Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

barnzy78

Illinois

4.6/5  rDev +10%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2012, and it's the 6th year in a row I've picked up this favorite of mine.
12oz bottle, a rocky, ivory head tops a bronze colored ale; excellent head retention & lacing is left all over the glass. The pleasant aromas of fresh, dank, piny hops coupled with caramely, bready malt fill the nose. Huge, fresh, piny hops (some pungent grapefruit in there as well) prevail through the healthy dose of malt. Notes of rye bread crust and caramel (a little burnt) try to balance out the pine, but can't stand up to it. Pine lingers & lingers on the palate while finishing dry and bitter. Medium body, smooth but resiny reminiscent of pine tar. Overall, although it's fairly one-note with not a whole lot of complexity, I love this seasonal IPA. I'm not sure why some complain about it being too piny...that's exactly the point they're trying to make.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 00:53:14 | More by barnzy78

Profchaos20

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a tulip

A - Two finger off white head, dissipates to a thin cap that sticks around leaving lots of lacing. Hazy with a amber slightly redish color.

S - Strong floral hoppiness smacks you across the face, with notes of resin deeper.

T - Not nearly as much hops as the smell would indicate. Sweet maltyness, light hop resin flavor, finishes with a fairly strong bitterness that lingers on the palate long after the beer is gone.

M - Medium to full bodied, medium carbonation but pretty smooth

O - Good wet hop IPA that looks and smells better that it tastes. Solid overall beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 03:52:03 | More by Profchaos20

LeRose

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2012 vintage in six packs.

Poured a red coppery color with a nice frothy head that persisted. About two fingers down to a quarter inch or so.

Aroma was like the pine forest. Very resinous, a bit of grapefruit in the way of citrus.

Flavor followed along. Hops forward with pine resin and a bit of bitterness, but not overwhelming. A touch of grapefruit bitterness on the finish. Hard time finding the malt under the hops, but there was sweetness present. Enjoyed the green notes of the free hops, but I suspect this would be miles better on draft.

A little coating, but not cloying. So overall an enjoyable beer that was good choice to share with friends.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 03:37:53 | More by LeRose

sommersb

Tennessee

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

Tasted On: 12-26-2012
Freshness: 2012 Vintage
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Globe glass
Purchased: Single from Frugal MacDoogal, Nashville

A: Giant off-white tan head on a hazy and dark amber-colored beer. Excellent retention and very attractive rings of lace are left behind.

S: Initial aromas suggest caramel malts, and then quickly fade to a strong smell of citrus and pine hops, coupled with spicy yeast notes.

T: Taste is big and bold of piney hop bitterness. The malts hinted at in the nose are not evident in the taste. Other flavors include a citrus hop character reminiscent of grapefruits.

M: Medium bodied, with prickly carbonation. Finishes both dry and bitter, quite hop-forward.

O: As a celebration of hops, this beer is successful, but it left me as lacking and being a bit one-dimensional.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 21:30:15 | More by sommersb

mooseo

Pennsylvania

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

12oz bottle into pint glass.

A - Rich copper with a fluffy, thick cream colored head.

S - A nice inviting aroma of sweet caramel, earthy pine, citrus, and floral hops.

T - Lots of earthy pine and grapefruit hops supported by a bready, caramel malt backbone. The hops are the true showcase here.

M - Smooth, creamy, and a bit sticky. Medium bodied, crisp, and refreshing. Slightly dry.

O - This is an excellent IPA - just a wonderful winter seasonal. Very balanced, flavorful, and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 20:56:11 | More by mooseo

PsilohsaiBiN

New York

3.25/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2012 bottle

Appearance: Amber pour with a nice 1 1/2 finger head that has some staying power.

Smell: Solvents and some very faint bittersweetness from the hops

Taste: Kind of bland for an IPA. There are hop and malt profiles, but they are pretty subdued, and I wouldn't call them too pleasing either. An unpronounced combo of malts and hops fade into a bitter finish. Not the most pleasing taste.

Mouthfeel: Nice, sticky, tongue grabbiness is backed by some lively carbonation.

Overall: Hate to be a basher of an old favorite but this is just average to me. I mean hell, I'd take this over a Bud any day of the week but it just colors me bland for the style. However, I refuse to throw it under the bus because I do respect the history of this trailblazing company. Would drink again, but wouldn't seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 23:59:52 | More by PsilohsaiBiN

fatmusic14

Colorado

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

Not typically a huge fan of Sierra Nevada brews, but love fresh hop so I figured I'd give this a shot.

