What's with all the Sierra Nevada Pale hate?

size · 04-09-2009, 06:49 PM

I've seen Sierra Nevada's PA called "california piss-beer", "disgusting", and plenty of other things.

I think it's just fine. Now I'm not claiming it to be one of the better American PA's, because it isn't. And i'm not saying it isn't slightly overpriced, because it is. But it certainly isn't piss-beer, and as a standard PA I think it's just fine. And I don't see it claiming to be any more than it actually is.

Now granted, I live in Iowa, and we just don't get a very good selection here. But I'm perfectly satisfied with a 6er of Sierra Nevada when I'm not dead broke. But even when I lived in Colorado I still considered it an all-right pale.

Why does everyone hate it so much? Or have I just run into a select few people who hate it? I get the feeling most of the hate stems from the west coast...?

Parker36 · 04-09-2009, 06:50 PM

I think you will find that around here most people enjoy SNPA. You are probably right about the west coast slight issue, though

**Yooper** · 04-09-2009, 06:51 PM

I like it. It's not my favorite beer, but it's a good standard beer to drink when there aren't any real craft offerings. I buy it once in a while by the 6er, but not too often!

**humann_brewing** · 04-09-2009, 06:58 PM

Here is Cali it is hard not to turn the corner and find a place that has it and seems like the defacto standard APA for California.

I will certainly have one if I don't think there is anything better on tap and be just fine with that. It is a good fall back brew.

tireater · 04-09-2009, 07:01 PM

I really like the hoppier versions like Harvest or Torpedo...
I have 32 cases of the bottles so I voted with my liver...

korndog · 04-09-2009, 07:43 PM

Sierra Nevada is a world class brewery IMO. They continue to innovate,and through their pilot brewery are in tuned with the homebrewing community.
SNPA is a standard, and while not cutting edge, is certainly a very good beer.

McKBrew · 04-09-2009, 07:45 PM

I haven't seen the SN hatred. I don't buy SNPA because I'm not a big APA fan, but I'd never turn one down. SN makes some kick ass beers and I swear their beers have the some of the most awesome head I've ever seen, even at a year plus.

c.n.budz · 04-09-2009, 07:51 PM

With as many members as this forum has from all over the world, you can name practically any beer and you'll find a few people that that think it sucks. Just people's personal opinions...

I like SNPA, but it's definitely not in my top 10. If you like it, drink it and enjoy it

**the_bird** · 04-09-2009, 07:52 PM

I can't recall ever seeing anyone talk smack about SNPA. I see dislike for Sam Adams (which I also think is mostly misplaced), but never for Sierra Nevada. It's a helluva good beer.

Boerderij_Kabouter · 04-09-2009, 07:56 PM

I think SNPA is a great drinking APA. It is smooth and a nice size for drinking a ton of. No complaints here. I think if you are saying SNPA sucks you are trying to flex your beer snob muscles a little too hard.

It isn't supposed to be a huge crazy beer, it is just a darn good drinking beer.