Northern Hemisphere Harvest Wet Hop Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

chadlebald

California

4.4/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On cask at Tornonado in San Francisco.

Poured with a nice creamy one-finger head. Lacing is thin but each notch is evident.

Smell of piney hops and bread.

Taste is similar and two-fold--first the malt then the hops...the latter of which linger for some time.

True to cask form, carbonation is rightly low and serving temp is spot on. (sidebar: my jury is still out on 'flatter' mouthfeel when it comes to IPAs--it totally fits english style ales but American hoppy beers... a tougher sell to my palate; prickly hops seem to dance differently (and better?) on my tongue when more highly carbed methinks)

All that said, this is a very well put together brew.

Serving type: cask

03-21-2012 04:19:21 | More by chadlebald

pmarlowe

California

4.22/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On cask at O'Brien's 2011 Wet Hop Ale Festival. Pint glass.

Pours a medium amber with stone colored foam, very dense, good retention and leaving a swath of lacing. Smell is a nice mellow hoppiness (citrus and floral), some tropical fruit. Taste is grassy and floral, again pretty mellow, which is followed by a dose of pine, juicy orange, and grapefruit peel, with a pleasant bitterness throughout. Very light carbonation and medium body. Overall, very drinkable and nice balance, a good choice to have on cask.

Serving type: cask

10-23-2011 04:23:48 | More by pmarlowe

Offa

California

4.3/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I shall first say that from what I understand from the Sierra Nevada website, this is simply the new name for the Harvest Wet Hop Ale, changed to Northern Hemisphere when they added the Southern Hemisphere version.

Anyway, we just had a night with Sierra Nevada wet hop beers at Toad in the Hole here in Santa Rosa, with a cask of this and I must say that cask conditioned it really is very different from ther bottle, which sometimes is the case. I would say that I like it more as, again as I often find from the cask, it has more subtlety and complexity, with elements gently and more well integrated.

Deep red amber, it has a nice, creamy off-white head, steadily shrinking to a thin creamy, foamy veneer and some nice creamy lace.

Aroma is subdued and gentle, with light but clear roses plus some citrus.

Taste is more complex, but again the rose is there from the start. Up front, it is sweet and rosey like rose Turkish Delight, soon joined by citrusy and spicey hop bitterness, nice sweet caramelly grain and light juicy fruitiness. Overall, the elements are gentle but fresh and bright, and well-integrated. Feel is great, creamy but lively. Drinkability is good.

Serving type: cask

10-20-2010 20:54:06 | More by Offa

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.85/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 24oz bomber with no visible BB date. 2012 vintage. Acquired a little while back from Trembling Madness in York. I enjoyed SN's Southern Hemisphere wet hop ale, so I hope this matches the quality.

Poured into a Duvel tulip. A deep coppery-orange hue with light haze and medium carbonation. Produces a vast head of creamy off-white foam with good retention; this slowly subsides to a surface layer. Great lacing all down the glass. Aroma of fruity hops with hints of citrus and grass. Underpinned by grainy caramel malt, earthy yeast and a touch of sweetness.

Tastes of caramel malt with a fruity hop character and a powerful bitter finish. Notes of grapefruit, citrus, grass, faint pine, caramel, grain, earthy yeast and stewed hops. Slightly sweet, with a strident bitterness upon swallowing. A hint of solventy booze in the background. Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and dry, with pleasant carbonation and good body. Somewhat astringent, with an aftertaste of bitter aromatic hops and caramel malt.

Tasty stuff - a beer of substance. Plenty of hops, as might be expected for a wet hop brew. Looks fantastic, and the aroma/flavour are solid. I'm a little surprised the alcohol comes through as much as it does, but there you go. Good body. Quality - might be a bit late to find one now, but if you do see it in the future it is well worth your while.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 22:55:21 | More by jazzyjeff13

buschbeer

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

1 pint 8 ounce bottle
Served in a perfect pint glass

A - It is a lovely amber color with soft orange highlights. The three fingers of off-white head are rocky in appearance and have some staying power.

