Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

doopydoogle

Tennessee

4.22/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Slightly orange amber with a light head that leaves a quality lacing down the glass.

S - Caramel malts, piney hoppiness, yeasty breadiness, some citrus (lime, grapefruit, pineapple)

T - Hop forward with a citric pineyness that give way to a decent bitter. The malt then reveals a subtle fruitiness with an almost grape-like character that leads to a malty finish with residual bitter and pine notes. Hop-tastic!

M - Good carbonation and coating.

O - A wonderful IPA. Hoppy, but not overly so, and the malts give a fruitiness that balances out the floral aspects of the hops quite well.

Serving type: growler

11-20-2011 03:35:35 | More by doopydoogle

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2011 version. Beautiful clear copper color and a huge, chunky head with lacing like snowdrifts. The nose is rather subdued (hard to get with all that foam). It's hoppy and cedary.

Medium body, good, firm feel, and a nice, fresh hoppy taste. Not as dry and bitter as I expected it to be. I get some nice flavors of fresh bread, orange zest, and tea. It's definitely got that hop bite, but it's really smooth, balanced, and easy-drinking. It provides a good ``hop fix'' without wrecking your palate.

Overall, an outstanding fresh hop ale. I can't quite put it on the same level as Founders Harvest Ale or Three Floyds Broo Doo, but it's more widely available, easier on the wallet, and darn tasty to boot. I'll definitely buy this one again next year.

2012 bottling. Still a wonderful seasonal. What strikes me the most is still the balance and drinkability. It has a wonderful, hoppy flavor without being extremely bitter. Beers like this make me proud of the term ``American IPA''.

Serving type: growler

11-10-2011 10:43:36 | More by deadonhisfeet

HopTaco

South Carolina

4.08/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Served out a growler.

A- dark copper and filter clear--no haze. Nice white cap with lacing throughout.

S- Moderate hop smell and carmel?

T- smooth yet somehow crisp ale. Not quite what I was expecting with a name like "Celebration" I was figuring more spice but I like what is here.

M- slightly sweet. Nice mouthfeel.

D- a very drinkable 6.8abv.

I enjoyed this SN offering and will continue to look for it in winters to come.

Serving type: growler

01-16-2011 20:57:40 | More by HopTaco

HoopTime

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint on Christmas Eve from a growler filled that afternoon at Al's of Hampden.

A -- Pours a rich foamy1.5" head with a light caramel tint. The head receded about halfway, then lingered a while while leaving a back-of-the-spoon type coating of lattice on the glass. This is a rich amber with a hint of burnt orange that is remarkably clear. The carbonation bubbles steadily through the middle of the glass. I sat mesmerized watching the chamagne-style bubbles streaming to the top.

S -- Though this is a fresh hopped ale, it does not have that overpowering middle of a pine forest with a pitcher of grapefruit juice by your nose hoppiness to the nose that other fresh hopped ales I have tried had. This is more subtle hoppiness. Unlike fresh hopped beers I have had that you could smell five feet away, this one takes getting your nose over the glass to pick up, but when you get close you will find a hint oi evergreen with citrus undertones.

T -- This starts off bitter and hoppy, citrusy, almost like carbonated grapefruit juice. Then the malt kicks in and balances it out for a very smooth, refreshing finish.

M -- Incredible effervescence, almost champagne like. This pour was extremely carbonated despite my having to open the growler when I got it home to replace a leaky metal lid. Light, bubbly, this damces on your tounge and tickles down the throat.

D -- A little strong for a session beer, but not by much. I could drink this all night.Praise Sierra Nevada for going a different direction from most in a holiday beer. Instead of a big, high alcohol spiced or fruited dark beer, they stuck to the basics and simply produced a beer fitting of celebrating the solstice

Having been turned on to wet and fresh-hopped offerings this fall, I expected this to be more like them, yet was not disappointed in the least by the more subtle approach.

Serving type: growler

12-26-2010 01:40:20 | More by HoopTime

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Clear copper with a one finger thick white head that has good retention and lacing down the glass.

S - Sweet toffee, caramel malts, with some earthy pine hops.

T - Spicy hops, then some caramel malt sweetness finishing with pine and floral hops.

M - Light side of a medium body, medium carbonation, smooth and creamy, with some hop oils left in the finish.

