Tioga-Sequoia 'Half Dome' California Wheat with Stone Fruit. 4.7% abv. 17 IBU. Pale straw yellow color. Hazy. Thin white head that falls to a sustaining collar and scattered surface. Fair retention, nice lace.

Nose of berry, light honey, wildflowers, white bread. A mild spice aroma emerges as the temp rises. Front taste of sweet melon, light grapefruit, banana, faint floral hops on the back end. Aftertaste is fruit resin, treacle, candied lemon peel, white wine grapes, with a dry finish. Light body. Mouthfeel is cool, round, resiny, juicy.

This is the second version of Half Dome, and like its predecessor, it serves as a wonderful session beer, a cool, relaxing, refreshing, and easy-drinking brew. It's perfect for backyard barbecues, or as a first beer to start off a nice eventing craft vertical. Mild and light, but pungent and flavorful, it's just rich enough in body and taste to satisfy both the newcomers to beer and seasoned craft enthusiasts. A crowd pleaser.

If you have a friend who has only had big corporate factory beers, but is looking to explore the world of craft beer, this is the one you hand them as a way to ease into a world of aroma, body, and flavor, a solid "bridge" beer superior to most. Well recommended.

NOTE: This version of Half Dome is its second recipe, one that is brewed with stone fruit from the San Joaquin Valley. Check out my review of the brewery's original recipe. Cheers!

From the brewery:

"Half dome in Yosemite National Park is one of the most iconic and recognizable images in California. Like the magnificent granite dome, our half home california wheat is an original. It has evolved over the years, and finally reached its peak through a partnership with the Fresno County Farm Bureau, which provides the locally sourced stone fruit that makes half dome so unique. go on an adventure with this smooth, refreshing and juicy wheat beer, flavored from the heart of California, and take your taste buds to new heights."
[source: tiogasequoia.com]

Tioga-Sequoia Brewing 'Firefall Red' American Red Ale. 5.2% abv. 20 IBU. Red-orange color. Two fingers of ivory foamy head. Superb retention and lace. Nose of amber malt, light herbal, round grain. Front taste of mellow bitter berry, brown sugar, smooth bitter fruity hops. Aftertaste is balance of bitter fruity and herbal hops, finishes dry. Medium body. Mouthfeel is cool, dry, clingy.

This is an excellent red ale, expertly crafted and firmly within category. There are few flavors here but they strike well, with a nice bitter balance and a round taste of light fruity and herbs. The wrangling of the hop bill makes for a refreshing easy beer without sacrificing flavor.

Red and Amber ales are often overlooked in our modern craft beer world of extreme IPAs, barrel aged behemoths, and imperial everything. What we have here is a simple red that nails a bullseye and is better than most in its category. If that remotely sounds good to you, seek out this brew. Wonderful beer. Very well recommended.

From the brewery:

"For a few weeks in February in the heart of Yosemite National Park, if conditions are just right, the setting sun sets the Horsetail Fall ablaze with reds and oranges; like a fire falling down the cliffs of El Capitan. Photographers and park visitors gather from all over just to grab a glimpse of this natural phenomenon. Our American Red Ale features a bright malt profile with a crisp and refreshing hop balance. The texture from malt and blend of Columbus and Crystal hops complement each other perfectly creating a balanced red ale that anyone can enjoy."

[source: tiogasequoia.com]

Tioga-Sequoia 'Smoke Chaser' Smoked Barley Wine. 12% abv. 100 IBU. Hazy Amber-orange color with sediment. Finger of foamy tan head. Good retention, excellent lace. Nose of smoked wood, stone fruit, sweet berry. Aroma of strong port emerges as temp approaches room. Front taste of smoked grain, bitter fruity hops, whisky notes, tall alcohol throughout. Aftertaste is bitter cherry, smoked wood. Full body. Mouthfeel is hot, astringent, carby.

This is an outstanding beer, a big bold barley wine with strong flavors of smoke, bitter fruit, port wine. Not a beer for the faint of heart, this 12% brew is one of those big guns that tastes like its tall abv. Very astringent, making the berry taste akin to whisky. Wood notes comes from the smoke factor, approaching a barrel aged taste. Very impressive. Highly recommended

From the brewery:

"Smoke Chaser comes from the name given to brave firefighters that defend California's forests from devestating wild fires. Our American cherry wood smoked barley wine is as big and courageous as its namesake. An intense malty complexity, combined with an American hop backbone, and a subtle cherry wood smoke finish makes this beer larger than life. With over 100 IBUs and at 12% abv, this beer is meant to be sipped and experienced. Enjoy with a fine cigar or share one with a friend."

[source: bottle]

Tioga-Sequoia 'Cool As A Cucumbier' Pilsner. 4.9% abv. 22 IBU. Clear straw golden color. Finger of white small-bead head. Excellent retention and lace. Nose of cucumber, grass, mild spicy botanical. Front taste of cucumber, canned veggies, celery root, bitter herbal on  the back end. Aftertaste is herbal, grassy, vegetal. Light body. Mouthfeel is cool, crisp, light, dry finish.

