Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

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

Pours a light cloudy amber with a foamy off white head. Aromas of candy, citrus/pine hops, grapefruit, and caramel. Flavors of citrus/pine, light caramel and candy. Bitter and semi sweet. A decent IPA at a reasonable price.

Had the ’09 on tap and it was no winter warmer. mostly hoppy like a pale ale. I’m hoping I got the wrong beer. I will re-do this review if I find one that is dramatically different.

Pours a dark orange with a moderate off-white head. Has a bright citrus and pine hop aroma with some sweet malt aromas. Toasty malt comes forward then finishes quite bitter and warming, with the piney hops very prominent. Has a medium mouthfeel. Good seasonal.

To put it in terms so I might remember why I liked it.. it tastes like the normal pale ale the sale every where cheap but with a little less bite. Still quite hoppy and a beer you must drink slow to really enjoy it. I always make sure I pick up at least a 6pack every winter, I get excited when I start seeing them pop up. I’m not good at picking up on the suddle tastes, but I can tell you that the hops rule this beer, quite bitter.

Pours a dark amber color with a full thick creamy head on top that remains for some time. The aroma is immediately of hops, lemon, grapefruit, and a bit of earth as well. A very nice hop flavor coming through, initially there is some sweet caramel coming through but quickly turns to the hops. The hops provide a balance of citrus fruits and pine and earth. The finish is tell-tale of an IPA...long and bitter. It’s a nice IPA and would definitely recommend it.

This rating is for the 2009 vintage. I’ve had this beer many times but have never entered a review of it. Pours a hazy dark golden orange/coppery amber color with golden burnt orange hues when held to a light source and a two finger bubbly/foamy white head. Excellent retention, only sluggishly fading into a thick lasting pillowy cap that coats the glass with chunky rings of soapy lacing. Earthy floral hop aroma with a nice citrus presence and slightly toasty caramel malt character. Hints of sweet estery dark fruit notes, especially dark cherries. Slight biscuit notes and subtle medicinal undertones. The freshness of the hops really shine and make it complex and truly unique. Heart, chewy and full bodied mouthfeel which is very hop forward. Lots of fresh juicy floral, earthy hops that lingers throughout over the slightly toasty caramel biscuity malt backbone into a bitter dry floral hop finish. This beer is uber-fresh and bursting with luscious dank oily hops. Subtle citrus notes and some nice earthy pine. Sweet dark fruit notes mid-palate, especially dark cherries, and a slightly medicinal presence. More wonderful fresh hoppiness in the finish without a trace of alcohol warmth. Dangerously drinkable and a beer I look forward to all year. Highly recommended.

Surprisingly hoppy beer with a blend of malts. The aftertaste of the hops lingers. Though this brew is qual, it is nonetheless overrated. Decidedly indistinct.