I'm mostly done with a post about the Craft Beer Express from this Saturday, but it's taking me a little longer to write that one. Look for it tomorrow probably.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary
Monday was Sierra Nevada's 30th Anniversary celebration. Thirty years of brewing is pretty impressive in this day and age and they seem to still be going strong. In Philadelphia, the last of the four 30th Anniversary Ales was released and it's called Our Brewer's Reserve: Oak Aged Ale. It is a mix of Oak-Aged Bigfoot (their barleywine), Celebration Ale, and fresh Pale Ale blended together and then dry hopped.
Nice thick head on it at almost an inch. It smelled really hoppy with some alcohol hiding behind it. Where the Jack & Ken's Barleywine smelled like alcohol with some mild hops this smells like hops with some alcohol. First sip was very hoppy with some sweetness underneath. As I drank more, the hops receded a bit and some caramel and sugars came up. Bitter aftertaste that lingers for a while. This blend was quite good but a little hoppy for me. Of the three 30th Anniversary ales I've tried, I enjoyed the Jack & Ken's the most (the black barleywine) followed by Fritz & Ken's Ale (an Imperial Stout) and then this one. Don't get me wrong, I'd drink any of them if they were put in front of me, but if all three were available that's how I'd order them.
I'm mostly done with a post about the Craft Beer Express from this Saturday, but it's taking me a little longer to write that one. Look for it tomorrow probably.
I'm mostly done with a post about the Craft Beer Express from this Saturday, but it's taking me a little longer to write that one. Look for it tomorrow probably.
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Sean's a Sierra Nevada fan. Glad you enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteWhat are some good recommendations for a few beers to pick up for people for Thanksgiving dinner? I'm going to head over to Plumpjack's and want to get a couple interesting bottles.
Yeah Sierra Nevada makes a lot of good stuff although it's mostly hoppy.
ReplyDeleteAs for bottles, honestly, I've never been good at pairing beer with appropriate foods so I'd just look for things that look fun. I would probably get a couple bottles of Pliny the Elder, maybe a bottle or two of something Alesmith makes, and maybe like Deschutes Black Butte for something cheaper but delicious. Really though you can't go wrong with experimentation.
Old Pliny, yes, good idea. I'll see if I can find the Deschutes too. Haven't heard of Alesmith. Thanks for the suggestions!
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