Uneasy Rhetoric

Hot on the heels of Pyramid’s Snow Cap, Sierra Nevada’s seasonal Celebration Ale is out. As is typical of winter beers, this is a robust beer with higher than average alcohol content (6.8 percent). As is typical for Celebration, this is a very good beer. I have never had it on tap; however, the bottled beer is plenty good.

The Ale is distinctive even before it hits the palate. According to the Brewery’s website, dry hopping gives the beer an “intense aroma.” The aroma is intense and fruity, reminiscent of apple perhaps, or more accurately of mulled apple cider.

Unlike Sierra Nevada’s signature Pale Ale, the Celebration does not overwhelm the drinker with its yeasty flavor - in fact, the yeast gives way to hoppiness and a somewhat sweet and gentle fruity taste (probably because of the apple-y smell). The hoppiness is not overwhelming - dry hopping also keeps down the bitterness; it is far less bitter than some winter beers. Give it a try.

I would recommend purchasing the beer warm and chilling it either on ice or in the refrigerator for a few hours rather than serving it ice cold (which is how I would suggest serving the Pale Ale).

This is a slightly lighter winter beer, “golden” in color, but it stands out in a crowd. Drink it with shellfish. Perhaps a large pot of steamed mussels?

This is a great beer, period. It’s almost a shame it is only available in the fall and winter, but the wait is worth it.