Sierra Nevada Estate Brewers Harvest Ale

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

Draught at The Red. Nearly clear copper with a big pillowy off-white head that leaves generous lacing. A foamy keg at The Red is always a good sign. The aroma is floral and heavy on the spicy, pungent hops with green hop-matter evident as well. Pleasant, but pretty standard hop character, though more pungent than fruity. The flavor is heavy on hops, with an oily, spicy character overall, leaning on some orange and mango as well, but to a lesser extent. There is a nice balancing bready and sweet caramel malt body, but the hops still dominate the flavor. The finish is more bittern than sweet, but not harshly bitter or astringent. Medium bodied with smooth, medium carbonation. Doesn’t deviate much from the rest of SN’s IPAs, but has a great oily hop flavor that makes it stand out. On the maltier side, but plenty hoppy. I was hesitant about purchasing bottles of this due to their higher price, but this was definitely worth it on tap.

24 oz. bottle. Amber body. Off-white, fizzy head, slowly diminishing. Hoppy aroma of flowers, grapefruit, pineapple with notes of raw grain and caramel. The flavor is lightly to moderately sweet and moderately bitter. The finish is lightly sweet and moderately to heavily bitter. Long, lingering bitterness. Medium body, watery texture that turns creamy despite the lively carbonation. The beer, unlike lots of IPAs, has no overpowering flavors (except at the very end when the bitterness lingers on) as Torpedo does and is not crisp, a recipe and balance that you would think would turn out a mushy, too soft IPA. But not so. The blend of sweet caramel sliding in and out of the citrus and floral hops is very enoyable. Excellent beer.

Bottle. Pours an amber copper color with a slight haze and an off white head. Aroma is somewhat muted with citrus and caramel. Flavor is caramel, nuts, citrus and pine. Medium to full bodied with moderate carbonation.

Amber pour. Delicous floral and citrus hops with some nice caramel notes. Flavor is bitter, but not overpoweringly. Hops are fresh and wonderfully balanced by some nice caramel malt. Certainly a kick ass beer.

Chico Estate Harvest Wet Hop Ale--5th Release 2008 24 oz. 6.70% 66 IBU’s 4.95 / 5.0 Harvest Ale Dense rocky thick rich lacy off white head.Clear bright rich amber color.Rich earthy malty floral pine hop front.Crusty mild sweet resinous hop infused toasted bisquit mild fruit rich malty nutty body.Cloying malt balanced refreshing mellow hop spice end. 9/23/2008 $5.49 Estate Brewers Harvest Ale 1st Release--Our Own Hops--Our Own Barley 2009 24 oz. 6.70% 66 IBU’s 4.85 / 5.0 Harvest Ale Lip Smacking Delicious From Start!Rich lacy off white head.Clear bright pretty rich amber color.Rich floral herbal pine hop front.Medium bodied hop infused rich creamy mild sweet caramel grapefruit pine earthy intoxicating hop body.Puckery hop spice end. 10/13/2009 $5.49

A good beer what else is ther to say. Great taste, aroma, etc. Copper appearance with a slight cloud. Large off-white head, 2 inches+ that stays for the drink. Light, sweet resinous hop aroma. Frothy good character. Strng malt start on the taste, but crisply subdued by the hops which bring the balance to near 50%. Some wody undertones, and stone, earth, and mineral in the taste. The consistency is just one notch north of pale lager, which makes it perfect for sizeable enjoyment, and the experience is just 2 notches north f satisfaction. Should be enjoyed the world over, by men, women, and children of legal drinking age alike.

24 oz. Clear copper with a lasting half-inch of creamy foam. Aroma of caramel and green herbs. Flavor is resin, caramel, orange and herby pine; well blended. Medium body is smooth and well-dried by the hops.

2009 Version. Hop aroma is perfume and pine oil. Hint of lemon-lime citrus. Toasted cereal malts on the pale side. Tad of sweetened toffee/caramel. Pours a glassy red-orange. Decent head, thick lacing. Lots of carbonation. Flavor is lemon grass and pine sap. Bitter resiny oak at the end. Roasted caramel malts, sweetish molasses. Well-balanced. Real bitter bite at the swallow and aftertaste. Feel is medium body, a little oily. Smooth and slick. A little prickly carbonation. A really nice, balanced IPA.