Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

This is the beer that put Sierra Nevada on the map. This pale ale has a clear deep golden-amber color with a great head. It has a sweet aromatic bitterness to the hoppy bold flavor with just a slight hint of orange flavor. Its flavor is quiet complex and will keep you guessing as to some of the other flavors you can taste. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale uses only natural ingredients of malted barley, hops and  yeast.

Alcohol Content: 5.6 % by volume
Bitterness Units 37

Red Seal Ale, North Coast Brewing Co.

This red ale has a beautiful copper red coloring with a decent head.  It has a full body flavor with distinct caramel  flavoring. It has just enough sweetness to balance the intense hoppy flavor. Red Seal Ale uses only natural ingredients of malted barley, hops and yeast. 

Alcohol Content: 5.5% by volume
Bitterness units 42

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Yellow Tail Pale Ale, Ballast Point Brewing Co.

Yellow Tail has a medium golden coloring with a great head. It has a fairly light flavor with a slight hoppy bitterness. Its also has a sweet floural flavoring. Yellow Tail Pale Ale incorporates German hops and yeast and is brewed modeled after the Kolsch style ales of Colonge, Germany. I truly enjoyed this fine beer. This would be the perfect thirst quencher on a hot summer day.

Alcohol Content: 5.2% by Volume
Bitterness Units: 23
Karma Ale, Avery brewing Co.

Karma Ale has a medium cloudy amber coloring with a great head. It doesn't have much of a hoppy bite to it, but if does have a fruity sweetness to the flavor. This brew is a Belgian style ale and uses unique Belgian yeast strain. I prefer more of a hop flavor in a beer, but if you like a fruity sweeter ale, than this is the ale for you,

Alcohol Content: 5.2% by volume
Bitterness Units: 10


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Our Reviews

When we review beers we don't go into this fancy diatribe like wine reviews, after all we're beer drinkers, not tea totters. If we taste a particular flavor, we'll mentioned the flavor but not mention 20 different hints of this and that. We don't rate the beers, because we believe that everyone has different tastes. If we don't like a beer, we'll tell you we don't like it. So enjoy the reviews and if there's a beer you'd like us to review, let us know. Prosit.
Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Deschutes Brewery

Mirror Pond has a copper orange coloring that's a bit cloudy with very little head. It has a bit of an orange flavor, but is not overly sweet. It has a slight bit of hoppy bitterness and a rather carbonated tangy dingle to the flavor. It's not a bad ale, but I wasn't overly impresses either. Mirror pond uses only natural ingredients.

Alcohol Content: 5.5% by volume
Bitterness Units: 40
Mighty Arrow Pale Ale, New Belgium Brewing

This pale ale has a beautiful golden color that is clearer than most pale ales with a decent head. The honey malt base used in this beer brings out a true floral honey flavoring that is offset by the hoppy bitterness of the beer, it's a perfect balance. I was pleasantly surprised by this beer and it had be craving for another one.

Alcohol Content: 6.0% by volume
Bitterness Units: 35
Working the Reviews

Even though reviewing beers is the most enjoyable part of creating this web site, it also takes a long time to review a lot of beers. I informed my wife that I need to take a week off from my day job to work on beerandmicrobrews.com. When I explained that I needed to taste a bunch of beers each day, she gave me this disgusted look and said "you've got to be kidding me"! She actually believes that my main reason for beerandmicrobrews.com is so I can justify drinking more beer. Can you believe the insanity of that reasoning? Instead of taking a week off I decided to have a beer review party. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who participated, it was a great theme for a party and a hell of a way to drink more beer, it won't be the last.
Alaskan Amber, Alaskan Brewing Co.

This alt style amber ale has a rich amber clear coloring. The fruity grape type flavor with very little bitterness is a nice change of pace if you’re in the mood for a non bitter ale with a very fruity freshness. This ale uses glacier feed water and uses two kinds of hops and all natural ingredients.

Alcohol: 5.3%
Bitterness Units: 18
Stone India Pale Ale, Stone Brewing Co.

Hops, hops and more hops, Stone IPA uses 3 types of hops. This powerhouse of an IPA is  medium golden and clear in color, with a decent head. IPA’s are generally highly hopped and the Stone IPA is no exception. As you nose up to this beer you immediately smell orange blossoms. The taste has a very hoppy bitterness with a sweet balance. If you’re a fan of IPA’s like me, you’ll love Stone IPA.  Just like a beer should be Stone uses all natural ingredients.

Alcohol: 6.9%
Bitterness Units: 77

New Castle Brown Ale, New Castle Federation Breweries LTD

This brown ale from England has a dark brown color with a brownish so so head. The flavor has a bit of a nutty hoppy bitterness that is actually quite mellow. I'd say it has just a bit of sweetness. Overall it's quite refreshing and not a potent as it looks. Ingredients of yeast, pale & crystal malts, hops and brewers sugar.