Pours darker than you'd think, a terrific mix of orange, red - shaded down 1 octave. Good head, hangs around. Decent lacing, but the remaining head is really the pointman here.

Smells like a pinecone. Straight up. Very earthy - overpowering pine and slight hints of soil. Subtleness of the scent combination really takes your mind to a different place.

Tastes like it smells, like a terrific ale. Plenty of hops, pine, citrus, not overpoweringly bitter, but strong.

M - fresh, delicious. Carbonation at good levels, IPA aftertaste.

O - great beer. If you're an elitist, its worth straying from the craft for this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 22:07:22 | More by fatmusic14

NICKV1117

California

4.28/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of my favorite seasonal offerings from Sierra Nevada (or any other brew maker for that matter).

Pours a beautiful amber, clear with a decent amount of carbonation. Put a nose on it and you smell that deep pine and citrus that we have come to know from West Coast I P A. Sweet, but not too floral. The taste is similar to their fantastic Torpedo, yet with a bit more spice.

All in all, it truly compliments the joys of the season. A winner.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 05:35:34 | More by NICKV1117

phishsihq

Colorado

4.2/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This American IPA pours a clear amber color, and it is capped by a thin head of off-white foam that dissipates quickly and provides decent lace. Big citrus and pine aromas and a decent caramel malt nose. Caramel and bready malt sweetness give way to citrusy hop flavors and bitterness. Amazingly smooth and incredibly well-balanced, Celebration ale is medium in both body and carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 02:19:53 | More by phishsihq

tastymug

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Really nice clear, red copper color. Poured with a great head and leaves lots of nice lacing on the glass.

Smell: Mix of malts and hops in the nose with some citrus and pine.

Taste: Well-balanced taste. Definitely more hoppy than anticipated for a winter-time beer but it’s not overpowering—it should appeal to hop heads and those that like a more malty taste.

Mouthfeel: Crisp with a nice amount of carbonation; light to medium bodied.

Overall: For what this beer advertises, it certainly delivers. While I prefer a more spiced type of wintertime ale, this one delivers for its genre. Very drinkable, good level of alcohol ... beautiful color and head. I could definitely drink more than one of these to counteract the sweets at the Christmas family meal!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 21:12:17 | More by tastymug

totallyrelaxed

4.63/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

First review of Celebration-

A- What a beautiful beer. A nice redish copper color which really fits the season. Beautiful off-white head about a finger thick.

S- Tons of juicy grapefruit. Some pine as well. A really crisp citrus smell with some nice malt in the background. A really great smelling beer.

T- Once again a ton of grapefruit and some resiny pine. The malt backbone in this is perfect. Just barely tames the bitterness from the fresh hops. Its what makes this different than other Sierra Nevada IPA/PA offerings. One of the most pleasant tasting beers i've had.

M- So drinkable. Not too creamy and some great carbonation.

O- I can't speak highly enough of this beer. Its not the best beer I've ever had but its definitely one of the most enjoyable to drink. Every Christmas I grow to love this beer more and more. It is Sierra Nevada's best beer IMO. It is perfectly balanced in a West Coast IPA kinda way. It is super drinkable and unique. I hear people say this is overrated but I personally think its underrated. What a treat. Worth the wait..

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 07:06:03 | More by totallyrelaxed

Labeorphile

Texas

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

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Poured too strong the first time and ended up with a 3 inch head. Grabbed a second bottle and maybe poured a little light, didn't end up with much head, but what was there was nice and sticky with little bubbles coming up to support.

Nice coppery color and strong scent of pine, typical of Sierra Nevada. Not my favorite hop variety, but what is there is very strong in the nose.

Solid flavor that matches the hop aroma, especially on the back end. Much more muted and balanced than I expected, based on the aroma. A hint of secondary bitterness late in the back that I don't care for. Mouth feel is about right for an IPA.