D - An all around good IPA, easy to drink with great balance.

Serving type: growler

11-29-2010 22:40:47 | More by garuda

biggred1

Indiana

4.47/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Jamie for giving me a growler from his personal keg.

Dark, orange amber with a fluffy tan head that leaves sticky rings of lace all down the glass. The nose is solid with plenty of that Sierra C-hop smell and plenty of pale and caramel malt goodness. A perfect medley of hop flavor, hop bitterness & malt sweetness. Pine sap and caramel slathered toast. Full bodied with smooth carbonation. A fantastic beer any time of the year.

Serving type: growler

03-10-2010 23:03:05 | More by biggred1

mobyfann

Ohio

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Paid a mere $5.99 for a growler at The Party Source in Bellevue, KY...

The beer pours a clear amber colored base, large white head, excellent retention and lacing on the glass. Smells of oak and hops with a touch of maple syrup.

Low Carbonation, full bodied, incredibly smooth and high quality ingredients... perfect hops in this one. Easy going and smooth in the mouth and a perfect session beer, the only way it isn't is if you drink it too quickly, which is a possibility!

Final Thought: This is a great IPA from one of the big 3 in the micro-brew industry, fantastic!

Serving type: growler

01-02-2010 23:55:09 | More by mobyfann

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

growler to chalice.

A: Medium copper colored body, fairly clear. Pretty 1.5 finger off white, bubbly head that sort of had a second wind right after the pour. Excellent and lasting lacing.

S: Heavy (nearly harsh) hops and mild alcohol right off the bat. Very piney with a bit of wild flowers and grass. (Same grass that makes all those cows happy? Perhaps.) Mild straw malt aromas. Very nice in general, and well aligned with the style.

T: Hoppy. Like a West Coast IPA should be. Slightly metallic.

M: Full body with prickly carbonation.

D: Very smooth and a little bitterness makes it a very drinkable brew. Already poured another and this one's smoother yet.

Serving type: growler

11-14-2009 02:51:35 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

HeyItsChili

South Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a clear amber with a very thin, creamy, tan head.

S - Citrusy, malty, brown sugar.

T - Very hoppy. Everything up front is hops, with some malt and spices mellowing out the finish. Maybe some caramel flavor too, there's definitely something sweet.

M - Crisp and medium bodied.

D - Very drinkable. The crispness of the hops is balanced out by the time you get to the finish, with a nice warm spiciness that enhances but not overpowers.

Serving type: growler

12-13-2008 18:51:08 | More by HeyItsChili

eporter66

New York

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a growler of this from my local beverage center to bring to my parents for Thanksgiving.

Poured from a growler into pint glass

A - Reminded me of a Red Ale in appearance, 2 finger head with great retention and excellent lacing all the way down the glass.

S - Great aromas come off this beer, a lot of citrus (orange & grapefruit), with some malt to.

T - A very good tasting beer. The citrus and malt flavor hits your mouth first with a pretty good hop punch in the back of the mouth, and stays with you after the beer is done.

M - light to medium, with a lot of carbonation. I would like this to have a little more body to it, but that is a very minor complaint.

D - My father and I finished a half gallon growler, so for me this was a very drinkable beer. It had a good blend of malt and hops, and the citrus is well balanced. Pretty smooth with just a little more bite than I am used to, but I am just starting with IPA's. I hope this will be on tap at Christmas time as well, because the growler will be ready for the holidays with more of this!

2009 Edition - Just had my first 2009 and as good as I remember. I bought a six pack, I think I will run out and grab a case. An excellent beer!

Serving type: growler

11-28-2008 02:52:36 | More by eporter66

LennyV

New York

3.63/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown into my La fin Du Monde tulip. Little to no head. This was poured from a mini growler, so I may have lost some carbonation.

Intense smell of hops

Tastes of hops hops and some more hops. Very bittle, little to no sweetness.

Light bodied low carbonation.

Not one of my favorite IPAs. I prefer more sweetness balanced with hops. It will please the hop lovers well.

Serving type: growler

11-16-2008 01:55:18 | More by LennyV

beabear

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours an amber hue with a thick head. Heavy lacing.

Smell: First, second and third whiffs are all hops. Still, it's a mostly light and floral scent. A little citrus-y.

