: Sierra Nevada Summerfest Lager

    I was at my local Kroger a couple weeks ago when I spotted a vague sign for something called Summerfest.  Without thinking much of it, I wondered if it was some summer concert series with a mismatched amalgamation of bands.  Ani DiFranco, Slipknot and Death Cab for Cutie on stage all together!  Turns out it was a beer display, which brought much joy to my heart.

    According to Kroger, summer beer begins with Bud Select, Miller Lite Chill, Bud Light and Labatt Blue.  But located on the bottom of the pile was something I had never laid eyes on before.  It read:  Sierra Nevada Summerfest Lager.  I was very excited, “Look Evie, Summerfest Beer from Sierra Nevada!,” I exclaimed to my one year old daughter.  Ignoring the looks from the super judgey Moms around me, I grabbed a 12 pack and added it to my cart. 

    Sierra Nevada Summerfest Lager

    Summerfest advertises itself as a “pilsner style lager” which prepared me for something new from my old buddies from Chico, CA.  This wasn’t going to be the hoppy blast of their amazing pale ale or their rich smoky stout.  I prepared my taste buds with some homemade Mexicali Dip and popped open my first bottle.

    The first drink went down very crisp, with a lemony flavor.  I could tell this was going to be a very light drinking experience, the kind of beer that demands you have more than one.  But what hit me the most was the pleasant floral finish, something akin to what you get from Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale, but very subtle.  It made what was going to be a good beer, very good, bordering on great.  All in all a very solid effort, easily in the same league as Sam Adams Summer Ale and Bell’s Oberon to name two.

    If you expect a pleasurable drinking experience from Sierra Nevada Summerfest, you will not be disappointed.  Overall, I recommend that the beer loving EP readership give Summerfest a shot.  It will not disappoint, and provides a new and welcome addition to the summer beer selection.