40th Hoppy Anniversary Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
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- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- IPA - American
- ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 88
- Avg:
- 3.93 | pDev: 8.14%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Yesterday at 02:43 AM
- Added:
- Aug 28, 2019
- Wants:
- 11
- Gots:
- 71
SCORE
88
Very Good
88
Very Good
Notes:
Hop-forward beers weren’t popular when we started brewing in 1980. But we loved them, and we knew that if we were going to open a brewery, we’d better make something distinctive. It’s been 40 years since then, and we’re still brewing what we love. This beer showcases the bold flavors and aromas of a classic West Coast IPA: intense pine and citrus with a deep gold color and slight caramel sweetness. Here’s to following your passion, and to the next 40 years.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4 by cold_beer on Yesterday at 02:43 AM
3.75/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by lwillitz from Wisconsin
12-oz bottle into Samuel Smith pint glass
A - 3 fingers off-white foam over a cloudy body of deep golden amber; some sediment and high visible carbonation
S - citrus and pine; pretty weak on the nose
T - pine, citrus, honey sweetness, wheat bread
M - slick medium body, medium carbonation
O - a fairly simple west coast IPA
Apr 02, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by lwillitz from Wisconsin
12-oz bottle into Samuel Smith pint glass
A - 3 fingers off-white foam over a cloudy body of deep golden amber; some sediment and high visible carbonation
S - citrus and pine; pretty weak on the nose
T - pine, citrus, honey sweetness, wheat bread
M - slick medium body, medium carbonation
O - a fairly simple west coast IPA
Apr 02, 2022
3.5 by zbooks from Texas on Feb 26, 2022
3.5 by TMoney2591 from Illinois on Jan 17, 2022
4.1 by DOCRW from Washington on Dec 08, 2021
4.13 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota on Nov 27, 2021
3.75 by DBosco from Massachusetts on Jul 20, 2021
4 by NickMunford from Wyoming on Jul 16, 2021
3.5 by McBraniel from Virginia on Jun 04, 2021
4.05/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by md3kcn from North Carolina
Purchased as a single bottle from Kroger for $1.69. Poured into a nonic pint glass.
L - Light copper with a slight haze. Foamy cream-colored two-finger head.
S - Honey & pine tar. Slight stone fruit.
T - Pine, honey, grapefruit, and caramel. Starts sweet, but ends on a fairly bitter note. Finishes with a spicy, bready note.
F - Incredibly smooth. Lightly carbonated. Medium-bodied, yet easy to drink. Slick.
O - A dangerously easy IPA. Like a beefier version of their Pale Ale. Definitely worth a try, but not really worth trying again.
May 30, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by md3kcn from North Carolina
Purchased as a single bottle from Kroger for $1.69. Poured into a nonic pint glass.
L - Light copper with a slight haze. Foamy cream-colored two-finger head.
S - Honey & pine tar. Slight stone fruit.
T - Pine, honey, grapefruit, and caramel. Starts sweet, but ends on a fairly bitter note. Finishes with a spicy, bready note.
F - Incredibly smooth. Lightly carbonated. Medium-bodied, yet easy to drink. Slick.
O - A dangerously easy IPA. Like a beefier version of their Pale Ale. Definitely worth a try, but not really worth trying again.
May 30, 2021
3.85 by Chipwells from Georgia on May 24, 2021
3.7 by SargeC from California on May 23, 2021
3.52/5 rDev -10.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Jaasoares from Virginia
Pours a clear dark amber color with minimal white head which ends up being a lacing with a few islands. Hoppy nose with pine. Mild fruit too. Taste is hoppy with resin, pine and grapefruit with a very mild caramel sweetness. Drinkable but not life changing.
May 16, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Jaasoares from Virginia
Pours a clear dark amber color with minimal white head which ends up being a lacing with a few islands. Hoppy nose with pine. Mild fruit too. Taste is hoppy with resin, pine and grapefruit with a very mild caramel sweetness. Drinkable but not life changing.