Overall a good beer. I prefer the Stone ales to the Sierra Nevada's given the hops used, but this is one of the better SN offerings I have had.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 01:44:41 | More by Labeorphile

godlessape

Georgia

4.58/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tis the season can mean a lot of different things to different people, but to me, I think not of candy canes, shopping malls, annoying as shit carols, or eggnog; I now think of Sierra Nevada Celebration.
I poured this one into a Samuel Adams pint glass. The body has a dark rich copper color to it that's topped off with a massive beige pillow of fluffy goodness that sinks some but not much.
The aroma seems dominated by grapefruit, and pine, but lurking not to far behind comes the fruity, caramel sweetness.
The hop bitterness cuts through your tongue and shatters the jaw, then mercifully lays flat a thin layer of sweetness.
The mouthfeel is thin to medium.
Overall this is my favorite seasonal. Another great one from the mighty Sierra Nevada.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 04:00:03 | More by godlessape

axeman9182

New Jersey

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

12 oz bottle, 2012 vintage. It was poured into my Duvel tulip.

Sierra Nevada Celebration pours a dark amber, with a good bit of clarity to it. Just over two fingers of dirty white foam finish off the look, hanging around for a few minutes before leaving chunks of lacing stuck to the glass. The aroma is predominantly grapefruit in character, but a bit of more piney hops manages to sneak into the nose as well. There's a healthy dollop of caramel and candied sugar right up front, before a bitterness intercedes. My first impression is that it's relatively mild, but it does increase in intensity as it moves towards the back of my palate. The hoppy finish is closer to straight floral grapefruit, but there's still a little bit of pine appreciable. The body definitely isn't on the dry end of the spectrum for an IPA. For a beer that's (hopefully) only going to be consumed in the winter months, I don't mind that as much. The carbonation could stand to "pop" just a little bit more though. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy Sierra Nevada Celebration, but I don't quite see what makes some of my beer geek brethren go crazy about it either.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 02:54:15 | More by axeman9182

thlayli87

New Jersey

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

Served in nonic pint.

A - Dark amber color with massive 5 inch head that cascades over the rim of the glass. Excellent lacing on the sides of the glass.

S - Piney hops with hints of citrus.

T - Assertive hops, pine, lemon, a bit of sweetness towards the middle, with pleasantly bitter finish

M - Medium bodied with light buttery creaminess. Very crisp and refreshing

O - A well-crafted hoppy pale ale. One of the finest examples of the style that I've tasted.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 23:00:54 | More by thlayli87

nottomucknfuch

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Delicious. One that's worth waiting for year after year. 2012 though is very good. Pours ok. Even on a careful pour there's quite a bit of head, which I don't favor but overlook for this one. Smells dam good toffee, caramel, oak amongst others. Taste, Dam good. That's why I drink it. Does have a grapefruit ending, slightly bitter. Overall I look forward to this one. Slightly heavy a sixer tops.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 22:54:21 | More by nottomucknfuch

Damian74Shensky

South Carolina

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

A: amber, cloudy body, had head about 2 fingers wide great retention.

S: hops! love it! pine, sweet

T: Well balanced taste hops up front then a little spice and then malty caramel... then the dry hops very good!

M: good body, clean but very full

O: Sierra Nevada, one of my favorite breweries. Has a can't miss beer her. Bought a case for an xmas party and everyone enjoyed it and for $34 bills you can't go wrong. Great beer
poured into a pint glass

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 19:41:59 | More by Damian74Shensky

Jsteez

New Mexico

4.38/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. botttle into a dimpled beer mug.

A-Poured a cloudy, medium amber color, with an orange hue. The off-white head was creamy, 1.5 inches, and thick! The head dissipated into a fluffy white surface that gave this beer an incredible mouthful! A nice sticky lace was left on the glass. This beer was one the best IPA's I have seen!

S-Grapefruity with citrus undertones. I could really smell the American whole cone hops. Very balanced smell. There were also traces of sweet malt as well.

T-Just like the smell, grapefruit, pine, citrus, whole cone hops, and a nice balance of sweet malt. The aftertaste left a bitter hop taste that created a dry feel. This was balanced by the sweet malt on the initial taste of the brew. There were also traces of that spicy X-mas taste you can find in mulled wine. Great winter brew. It was so nicely balanced that the higher ABV was not noticeable.

M-This was a full-bodied brew with a crisp and dry finish that also felt a little light. Balanced and nice.

Overall, I recommend this brew to those that love IPA's with a spicy holiday twist. Sierra Nevada never disappoints. Try this with spicy Thai food. You'll be highly satisfied. This may sound strange, but try it while eating a grapefruit or an orange. You'll be surprised. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 16:14:28 | More by Jsteez

Googs

New York

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle poured into a pint glass. My first time having this one, I love Sierra Nevada and I have high hopes.

