2021 Sierra Nevada Celebration Lookout Thread

I'm usually like that, but last year's was something special -- can't explain why, it's always the same recipe, but it really shined -- shone?

 

2019 was the best iteration I recall. Best IPA I've ever had.

 

Looks like Pittsburgh won’t be getting any Northern Hemispheres again this year. I picked some up in Maryland while on vacation last year and really enjoyed it. I used to buy this beer by the case when it came in 22 oz. bottles. Southern Hemisphere and the Estate Homegrown wet hop ipa as well. They are no longer available here for some reason? I’m looking forward to Celebration Ale though.

 

I thought 2019 was amazing. I thought last year's didn't match it - though still great of course and drank plenty of it.

 

Could be I'm thinking of '19, but I'm pretty sure I was "wowed" (sorry @jesskidden ) last year.

 

Yeah, but where does "Wow" fall on the beer tasting scale in relationship to "Mind Blowing" and "Knocked My Socks Off" (aka "Head to Toe" beer scale) ?

 

I love it but nothing wrong if you don’t. I recommend trying one every year. Pallets change…

 

If I was to guess, I'd say "wowed" is below mind blowing and KMSO on the scale.

 

I think it was 2019, the year of the roses, I remember that aroma so well. It was so fragrant and delicious.

As per the bottle can comparison I’m not sure it’s gonna be possible. Unless I read or interpreted incorrectly it’s all cans this year. I think…?

 

I have had it every year since I've gotten into craft beer (and I won't date myself but trust me when I say that's been quite some time ) and this year will be no exception; but every year I'm left with the same impression. And I have had it in a can before too so it will be interesting to see what this year's is like.

And I do think this is one of those beers where nostalgia works in its favor.

 

See above but yeah I imagine bottles won't be too easy to find.

 

Yeah, it was the mix pack, and it was tank conditioned.

 

For anyone with even the slightest bit of adoration for SN Celebration, I suggest you make a pilgrimage at some point to the Pacific Northwest - sometime between mid September and mid October. It's Christmas for fresh hop fans. The season is ending soon and I'm already planning for next year.

 

From my Sierra rep - south shore and cape in MA - south of braintree basically to bristol county - getting no hemisphere wet hop 6 packs and celebration should be in next week. All cans.

also if you like their Oktoberfest from this year, it’s done forever supposedly.

 

Do you mean wet hop?

 

nope

https://vinepair.com/articles/difference-wet-hop-fresh-hop-dry-hop-beers/

 

Definitely. Ex Novo is usually the first to open the floodgates in Oregon, this year their first came out in mid August. They have some great options ranging from their pilsner to a few IPAs. Breakside are not far behind. They had 8-10 this year. The best I tried was the Fresh Hop Sterling Pilsner. From there, pretty much every brewery in PNW will have a FH option in September to early October. Some standouts are from PNW favorites like Fort George, Fremont, Reuben's Brews, pFriem and lager brewers Zoiglhaus. Ruse and Von Ebert waited to fresh hop their on what they refer to as the "hot-side" - both with some excellent options that came out later in the season.

 

We were fortunate enough to have to go to a wedding in Seattle mid September during fresh hop season and I couldn't agree more. The PNW is a wonderland of nature and beer. I hope to get back someday. If we didn't leave our kids back east we may have never left.