This is a unique and interesting beer that challenges my tastebuds. "Refreshing" is the word often used to describe it. I certainly agree that it's refreshing, in regards to its light flavor and body. It's best enjoyed at a backyard barbecue like the one I was at. The challenge comes in the amount of cucumber taste. The beer absolutely delivers on its promise of cucumber, and it should be commended for not fearing its own flavor as many novelty beers do. However, I'm afraid it crosses my personal line for cucumber, its flavor crossing over into grass clippings and celery root. Pass on this one.

From the brewery:

"We have taken the phrase “Cool as a Cucumber” to the next level. Cucumbier is a cool crisp Pilsner made the traditional way using Bohemian malts, and Saaz hops. A subtle cucumber flavor rolls gently into grassy notes of the hops, and then finishes soft and smooth. We hand peel and juice hundreds of pounds of locally sourced organic cucumbers to produce this well balanced, exceptional lager. Cucumbier is perfect for floating down the river, hiking in the high Sierra, or simply barbecuing in your backyard. Enjoy!"
[source: tiogasequoia.com]

Tioga-Sequoia 'Midnight Lightning' Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. 13.6% abv. 70 IBU. Black box color with a finger of mocha head. Excellent retention and lace. Nose of bourbon, oak, vanilla, roasted malt. Front taste of bourbon, vanilla, bittersweet dark chocolate. Aftertaste is dark fruit, plums, chocolate, alcohol. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is warm-hot, thick, rich, astringent.

This is an outstanding beer. The promised bourbon is there from start to finish. The barrel aging imparts a nice oak flavor behind the darker tastes of chocolate, plums, and roasty dark malt. A wonderful creation from a reliable brewery. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Our 2014 American style imperial stout was aged in our cellar for a full year in whiskey barrels from Colorado's Breckinridge distillery. The result is this delicious complex beauty of a stout. Heavy notes of roasted chocolate, creamy vanilla, and bourbon, with subtle notes of rich coffee, soft oak, and dark fruit."

[source: bottle]

Tioga-Sequoia Brewing 'Mt. Whitney XPA' Xtra Pale Ale. 5% abv. 58 IBU. Hazy golden color. Rich foamy white head. Outstanding retention and lacing. Nose of fruity hop bouquet, light malt, sweet bread, notes of spice. Front taste of bitter floral hops, citrus peel, faint tropical on the back. Aftertaste of grapefruit rind, bright bitter fruity hops, botanical, dry end. Light-medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, somewhat thick, coats the tongue, resiny.

This is an excellent beer. The complex hop profile is tall, bitter, fresh, flowery, fruity, creating an amazing aroma and taste. The malt is slightly sweet at the front with a clean, dry finish. If you like beers with a bitter hop bite weaved with a mix of bright flavors, you will enjoy this pale ale. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Mt Whitney XPA (Xtra Pale Ale) is our take on a non-traditional American Pale Ale. Our XPA has a very low use of colored malts, which makes this pale finish dryer and accentuates the hop profile and aroma to the fullest. Traditional Cascade hops are at its core, but we feature 'XTRA' amounts of Citra, Amarillo, and CTZ in the back end and in the dry hop for a modern take on this classic style. The idea with this newer breed of Pale is to have a year round session option that is hoppy and can appeal to both our classic and modern craft beer drinker."

[source: tiogasequoia.com]

Photo courtesy of Rob Martinez

Tioga-Sequoia 'Catacomb' Vanilla Saison. 5.9% abv. 28 IBU. Golden-honey color. Finger of bubbly white head. Good retention with excellent lacing. Nose of citrus peel, white bread, floral hops, vanilla back. Front taste of floral-bitter hops, grapefruit rind. Aftertaste of bitter herbal hops, strong citrus peel, faint vanilla bean on the sustain. Light body. Mouthfeel is bright, thin, dry.

This is an excellent brew. The floral hops are balanced well with the bitter citrus, touched by notes of vanilla, all in an easy-drinking, crisp body. For my taste, I would have liked a taller vanilla flavor up front. However, it is certainly there, on the back end of the both the aroma and the aftertaste. Vanilla is delivered, just not in spades. A small flaw in an otherwise superb beer. Highly recommended.

NOTE: Special thanks to Robert Martinez, Jr. for the lead photo, and Fabian Benitez for the end photo, both from the Central Valley Craft Beer Drinkers. (I had this fine brew on tap at Peeve's. Robert's and Fabian's photos provide the bottle.)

From the brewery:

"This year's Catacomb brew is a "vanilla saison". We use Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans along with toasted oak spirals to enhance this Belgian style ale. Amarillo hops are also used to marry all the flavors together and create a smooth, crisp balance of bitter and sweet. Catacomb Brew 2015 represents our third collaboration with the Central Valley's loudest day of the year. We're proud to support Catacomb Party and the hundreds of artists and entertainers who make this annual celebration possible. Down here we are all the same so spread the word and keep drinking local. Visit catacombparty.com for more info."
[source: bottle]

I had enjoyed my Catacomb on tap at Peeve's Public House.

