2014 Celebration Ale

My local beer store posted a photo on FB of what appears to be a 12 pack box? I think?

https://www.facebook.com/#!/3736307...1414704466./10152534862589200/?type=1&theater

Cool box.

 

Oh man. It's got to be way different this year. There are half as many poinsettias.

 

My wife picked up a 12 pack for me and I'm drinking one right now.... Delicious as always!

 

They never do once you turn your back on the fridge!

 

12-packs at Martignetti's. Weather is supposed to be terrible in Boston tomorrow and the Breeders Cup is on all afternoon/evening. Might need to pick up a second one.

 

They great poinsettia shortage of 2014. Very sad. Hopefully they can mask the deficiency with late-addition mistletoe.

 

Dug in to my first 12 pack last night. Enjoyable, but it's becoming harder to stand up to today's wonderful array of IPAs. It does serve a purpose as a perfectly malted IPA with very high drinkability

 

Just landed in Milwaukee at Discount Liquor

 

As usual...tasting excellent! Had my first one last night and the world is all good again!...

 

Anyone see it in Vermont?

 

Same overhyped beer as every other year. Although, I admit to buying at least a 12-pack year-in, year-out.

 

Today I had to choose between Hop Trip and Celebration... I chose Hop Trip.

I've never had either, but prefer a lighter fruiter IPA to a malty/bitter one.

Am I stupid?

 

I have to agree with the changing of our palettes. I have been drinking some huge hop bombs for a while now so when I first tapped my fresh keg of Celebration this year I felt it was less hoppy than some previous years. I think I have just overloaded my hop senses. Is it different I doubt it but who knows? Is it an awesome beer? Yes,thank goodness because I have 15 gallons to " celebrate" with!

 

Going to do my first vertical with celebration ale. 4 years in the making. I don't know what to expect but it will be a fun night.

 

Bought it at Blanchard's in West Roxbury last night. 13 a 12 too. Perfect beer for before trick or treating.

 

Case will be $36 around here. Sone charge more as it's a seasonal.

Enjoy

 

Wow. I agree totally about the balance and drinkability, but I disagree about it not being able to 'stand up' against the glut of IPAs out there (which are all by and large very 'one note', and in some cases, amateurish tasting). I think it Celebration surpasses most of them because of its balance (a characteristic that's becoming a dying art in beer's brave new world of over the top palate numbing flavors).
I'm glad they haven't mucked it up by adding spices, the way Anchor did with their once superb holiday brew.

 

Funny how such a simple recipe brewed with old school IPA ingredients still garners so much attention. Has to be because it is a nostalgic, seasonal brew. Well crafted, for sure, but unique, interesting and exciting, definitely not.

 

I appreciate balance and I appreciate Celebration. I also enjoyed the 2nd 3rd and 4th one the following night a good deal more.

 

Anyone else get a skunk tasting batch? Drinking one now that tastes off and I usually love this beer.