Taste: As the scent indicates, this is hoppy but not overwhelmingly so. Upfront taste is almost sweet. Goes down a little rough, and the bitterness only grows after you swallow it.

Mouthfeel: Kind of watery, and a little thinner than the smell or taste would indicate.

Drinkability: Given the alcohol, this is pretty easy to drink. Still, the lingering bitterness can become a little overwhelming after a few.

This beer looks and smells great, but the lingering aftertaste made finishing the growler a bit of a chore.

Serving type: growler

07-29-2008 03:27:54 | More by beabear

DrunkenMaster

California

3.6/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Growler from Consumer Beverages. Amber with a decent white head. Very spicy aroma which carries over into the taste. Lots of pine and citrus. The malts and hops are really well balanced in this. As it warms up it gets nice and resiny. This a great beer to enjoy anytime of the year.

Serving type: growler

07-16-2008 18:46:00 | More by DrunkenMaster

shabbtastic

New York

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased a growler full at Oliver's Beverage. This is definitely one of my favorites. Poured into a SN Pint glass a day after fill.

A - Pours a beautiful reddish brown. Plenty of carbonation left a two finger foam head that lasted the whole way. Lacing was pristine, as it left sticky trails all the way don the glass to the last sip.

S - Piney, citrus hops, with a nice balance of spice abound.

T - YUM, Hoppy and malty with the perfect balance of creaminess. God I love this beer.

M - Medium bodied with a full fell on the tongue. Very warming with a nice hop finish.

D - Very drinkable beer and much recommended from a growler. I finished the growler the same night as I opened it; just keep that in mind. I'll be sorry to see this one go away soon, but will be eagerly awaiting its release next time!!

Serving type: growler

02-04-2008 13:42:46 | More by shabbtastic

Kadonny

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Poured from a growler about 8 hours after the fill.

A: A dark amber color with a nice 2 finger off white head. Nice lacing on the glass.

S: Hops with some real nice citrus pine straw, a great smelling brew.

T: Hops bitterness, but with a mellow untertone of malt. Lots of citrus with green grass and a slight hint of flower. The finish on the beer really lingers with hop bitterness and a very oily metallic taste.

M: Medium body with an oily mouthfeel and a decent hint of alcohol. The flavor as I said really lingers in the mouth.

D: I would say good. The more you drink of this beer, the better it tastes. I must say though that I have swung to liking the Harvest Ale much more, I think it is just more rounded and has a nice hop malt blend.

Overall this beer is always good and I buy it every year. Sierra Nevada is making some kick ass seasonals and this one follows along that line. I have had better beer, but no doubt this is very solid and I'd drink it anyday.

Update: After having tons more of this beer this past winter on draft and in bottle, I have truly come to love this beer. I updated my original rating from a 3.7 realizing how good this seasonal ale is. I even picked up a case to drink through the spring and summer, it's that good.

Serving type: growler

01-22-2008 20:35:20 | More by Kadonny

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a growler from Finger Lakes Beverage on a saturday trip to Ithaca.

Looks pretty damn good. Pours a dark amber with great head and lacing.

Stong smell, very similar to taste. A strong, but well-rounded hops aroma. A little citrusy.

Tastes pretty good, but could use a little balance in my opinion. While the hops did taste great, the beer lacked complexity.

Nice in your mouth, but overall, a little tough to drink (especially and entire growler). Recommended for any hop head.

Serving type: growler

11-14-2005 04:30:26 | More by tempest

Premo88

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a tulip

L: wow! murky mostly opaque brown with amber highlights topped by a super think 1 1/2-inch head of cream tan/off-white foam. the beer looks solid. and fantastic lacing. remnants of the head last minutes after most heads have dissipated.

S: hops! but it has a nice sweetness to it. definitely some pine and citrus/grapefruit. but you can smell some malt in there, which is awesome. an American IPA with some balance!

T: good up front hop bite with loads of sweetness to give it some balance; the hops are ever-present, from front bite even though the sweeter finish, you can taste that bitter citrusy IPA flavor. can't taste as much malt as you smell.

M: full. good carbonation despite the huge head.

O: I got this late in the season, I'm assuming, and it's still awfully damn good. the two bottles i bought both had some cloudiness in them (debris settled to the bottom), but in both cases, that cloudiness seemed in no way to affect the taste or body of the beer.

what a great American IPA! I was late to it this year, but I'll be on the lookout for it next time around ... if a fresh Celebration tastes better than *this*, oh baby!

