Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a flute glass
Just days after Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early Spring, following a long, stout- and porter-filled Winter, I found Glissade, Sierra Nevada's Spring seasonal on the shelf. This helles bock pours a golden straw with a mild orange glow. There's moderate active carbonation and a thin, bubbly, white head of foam. The head is light on retention and the lacing matches. The nose is lagery with fresh grassy malts, a slight must, and very feint hops. Considering the impressive hop bill, I was expecting a bit more on the aromatic side.
The dry bitter hops are big up front, while white grape juice seems to dominate the mid-palate quite well. Again, the fresh grassiness makes an appearance, giving this beer exactly the character I'm looking for in early Spring beer drinking. The finish is fairly dry with a slight tartness. Overall the beer is quite clean and highly crisp. After the strong and hefty beers of the Winter, this is a much appreciated taste of the upcoming season.
A few days after trying this beer from the bottle I was treated to two pints of it on draft at the Arch Street Tavern in Hartford. The hops really made a showing from the tap. It was a great way to round out the night and a reprieve from the $6 pitchers of Natural Light.
Final Verdict: B+*
* - Might go as far as an A- from the tap.
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