Beer Me! — Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. — Chico, California, United States

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Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Sierra Nevada Taproom and Restaurant

Bar/Tasting Room

Beer Garden

Restaurant

Retail Items

Beer To Go (Off-License)

Tours

1075 East 20th Street
Chico CA 95928
Telephone: +1 530-893-3520
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11:00am-9:00pm, Friday-Saturday 11:00am-10:00pm. Hourly tours: Monday-Thursday noon-4:00pm, Friday-Saturday noon-5:00pm, Sunday noon-4:00pm.
Brewer: Steve Dresler
[Contact] [Update]

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Notes

Visited: December 29, 1994

Opened: 1981

Annual Production: 800,000 bbl

Contributors: Mario Kornmesser, Diane Crawford, Justin Ainsworth, Ralph Wells

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Chico's out in the middle of nowhere, but if you don't make the day trip from the San Francisco Bay area out to Sierra Nevada, you lose. Outstanding beers in the bottle...just wait until you have them brewery-fresh! I stopped by on a Sunday morning during my Beer Odyssey.

Directions: Highway 99 into Chico. (If you're on I-5, use Highway 32 to cut over to Highway 99, then head south.) Exit at 20th Street, go west. Sierra Nevada is a couple of blocks along on the left.

Updated: November 19, 2023

News

2020-05-06: Sierra Nevada to start producing COVID-19 test materials for local hospital in its brewery lab (Craft Brewing Business)
2019-02-04: Sierra Nevada Makes First-Ever Acquisition, Buys Fast-Growing Sufferfest Beer (Brewbound)
2017-05-25: Sierra Nevada’s revered and influential brewmaster calls it a career (Sacramento Bee)
2017-01-02: Sierra Nevada donates $2 million to UC Davis brewing science program (Craft Brewing Business)
2016-04-26: Sierra Nevada Partners with Mahrs Bräu on New Oktoberfest Beer (The New School)
2015-01-20: Sierra Nevada Founder Grossman Becomes Billionaire on Pale Ales (Bloomberg Business)
2014-05-01: Sierra Nevada updates ‘packaged on’ dates to promote freshness (Craft Brewing Business)
2013-03-20: Sierra Nevada To Open Taproom In Berkeley (Brookston Beer Bulletin)
2012-12-08: Sierra Nevada Brewing, Narwhal LLC locked in trademark dispute over ‘Narwhal’ name (BeerPulse.com)
2012-05-29: All about the beer: Sierra Nevada giving tours (Oroville Mercury Register)
2012-04-10: Beyond the Pale: new Sierra Nevada book coming this fall (Beer Pulse)
2012-03-02: The brewery that changed America (The Independent)
2011-10-30: Sierra Nevada no longer has sights set on Montgomery County (The Roanoke Times)
2011-09-19: Where will Sierra open its East Coast plant? (Washington Post)
2011-07-27: Alcoa Might Have to Ante Up for Sierra Nevada (Metro Pulse)
2011-06-24: This One Time at Beer Camp (CraftBeer.com)
2011-05-16: Sierra Nevada Brewing issues Tennessee statement (Beernews.org)
2011-03-05: Sierra Nevada Brewing to start canning later this year (Beernews.org)
2010-08-06: Sierra Nevada joins with Trappist Monks to brew Authentic Abbey Ales (The Beer Spot)
2010-06-02: Charlie, Fred and Ken’s Imperial Helles Bock released by Sierra Nevada (Examiner.com)
2010-05-16: Sierra Nevada unveils plans for beer camp this September (New Jersey Newsroom)
2010-01-21: Sierra Nevada at 30: Brewery to honor roots, pioneers (New Jersey Newsroom)
2009-12-15: Sierra Nevada celebrates 30th anniversary with a tribute (Beverage Industry)
2009-11-01: Sierra Nevada Brewing takes top sustainability honor (Food Engineering)
2009-09-01: An interest in shrinking the plant’s carbon footprint and a good neighbor attitude... (Food Engineering Magazine)
2009-08-17: Ballard on Beer: Sierra Nevada's Kellerweis (Charleston City Paper)
2009-06-22: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co does its part (Mother Nature Network)
2009-03-06: Sierra Nevada Introduces Kellerweis As Newest Year-Round Beer (BeerAdvocate)
2009-02-03: Sierra Nevada to turn beer yeast into fuel (Sacramento Business Journal)
2008-12-29: Sierra hops on recycling: Treated industrial water will be used to make more beer (Chico Enterprise-Record)
2008-10-23: New Glass Promises To Improve Beer Drinking (KHSL)