Get this fine beer on tap if you can. Vibrant and fresh.

Photo courtesy of Fabian Benitez

Tioga-Sequoia 'Rush Hour' Breakfast Stout. Coffee beer. 7.2% abv. 35 IBU. Dark brown, nearly black in color. Thin tan head. Moderate retention and lace. Nose of fresh ground coffee. Front taste of roasted coffee, dark chocolate. Aftertaste of coffee grounds, cocoa powder, bitter hops. 

This is an extraordinary coffee beer, the best I've had to date. The aroma is like sticking your nose into a bag of fresh ground coffee beans, and the taste is of fresh roasted coffee. Outstanding. Highly recommended.

I remember the first time I had this beer. I was at Spokeasy Pub. The beer was new at the time. I ordered it, not expecting much, as nearly every coffee beer I'd had to that point was identical. How wrong I was. The aroma of Rush Hour struck me with how fresh it was, and the taste was just as vibrant. The bartender explained to me that the coffee was roasted in town at a little place called Cafe Corazon, a place my wife and I had gone to many times. The coffee was incorporated into the beer wort within 20 minutes of the roasting. Man, it showed in the final product. It's rare for me that a beer instantly becomes a favorite. This is one of those beers.


NOTE: Special Thanks to Anthony Valenzuela of Central Valley Craft Beer Drinkers for the lead photo. Cheers!

From the brewery:

"Rush Hour is our full bodied breakfast stout that uses sixty pounds of fresh Colombiano Caldono coffee per batch. The beans are roasted and ground locally by Cafe Corazon. The coffee is then cold pressed and infused into our chocolate milk stout creating a creamy, bold, robust, yet silky smooth breakfast stout. Enjoy the Rush!"

Enjoying a Rush Hour at Peeves Public House

I've had Rush Hour many times, from tap and bottle. It's worth seeking out.

Tioga-Sequoia 'Tamarack' Amber Lager. 5.3% abv. 25 IBU. Deep copper color. 2+ fingers of off-white head. Good retention and lacing. Sweet aromas of caramel, malt, honey on the back. Front taste of sweet malt, floral hops, sweet bread. Aftertaste of honey, biscuit, hops, citrus-orange peel. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is thick, chewy, rich, small-bead carb, clings to the roof of your mouth.

This is an excellent amber lager with a little more hop and body than the usual standard amber ales. A good go-to amber from another great local brewery. Highly recommended if you like big, sweet malt flavor.

From the brewery:

"There is a moment on every High Sierra adventure when the tent is up, the pole is in the water, and the sun begins to set... this full flavored amber lager is made for that moment... real or in your imagination... Malty. Crips. Smooth."

Tioga-Sequoia 'General Sherman' IPA. 7.5% abv. 63 IBU. Copper-orange color. Nice clarity. One finger of head off the tap that falls to a thin ring. Low-moderate retention. Moderate lacing. Nose of malt, citrus peel, faint pine. Front taste of malt, some caramel, citrus tang. Balanced moderate hop bite, somewhat complex. You can taste the presence of several hops mingling. Medium body and moderate carb. Mouthfeel is thin, warm, lightly carbed.

This is a nice, well-balanced IPA. It’s not the best of its category, but its quality is dependable, and its hop profile gives it a touch more character than average. I’ve had this local favorite many times and I’m sure to have it again. Recommended.

EDIT: Since this review, Tioga-Sequoia has created several other versions of this beer, including double and triple dry-hopped, as well as different combinations of hops. Each of these variations is an improvement of an already solid beer. Well worth seeking out.

From the brewery:

"Our IPA is a hop lover’s delight! The perfect blend of pale and caramel malts gives Gen. Sherman a beautiful copper color. Generous amounts of Northern Brewer, Simco, Cascade, and Crystal hops gives this beer a huge cirrus-like aroma and flavor."

I had the pleasure of enjoying this General Sherman in the middle of the woods. Cheers!

Tioga-Sequoia Brewing 'Joaquin Murrieta' Chile Pepper Beer. 4.8% abv. 18 IBU. Amber in color. Light body and mouthfeel. Aroma is extraordinary, like a garden of ripe peppers ready for picking. The taste is similar. Fresh pungent peppers swimming in cerveza.

All this is good if you love fresh peppers, bad of you like tasting other elements of a beer, because the peppers completely dominate. 

Brewed with our famous local Fresno chiles (the same used in sriracha sauce). Head drops fast, but leaves lace that sustains to the bottom. Of all the chile beers I've had, this one is my favorite. Take that as you will.

From the brewery:

"Our Chili Pepper Beer is inspired by the legendary outlaw Joaquin Murrieta of the San Joaquin Valley, who was said to be both a hero and a thief. The tale says that he was finally gunned down and his head was placed in a jar for proof the Bandido was actually caught and killed. We honor his memory with this Cerveza blended with  Habaneros, Local Fresno Chiles, Serranos, Jalapeños."

[source: tiogasequoia.com]