2014 Celebration Ale

In general temperature seems to make a big difference with Sierra Nevada beers, for whatever reason. Good call.

 

Had Celebration for the first time last weekend and loved it. I will be purchasing again. I don't like it more than Torpedo but it's tasty. Been concentrating on stouts lately so the Celebration was a nice change.

 

Hmm, this is an interesting post, as you're one of the more experienced aficionados on this website. This was my perception of 2014's version as well. I would try a few more bottles though. I bought a six pack and milked it over a couple weeks. By the time I had reached my final bottle, I found it to be the most enjoyable of the six pack (and one draft thrown in there for good measure). Perhaps this beer is one of those that gets better with each one?

Due to @TongoRad's suggestion, I searched for a later date, since my six pack was bottled in September. I have obtained a batch bottled 10/16 (I've seen MANY dates in October, how many batches do these guys brew?!) and I am eager to compare it to my September bottles.

I'm curious why you're cellaring an IPA? I'm not knocking you for it, I'm just curious for your specific reasoning for cellaring this IPA over others.

 

Please do post back with your impressions, whatever they may be. I kind of look at this like there is an archery target, and the bulls-eye and the ring around it represent where the true 'essence of Celebration' lies. They are always in that general area, but how close they get to the center is where the batches seem to come into play. As I have noted before, Nugget Nectar is generally the same way.

 

Who knows, man. I'm going to do some more "research" this weekend and may pick up a different batch...you know...for science.

 

I understand that archery requires a lot of practice. I plan on doing this for the next several months or until I can find no more "arrows".

 

I keep buying a second pint to wash down the flavors of the first pint.

 

Had another 9/29 today and it's off. It's not me. I'll be checking out another batch...you know...for science.

 

I have had beers from several of the dated batches and they are all excellent. Folks let's not forget that beer is a living organism and there are many ingredient variables that change from year to year like the crop of hops harvested and the grain bill so there will be subtle differences in taste. That is what make's it so enjoyable and fun in my opinion.

I believe that we are overthinking this one...

 

I love celebration with 8-12 months on it.

 

I feel your pain. Finally got Celebration in Nashville on Friday. It's dated 11/4/14 and tastes great!

 

Here's another twist - I'm enjoying Celebration straight out of the bottle more, than when poured in a glass. The flavors all remind me of years past and all the memories it conjures up. I will be picking up a few more 12 packs and another keg or two before the season is up. I like to store away a 12 pack to have in July

 

Maybe that's why some years Nugget Nectar tastes "off" to me? Perhaps I need to try multiple batches.

The 10/16 batch of Celebration was more bitter to me than my previous six pack/draft samples. Still maltier than last year's to my palate, but definitely more bitter.

As an interesting side note, a few hours later I picked up a single of a mid-October bottled Ballantine IPA. I had yet to try this beer, so I figured, why not? It reminded exactly of last year's Celebration (does Ballantine use Cascade?). I actually enjoyed it more than this year's Celebration, although it was still enjoyable. The Ballantine was scathingly bitter, an "old school" early 2000s IPA through and through.

 

I absolutely agree. I think people fool themselves into thinking there is a larger batch variation with certain beers just because they are only released once yearly. When was the last time someone claimed this week's batch of SNPA is notably different than last week's batch? Or that the SNPA from this November is substantially different from last November's SNPA?

 

In a past thread @sierranevadabill posted specifically on this topic. His reply was essentially that SNPA is very consistent from batch to batch since this beer is continually brewed year round. I think he made mention that they even employed a bit of blending of batches (i.e., a little of a previously brewed batch mixed in with a current batch to achieve batch to batch consistency).

Needless to say but the production of Celebration Ale is different in that it is not a year round beer.

Bill, if my memory has any errors here please post corrections.

Cheers!

 

I personally love Celebration and found this years release to be outstanding. Had it tailgating at the football game last week and made sure I put a 6er away for Thanksgiving. IMHO I actually felt it tasted much better than last years but hey, I could be confused although all my bro's at the game thought the same thing.

 

You are spot-on with this. We actually do a fair amount of blending, by the very nature of making this beer. It takes four runs through the brewhouse to fill one tank of Celebration, an a typical packaging with be maybe two to four tanks at a time which are all blended at the time of packaging. Every single brew will be slightly different and the blending ensures quality and consistency from packaging to packaging. Celebration is one of those beers that we start brewing on X day, and continue brewing for weeks (months, really) until we make enough to fulfill our commitments. Then we'll see how it's going and adjust up if people want more (to a point, we only have so much ingredients to use for a given beer.)

While there may be slight variations from packaging to packaging, the entire year's allotment is pretty darn similar all the way through.

-Bill

 

No way, the hops are already fading on next years batch

 

I'm visiting my parents' house and found a 2012 Celebration that I must have left, well, 2 years ago. Anyone ever have one that old?

 

I loved the 2013. Can't wait until I try the 2014.