Alcohol: 4.7% by volume
Bitterness Units: 22 (estimated)

Blind Pig IPA, Russian River Brewing Co.

Medium Golden in color with a decent creamy head. You can smell the citrus aroma when you put the glass to your nose. This beer has a hoppy bitterness as any good India Pale Ale should. It has a strong orange blossom flavor that is well balanced by the hoppy bitterness, This IPA will leave your taste buds tingling. Couldn't find much info on ingredients but there's no doubt about hops.

Alcohol: 6.0% by volume
Bitterness Units: 72

Fat Tire Amber Ale, New Belgium Brewing

For an Amber Ale it's a bit light in color than most Amber Ale's with a mediocre head. New Belgium totes this beer as having toasty, biscuit type flavor and they're absolutely right. It's a taste that's quite unique and a nice change of pace. Not to hoppy and more on the malty side I enjoyed this beer. New Belgium hints at other ingredients than normal (common in a Belgium style ale) they don't tell you what the ingredient is. Some clone recipes call out for corn sugar?

Alcohol: 5.2% by volume
Bitterness Units: 34 (estimated)


Racer 5 India Pale Ale, Bear Republic Brewing Co.

This IPA has a deep orange coloring with a nice head. It has a nice refreshing taste that doesn't seem quite as hoppy as a lot of IPA's, but more hoppy than your normal ale. If you like a hoppy pale ale, you're going to love this IPA.  It has a bit of a floral flavoring that almost borders on a bubble gum type sweetness. I'll mark this one as a definite do again.

Alcohol: 7.0% by volume
Bitterness Units: 69
Alaskan Winter Ale. Alaskan Brewing Co.

Light amber clear coloring with an average head. This seasonal brew has a sweet aroma and a very unique sweetness taste. It kind of tastes like Christmas (if Christmas has a flavor). It must be the spruce tips that they use in brewing this ale. It has very little hop bitterness and more of a malty flavor, I can taste a slight bit of grape flavor, quite unique. I would buy this one again.

Alcohol: 6.4% by volume
Bitterness Units: 27
Coronado Golden, Coronado Brewing Co.

Coronado Golden has a medium golden, slightly cloudy apperance with a big (not thick) head. Not much of a hoppy bitterness, very similiar to a pilsner style flavor due to the Czech Saaz hops used.  It has a very fresh aroma with a light, slighty sweet flavor. A good brew if you want something with good flavor, that's not to heavy.

Alcohol Content: 5.4 % by volume
Pike IPA, The Pike Brewing Co.

Pike IPA has a clear medium copper coloring with a decent head. It has a nice floral aroma. This IPA uses 3 type of hops variety and has a decent hoppy bitterness that's balanced well with the 3 varieties of malts used. It has a nice spiciness at the back of the pallet. All natural ingredients of hops, yeast and barley malts. A very enjoyable brew.

Alcohol: 6.5% by volume
Bitterness Units: 60
Bison IPA, Bison Brewing

This IPA has a light copper clear coloring with a decent head. It has a slight citrus blossom, clean aroma. Bison uses 3 hops varieties.Even though they use 3 different hops, this IPA doesn't have an over powering bitterness and has a real good malt to hops balance. It has a piney taste mixed with a citrus, orangey flavor, A pretty good brew all around,

Alcohol: 6.8% by volume
Bitterness Units: 58 (estimated)
Rubicon IPA, Rubicon Brewing Co.

Clear,deep golden color with a decent white creamy head. Nice orange blossom aroma. Rubicon has an average hops bitterness for an IPA, that's not over powering. It has a light and sweet citrus flavoring, with a grapefruit like bitterness. The finish left your taste buds with a biscuit like flavor. All the natural ingredients that good IPA should have. I enjoyed this IPA. .

Alcohol: 6.5% by volume
Bitterness Units: 55 (estimated)
AleSmith X, AleSmith Brewing Co.

Light pale golden in color, this Extra (hence the X) Pale Ale has a great white head, To the nose it has a slight hoppy grapefruit like aroma. The flavor is light in body with a decent hoppy bitterness with some hints of citrus. Since the beer is conditioned in the bottle, the second glass from the bottle was very cloudy and very dry and sour due to the particles of yeast poured from the bottom of the bottle, I should have been more careful pouring the second glass, the first glass was absolutely delicious. I will buy this beer again and be more careful with the pour.

Alcohol: 5.5% by volume


Turbodog, Abita Brewing Co.