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 22:10:47 | More by Premo88

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

4.46/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

2013 Vintage. Classic red amber color, comforting floral aroma with pine forest and vanilla notes. Flavor is sugar coated tangerines in a doughy blanket. As usual, great balance of gritty malt and rough edged hop bite. Finish is all about lingering resinous piney hop and a trickle of alcohol burn. Mouth feel is a bit light and dry - medium body is there, but the hops havent mellowed yet. IPA, Winter warmer, whatever you want to call it, SNCA is to me, one of the best large production beers available. A valid reason to look forward to Winter.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 04:28:41 | More by ExtraStout

RooferOnFire

British Columbia (Canada)

4.46/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I've been desperately seeking this brew after reading so many positive Beer Advocate and Untappd reviews. I had this wish listed for months, pretty sure I was only acquiring it via an expensive trade, when I went into the BCLC and a worker was bringing out the singular six-pack, ordered for a customer who never claimed it, to offer it for sale. I had to have it. She warned me of the high price point ($15), but I put back my usual Unibroue and triumphantly brought my treasure to the checkout.

I've been intrigued by SN because I am a big believer in IPAs, and they're pretty much the introducer of the American IPA. The bottle features festive motifs of pointsettias and snow, with some hops displayed to tell you what's inside. A lot of people have complained that this isn't a Winter warmer, but I do not read anything that claims it to be. What is promised is a Fresh Hop Ale, and I hope this lives up to the hype.

(12oz bottle poured into chilled slender mug; purchased March 26, 2013; serve temp 50-55f)

A (What's Inside): We've got head. Lasting, foamy head with carbonation that looks like it could last for days. Almost looks like a float when viewed from overhead. Nice middle-dark amber-to-red body- think English toffee. Excellent lacing throughout. Remains beautiful until the last sips. (Caveat: you need to know how to pour beer well to enjoy this in a mug. If you cannot, stick to the well-designed bottle.

Smell: Hello hops, pleased to enjoy your presence. Pine, syrup, blood orange. Not heavy enough to intimidate the unindoctrinated but stinky enough to invite you inside.

Taste: Citrus right from the beginning. Bitter orange peel and lemon. Spruce and juniper. Very bitter with a slightly sweet backbone. Powerful without completely crushing your palate. Solid.

Mouthfeel: Surprisingly easy-drinking for the genre, especially from a bottle. Well-carbonated in the glass, but not a destruction in your mouth. Leaves a 20-second coniferous hop aftertaste that can linger and may scare some newbies away from a second pint.

So, is it worth it? Absolutely. While some Canadian DIPAs do exceed this, it's not a CDIPA. I'm writing this while reaching for my second. Certainly a great treat after yesterday's Shaftebury disaster.

This is a Christmas beer- with syrup, mistletoe, and the whole damn spruce tree. It's also a great IPA, and the hops do get mightly fresh with you. There is enough sweet malt to keep the forest in your mouth from igniting, and this is mightily addictive, so you can session it if you have a decent alcohol tolerance and a designated driver. It's more potent than the average IPA, both in taste and alcohol content, so beware.

I tried this 2 ways- bottle and mug, and found that the mug accentuated the aroma, flavour, and feel of this brew, so I'd say this rates a 4 from a bottle and 4.5 from a mug. Rookies may want to stick with the bottle, hop heads should reach for a big ol' glass.

In summation, this is a special American. It rivals other IPA styles while staying true to its California roots. Sierra Nevada has impressed me and I'll be ordering the 2013 version come October, hoping it lives up to this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 01:18:11 | More by RooferOnFire

DenverLogan

Colorado

4.29/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a bottle into a Maudite tulip glass. Bottle from 2012 ~ #2326215:21.
Pours a copper with significant head.
Aroma of grassy snd grapefruit hops, slight tropical melon rind.
Significant carbonation and mouthfeel.
Flavors of rich, roasted malts, minerals, grapefruit rind, pine sap. This is a big and bold beer with a hop wallop through and through. I like to keep this as a house staple...after a warm up beer or two this one maintains a large level of flavor. Great with spicy food, ideally fresh or less than 4 months.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 03:49:13 | More by DenverLogan

mfnmbvp

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, with a code on the side reading 2304119:38. 2012 Sierra Nevada Celebration. Expectations are somewhat average; Sierra Nevada hasn't really blown me away with anything yet. Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Pours a nice two and a half fingers of fluffly doughy off-white head, with excellent retention. Very nice caramel candied orange colored body. Plenty of bubbles rushing to the top. Nice big sheets of lacing.

