United Nations of Beer

Sierra Nevada Glissade 2010

by Bret
(Las Vegas, NV)

Sierra Nevada Glissade 2010 (6.4% ABV)
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA
Visit the UNOB's California beer guide

Every year Sierra Nevada starts of their brewing with a new offering, and this golden bock is it. Luckily the guys at Lee's Discount Liquor in Las Vegas offer weekly tasting with the brewers and I made it to this one.

Sierra Nevada is a hit or miss brewery for me, some are great and some are not, this one is the former.

Glissade starts off with a sweet, malty and slightly yeasty aroma followed by mild hop bitterness. The scents of this beer are mild and pleasing with a balance that is mellow and not overwhelming.

The appearance is a bright straw or golden color which is extremely clear and has no haze or cloudiness. The head is very light and bubbly but vanished as soon as the beer glass settled and left no traces on the glass. You can see the great carbonation as the bubbles rise to the top ot the glass.

The flavor of this beer is just as mellow and smooth as the aromas which accompany it. There is a subtle malt flavor with a sweet yeast taste to start, followed by a back bite of very mild hops. The after taste is balanced and coats the palate for a few seconds with this well balanced flavor.

The mouthfeel is smooth in texture which is complimented by the heavily refreshing carbonation. This beer drinks like a run of the mill mass produced big 3 beer, but has more balls and flavor. The light body of Glissade is deceiving because it is so much more than it appears.

Overall, this is an excellent beer has a great feel and taste, has the characteristics associated with this style of beer and was very pleasing to drink. An excellent beer for Sierra Nevada to select as the first new beer of 2010.