Sierra Nevada - Hoptimum Imperial IPA (2012)

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Hoptimum Imperial IPA (2012)
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 10.4 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Rusty orange/copper in color.
Prodigious amount of hops aroma waft up from the body.
Nicely foaming two finger head with good lacing on the glass.
Head dissipates after a while. Leaves a small cap.
Hoppy tasting is an understatement, however, it is not overly sappy/syrupy. 
Rich, medium to full bodied mouth feel. Stinging hops with moderate alcohol aftertaste. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
At 100 IBU's and 10.4% ABV, this whole-cone Imperial IPA is not for the timid of heart. The alcohol is sneaky but oh-so present, especially as it warms in the glass. A full on attack of your senses, Hoptimum will knock you out at every level. Be daring...give it a try.

Looking over the label, you cannot help but notice the rather regal looking "hop head" staring back at you. He is staring at you too, isn't he? He doesn't have any eyes as such, but he's certainly staring at me...

Must be the 10.4% kicking in.

Hop heads, rejoice. Great balance in all things, (as we've come to expect from Sierra Nevada), are present in this Imperial of all IPA's. Cheers.

Sierra Nevada - Fritz & Ken's Ale 30th Anniversary

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Fritz & Ken's Ale 30th Anniversary
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 25.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Inky blackness, the color of spent motor oil.
Sensual roast malt tones. Chocolate notes. Some oatiness.
Nicely foaming two finger head with good lacing on the glass.
Roasted malt and chocolate flavors.; interestingly complex.
Active amount of carbonation.
Nearly no alcohol taste for such a high ABV.
Rich, velvety and full bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Sensational occasions call for sensational ales. Christmas around the crypt this year was a bit extra special, so we pulled out this beauty to celebrate the day. As is often said, "...it is far better to give than receive." So sharing with close family was especially rewarding for me, and those that tasted were equally excited to receive.  Fritz Maytag and Ken Grossman really have something special to celebrate with, right here.  This is a one off, singular release to commemorate the 30th year of Sierra Nevada. Certainly, something of a sensation in terms of brewing craft beers for 30 years.

These two pioneers of the craft beer and ale movement would likely be on the "Mount Rushmore" of brewing, if there was ever such a national monument. Hmmm...something worth thinking about.  But now, on to the ale.  This is one helluva beautiful Imperial Stout. Impressive black color, not unlike that you may have seen while changing the engine oil on your car or truck. Rest assured, it tastes equally impressive as the color. Deceptively easy drinking at 9.2% ABV, I found it hard to resist pouring a bit more into my snifter after each sip. No boozy undertones or aftertaste - rather a delicious river of exquisite roast malt flavor and chocolaty backbone. Superior to any I have sampled previously. Okay, I really liked it!

At this writing, it is still available on shelves if you look real hard in you local stores. Worth the price since you'll likely not see it again. Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary.

Sierra Nevada - Celebration Fresh Hop Ale 2010

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Celebration Fresh Hop Ale 2010 
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Rusty, ruddy, reddish in color.
Pleasant hops aroma with hop oil and pine scents. Malt undertones.
Nicely foaming two finger head with good lacing on the glass.
Hoppy tasting; great balance of hops and malt. 
Rich, medium to full bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Same brew, different year - uh wait a moment. This somehow tastes different, even better than my tasting notes from 2009 would indicate. The hops seem more lively and the malt note is a bit more pronounced. Very nice IPA from Sierra Nevada, so nice that I wish it was available all year around.

This year, we were high and dry during the tasting. Last year we were in a steady cold drizzle in downtown Orlando at a beer festival. The weather wasn't cooperative, but that didn't dampen our enthusiasm. In fact, it made for less of a throng and kept other unprepared mortals away. The festival was ours to enjoy.

This year, I got a whole friggin' 12 pack of Celebration to have on hand for guests at the home crypt. Merry Christmas y'all and don't let the ghosts of spirits past, present or future keep you away from this terrific IPA.

Sierra Nevada - Tumbler 2010 Autumn Brown Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Tumbler 2010 Autumn Brown Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Root beer brown color.
Roasty malt aromas with nutty dry aromas.
Two finger frothy tan head that coats the glass.
Great head and lace retention completely down the side of glass.
Sweet malty taste; dry easy finish with taste of toasted nuts.
Medium carbonation.
Medium bodied mouth feel. Very smooth. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Today is the 30th anniversary of Ken Grossman's little beer project, a.k.a. Sierra Nevada. Congrats to him and the staff for doing their part in helping the craft beer revolution along.

I'm going to keep it simple here as I usually do with my Sierra Nevada posts....here is a great measuring stick for all brown ales.  Smooth, tight and dry with a bit of nuttiness and touch of sweetness. Another outstanding beer from Sierra Nevada.