Beer List

3 Weight

Session India Pale Ale

4.00% abv.
- Date: March 11, 2020 (#10241)
  
  Package: bottled
  
  Place: Northbound Liquor Store, Elk River MN
  
  Score: 18½ points
  
  Appearance (3)
  Golden. Lots of carbonation. Big dense head.
  
  Aroma (4)
  Biscuity and fruity. Mild citrus, mild melon.
  
  Mouthfeel (9)
  Light body, fairly fizzy. Grassy, nutty like rye. Fruity hop flavor, mildly citrusy. Low-medium bitterness. Finishes clean and fruity.
  
  Overall Impression (2½)
  Kind of a light Pale Ale.

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30th Anniversary Charlie, Fred and Ken’s Imperial Helles Bock

German-Style Heller Bock/Maibock

8.30% abv.

Date: June 22, 2010 (#8263)

Package: bottled

Place: Brix, Omaha NE

Score: 19½ points

Appearance (3)
Bright amber. Big thick head.

Aroma (3½)
Loads of sweet malt and fruity esters.

Mouthfeel (10)
Big and chewy. Nicely malty with a mild grassy hop flavor. Mildly fruity. Some sulfur. Warming late.

Overall Impression (3)
Good beer, although I don't think the "Imperial" adjective is necessary.

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30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken's Ale

9.20% abv.

Date: April 30, 2010 (#8215)

Package: bottled

Place: Brix, Omaha NE

Score: 19 points

Appearance (3)
Black. Big dense head.

Aroma (3)
Chocolatey. Grassy. Roasty.

Mouthfeel (10)
Big and thick and chewy. Nicely roasty and nicely malty too. Black malt character increases through the finish. Great balance.

Overall Impression (3)
Great beer.

30th Anniversary Jack & Ken's Black Barleywine Ale

Other Strong Beer

Awards:

Gold Medal, 2010 Great American Beer Festival

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30th Anniversary Our Brewers Reserve Grand Cru

9.20% abv.

Date: November 13, 2010 (#8347)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 18 points

Appearance (3)
Deep brown. Huge dense head.

Aroma (3)
Spicy hops, piney, perfumey.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big and chewy. Real fruity, with lots of spicy, piney, resiny hops. Fairly bitter. Big toasty, biscuity, roasty malt underneath. Plums in the finish.

Overall Impression (3)
Real good beer.

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40th Hoppy Anniversary Ale

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.00% abv.

Date: May 15, 2020 (#10287)

Package: bottled

Place: Northbound Liquor Store, Elk River MN

Score: 18 points

Appearance (3)
Amber, some haze. Big dense head.

Aroma (3)
Fruity, mildly citrusy hops. Mildly biscuity and bready.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, moderate carbonation. Smooth biscuity malt. Big grassy, fruity, citrusy hop flavor, medium-big bitterness. Lingering hoppy finish.

Overall Impression (3)
Real good beer that has that Sierra Nevada character.

Abbey Quadrupel

Belgian-Style Dark Strong Ale

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Anniversary Ale 2007

American-Style Pale Ale

5.90% abv.

Date: October 14, 2007 (#6654)

Package: bottled

Place: Beertopia, Omaha NE

Score: 19 points

Appearance (3)
Bright deep amber. Huge fluffy head.

Aroma (4)
Grapefruit, resiny hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, fizzy. Biscuity malt supports a blast of Cascade hop flavor. Fairly bitter and nicely balanced.

