http://thespiritworld.net/2005/12/26/the_twelve_beers_of_christmas_sierra_nev/ Quenching your thirst with sips, nips and tipples. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:32:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 http://thespiritworld.net/2005/12/26/the_twelve_beers_of_christmas_sierra_nev/#comment-2680 Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:41:02 +0000 http://thespiritworld.net/2005/12/26/the_twelve_beers_of_christmas_sierra_nev/#comment-2680 That's interesting. I've never noticed the sulfur in the Celebration, I guess I've never had it young. My problem with the Celebration is that after drinking it through the holidays, the Sierra Nevade Pale Ale tastes a bit thin and it's hard to go back. That’s interesting. I’ve never noticed the sulfur in the Celebration, I guess I’ve never had it young. My problem with the Celebration is that after drinking it through the holidays, the Sierra Nevade Pale Ale tastes a bit thin and it’s hard to go back.

]]> http://thespiritworld.net/2005/12/26/the_twelve_beers_of_christmas_sierra_nev/#comment-2664 Tue, 21 Nov 2006 23:01:16 +0000 http://thespiritworld.net/2005/12/26/the_twelve_beers_of_christmas_sierra_nev/#comment-2664 Here in the Great Northwest, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale has an almost cult-like following. It's arrival on store shelves (usually not until November 1, even though other "winter beers" show up practically alongside Oktoberfest brews...) is eagerly anticipated every Fall.(and it's always the LAST to arrive; probably some savvy marketing strategy by the brewery.) The 'Woodstock Wine and Deli' in Portland, Oregon hosts a "Lineal Tasting of Celebration Ale" each November. The owner saves a keg or two of Celebration each year, and offers a "flight" of at least FOUR vintages (this years', and the previous three years'). The change in hops/malt profile is impressive. Flavors morph from grapefruit juice to maple syrup, as the "live" beer ages. What a treat! The only 'con' I can think of for this bottle-conditioned brew is its slightly sulphurous nose when it's young. (I think maybe they use gypsum in the brewing water to replicate an English wassail.) After 6 months or so, it's no longer detectable, but by then, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale is usually gone from store shelves. Enjoy it while you can! Happy Holidays. Here in the Great Northwest, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale has an almost cult-like following. It’s arrival on store shelves (usually not until November 1, even though other “winter beers” show up practically alongside Oktoberfest brews…) is eagerly anticipated every Fall.(and it’s always the LAST to arrive; probably some savvy marketing strategy by the brewery.) The ‘Woodstock Wine and Deli’ in Portland, Oregon hosts a “Lineal Tasting of Celebration Ale” each November. The owner saves a keg or two of Celebration each year, and offers a “flight” of at least FOUR vintages (this years’, and the previous three years’). The change in hops/malt profile is impressive. Flavors morph from grapefruit juice to maple syrup, as the “live” beer ages. What a treat!
The only ‘con’ I can think of for this bottle-conditioned brew is its slightly sulphurous nose when it’s young. (I think maybe they use gypsum in the brewing water to replicate an English wassail.) After 6 months or so, it’s no longer detectable, but by then, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale is usually gone from store shelves. Enjoy it while you can! Happy Holidays.

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