Sierra Nevada 'Celebration' Ale 2014. 6.8% abv. 65 IBU. Fresh hop IPA. Copper-orange color with two fingers of ivory bubbly head that falls to a thick sustaining line. Good retention and nice lacing throughout. Aroma of floral hops, mild sweet bread, faint citrus and pine notes. Front taste of bright hops, biscuits, citrus rind. Aftertaste is ample hop bitter that lingers, lightly sweet malt, evergreen notes. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, somewhat creamy, herbal.
This is a great winter brew that uses abundant fresh hops in place of spices. The aftertaste is bitter, bright, balanced. Well recommended.
From the brewery:
"Festive fresh hop holiday fun. The start of Celebration season is a festive event. We can’t start brewing until the first fresh hops have arrived, but once they have the season is officially under way! First brewed in 1981, Celebration Ale is one of the earliest examples of an American-style IPA and one of the few hop-forward holiday beers. Famous for its intense citrus and pine aromas, Celebration is bold and intense, featuring Cascade, Centennial and Chinook hops—honoring everything we have at Sierra Nevada."
"Festive fresh hop holiday fun. The start of Celebration season is a festive event. We can’t start brewing until the first fresh hops have arrived, but once they have the season is officially under way! First brewed in 1981, Celebration Ale is one of the earliest examples of an American-style IPA and one of the few hop-forward holiday beers. Famous for its intense citrus and pine aromas, Celebration is bold and intense, featuring Cascade, Centennial and Chinook hops—honoring everything we have at Sierra Nevada."
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| Off the pour, the head was thick and bubbly with large bubbles throughout. |
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| The thick head fell to a half-finger collar that remained to the end. |
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