Overall Impression (3)
Very tasty clean beer. I should try to taste this beer side-by-side with their Pale Ale.

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Anniversary Ale 2008

American-Style Pale Ale

5.90% abv.

Date: September 1, 2008 (#7275)

Package: bottled

Place: Beertopia, Omaha NE

Score: 17 points

Appearance (3)
Bright amber. Thick head.

Aroma (3)
Big citrusy hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, fizzy. Huge citrus hop flavor! Moderate bitterness.

Overall Impression (2)
It's a lot like their Pale Ale, but with less malt backbone.

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Imperial or Double India Pale Ale

9.20% abv.

Date: April 17, 2023 (#11355)

Package: canned

Place: Northbound Liquor Store, Elk River MN

Score: 18½ points

Appearance (3)
Bright amber, creamy head.

Aroma (3½)
Orange, grapefruit. Mild graham crackers.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big, hefty. Moderate carbonation. Biscuity malt behind fruity, citrusy hop flavor. Big grassy bitterness. Malt and candied orange in the finish. Nice balance.

Overall Impression (3)
Real good beer. Big, assertive, but not overpowering.

Balgian Blonde IPA

American-Belgo-Style Ale

7.50% abv.

Date: April 25, 2013 (#9060)

Package: draught

Place: Third Base Brewery, Cedar Rapids IA

Score: 16 points

Appearance (3)
Golden. Dense head.

Aroma (3)
Lime. Mild banana. Bready.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium body, fizzy. Creamy malt, grassy, citrusy hops, bready yeast. Bitter, bready finish.

Overall Impression (2)
Weird. Good, but weird.

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Barrel-Aged Bigfoot 2013

Wood- and Barrel-aged Strong Beer

12.20% abv.

Date: March 12, 2013 (#9032)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 20 points

Appearance (3)
Bright red. Moderate dense head.

Aroma (4)
Piney, citrusy hops, with oak and whiskey overtones.

Mouthfeel (10)
Thick and smooth, malty and nicely bitter, with an exquisitely- balanced whiskey flavor. Oak, vanilla. Alcohol is very well hidden. Lingering soft malty-whiskey finish.

Overall Impression (3)
Incredible beer brewed for Bigfoot's 30th anniversary.

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Barrel-Aged Narwhal

Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout

Awards:

Silver Medal, 2013 Great American Beer Festival

Date: November 21, 2021 (#10761)

Package: canned

Place: Wine, Beer, and Spirits Grand Island, Grand Island NE

Score: 20 points

Appearance (3)
Jet black. Moderate dense brown head.

Aroma (4)
Whiskey, oak, malt, molasses, dark fruit. All that stuff.

Mouthfeel (10)
Thick, smooth, and boozy. Lots of bourbon, lots of oak. Lots of malt and a bunch of roast. Grassy bitterness. Fruitier in the finish as the whiskey fades.

Overall Impression (3)
Damn fine beer, in 16 ounce cans suitable for sharing.

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Beer Camp 2012 Floral IPA

American-Style India Pale Ale

Date: October 10, 2013 (#9282)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 18½ points

Appearance (2½)
Bright golden, except for some protein flocs. Thick head.

Aroma (4)
Big fruity hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, moderate carbonation. Big fruity, resiny hop flavor, fairly bitter.

Overall Impression (3)
Very much like their Pale Ale.

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Beer Camp 2012 Imperial Pilsner

Other Strong Beer

Date: August 7, 2013 (#9244)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 17 points

Appearance (3)
Bright yellow. Massive head.

Aroma (3)
Grainy-sweet, floral.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium-big body, smooth. Sweet and malty. Floral hop flavor, low bitterness. Clean sweet fruity finish.

Overall Impression (2)
Good beer, but not very Imperial.

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Beer Camp 2012 Imperial Red Ale

Imperial or Double Red Ale

Date: October 29, 2013 (#9291)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 17 points

Appearance (3)
Bright red-amber. Dense head.

