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Peter LaFrance



Wednesday, February 10, 2010

A taste of… Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale 2009


Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
1075 East 20th Street
Chico, CA 95928-6722
(530) 893-3520


Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale 2009 was purchased for $1.75(USD) at Peas & Pickles Grocery in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There is a date code on the neck of the bottle: “9328110:48”.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of a creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: A bit of a haze filters the copper colored brew, letting the tiny bubbles of carbonation craft a sparkling light tan head of large bubbles that leave enough Belgian lace to properly cover an Islamic bride.

Aroma: The first visit finds almost Dior-perfume aromatics. A second visit reveals the organic (not the certification type of “organic”) roots of the first impression. The third nose-dive gathers a grain aroma that is timid but not left out.

Flavor: The spikes of hop oils and flavors are escorted by a grainy sweetness that makes Prince Philip look patient. The second sip brought more of the citric grapefruit flavors into play and they are very playful. The third sip finally has the flavor receptors out of first-aid and recognizing the flavors as quite complementary rather than competitive.

Mouth feel: There is a slim, trim sensation to this brew.

Finish: A particular citric tang lingers for quite a while, either encouraging another sip or hinting it would like to be fed.

Comments: As noted above, this seems to be an ideal aperitif.

Food & Beer: Toasted corn chips and fresh tomato salsa would be all you would need to complement the flavors of this brew.

The Brewery: http://www.sierranevada.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/1904

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/370/

2 comments:

Tom Bedell said...

Taste like the holidaze to me!
Cheers, Tom
www.tombedell.com

mistahcal said...

I agree with the other comment.
I've never tasted a better example of "Holiday" Beer. When you drink it you know its Nov or Dec or at the most Jan, but if you have it til Feb your in trouble. I think it also the best marriage of hop and malt EVER. Some really good IPAs dont have any malt flavor like the overrated gargoy...beers. And well most IPAs arent hoppy enough. This one is PERFECT. My Favorite beer and in my kegerator every fall-winter. A must try.