May 16, 2021
3.85 by Fitzy01 from Maine on May 12, 2021
4.27 by Ristaccia from Nebraska on May 10, 2021
4.5 by wekoontz from Maine on Apr 18, 2021
4.12/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by bret27 from California
Brewed 3/30. Just a couple weeks old.
Still some fresh piney, resinous, citrus old school west coast stile from Sierra Nevada brewing.
Apr 15, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by bret27 from California
Brewed 3/30. Just a couple weeks old.
Still some fresh piney, resinous, citrus old school west coast stile from Sierra Nevada brewing.
Apr 15, 2021
4.18 by eric5bellies from Australia on Apr 10, 2021
3.71/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by tone77 from Pennsylvania
Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a beige color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of citrus, pine. Taste is identical to the aroma, malts are present, moderate bitterness. Feels medium/full bodied in the mouth and overall this is an enjoyable beer.
Apr 04, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by tone77 from Pennsylvania
Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a beige color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of citrus, pine. Taste is identical to the aroma, malts are present, moderate bitterness. Feels medium/full bodied in the mouth and overall this is an enjoyable beer.
Apr 04, 2021
4.33/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by mpyle from Maryland
Came from a variety Sierra Nevada 12 pack.
Deep golden color, fairly clear. Pours a nice creamy head
Lovely hop aroma piney and smooth.
Flavor brings the SN Pale Ale to mind, just in a bigger and hoppier way. Very hoppy and smooth. Fairly light on the malt. Overall very clean, and slides easily into a fairly bitter finish. The hops and bitterness do not present harshly, though.
Medium body and fairly high carbonation.
A surprisingly mellow beer for a limited release. Seems to pay tribute to Cascade hops (I'm guessing). Really a delightful biggish pale ale or smallish IPA.
Mar 27, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by mpyle from Maryland
Came from a variety Sierra Nevada 12 pack.
Deep golden color, fairly clear. Pours a nice creamy head
Lovely hop aroma piney and smooth.
Flavor brings the SN Pale Ale to mind, just in a bigger and hoppier way. Very hoppy and smooth. Fairly light on the malt. Overall very clean, and slides easily into a fairly bitter finish. The hops and bitterness do not present harshly, though.
Medium body and fairly high carbonation.
A surprisingly mellow beer for a limited release. Seems to pay tribute to Cascade hops (I'm guessing). Really a delightful biggish pale ale or smallish IPA.
Mar 27, 2021
3.88 by Khaack from New York on Mar 19, 2021
4.18 by HighwayChile from Kansas on Mar 13, 2021
4.06 by StanleysCup from Maryland on Feb 26, 2021
4.1/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by jadpsu from Georgia
Purchased in a variety Sierra Nevada 12 pack.
LOOK: Pours a very clear and very light tinted amber color with a generous white head that has decent retention and also displays plenty of side glass lace.
AROMA: Orange peel and pine nuts are most prominent on the hop side while there is the aroma of some sweet bread malts with a hint of caramel.
TASTE: This is a beer that IMO has some excellent balance with. a moderate hop presence on a solid malt backbone.
Overall this is an excellent, clean, easy drinking IPA - great fresh/clean hops, and nice malt backing.
Feb 18, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by jadpsu from Georgia
Purchased in a variety Sierra Nevada 12 pack.
LOOK: Pours a very clear and very light tinted amber color with a generous white head that has decent retention and also displays plenty of side glass lace.
AROMA: Orange peel and pine nuts are most prominent on the hop side while there is the aroma of some sweet bread malts with a hint of caramel.
TASTE: This is a beer that IMO has some excellent balance with. a moderate hop presence on a solid malt backbone.
Overall this is an excellent, clean, easy drinking IPA - great fresh/clean hops, and nice malt backing.
Feb 18, 2021
3.71 by twenteone from Pennsylvania on Feb 12, 2021
3.66/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by dsa7783 from New Jersey
Twelve ounce bottle copped from Ridgedale Liquors in East Hanover. Pours a ruddy, copper hue with minimal frothing. Mellow aroma replete with notes of citrus and grapefruit. Similar overall flavor profile. Refreshing.
