Wanderland Nectarine Ale

Review Date 9/12/2021  By John Staradumsky

  Style: Fruit Beer   Brewery: Sierra Nevada   Country: USA   State: California   $ Per OZ: $.13 (B)   ABV: 5.5%

Well folks, here I am again. Late to the party. Sierra Nevada Wanderland Nectarine Ale has been on the market for several months now, and I am only now here to talk about it (after only first drinking it August 10^th of 2021). This is a seasonal beer (spring I believe), and I bought a single and stowed it in my beer fridge for a time. Until, as I said, August 10^th when the warm weather called for a light refreshing fruit beer as the first brew of the night.

Except, I got more than I bargained for. Wanderland Nectarine Ale may be refreshing (in fact, it was refreshing), but light it is not. OK, let’s see what Sierra Nevada says about the beer, from the label:

Set out and see where the adventure leads. Roam until your paradise appears—like this juicy, golden sunset of a beer. Take it all in with an aroma of just-picked fruit, bold hop flavor, and a bright burst of nectarine. Enjoy the ride.

Ingredients from the website:

Malts: Pilsner, Two-row Pale, Wheat

Hops: Azacca, Crystal, Mosaic

Yeast: Kolsch Yeast

Other: Nectarine

Sierra Nevada Wanderland Nectarine Ale has an alcohol content of 7.5% by volume, which is why I mentioned before it is not so light. It has an IBU count of 25 and Total Wine sells it for $10.99 a six-pack and $14.99 a 12-pack, both in bottles. For the extra four bucks buying the 12-pack seems the sensible thing to do. My bottle is marked PKGD 12/17/20.

Sierra Nevada Wanderland Nectarine Ale pours to a cloudy yellow color with a slight tint of orange, a thick fluffy white head and bright fruity peach nose. Taking a sip, the beer is light malty with biscuity wheat and lots of juicy nectarine fruit. The beer finishes gently balanced with grassy hops and a bit of an alcohol burn. It is quite delicious, and I for one will definitely be back for more.