Nice and dark brown dense coloring with a decent light brown head. Of the 3 malts used, the chocolate malt stands out. The brew has a coffee type flavor with hints of chocolate. Not much of a hoppy bitterness. It seems that the malts over power the hops. The color is some what deceiving, it's not as heavy as it looks. If you like a maltier beer, this ones for you. I personally prefer hops over malts.

Alcohol: 5.6% by volume
Bitterness Units: 28
Maximus IPA,  Lagunitas Brewing Co.

Medium Amber semi clear color with a decent tan head. Limited Release Lagunitas Maximus India Pale Ale is the full title. This IPA has a sour aroma with a medium body feel. Even though you can taste the hoppy bitterness, the malts seem to over power the hops. You can taste caramel flavorings, with a bit of a sour taste. A little to malty for my taste buds.

Alcohol: 7.5% by volume
Bitterness Units: 72
California Pale Ale, Bayhawk Ales

Kind of a mixed amber and golden color, with a good white head. CPA has a some what grassy aroma. This Pale Ale ha a nice hoppy bitterness, with virtually no sweet overtones. The beer is more on the dry side, with a medium body taste. Overall I liked this brew. If you like a dryer beer, with nice hoppy bitterness, you gotta try this one.

Alcohol: 5.4% by volume
Bitterness Units: 49
Wipe Out IPA, Port Brewing Co.

Cloudy amber coloring with a decent head. This IPA has a nice orange blossom aroma. With 5 varieties of hops used, this beer isn't short of hoppy flavors. It has a nice hoppy bitter orangey flavor. This beer feels a bit dry, hey it's everything I like in an IPA. Good tasting brew all around.

Alcohol: 7.0% by volume
Bitterness Units: 70 (estimated)
Anniversary Ale, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Semi clear, amber coloring with an orange tint, and a decent white head. This ales has a slight piney aroma. Toted as an IPA style, it as a good hoppy bitterness, but not an IPA type bitterness. The malts seem to over power the hops, but not overly so. It has a slight malty sweetness to the flavor.  It seemed a bit dry with very little floral overtones.. I enjoyed this brew. Brewed all natural.

Alcohol: 5.9% by volume
Bitterness Units: 46
Liberty Ale, Anchor Brewing Co.

Some what clear, dark golden color with a decent white head. It has a slight floral aroma. This ale has a tangy bitter hops flavor with slight floral flavors. I was surprised by the carbonation, it has a lot of champagne like bubbles that creates a tangy feeling on the pallet. It was a refreshing and good tasting beer. All natural ingredients.

Alcohol: 6.0% by volume
Bitterness Units: 35 (estimated)
Indica IPA, Lost Coast Brewery

This IPA has a medium amber unfiltered coloring with a nice thin head. It has a slight licorice type aroma. The taste has a nice bitter hops flavor that's not overly sweet, but more of a biscuit type flavor. The malt flavoring comes out but not to strong, it has a nice malt to hops balance. Pretty decent brew.

Alcohol: 6.5% by volume
Bitterness Units: 67
Pale Ales

Pale Ales are typically bitter with a hoppy aroma. Ale means that it is fermented using top-fermenting yeast as opposed to Lagers, which are bottom fermented. Pale Ale is an American term for Ales; other countries use different names for Ales. For example England calls them Bitters, Germany Altbier and so on. Although Pale Ales are generally medium bodied with a golden to light copper color, India Pale Ale, Amber Ale, and Red Ale fall into the Pale Ale category.
Moylan's IPA, Moylan's Brewing Co.

Dense medium golden color, with a strong grapefruit type aroma. What's going on with the head? Thick, white and huge, I could cut the head with a knife. After the head settled down, this IPA turned out quite enjoyable. It has some malty sweetness to it balanced by a herby hoppiness. I tasted a hint of cinnamon. It has a bit of dry finish that I enjoyed.

Alcohol: 6.5% by volume
Bitterness Units: 60 (estimated)
Eel River Extra Pale Ale, Eel River Brewing Co.

Light golden cloudy coloring with a weak head. The aroma has a sweet citrus flavoring. This brew was dry and crisp with a good hoppy bitterness. It had a nice malty flavor that was balanced well with the hoppy bitterness. This would be a great brew on a hot day. I will put this brew on my list of buy again.

Alcohol: 4.5% by volume
Bitterness Units: 37 (estimated)
Arrogant Bastard Ale, Stone Brewing Co.

Are you worthy? This bastard of an ale has a dark brown coloring with a hint of red and a good brown head. It has a strong grapefruit type aroma. This brew has it all. It has a malty caramel flavor with a nice citrus hoppy bitterness. It is one of the best balanced malt to hops brews I've ever tasted. A big bold brew, the hops seemed to intensify towards the end. At 7.2% ABV you don't want to drink to many, although you'd like to.

Alcohol: 7.2% by volume
Bitterness Units: Classified
Hop Rod Rye, Bear Republic Brewing Co.