S - I get some citrus, caramel malt. I also smell some wet grass which is interesting.

T - The taste is a lot more bitter than the smell suggests. I'm assuming some citrus or something else would come through if this beer were fresh. I do get a little caramel malt, but the bitterness is overpowering.

M - It is kind of thin for an IPA and lower in carbonation than expected.

O - This beer is all bitter. That is not my favorite approach to an IPA. I doubt I would like it much better fresh. I am impressed that it held this much flavor for a fall seasonal IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 01:53:54 | More by buschbeer

thezach

Maryland

4.26/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: This is a damn good beer. Pours a 2-finger frothy, rocky, creamy off-white head. Beer itself is a bronzed copper. Looks like it got some time in the sun (but not really, because that would ruin it lolz). Lacing is insane.

S: Hop oils, grassy, ever-so-slightly sweet and malty with a bit of caramel. There might be some slight alcohol aroma and taste, but it blends so well with the beer that it doesn't detract from the experience at all.

T: Well-balanced between a snappy bitterness and its malty, slightly grainy side. A bit of breadiness comes out, especially as the beer warms.

M: So smooth, creamy, moderately full but not heavy by any means. Definitely a more filling beer than some IPAs, but that could be a result of being about 20 oz. into a 24 oz. bottle (worth it).

O: Find this, savor this, enjoy, repeat.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 00:37:04 | More by thezach

Rast

Maryland

3.66/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Bomber style while watching Iowa St. dismantle Notre Dame in March Madness 2013.

The appearance intrigues. Copper colouration with a majestically thick, lacy head. I see this beer. I want this beer. Furthermore, not only do carbon bubbles ascend, but some sorts of fragments descend. Hops? Unsure. The mouthfeel also intrigues. Initial carbonation gives way quickly to smooth silkiness, even when gulped rather than sipped. The nose is much as the taste: bright, nutty malt matched with subtle hop over/unders. Complexity abounds. No. Hemis. Wet Hop demands digestion of both the mind and stomach. All-important aftertaste leaves one satisfied, but desiring a bit more. Intriguing.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 03:48:10 | More by Rast

Tang07

California

5/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is a truly wonderful brew. I look forward to drinking the NH and the SH Wet Hop Ales seasonally.

It's very drinkable and is more balanced and has more flavor and character than say their Torpedo.

It looks great, a nice dark copper with a fabulous hopyy smell.

It can be a session beer despite it's high abv.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 10:55:40 | More by Tang07

patre_tim

China

4.36/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A: Orange brown with a little sediment, 3 finger orange brown tinged head, moderate carbonation.

S: Caramel with orange, hops, citrus, pine, slight barnyard. Fruity and floral.

T: Follows nose with caramel, orange, hops citrus, pine and some fruity and floral, only getting the barnyard when siphoned over the top of my tongue.

M: Syrupy, medium thick body, medium low carbonation.

O: Great IPA. Balanced, the barnyard is not overwhelming and acceptable, but does bring it down slightly in my opinion. Love the idea of it all harvested fresh in one day, love the bottle, love the taste. Should be tried.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 04:04:48 | More by patre_tim

SmashPants

Australia

4.19/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottle: solid dark brown 710mL bottle, with a very stylish, vintage-style label. A good-looking package that has me expecting a quality product.

Appearance: a vibrant, pure orange colour, with hints of red and dusty brown. Very little carbonation. A fairly solid head pops up to two fingers, and settles to a thick, rocky pure white with great lacing and decent retention.

Aroma: a definite caramel malt comes forth, with some citric hops backing up - predominantly grapefruit. Not much more than those, but they'll definitely do.

Taste: I'm not sure if it's the speed with which they deliver the hops to the bottle, but this beer seems very fresh, quite organic. Defined characteristics of pine, grapefruit and caramels. I really enjoy the addition of the caramel malts instead of the usual AIPA "million hops with no distinct flavour".

