Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Brewed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Chico, California USA

Poured a nice medium amber color with a thick white head. On the nose I get some hoppy citrus. It has flavors of nuts and slight citrus, but with a very nice, but bitter hop finish. Also some pine flavor. It does warm you up, which is nice for any winter seasonal.

[350ml bottle from Tesco’s Reading] I had the 2007 vintage. On opening this gave off a gorgeous sweet malty smell. However, the taste is so overwhelmingly bitter that any other flavour was completely overwhelmed. Maybe I had a bad batch or something as other reviews here seem to be generally positive, but I have to say this was one of the natiest beers I’ve had in a long time - I struggled to drink it. Sorry!

Ive had the 04,05, & 06. ’04 was my favorite year, but the taste hasn’t changed too dramatically, still rich and nutty in mouthfeel. copper coloured body, not overly hopped. but plenty of citrus fruit with a hidden taste of spice and earthiness. Firm, astringent mouthfeel with a tight hopped finish.

12oz bottle pours a slightly copper, orange amber color with a lacing white head. Aroma is all citrus and pine, with a zesty and herbal nose as well. The flavor is ver well rounded, plenty of bitter hops, but the malt makes this a session beer. Mix it with a porter or stout for an amazing black and tan (or black and pale?). A great seasonal that is nothing like other winter beers. This stands alone though, enjoyable as much in July as in January.

One of the best seasonals I had at Christmas 2007. Not that it has anything to do with the beer, but label is great, kind of like the Bud commercials that come out in December. Rich ruby red color predicts the ale character. Floral hops are strong in the aroma, but there is a maltiness as well. Toasted malts up front that is countered by a strong hoppy finish. Full bodied, but not too heavy, nice carbonation, and very drinkable for a cozy winter get together.

Pretty good overall with a bit more spice to it than the typical IPA. Definetly a winter brew as it is not refreshing like a lot of ipa’s, solid but i prefer the harvest ale by a wide margin

Pours a hazy rich amber color with large frothy beige head leaving behind good lacing all around the glass. Piny, floral aroma with a hint of malty sweetness and an unidentifiable fruit. Good amount of body with bitter hoppy taste and spicy, fruity flavors. Balanced, tasty, satisfying, pleasurable.

Pours a slightly hazy dark amber color with thick, rocky head. Strong appetizing hop aromas with lemon zest and pine tree accents. Full bodied with complex spiced malt flavor with subtle hints of dark fruit and pumpkin that gives way to a deliciously sharp, big and round hop bitterness that finishes with a ripe grapefruit rind citrus note. This beer is incredibly warming and appetizing, just the thing on a cold winter day. This is the beer to have before or after a heavy holiday meal. Try it with a hearty portion of southern fried turkey with all the trimmings or smoked ham.