Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

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

Dark amber color and funky hoppy aroma. Grapefruit and citrus hops dominate the flavor. Not much in the malt department. Too light on the tongue. An IPA not a winter beer.

Light amber pour, medium white head. Nicely balanced flavors and aromas; citrus, pine, caramel and a bit of spice; coriander perhaps? Probably my favorite example of this style of winter ale.

Bottle. Pours an inviting reddish brown, with ample fizz and sticky foam head. I’ve enjoyed this many times before, but this is a first time rating. Aroma is full of citrus and caramel, really rich and bittersweet. Flavor is initially good and hoppy, similar to the nose, but then the body progresses to a full, dark, woody character, turning then to a dark roasted caramel with a simple, clean, bitter finish. Full mouthfeel, fizzy on tongue, lasting, and pleasant. A beer to keep you warm, no matter the temperature outside.

The beer has a nice a little hazy reddish orange color. The foam is white. Smells a lot of hops, with nice features of grapefruit and caramel. Clearly, it smells good and very inviting. Tastes much of hops, grapefruit and tropical fruits. I really enjoy the characteristic citrus and grapefruit flavors. The beer has a nice bitterness. Easy to drink, refreshing and the aftertaste is pleasant and long.

I am fond of this one. Always just that hint of spice and autumn flavor that brightens up my day. Nice caramel malts and hop balance. Always solid.

Bottle - 2004 vintage - I’m actually not a huge fan of this fresh, but aged it was very nice. Pours rosy amber with barely a head. It smells sweet, smooth, and malty--yum. The hops are mostly gone, and it’s a bit boozy. Taste is sweet, malty and carmelly. Drinks ridiculously smooth with just a bit of those piney hops on the finish. Syrupy with barely and carbonation, I’d say this mellowed out nicely. Some would say time ruined what this beer does well, I’d say it made it better. To each their own!

Rating Number 200. Bottle, B&M Carlisle. 2008 bottle. Pine needles and sharp fruity hops dominate this spicy, amber ale. Curt and tangy on the throat.with a bitterness that is pleasant and refreshing.

Draft @ Sierra Tap House, 2008 vintage. Pours a slightly hazy, effervescent reddish-orange color; solid, light-tan head with good retention and lacing that coats the glass; a nice-looking pour. Spicy, earthy bitterness in the aroma; nice relaxed hop character and candy sugar underneath; dry. Medium-to-full mouthfeel: lively citrus and mineral bitterness, chewy, still quite dense; candy sugar and earthiness underneath; even a touch of marshmallow and breadiness that show through; very, very nicely aged. Lengthy hop finish: toastiness, minerals and citrus; mouthdrying at the far end.