Aftertaste: a lingering bitterness in the throat that makes one feel like drinking more. Sounds good to me! A dryness across the palate too.

Mouth feel: smooth and quite heavy in body, with a heavier yet fine carbonation. More carbonation than the initial appearance would suggest. Goes down very easily, which is a bit of a concern considering the price.

Overall: a very good example of a good-quality, flavoursome American IPA. I am a bit sick olf the usual "whop the hops in an hope for the best" AIPAs that have no taste. This one is clean, crisp and distinctly flavoursome. A very nice beer, that whilst a bit dear at AU$80 a case of 12 x 710mL, is a darn site better than half of the worse, but more expensive AIPAs out there.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 12:15:02 | More by SmashPants

JPlo

Maryland

4.26/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Copper color, hazy-cloudy. Head slightly above avg lasting, with good lacing.

Smell/Taste: Smells like freshness and herbal. Citrusy, grassy, piney, earthy, biscuity, grainy. Very "Juicy" finish.

Feel: smooth/silky. carbonation is light-creamy, medium body. Finish is avg-long with a slightly wet finish.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 22:59:05 | More by JPlo

Luke4

4.29/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Great SN AIPA. The color is deep orange/amber with a hint of red? The head is sticky lacy and lingering until the last drop. Te smell is sort of fruity, but also is reminiscent of freshly cut grass. The citrus/grassy/earthy bitterness of this beer is just fabulous. Am I the only one also tasting a bit of rye on the body? Unlike the Estate from Sierra Nevada, this one is not 100% organic, but it kind of taste like it. The wet hop method truly adds to flavor and aromatics.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 01:34:40 | More by Luke4

Sunnanek

Sweden

4.45/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: The deep amber color is clear and warm. The medium tall off-white head is really compact and slowly dissipating. Nice lacings.

S: Caramell malts, somewhat sweet and quite biscuity is dominated by the hops; both bitter and floral. Tropical fruits and pine; pineapple, ripe grapefruit and red oranges with a lemon twist.

T: Fresh and crisp. Bread and biscuit from the caramell malt, a bit sweet. Rich hoppy bitterness that only grows and grows. The floral hops are still very obvious, but a bit held back compared to the smell, but everything is still there. The malt and hops are in better balance in the taste.

M: Fantastic long and lovely bitter aftertaste. Body is smooth and on the fuller side. Carbonation is quite rich but very smooth and holds only very small bubbles.

O: Very nice and well balanced. Everything that you expect in an AIPA is there. Nothing is too strong in comparison. Lovely.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 19:25:58 | More by Sunnanek

Seanniek91

New Hampshire

4.38/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Served from a bomber into a Grey sail pint.

Appearance- Nice copper/amber with a finger of fluffy off white head. Nice lacing.

Smell- Piney hops. Some grapey smell. Peaches? Light caramel malts. Herbaceous.

Taste- Piney/fruity hops. Not bitter. Malts balence out the hops. Some apple flavors.

Mouthfeel- Lighter body. Mild carbonation. Super smooth and drinkable. Not too sticky.

Overall- Another great IPA from Sierra Nevada. This one is super drinkable and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 18:32:10 | More by Seanniek91

tdm168

North Carolina

4.19/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A - orangish amber with a huge, towering mountain of off white head that has great retention

S - citrus, floral, faint bread

T - bready malt, some caramel, faint sugary sweetness, grapefruit, mango, some floral hints, piney bitter finish

M - medium bodied, well carbonated

This is a really nice beer. The flavor is well balanced. The malt is bold and forward. The hops are intricate and incredibly flavorful. They seem to hit each note on the hop spectrum. It's not overpoweringly bitter and the ABV is manageable which allows one to work through a 24oz bottle with ease. I am really glad I picked this beer up.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 00:39:03 | More by tdm168

Kulrak

Australia

3.89/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear brownish red with a fair amount of chunky tan head that clings to the glass. Smells of citrusy hops and malty sweetness. The taste is heavy hoppiness with a small amount of malt, but mostly of hops. it's not so much bitter as it is just citrusy hop flavor. Mouthfeel is heavy and creamy, very nice. Overall, if you love hops, this is a great beer for you.