Keep up the good work Ken and thanks for all the great ales! Keep 'em coming! Happy 30th anniversary!

Sierra Nevada/Dogfish Head - Life and Limb

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Sierra Nevada/Dogfish Head - Life and Limb
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com
http://www.sierranevada.com/about/content/life-limb_release.pdf  

Dogfish Head - Shelter Pale Ale
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
6 Cannery Village Center
Milton, DE USA
Est. 1995
www.dogfish.com
www.dogfish.com/community/news/press-releases/life-limb/limb-life-brews-at-sierra-nevada.htm 

Brain Damage Quotient = 10.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 24.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark brown color.
Roasty malt aromas with caramelized candy sweet smell..
Slightly less than one finger of foamy tan head.
Not much head retention, but there are scant 'legs' of lace like in distilled products.
Dried fruity taste with immediate bit of sourness that immediately smooths to maple sweetness.
More grassy sweetness from the birch syrup and a slight nutty finish with a small bite of hops.
Medium carbonation.
Medium bodied mouth feel. Very smooth and balanced. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Good things happen when good people come together with a passion for beer.  Ken Grossman and Sam Calagione of Sierra Nevada and Dogfish Head breweries have come up with this collaborative strong ale.  Made from exotic things such as pure maple syrup from Sam's family farm in Massachusetts and estate barley grown by Ken's "farm" at the brewery in Chico.  Not your ordinary ingredients in beers and ales, but we aren't talking about your ordinary brewers here.

The counterpart to this brew was "Limb and Life", made from the second runnings and brewed to an ABV of 5%, or half that of its bigger brother.  Limb and Life was available in select locations on tap and meant to be the session ale whereas Life and Limb was meant to be sipped.  I was fortunate to be in the store when their one and only carton of Life and Limb was opened.  I have been relishing sampling this bottle for several months now.

This ale has a unique taste.  I am glad to have aged it for several months so all those flavors could commingle.  It would make a wonderful after dinner sipper.  It goes equally well on a sunny, lazy Sunday afternoon, which is how the gang and I enjoyed it.

As The Reaper,  it's my job to know about life and limb, but it appears these two beer maestros were able to drop some knowledge on me with their "Life and Limb"  Muahahaha.  See if you can't still get your hands on this while it may still be available.

Sierra Nevada Porter

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Sierra Nevada Porter
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.6 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark brown color.
Roasty malt aromas with scant aromas of hops.
Good two finger head frothy tan head that coats the glass.
Good head and lace retention.
Subtle sweet malty taste; just a bit of hops.
Medium carbonation.
Medium bodied mouth feel. Very smooth and balanced. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Again and again, Sierra Nevada impresses.  The Porter isn't a knockout, but it is perfectly characteristic of what a good porter can be.  This has a creamy head that is silky smooth along with a rich roasty nearly full bodied flavor.


MMMMMmmmmmmm!

Sierra Nevada Glissade (2010)

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Sierra Nevada Glissade (2010)
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.4 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Golden yellow color.
Spicy and floral hops aromas with slight aromas of malt..
Slight one finger head that drapes the glass.
Subtle sweet malty taste; just the right zip of hops.
Lightly carbonated.
Medium bodied mouth feel. Very smooth and balanced. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
A bit more hops (46 IBU's) than malt is found in this "Winter" beer.  Punchy and zingy hops that taste great.  The maltiness is subdued, but oh it's in there, for sure.

What a great way to end the Winter's blues and welcome Spring.  This 'Golden Bock' has been chillin out far too long in the crypt cooler.  I felt it high time to enjoy this beauty.  You'll be lucky to find some of this seasonal Maibock to enjoy. 

Sierra Nevada - Harvest Wet Hop Ale - 13th Release (2009)

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Sierra Nevada Harvest Wet Hop Ale - 13th Release (2009)
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.7 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 24.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Reddish orange; amber like in color.
Pine hops aromas with touch of citrus smells. 
Huge three finger head, off white in color that leaves rings of lace.
Big but not heavy hops taste.  No tongue burnout.
You can taste the malt too. Very smooth and balanced.
Subtle carbonation. 
Light to medium bodied mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
I'm a B - I - G fan of IPA's and the number 13.  It was a cinch that this was gonna be good.  I just can't say enough how dumbfounded this brewer makes me.  When I sit down at the keyboard my bony fingers poke for the right superlatives...my brain explodes looking for the right summation of words.  I am usually breathless; utterly speechless, as the cursor blinks on the blank page.  It's mocking me, I know it is.  And also mocking my wordsmithing skills.  Meh!

