REVIEW: Sierra Nevada Trail Pass IPA / Golden
Photo Credit: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Sierra Nevada Trail Pass IPA, Golden NAs
Where’d We Find It: At our favorite local package/beer store.
ABV: < 0.5%
Hometown: Chico, CA & Mills River, NC
Our N/ATION Review:
Founded in 1979 by a pair of brothers near Chico, California, Sierra Nevada has been a craft beer success story for decades, perhaps best known for their legendary Pale Ale, a craft mainstay for years. Not surprisingly the company has now gone all-in on the burgeoning non-alcoholic category with a pair of N/A offerings under the Trail Pass moniker. Still family owned (100% family-owned, operated and argued over, says each can), the company reportedly spent close to five years on research and development before launching their N/A line, wanting to make sure they had the right approach and recipe before going to market. Launched just in time for Dry January, 2024, the two initial Trail Pass offerings are styled after an IPA and a Golden Ale.
Sierra Nevada Trail Pass IPA N/A
We first tried the IPA, which is made using a combination of Amarillo, Bravo, CTZ, Magnum & Cascade hops, and our initial impressions were it was worth the wait. It looked good off the pour, with a medium-brown hue color perfectly befitting its style, non-alcoholic or not. Nice hoppy flavor, but like many N/A IPAs the hops were not overpowering at all. Nice combo of malt and subtle juicyness, but without any wort-like flavors or aromas, which can sometimes bring down other N/As of the style. All in all, a very easy drinking IPA.
Sierra Nevada Trail Pass Golden N/A
Next we moved on to the Golden. While the IPA to us trended a bit on the lighter side for the style, the Golden felt dead on. Similar in color to the IPA but a touch brighter and clearer, as one would expect of a Golden or Blonde Ale brew. Both citrus and floral vibes abound in this near beer, made with Centennial, Cascade & Bravo hops. Still, a very crisp and refreshing mouthfeel, and something we could envision ourselves day drinking on a patio or sitting by a lake. If we’re being honest, we probably liked this one just a tad better than the IPA, but both could earn a spot in your rotation.
So where can you find this new N/A lineup? Fortunately Sierra Nevada enjoys distribution far and wide, so you’re very likely to find it in your favorite beverage store, and perhaps your local grocery outlet as well, including many Whole Foods locations. As of this writing it’s also on draft at both its Chico (CA) and Mills River (NC) flagship locations.