Sierra Nevada IPA

[BeerPal]

Had this on draught once several years ago at an A's game at the Coliseum. Just found it in bottles at Diablo Foods here in Concord. Nice golden amber color. Not much nose. Huge hop bite right up front that fades to a lingering bitterness on the tongue. Not a lot of maltiness going on here. I like it!

[brewcrew]

It sounds like this is popping up all over the country in bottles now. I love IPA's but I did not care for this one really. Not sure what it was. Guess I will have to try it again.

[hopbumpingbrewer]

I somewhat agree with brewcrew. I have been dying to try this for some time now and finally got some in the bottle on the weekend.

Please keep this in mind when reading my review:

"I am born from Russian River Ales" These beers have more hops than any around. Including those filtered through the "Randal".

With that in mind I found very little hop aroma in this ale. I thought it was balanced nice with the malt which made it pleasant. Light amber in color and good carbonation levels. Head retention holds well.

It has more alchohol than the Pale Ale and a bit more bite.

Overall I thought it was a good Pale Ale. A better Pale Ale than the green label. A new staple to keep on hand for guests and refreshment.

But as for I.P.A. not so much. California I.P.A.'s are generally much hoppier. That was what I was hoping for.

[BeerPal]

[quote="hopbumpingbrewer"]
But as for I.P.A. not so much. California I.P.A.'s are generally much hoppier. That was what I was hoping for.quote]

I disagree. No one is a bigger fan of Vinnie Cilurzo than me, and Russian River IPA is the best IPA ever made, IMHO, but this Sierra Nevada is a seriously hoppy ale. Much hoppier than many West Coast IPAs. While I would not rank SNIPA in my top three IPAs, it is an interesting departure (being a very bitter English IPA) from the run-of-the-mill IPA.

[hopbumpingbrewer]

To Quote Ron Burgundy:

"Ok, then, we'll agree to disagree"

You make good points and please understand that I do not dislike SNIPA, I was just hoping for more.

[FizzyLiftingDrinx]

One word. Boring. I expected more. Anyone had New Holland Brewing's Mad Hatter IPA? That's the kind of beer I was hoping for.

[northern brewer]

Mad hatter is one of my favorite ipa's. I was just on New Hollands website for the first time today and it said that they also have a beer called nitro hatter and also oak aged mad hatter on tap. Makes me want to think about taking a ride to the brewery some weekend as I am sure both of them would rock.

[Black Point]

I will have to agree with all of you. I was expecting something with a lot more hope character. Then again Celebration is in my opinion a true American IPA!