Beer Review – Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale 2008
December 7, 2008
I think its great that certain things are only available at certain times of the year. Case in point – eggnog. Who would enjoy eggnog in July? Same case can be made for seasonal beers to a degree – not so much that you couldn’t enjoy a ‘Summer Ale’ in January, but there is still something special about certain types of beers being available only at certain times of the year. The Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale 2008 that we are reviewing today for The Brew Club is a perfect example of this tradition!
This 6.8% APV offering for 2008 from Sierra Nevada Brewing, Co pours into my glass in a semi-transparent, medium-amber color that created a nice, foamy head. The foam went down in short order, but it left some very heavy lacing on the glass the whole way down.
The thing I noticed most about this Celebration Ale was the scent. Big time. I had opened it in my kitchen, and as I was pouring it into my ‘official’ tasting glass, I could get a whiff of the hops without even bending down to deliberately smell it. The same was true as I picked up the glass and walked into my ‘official’ drinking area – the very hoppy scent of this beer literally wafted above it like no beer I can remember! Its definitely big on the aroma department! Upon closer examination, I could pick up something of a citrus or spiciness, but the hops really, really dominate here.
Taste. The 2008 Celebration Ale tastes almost like it smells. Hops are big in the flavor, real big – and there is a decent amount of bitterness to this beer which typically I’m not a big fan of, but it works well in this beer somehow. There was a bitter aftertaste, but it wasn’t of the ever-lingering type. Besides the bold hops, I was unable to really pick up on anything else in the flavor department besides except for maybe a slightest kind of citrus taste. I was hoping, I guess, for a little more in that area. This beer was medium-bodied, and it didn’t leave my mouth feeling sticky.
So, here’s the deal. If you like hop-dominant beers done well, I think you will really like the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. If you like the IPA style of beer, I think you will also like this offering. I’m not sure if Celebration Ale is an IPA, but it sure reminds me of one! On the other hand, if you don’t like big hop beers or the IPA style, I think you’d probably prefer something else for the Winter season! Definitely a good beer, but you preference will determine how much you like it! I’ll admit to being a guy who prefers beers that are less hoppy than this, but I recognize this is a pretty good beer all the same. So, while I’m giving it only 3.5 stars, someone who really likes the style would provably give it a 4.5 or maybe even a 5.
Rating: 
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Posted in 3 Star Reviews, Ales, American Beers, Seasonal Beers
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December 9th, 2008 at 5:00 am
I’m not surprised by this review, as I recall the Sierra Nevada brews always (in my experience) come up really hoppy, the result of a final dry hopping (where hops present in the final filtration and imbue a really floral scent).
Anchor Steam Ales tend to demonstrate similar characteristics… to the point where at least one friend used to decline an offer of Sierra Nevada ales because he couldn’t cope with the floral ‘nose’. And he was a smoker!
Incidentally, check out Sierra Nevada’s website… it’s cool and informative!
December 9th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I really liked Celebration and if you can find the Harvest Wet Hopped Ale is great as well.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Have you ever had a horrible hangover from a particular alcohol and couldn’t touch it again for years? That’s how sierra nevada is with me. One night, six years ago I downed a six pack and woke up the next morning feeling like I had been creamed by a cement truck. I am sure it was a fluke…or maybe some nasty bacteria had seeped into the batch of IPA had been drinking. Weird…
Anyway, this site is a fantastic idea…I love it and will be back (subscribed).
nate’s last blog post..The Gift of Beer
December 10th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I wish people would leave me some of this on Christmas Eve instead of stupid cookies.
December 12th, 2008 at 5:53 am
I must add this to my list to buy soon – am definitely a fan of strong, hoppy beers. I agree with comment that it’s nice to have selected beers available at certain times of the year; it adds an extra sense of occasion to cracking them open!
rob’s last blog post..The ultimate Christmas gift guide for the beer drinker in your life
December 15th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I have been buying this seasonal for about 4 years now and I am sorry to report that they have changed the brew! It was once a very distinctive ale that stood on it’s own but now it just seems to be a different version of Sierra’s pale ale.
To get an idea of what this beer once was, buy some Sierra Anniversary Ale. It is not quite as good as the old celebration but still head and shoulders above most anything else
December 5th, 2009 at 1:08 am
I found that as this beer warmed up a little, the maltiness came up to meet the hops and it felt much more balanced. If you serve it a little too cold, you’ll just get hoppy bitterness. I didn’t really get why I’d heard just positive things about this beer until we let it warm up a few minutes.