Average tan head with a dark brown unfiltered color with a slightly red tint. The aroma has a strong grapefruit type hoppy aroma. This powerhouse of a brew is basically an IPA with rye malt. The bottle says 18% rye malt and Bear Republic's web site says 20%. The taste has a good hoppy bite along with a good malty flavor. If your a fan of IPA's and like some malty flavoring to go along with it, than Hop Rod Rye is a brew you've gotta try. Decent brew. 

Alcohol: 8.0% by volume
Bitterness Units: 90 plus
Dolly Varden India Pale Ale, Metolius Brewing Co.

Golden amber color with decent white head. The aroma has a slight citrus smell. Even thought they call this brew an IPA it tastes more like an American Pale Ale at first taste. Not much malt flavoring and even
though it doesn't have a strong hops presents for an IPA, the hoppiness did seem to intensify the more you drank. I couldn't find any info about the brewery on the Internet, and the bottle doesn't have much info either. Decent brew but not exceptional.

Alcohol: ?
Bitterness Units: ?
Summit Extra Pale Ale, Summit Brewing Co.

Nice bronze coloring, decent head and a pleasant citrus aroma. This flagship brew from Summit has a nice dry hoppy bitterness taste with a slight caramel malt flavor. I love the dry finish and wish they sold this brew out west, I'd definitely buy it again. Special thanks to Dan, my buddy in Minnesota who sent me this brew.

Alcohol: 5.3%
Bitterness Units: 43
Alaskan India Pale Ale, Alaskan Brewing Co.

Nice light golden clear color with a decent white head and lots of carbonation bubbles. The aroma is a bit weak and sour. It has a nice hoppy bitterness flavor that's' contradictory to the aroma. There is not a real sweet or citrusy flavoring and the malt presents is absent. It's a pretty decent brew that's crisp and dry. I found this IPA to be very
refreshing.

Alcohol: 6.2%
Bitterness Units: 55
Ruination IPA, Stone Brewing Co.

" A liquid poem to the glory of the hop!" as stated by Stone Brew Masters. With a cloudy orange coloring,  a weak white head the aroma has a stong orange bloosom smell. If you're a hop head like me, this brew will not disapoint. The aroma is sweet but the flavor has an intense hoppy biterness that will leave your taste buds tingeling. Very slight malt flavoring, this beer is all about the hops. Named Ruination because of the "ruinous effect on your pallet". A true hop lovers delight.

Alcohol: 7.7%
Bitterness Units: 100 +
Imperial IPA, Green Flash Brewing Co.

"It's all about the hops". Orange golden in color with a nice white head this hoppy powerhouse of an IPA has a strong hoppy pine aroma. This brew tastes just like it smells, intense hops flavor with a strong pine flavoring and a bit of a sour grapefruit type flavor. This brew is probably the pinest flavor I've ever tasted, but that's not a bad thing. What can I say I love hops, and if you're a hops lover you've gotta try Imperial IPA. Where' s the Christmas tree?

Alcohol: 9.0%
Bitterness Units: 100
Big Eye IPA, Ballast Point Brewing Company

Big Eye has a cloudy amber coloring with a decent white head. It had a strong pine aroma, which kind of disappointed me because I'm not a big fan of a strong pine flavor. I was pleasantly surprise when I took my first sip. The taste had a nice hoppy bitterness with nice citrus overtones and just a slight pine flavor. Big Eye also had a slight caramel malt flavor that balanced well with the hops. A pretty decent IPA.

Alcohol: 6.0%
Bitterness Units: 60 (estimated)
Pale 31, Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Cloudy, yellow coloring with a decent white head with a nice citrus hoppy aroma. The taste is a bit on the dry side which I enjoy. It has a nice hoppy bitterness taste, but not much a citrus taste like the aroma would suggest. I enjoyed the dry pale hoppy taste of this brew.

Alcohol: 4.8%
Bitterness Units: 38
Double Barrel Ale, Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Clear amber coloring with a so-so head. Has a bit of a weak yeasty aroma. Slight hoppy bitterness but the malt is more dominate. It has a caramel type flavoring with a hint of oak flavor from the oak barrels used. It has a nice fuzzy feel on the tongue. This English style bitter was a good thirst quencher and a pretty good ale if you like a bit of matlier flavor.

Alcohol: 5.0%
Bitterness Units: 32
Summit IPA, Summit Brewing Co.

Nice bronze cloudy coloring with a good brown head. This IPA has a malty caramel aroma. The balance of flavor is more on the malty side. The hops comes out but not like most of the IPA's I'm used to. Of course west coast IPA's are hoppier than most IPA's brewed elsewhere. Thanks again Dan for a decent brew.

Alcohol: 6.4%
Bitterness Units: 62