Serving type: can

01-24-2013 11:14:12 | More by Kulrak

Greywulfken

New York

4.31/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: into the ole' nonic pint, a medium amber body capped by a few fingers of off-white head; great head retention, moderate lacing

S: floral, herbal, and crisp, fresh hops dominate softer malt aromas

T: wow. Clean, fresh, delicious malts overlaid with mellow bitter hops of pine and earth; made me think of grassy fields and fresh air; tiny bits of spice and citrus

M: light, clean, palate refreshing, crisp carbonation and smooth finishing

O: no wonder this beer gets such acclaim - truly delicious, extremely drinkable - a seasonal must-have.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 01:10:44 | More by Greywulfken

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.29/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2012 vintage...

A: Pours a deep amber with two full fingers of light khaki colored head. The foam takes a good amount of time to settle, and There is some great lacing left on the glass as it drinks.

S: The nose is pine, earth, it's a bit vegital, and has a touch of malt in the back end. It smells exactly like I would imagine a Wet Hop beer to smell like.

T: I get a mild sweetness, earth/dirt, and a great piney hop kick. The balance is great. Sweet to hoppy to sweet to hoppy. The finish is a great mix of spice and sweet. I'm impressed.

M: Medium bodied beer. It has some heft, but it's never overwhelming. This is an easy drinking beer and goes down smooth, stick around for a bit, and then moves off the palate.

O: This is a really nice beer. Another solid offering from Sierra Nevada. I would drink this again and again and again.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 19:11:53 | More by trxxpaxxs

KFBR392

Illinois

4.24/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: A clear golden amber color. Lacing stuck masterfully to the glass as I slowly enjoyed this brew. Enjoyed out of a tall pilsner type glass.

Smell: Caramelized malt aroma. This aroma was much more subdued then I expected. Hops were not as present as I would have hoped.

Taste: Subtle. Once again the caramel flavor dominates this brew. Hops are there but I don't think this bottle was as fresh as it could have been. The pine flavors of this IPA are very pleasant. Although not as fresh as its been, the taste is very well rounded and balanced.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel was not what I hoped it would be. The hops or pine flavor did not stick around like I hoped. Going down was definitely very smooth though.

Overall: Really solid. I wish I would have had this right when it came out to get the full effect of the design of this beer. Sierra Nevada makes some of the best beer around, their high end stuff really can go toe to toe with anyone.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 05:05:42 | More by KFBR392

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

3.83/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into a Ommegang chalice glass.

Appearance- A hazy reddish color with both yellow and brown hues. Lots of carbonation straming from the bottom of the glass creating a solid 2 finger froathy head that is cloud like in color.

Smell- Tons of juicy citrus and pine. Specifically Grapefruit, lemon and lime.

Taste- Earthy hops are most prevalent. Small amounts of pine and citrus almost make appearances but still has a long cloying earthy hop finish.

Mouthfeel- Very excellent. It starts out very creamy but also had great carbonation to make it easy on the pallate.

Overall- Tons of hops with mostly earthy like ones. I would like a litlle more citrus or grapefruit and even some more pine in the taste profile for a better balance.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 23:36:39 | More by BrownAleMale

leokbelo

Florida

4.6/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a bright, deep copper/orange into a pint glass. 1 inch head reluctantly fades into a lacing that stays.
Rich pine cones on the nose, citrus and spicy.
Hop fanatics unite! This brew is bitter as it should be! Wet hops are very present, giving a spicy and citrus tone, again. Grassy and piney.
Light sweetness in the back, from the malts, balance it out just right.
Extremely pleased with this one! Highly drinkable!
Another hit from the folks at SN.
Highly recommended, specially to the hop heads!
Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 19:58:03 | More by leokbelo

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled September 20, 2012.

