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Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
Chico, California
BJCP Category: 14B American India Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. <visit site>
42
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[expand]Total Score: 45/50
Excellent example of the American IPA style. Very drinkable. Classic. I’d only want additional hop aroma. This beer went very well with an Extra Sharp Cheddar. more >
[close]Total Score: 45/50
Aroma: Caramel malt with balancing citrus hop aroma. Some alcohol evident. Low but noticeable esters. No diacetyl or DMS. I would like to have more hop aroma but still well balanced. (10/12)
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Appearance: Bright, not brilliant, clarity with hints of haze. Dense, long-lasting head. Well carbonated. Light amber color. Beautiful beer. (3/3)
Flavor: Malt sweetness, exhibited by caramel and hints of roasted malt, and hop bitterness initially balanced but the bitterness lingers in the finish while the malt dries out a bit earlier. Citrus, grapefruit hop flavor is high and inviting. Hint of diacetyl—OK. Low fruitiness—OK. Balanced toward hops as appropriate to style. (18/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium body with a lighter mouthfeel due to carbonation. Dry finish contributed by hops and carbonation. Noticeable alcohol warming. (5/5)
Overall Impression: Excellent example of the American IPA style. Very drinkable. Classic. I’d only want additional hop aroma. This sample was fresh without signs of oxidation or aging often found in West Coast beers bought on the East Coast. This beer went very well with an Extra Sharp Cheddar—the bitterness and sharpness from the cheese were complementary. (9/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 38/50
Rich and complex, on the big side for style. The malt character is rich enough to support the big citrusy Cascade hop character signature to Sierra Nevada. more >
[close]Total Score: 38/50
Aroma: Pink grapefruit juice hop aroma and Carnation malted milk, with a hint of vanilla. Clean fermentation. A lemony rose quality emerges as the beer warms. (9/12)
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Appearance: Copper red, with good clarity, not brilliant. At first off-white, tightly formed, biscuity head slowly dissipates to a persistent layer of foam that leaves lace on glass to the end. (3/3)
Flavor: Rich caramel toasted malt with a hint of sweetness is the backbone to a pink grapefruit citrus hop flavor and lingering assertive hop bitterness. Has a note of coffee. Balance leans toward the hop. Slight mineral quality mid-palate with some vanilla. Alcohol becomes more evident as the beer warms. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium full body is a little bigger than most examples of style. Somewhat high carbonations. Lingering hop bitterness coupled with alcoholic warmth create a tingling sensation on the lips. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Rich and complex, on the big side for style. The malt character is rich enough to support the big citrusy Cascade hop character signature to Sierra Nevada. The hops themselves are citrus; the malt sweetness makes the difference between yellow and pink grapefruit. Has some of the same characteristics of Imperial IPAs but is more drinkable in quantities greater than a half-pint. The sample evaluated here was bottled. (I feel very lucky to be able to readily get this one on draft, which is even more rounded and rich. I’d score the draft product differently! (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 44/50
Excellent example of the American IPA style. All of the key flavor components are present and balanced: malt, hop flavor and aroma, bitterness and alcohol. more >
[close]Total Score: 44/50
Aroma: Firm crystal malt background with layers of citrus character from American hops. Alcohol and esters are also present, but in balance, and there is an interesting smokiness in the background. Pleasant aroma, but hop character could be a little fresher. (9/12)
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Appearance: Amber color with ruby highlights and pristine clarity. Head has uniform beading and lasts well. (3/3)
Flavor: Sufficient malt to balance the other flavor components, toasted and caramel malts are evident and provide a canvas for the hops. Cascade hops are present, as expected, but there are spruce notes that may come from Centennial or a related high alpha variety. Hop bitterness is high—solidly in the IPA range, with an appreciable amount of alcohol in the finish. Fermentation character is clean—light esters, but focus is on the malt and hops. (18/20)
Mouthfeel: Some astringency and soapiness from the high hop rate, but not objectionable. Alcoholic warmth is appropriate, and conditioning gives a pleasantly creamy mouthfeel. (5/5)
Overall Impression: Excellent example of the American IPA style. All of the key flavor components are present and balanced: malt, hop flavor and aroma, bitterness and alcohol. A little fresher hop aroma would improve the profile, but it is close to perfection. (9/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 42/50
Big hop character is well done, but would like to see more of an intense fresh hop aroma. The bitterness is high but clean and without harshness; well done! more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Aroma: Strong but not overpowering hop aroma: piney, citrusy, fresh, slightly grassy (as in dry hops). Clean malt; slightly grainy, very lightly sweet, with a touch of caramel but rather low. Clean. Light alcohol and very low esters. Malt develops over time, but hops are most prominent and lingering. (9/12)
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Appearance: Huge off-white head, moussy and long lasting. Crystal clear. Deep amber color with just a hint of red. Very attractive. (3/3)
Flavor: High bitterness but not harsh. Substantial malt in support but balance is totally toward hops. High hop flavor (citrusy, piney, earthy) lingering through the long finish. Noticeable alcohol and low esters. Malt palate is firm and slightly grainy with low caramel flavor, leading into a dry, well-attenuated finish. Clean fermentation character. (18/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium to medium-full body (a bit high) with moderate carbonation. Some hop-derived astringency. Moderate warmth indicating strength, but not hot. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Big hop character is well done, but would like to see more of an intense fresh hop aroma. The bitterness is high but clean and without harshness; well done! The malt is in support as it should be, but the body is rather high. Since this is a winter seasonal IPA, the added body is not out of character and encourages sipping. Aggressive but not over the top. Some years need aging to enjoy, but this is ready to drink now. A good nightcap. (8/10)