A: Pours with a big off white head which turns into a 1/4 of nice bubbles. Golden amber body, great carbonation Lacing on the glass. This is a sexy brew so far.

S: Hop forward smell. Citrus and earthy, floral and pine aroma. A bit of sweet bread and tiny bit of booze.

T: On the bitterness scale this is not off the hook, it's quite balanced and that's why I love it. Good malt backbone. Your getting the sweet pale and cara malts and then the rich citrus and hop bite. Not tasting alcohol.

M: Medium body, well carbonated and very smooth. Not sticky. Bitterness is present, it hits, covers up the booze and stays on the palate. I drank this one pretty fast, wish I had more to get saucy on.

O: This beer is great. Drinkable and full of flavor at a good price. I'm a hophead but I lean towards the more balanced IPAs and DIPAs and this is one of those. Think I'll get a six pack.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 22:22:57 | More by Googs

MisterNic

Wyoming

3.65/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Deep amber/red color with a 3-finger white head.

S - Aroma is citrus with a little pine. Has almost a grassy hop aroma.

T - Taste is sweet, bready malt and a piney hop flavor.

M - Mouthfeel is average.

O - Overall, I would say this one of my least favorite IPA’s. A little to much bitterness for the amount of hop flavor and aroma. It also has a lingering piney bitterness that I feel could be better supported by more flavor and aroma hops or more of a malt backbone.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 16:25:30 | More by MisterNic

dfillius

Michigan

4.18/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint
A: Moderate pour yields 1.25 finger of tight orange-tan head with great retention. Clear copper liquid has maybe the slightest haze to it.
S: Caramel, toasted marshmallow, orange/creamsicle, citrus hops. Juicy and sweet, slight esters. Solid and multi-dimensional
T: Hops bite in the finish and the start. Piney and grapefruit hop character. Some savory-ness. Alstroms say tobacco - I kind of get that. So solid. A bit maltier and more caramelized than I like my AIPAs, but not over the top. Good for the season.
M: Bitter through and through. Almost chewy. Almost punishingly bitter in the late finish.
O: Glad to keep buying 6 of these each year! I'll have another! Not the best AIPA, but a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 01:24:52 | More by dfillius

Arithmeticus

Maryland

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured chilled in large ale glass.

A: brownish orange color; one-finger head, strong carb action; good lacing
S: sweet, luscious hop aroma; grass; very appealing
T: strong hop profile; the fresh hops are very detectable; one might be fooled in thinking this is a green beer; medium sweetness; very savory

The label implies something like a winter warmer, but it's really a nice, acerbic hop bomb. I'm buying a case!

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 23:54:26 | More by Arithmeticus

socon67

New York

4.03/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2012 bottle.

A - Orange\amber pour with a beige foam that laces the glass well. Foam pours high and settles fast.

S - Fresh pine, graprefruit, and bitter hops. This is a classic west coast amber that almost makes theleap into an IPA.

T - Tangy citrus fruits is the first flavor that stand out. There are some notes of spice before settling in with some strong bitter notes.

M - Balance on this is incredible and manages to temper the hop profile with some good old west coast malt. This is a joy to drink and while the flavor profile is storn it just seems to be mellow enough to enjoy.

O - Not sure if I'd pick this as my first choice for a Chirstmas beer. However this is a well made beer that I'd like to get more often.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 20:19:17 | More by socon67

TheSeeker61

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Waited a year to try this one as I saw it last season but didn't get a chance to try it. Poured a finger head with an amber color. Good lacing on the glass. Smelled mostly malty with slight hops. The tongue begins with a hint of malts then moves into centennial hops which is fine with me. A nice bitter/grapefruit finish. Has an average mouthfeel which is good for the style. Overall it was worth the wait and an interesting IPA.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 19:51:58 | More by TheSeeker61

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

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

Been drinking this beer for years and never had it on tap, so when I seen it at TJ Smiths I jumped at it.
And it's just like the bottled version.
It had the same ruby copper amber color but had gentile carbonation and a smallish head.
Aroma were the same loads of fresh hops and sutle malts.
Taste was quite hoppy and bold and bitter with a good dose of malts to rein in the hops a bit.
Drank refreshingly smooth with a clean dry and somewhat bitter aftertaste.
One of my top 5 favorite beers still after all these years.

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2012 14:49:00 | More by micromaniac129