2014 Celebration Ale

has @sierranevadabill ever chimed in on one of these threads?

 

I heard if you let it warm to room temp in a teku, you can really taste the licorice.

 

First time trying it this year. Was expecting it to be hoppy but it wasn't. Good beer. Will never buy it again.

 

I had it on tap with 6mos. on it once. I equated it to a "session barleywine" (as if such a thing existed)--way maltier than usual. It wasn't anything like it is fresh (or near as good, imo) and nothing I felt the needed to try again (then again, I don't like barleywines).

Haven't had this year's yet, but I already know last year's was better.

 

Nugget Nectar also cellars well but then again it is not a true IPA rather a imperial amber ale ..

 

The problem is that we are all suffering from IPA palate fatigue...I am sure the SN Celebration is as good and fresh hoppy as ever...I have not seen it arrive in MA just yet but if the Celebration Ale is any where near as good as the Harvest Wet Hop this year then we will all be happy campers...

 

Celebration is always outstanding; it's one of my three favorite IPA's/DIPA's next to dreadnaught and dogfish head. Even if it was worse than last year's batch, I think it would still taste epic.

 

I would have to agree , even a 20 year veteren Hop Head is going to refine his palate each and every year. all of our palates get more refine from tasting and trying new styles brands and differnt and newly created new hop classifacations. I bet its our palates changing year to year and not SN Celebration ale's recipe ...

 

I think he actually loses sleep just anticipating this thread each year.

 

Yes, Bill Manley has commented in past threads on the topic of Sierra Nevada Celebration varying from year to year since it is brewed with Fresh hops (as defined by Sierra Nevada Brewing) and since the hop crop varies from year to year, this variability comes forward in Celebration Ale.

It seems to be popular for BAs to make light of this variability but it does indeed happen.

Cheers!

 

I hope not. What's not to love about a healthy amount of shenanigans? Not that any source or amount of info would/could stop it.

 

Beats me.

In past threads on this topic it was strongly suggested that I was suffering from a varying palate. My palate 'works' just fine and Celebration Ale does indeed vary from year to year (as confirmed by Bill Manley of Sierra Nevada).

Cheers!

 

Try here: Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale – Clearing Up Myths

 

I'm ready to empty a few bottles of Celebration into my favorite litre stein, get the fireplace going and watch the snow pile up outside! Well....maybe not JUST YET but I can't wait to grab Celebration over the holidays!

 

Have not seen it in my area yet but I got $50 that says 2 cases are coming home with me when I do.

 

Does taste a bit different this year, less of the pine/evergreen mint taste and more bready malt. The recipe didn't change though. As others have mentioned the hops change, especially with the weather the west coast has had recently.

 

You just started what will turn into one of the most popular threads for the next couple months around these parts. Give yourself a pat on the back.

I love leftover Celebration. It's like you found a new beer in your fridge/cellar. Just finished the last of the 2013 stock about a month ago and it was tasty.

 

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the minor label change. I guess this is a new direction for Sierra Nevada labels?

http://beerstreetjournal.com/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale-2014/