S - Underneath all that persisting head, the only aromas I manage to pick up are that of a toasted caramelized malt sweetness, with a bit of underlying grapefruit / pine needle hops. I almost sense a bit of vanilla sweetness, or alcohol astringency.

T - From the first sip onward, I was extremely impressed with what this beer had to offer. Sweet apple fruitiness, some bitter grapefruit hops, sweet caramelized malts. Smooth and creamy, and extremely well-balanced. Perfect level of hop bitterness paired with the malt profile.

M - Sticky green apple sweetness lingering around. Some grapefruit bitterness stick around also. Otherwise the beer is smooth and creamy, and highly drinkable by all means.

Overall, I'm glad I decided to stop sleeping on this beer and pick up a bottle. Highly balanced and tasty, and with a nice warming 6.80% abv, I think I might even like this beer better than Lagunitas Sucks, just because of how well balanced the Sierra Nevada Celebration is. I'll be sure to pick it up again in coming years. Well done, Sierra Nevada.

Sierra Nevada Celebration ---4/5.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 21:20:31 | More by mfnmbvp

Burkbom23

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A hazy ale that is deep copper/redish in color, with a thick tan head that does not deminish much with time. Lots of tight lacing that sticks to the glass. Light citrus aroma and smell of hops in the nose. Slight malt flavor to start with hops taking over from there. with the hops dominating the finish as it should. Very drinkable and not overwhelming hops. Medium body finishes with a nice pop and leaves a lasting taste in your mouth. Was expecting more of a spicy brew by the look of the bottle and that it is a holiday ale but not complaining. Very good IPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 00:25:32 | More by Burkbom23

ujsplace

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass.

Pours a thick billowy off white head with a deep copper body.

Smells of citrusy hops, faint malt sweetness and spices.

Tastes of grapefruit bitter hops, mild sweetness, a hint of spiciness - maybe cinnamon and

Light/medium nice carbonation

Definitely caseworthy. Easy drinking and tasty. Another great brew from Sierra Nevada.

2/28/2013 - re review.

Poured into a nonic..

Appearance is basically the same - massive off white head that is very dense and yields a tremendous amount of lace clinging to the sides.

Big hop aromas - grapefruit mostly, but there a piney, resinous hop nose as well.

Nice hop bitters with an underlying malt backbone.

I look forward to this every year...

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 01:08:47 | More by ujsplace

UnderPressure

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Nice copper color. Great two finger head and retention.

A nice, typical American IPA hop aroma.

In your face hop flavor. Some maltyness comes through. High level of bitterness makes for a dry finish.

Medium bodied mouthfeel. Carries this beer well.

This is a pretty standard IPA. Good, but nothing outrageous here.
Not sure why its the winter seasonal, but IPAs are always good.

2012:

Copper colored beer. Clear. Thick, rocky beige head lasts a long time. Nice lacing.

Hops all throughout the aroma. Pungent, citrus, piney, and slightly floral. Fantastic aroma.

A slightly sweet malty backbone with hops all over the place. A mosaic of different hop flavors. And really bitter too.

Mouthfeel has a relatively high viscosity. Smooth, with a pleasant carbonation.

This is a great IPA. Plenty of hop aroma, flavor and bitterness. Very satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 13:19:23 | More by UnderPressure

YCantWeNotBeSober

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev -12%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Bright, almost fluorescent red-orange, with a fluffy white head

S - Apricots, figs, and sweet caramel

T - Pine hop flavor leading to a dry, lasting bitterness. Perfume-like spice characteristic also hangs in the background. A touch of marsh mellow sweetness. As it warms the malt sweetness tends to come forward.

M - Sticky and dry

O - A solid IPA, the hopping is perhaps a bit too focused on the bittering aspect and less on the flavor/aroma, however this bottle is over a month old so it may be a bad representation of the wet-hopping. Overall pretty average, nothing strikingly awesome about it.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 21:20:49 | More by YCantWeNotBeSober