 muzzlehatch (4422), Burlington, Vermont, USA
May 16, 2008
24 ounce bottle from City Market in Burlington, VT (May 2008), consumed a bit below cellar temperature from an Allagash glass. An enviable, amazingly persistent off-white large-bubbled head tops the medium-copper clear body, lacing thickly as it diminishes finally....spicy-sweet citric/piney aroma is typical and nothing out of the ordinary, but as with the "fall" Harvest Ale, outstandingly fresh and potent....the body could be a little fuller for me, but is hardly weak, and there’s enough to support the fairly potent increasing bitterness that slowly takes over for the early honey’d syrupyness....carbonation is persistent and just about perfect; the finish is sappy and moderately bitter, juicy and lasting. No masterpiece, but another winner for sure.
tennisjoel (684), Shakopee, Minnesota, USA
Jul 8, 2008 Orange red body. Sierra Nevada really excels at hoppy beers, and this is not an exception. Very well crafted brew. Citrusy and piney hops, with a dry finish. Even better as this baby warms.
talon1117 (397), Bellvue, Colorado, USA
Jul 8, 2008 2008 bottle. Pours a clear amber color with a full, off-white, creamy, fluffy head which is mostly lasting and leaves very nice erratic lace. Nose is unique for an APA or IPA (whichever style you want to call it). Nice toasted caramel undertonessome tropical fruit citrus notes, pine resins, spicy pepper notes, and hints at some floral. Flavor is toasted caramel, hints at sweet breads, light notes of tropical fruits, some resinous notes, and earthy black pepper with a medium to medium-high bitterness. Palate is medium, silky, lively, and bit dry. Finishes average length and somewhat dry with some caramel undertones with lotes of earthy, black pepper and some lingering resins. Another interesting APA/IPA hybrid style from SN with a very unique nose. The bitterness is a bit higher than the original Harvest Ale and the spiciness is more prominant. The finish loses some of the balance and retains too much black pepper for my taste, but it is a nice addition the already high number of APA’s and IPA’s from SN.
pineypower (841), Pine Barrens, New Jersey, USA
Jul 7, 2008 Pours out a somewhat cloudy amber/light copper color with a moderate mostly white creamy head. Aroma is of floral and slight citrus hops, little caramel and sweet malty notes also. Taste is floral hops, citrus, caramel and some other interesting sweet malts on the finish. Overall a nice solid beer.
JorisPPattyn (4227), Antwerpen, Belgium
Jul 7, 2008 Red-amber beer with a small yellowish head. Outspoken, but quite delicate flowery-hoppy nose, bit of sherry-like alcohol aroma. Bitter, but not very bitter flavour, bit of cookie malts, grapefruit. Medium bodied at best, a bit hop-oily, spritzy. Very interesting beer - and comforting me in my idea that NZL hops represent the future. Thanks, CK!
bdigi66 (400), Ft Wayne, Indiana, USA
Jul 6, 2008 Bottle: Caramel-amber color with a medium-sized cream head. Floral hop annihilation of the nose with some light citrus, pine and pale malts. Sorely lacking in body, very light and not very crisp. Resin based flavor with some caramel malt and finishes with a sticky sweet floral hop note.
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