Summerfest - Sierra Nevada

Summerfest
Pilsner-style Lager
Sierra Nevada
Chico, CA

Sorry for the delay folks, but I've been out and about in search of more beer to try and tell you about. I've stocked up the fridge, and I'm going to hopefully get to a few over the next few days. Right now, we've got a heaping helping of in-your-face seasonal action.

Sierra Nevada is another one of my favorites. I think their Porter is one of the best beers available on the planet, and their Pale Ale has become a stand by in my fridge. I'm glad to see it is showing up on more and more beer lists in bars and pubs around me that typically only have your standard Bud/Coors/Miller faire.

Pilsners are brewed and fermented in cold temperatures. It's a crisp tasting, clear, and straw-colored. There isn't all that much difference between a Pilsner and "American Lager" - except what ingredients are used (Rice like in Bud).

Its probably fair to guess that most people started out on a variety of Pils - stuff you sneaked from the nearest adult's fridge. This particular drink reminds me a lot of my first beer - it tastes like what I thought all beer tastes like.

A seasonal beer calls for a seasonal anaolgy:

On a perfect summer day, there isn't a whole lot going on. It's hot and you don't want to move around much. You'll mow the lawn, because you have to, and you'll smell like grass for a while. Then you'll call up some friends, who are also not doing much, meet up by a pool, and do nothing together until it gets dark. And that's just fine. That pretty much sums up what I think of this beer.

This particular drink stays true to its namesake. The taste is subtle, a little flowery and spicy, but nothing crazy. It's all about the after taste here, hoppy and like a summer evening - full of reflection on a day that rolled by just slow enough. Nothing outstanding, but nothing awful. At 5% ABV, I could kick back a few of these and watch the day go by with no problem.

In a word it's... nice.

Not a fan of the style, it's not very bold tasting, and I can see why this isn't a Fall beer. Good for a BBQ, and keeping cool in the heat. I don't love it, but I like it enough.