Sierra Nevada I.D.E.A.

On tap at Sac Brew. ~Pours a rich black with lasting creamy white yellowish head. ~Aroma of subtle chocolate malts with sweet grapefruity hops. hops are slightly more dominate. ~Flavor of roasted chocolate malts with sweet grapefruit hops at finish. Malts dominate at first then hops take the finish. ~Medium to full bodied. Medium high carbonation, bitter hoppy and roasted finish. ~Enjoyable brew. Great marriage of malts and hops. Too bad this isnt easy to come by.

Draft @ Sac Brew. Pours a dark, chocolate-brown color; light tan head with solid retention and lacing. Basic aroma of breadiness and deadened malts; chocolate; rather light. Medium mouthfeel: nicely balanced presence, lots of chocolate, lightly roasted malts, and cola; light acidity; good presence of mineral and citrus bitterness on the edges; a heavily drinkable rendition of a rather ridiculous style. Nice beer. Medium finish of chocolate and light lingering bitterness.

On tap. Pours a clear, beautiful reddish brown with a creamy nitro-like beige head leaving broad curtains of lacework. Lightly sweet roasted malts and a whiff of aroma hops. Medium body, hard roasted malts and nuts with some hops in the finish. Pleasant but not very IPAish. 130709

From tap at Sacramento Brewing. Pours clear and golden deep amber to brown with a small off-white and creamy head. Aroma is roasted malt, light fruity note. Roasted caramelish and light chocolate like malt flavoured. Light bitterness and lingering roasted flavoured finish.

Draft. Dark bronze beer with a light tan head. malty aroma with citrus and pine. Caramel and toasty malt flavor with citrus and pine. Medium bodied. Decent bitterness. Caramel lingers with toasted malts and light citrus. A lot more malt than expecting.

Date: May 31, 2009
Mode: Draft
Source: Manuel’s Tavern, Atlanta
Appearance: opaque dark brown, fine tan head, spidery lace
Aroma: rich chocolate aroma, lots of earthy hops, touch of caramel sweetness
Flavor: rich chocolate flavor, caramel sweetness brings out the rich chocolate, lots of balancing hops, hint of citrus, touch of roasted, light nuttyness
Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 8/10; Flavor: 8/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.8/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **4

Draft. A dark red beer with a lazing tan head. The aroma has notes of berries, caramel, and nuts. The flavor is sweet with notes of nuts, caramel, malt, and a bit of hops, leading to a medium bitter finish.

On tap at Capital Ale House Innsbrook. Has a rich roasted coffee and chocolate flavor but still has the hop presence that you would always expect from Sierra Nevada. It was a pleasure to try this "elusive" beer.