Beer is light amber in colour, totally clear. Good-sized off-white head. Good retention and lace.

Aroma is quite grassy, with muted citurs notes. A very fresh scent.

Taste contains toasted malt, but is primarily comprised of hop flavours. Grass, some citrus and other fruits (orange, some apple and grapefruit) and some pine. A spicy flavour, tastes a bit like rye. Fairly bitter, particularly in the aftertaste, which is fairly fruity.

Medium bodied, moderate carbonation, a bit oily.

Overall, nice IPA. Flavour is a bit of a mix between American and English IMO.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 01:52:00 | More by jrenihan

Sark

Montana

4.13/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance- Mid-orange copper. Head retention minimal leaving minimal lace around the glass edge.

Smell- A bit weak. The wet hops let some earthy tones come out with some floral notes on top.

Taste- Hop attack isn't too strong up front but hits more mid and back mouth. There is a good balance and the hop oils become prominent here.

Mouthfeel- Medium/full bodied leaves a decent malt note for a wet-hopped beer.

Overall- Sierra Nevada can still pull off it's pale ales, even when they are a bit more than pale.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 04:02:50 | More by Sark

doktorhops

Australia

4.43/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

After the reasonably OK 'Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale' (let's get some shorter names happening from now on Sierra Nevada), I was hesitant to purchase this ale with its hefty $11.99 price tag, that's $12.46 in US dollars right now (yes we pay far too much for beer in Australia), however it has some very solid reviews and who knows I might actually like it.

Poured from a 710ml bomber into a nonic pint.

A: Presents with a classic clear amber/rust body and typical chalk white centimetre head.

S: Hoppy on the nose, as expected, floral hops with a touch of citrus, orange blossom in particular makes a surprise appearance. Pine notes in the background, and a finishing hint of honey and a toasted malt base, though the hops rightfully dominate the aroma. Top marks for hop pungency in an American IPA.

T: This is one that really jumps straight out of the gate. Flavours are: Pine/citrus/spicy/orange blossom hops all the way from beginning to end. There is a touch of honey at the start and a toasted malt/bread yeast base in the middle but it really is floored by the hops which steal the show. It ends with a surprising medium bitterness considering the amount of hop flavour that has been extracted overall. Pretty damn hopalicous brew this!

M: Oily from all the hops, with a medium body and mid to light carbonation it's an easy one to drink.

D: Sierra Nevada Northern Hemisphere Harvest Wet Hop Ale takes a big greasy hop-flavoured dump all over the Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale its so damn good. If you ask me it's a touch of Northern Hemisphere favouritism on display from Sierra Nevada, yeah alright we get it - the Northern Hemisphere is better... damn anti-antipodeans! Regardless of this SNNHHWHA (Sierra Nevada Northern Hemisphere Harvest Wet Hop Ale - in case you were wondering), which is like the sound one makes when they're about to sneeze, is an ale worthy of my affections.

Food match: I could fiercely hook into a super hot vegetarian Korma or Rogan Josh with basmati rice and papadum right now.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 10:44:37 | More by doktorhops

TheSixthRing

California

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

Appearance - Pours a fairly clear, bright burnt orange color with an off-white head that peaked at just under 2 fingers. Good retention. Leaves a fine lace that borders on spotty, with good stick.

Smell - Lightly toasted biscuit malt, leafy, fresh almost mint hop character with traces of pine and citrus.

Taste - Hits on the lightly toasted malt briefly to start, then pounds you with a nice array of hop character; grassy bitterness, pine, and citrus notes. Finishes with a faint touch of peppery spice and a lingering bitter-sweetness.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Slick on the tongue. Finishes with fair smoothness.

Overall - Had this on tap just last week, and I enjoyed it a bit more than what I'm having out of the bottle. There's no bottling date, so I can't say how fresh this is. Still, it's pretty damn good.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 05:44:38 | More by TheSixthRing