Feb 07, 2021
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by dsa7783 from New Jersey
Twelve ounce bottle copped from Ridgedale Liquors in East Hanover. Pours a ruddy, copper hue with minimal frothing. Mellow aroma replete with notes of citrus and grapefruit. Similar overall flavor profile. Refreshing.
Feb 07, 2021
3.05 by Can_if_you_can from Minnesota on Feb 02, 2021
3.79/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by sethmeister from New Hampshire
From a mixed 12 pk marked 12/17/20
Poured into my tulip this ale is a clear amber with an ecru head which slowly recedes to a ring but not before decorating the glass with fluffy lace.
Scent is oranges and bread crust. Grapefruit. Floral and a hint of pine. There is a very subtle hint of cattiness which although it sounds off-putting is an odor I occasionally note in a great IPA.
Taste is grapefruit and citrus with a strong malt component of caramel and bread. Pine resin in the background and very subtle. Bitterness is not particularly high. Would like to see greater bitterness and more resin though of course this is a 6%ABV so I shouldn't expect the moon.
Mouth is an oily medium.
A very pleasant and reasonably sessionable ( 6%) IPA but I would expect a bit more from a 40th Anniversary ale from none other than Sierra Nevada.
Jan 24, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by sethmeister from New Hampshire
From a mixed 12 pk marked 12/17/20
Poured into my tulip this ale is a clear amber with an ecru head which slowly recedes to a ring but not before decorating the glass with fluffy lace.
Scent is oranges and bread crust. Grapefruit. Floral and a hint of pine. There is a very subtle hint of cattiness which although it sounds off-putting is an odor I occasionally note in a great IPA.
Taste is grapefruit and citrus with a strong malt component of caramel and bread. Pine resin in the background and very subtle. Bitterness is not particularly high. Would like to see greater bitterness and more resin though of course this is a 6%ABV so I shouldn't expect the moon.
Mouth is an oily medium.
A very pleasant and reasonably sessionable ( 6%) IPA but I would expect a bit more from a 40th Anniversary ale from none other than Sierra Nevada.
Jan 24, 2021
3.81 by AmeriCanadian from Tennessee on Dec 31, 2020
3.5 by BigMike from Pennsylvania on Dec 26, 2020
4.28 by swanfungus from California on Dec 23, 2020
3.71/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
A freebie from Rafe via his son. Glad to have scored one.... Wanted to try this one. Good and solid, but average. Nice color and very drinkable for sure.
Dec 21, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
A freebie from Rafe via his son. Glad to have scored one.... Wanted to try this one. Good and solid, but average. Nice color and very drinkable for sure.
Dec 21, 2020
3.73 by Mcb99d from Massachusetts on Dec 19, 2020
3.96 by Dbot from Delaware on Dec 18, 2020
3.91 by Idahoman from Minnesota on Dec 09, 2020
3.77 by robebo44 from Virginia on Dec 08, 2020
3.99/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by hman43 from North Carolina
Look: It pours amber and clear with a white, peach like head. Head retention is very good.
Smell: It has aromas of pine and stone fruit with low citrus.
Taste: It has pine flavors with stone fruit and light citrus. It has a background of bread and there is a spice element.
Feel: It has a medium body.
Overall, the finish is actually a bit spicy. The pine and stone fruit work well together.
Nov 25, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by hman43 from North Carolina
Look: It pours amber and clear with a white, peach like head. Head retention is very good.
Smell: It has aromas of pine and stone fruit with low citrus.
Taste: It has pine flavors with stone fruit and light citrus. It has a background of bread and there is a spice element.
Feel: It has a medium body.
Overall, the finish is actually a bit spicy. The pine and stone fruit work well together.
Nov 25, 2020
3.65 by soarinsteven from Illinois on Nov 24, 2020
4.04 by Mxsluis from Michigan on Nov 23, 2020
4.08 by DaPan from Canada (ON) on Nov 13, 2020
40th Hoppy Anniversary Ale from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
88 out of
100 with
661 ratings