Head To Head: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale vs. Nøgne Ø Pale Ale.
Welcome to another Head to Head challenge. Today we have two American Pale Ales. The first isfrom the state of Claifornia in America and is the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. The second is from Norway and is the Nøgne Ø Pale Ale.
As usual the tasting was done blind and to style.
Price: Winner – Sierra
Sierra – $8.79 (6 pack 12 oz bottles)
Nøgne - $5.99 (1pt .9 oz bottle)
Appearance: Winner – Nøgne
Sierra – Pours a yellow color with a small white head with some lacing left on the glass.
Nøgne – Pours a clear yellowish amber color with a large jus off-white head. The head lasts a long time and leaves great lace down the sides of the glass.
Aroma: Winner – Nøgne
Sierra – It has a faint hop aroma with some citrus but it is very week.
Nøgne – Lots and lots of flavor here. Lets start with the malty grains and caramel. Then you pick up the perfume and grass from the hops. Excellent aroma.
Taste: Winner – Nøgne
Sierra –There is a light bitterness to start that does not develop any further.
Nøgne – Starts out with a good bitterness but it is the sweetness that is most noticeable. It is not cloying or overpowering just always there. There are also hints of cloves and vanilla.
Body/Finish: Winner – Nøgne
Sierra – The light body is accompanied by a short aftertaste with a light bitterness.
Nøgne – This beer has a bit more body although it is still light to medium. There is a nice bitterness in the refreshing aftertaste.
Overall: Winner – Nøgne
It is a real shame to see a beer that I like so much get beat so bad. Just like when it went up against the Oscar Blues Dales Pale Ale the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale just cam up short. In every way that matters to me it was just bland compared to the Nøgne. On all fronts the Nøgne is just superior. If you get a chance try it. But as a warning it is so good as an American Pale Ale that it might change your view on what a good American Pale Ale should be.
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