Anyway, the Wet Hop Ale is done with a batch of very fresh hops added at the end of the boil to bring all that gooey piney resin out of the humulus lupulus. Thank goodness this is in a 24 ounce bottle so you and a close friend can enjoy it.  Can't wait for another release. Do it Sierra Nevada.

Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale (2009)

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale (2009)
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.9 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Solid amber orange color.
Hoppy nose. Citrus and pine scents.
Nicely foaming two finger head.
Lots of different shaped bubbles that leave ringed lacing.
After 20 minutes a half inch head near the bottom of the glass persists.
Pungent taste of great Cascade hops but not too bold.
Medium bodied. Substantial mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Sierra Nevada has really got my number.  I am not at a loss for words, ever.  My snarky comments and smarmy remarks can be rattled off, anytime, anyplace, anywhere.  But I'm always tongue tied  after one of their brews. To wit: the Brown Ale, the Celebration Ale, the Pale Ale or my personal favorite, the Torpedo.  Each beer was exceptionally made by them and minimally worded in review by me.  There is not much to say when you drink breathtaking ales, such as these.  One sip is worth a thousand words.

This is not one of their everyday bread-and-butter ales, mind you.  This is their annual creation to celebrate the founding of the company in 1980.  This year's effort is an IPA made with sustainably grown Cascade hops. Get some while it lasts; the 2009 edition. Easily sessionable and just the right amount of hops.

Sierra Nevada Brown Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Sierra Nevada Brown Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 16.0  (On Tap) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark brown color. Great clarity when held to light.
Malty and nutty on the nose.
Nicely foaming one finger head that sticks around.
Nutty and malty taste; lots of earthy flavors. Soft hops.
Medium bodied mouth feel. Smooth and balanced. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Sometimes, less is more.  On that note, there may be little to say in this post, but it speaks volumes.

I have the hardest time posting for the Sierra Nevada beers.  They are remarkable.  I sometimes can't think of enough superlatives to laud on their efforts.  But simply stated, they make fine examples of beer and ale.  Beyond that understatement, they are consistently tasty, consistently well crafted and thoroughly enjoyed.

Brown ales are some of the hardest to get right, in my opinion.  But this is as good as any I have tried to date.  Try one against your favorite 'brown ale' and compare for yourself.

Sierra Nevada - Celebration Ale 2009

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Celebration Ale 2009
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Rusty, ruddy, reddish in color.
Malt and spicy hops aroma with hop oil and pine scents.
Hoppy tasting; lots of tasty bittering hops up front.
Nicely foaming head with fair amount of lacing down the glass.
Rich full bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This was sampled multiple times at the Orlando Holiday Brew Fest in Heritage Park, downtown Orlando on this damp but fine evening.  While we are used to warm weather, this brew fest was at a bone-chilling 50 something degrees with a steady drizzle of rain.  However, my bones are dry bones and we didn't mind the weather one bit during this outstanding brew fest.

Of all the beer sampled, I had to marvel about this one.  It was simply the best sampling all evening in a field of some pretty good beers.  Twas so remarkable, that I am only choosing this one to write about.  The reason, you ask?  Even though I managed to stay dry, my notepad would have been water logged by the end of the evening.  Hence all the notes were memorized in my head for this review.  Thank you Sierra Nevada for this wonderful seasonal brew.  You had me at when I could smell the hops from 2 feet away, outdoors.  I just knew it was going to be great.

Remember beer lovers, there is no such thing as bad beer weather, just unprepared beer drinkers.  Get out your raincoat and rubbers next time!

Sierra Nevada - Torpedo Extra IPA

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Torpedo Extra IPA
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Amber color.
Malt and spicy hops aroma with some citrus noted.
Hoppy tasting; pleasant floral hops bite.
Nicely foaming head with great lacing down the glass.
Medium bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
The second sampling from Sierra Nevada. Terrific hops spice throughout the entire glass. This is the definition of a well balanced ale and is a prime example of what IPA's are all about. Good balance of malts and hops are evident in this ale. If you like a hoppy bitter tang in your brew, then this is the one to try.

Nothing more to say...well, okay...remarkable!

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.6 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Ruddy golden orange color.
Malty on the nose and first sip with gentle hop aroma.
Nicely foaming head that sticks around for a while.
Medium bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Lovely little brew concealed in the stubby brown glass bottle. Everything on the uber green label, (and the "fresh seal" cap too), screams California eco-friendly. The "Purest Ingredients" and abundance of hops imagry on the label let you know you're in for some of Mother Nature's finest ingredients. As you know, I the Reaper really dig that, which is from the earth.

Definitely do not miss out on the experience...you will want to try one of these.