Aroma (3½)
Big fruity floral hops.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium body, creamy. Big resiny, floral bitterness up front. Caramel-biscuity malt way in the background. Clean hoppy finish.

Overall Impression (2½)

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Beer Camp 2012 Oatmeal Stout

Date: October 10, 2013 (#9283)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 16½ points

Appearance (3)
Deep dark red. Dense head.

Aroma (3)
Chocolaty.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium body, smooth. Richly chocolaty with a grassy bitterness. Finishes more bitter & less chocolate.

Overall Impression (2½)

Beer Camp 2015 Hoppy Lager

Best Bitter Ale

(Special) Best Bitter

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Awards:

Gold Medal, 1987 Great American Beer Festival

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Awards:

Gold Medal, 1988 Great American Beer Festival

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: January 25, 1992 (#2509)

Package: draught

Place: Lyon's Brewery, Dublin CA

Overall Impression
THICK. STRONG. Will light you right up. Half-pints only here at Lyon's.

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Awards:

Gold Medal, 1992 Great American Beer Festival

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: August 14, 1993 (#161)

Package: draught

Place: Pacific Coast Brewing, Oakland CA

Score: 18 points

Overall Impression (3)
Red. Clear. Flat-looking. Standard Sierra Nevada hop aroma. Fruity, some alcohol. Very fruity. Needs more malt aroma? Fairly alcoholic taste, but not offensive. Long-lasting bitter finish. Fruity start and middle. Almost benign, but actually very pleasant. Strong beer with great flavors. Aroma mixes well with taste.

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: December 1, 2001 (#4007)

Package: bottled

Place: Green Bay Rackers, Green Bay WI

Score: 19 points

Overall Impression (3½)
Fairly hazy, red-brown, thick head. Rich oaky caramel malt aroma. Big body, big bitterness, malty, oaky, spicy finish. This bottle has aged very well indeed. Thanks to the Green Bay Rackers' Bert Zelten for the taste!
Date: December 2, 2000 (#3749)

Package: bottled

Place: Green Bay Rackers, Green Bay WI

Score: 16 points

Overall Impression (3)
Darkish amber, low head. Toasty aroma. Medium body, mild maltiness, not very complex. Thanks to the Green Bay Rackers' Bert Zelten for this six-year-old sample!
Date: December 29, 1994 (#683)

Package: draught

Place: at the brewery

Score: 20 points

Overall Impression (3)
Red. Clear. Big head. Cascade and crystal malt aroma. Wow. Malt, hops, alcohol hit you all at once, then go away for a very clean finish.

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Awards:

Gold Medal, 1995 Great American Beer Festival

Date: April 20, 1995 (#877)

Package: draught

Place: The HopYard, Pleasanton CA

Score: 20 points

Overall Impression (3)
Red, clear, flat. Big head. Maple aroma, caramel, alcohol. Fruity, sweet, bitter, alcohol flavors. Incredible balance, and soooo smooth.

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Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: February 23, 1998 (#2401)

Package: bottled

Place: from the brewery

Score: 17½ points

Overall Impression (3)
(From last year's stock.) Red brown, clear with some haze particles, good head. 4-C hop aroma, with some sweet smoky malt. Bitter hoppy blast on a big malty beer. Long long hoppy finish. Tastes as good as the day it was bottled.
Date: April 6, 1997 (#2053)

Package: bottled

Place: Kamuela Liquor Store, Kamuela HI

Score: 20 points

Overall Impression (3)
Red-brown, clear, not much carbonation, but it throws a big head. BLAST of hop aroma, malt, and alcohol. There's nothing subtle about this beer. Big body, big hop flavor, big bitterness, big alcohol taste and sensation...and all of it balanced more delicately than a dime standing on edge.

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Awards:

Gold Medal, 1997 California State Fair Craft Brewing Competition

Date: February 26, 1998 (#2404)

Package: bottled

Place: from the brewery

Score: 17 points

Overall Impression (3)
Brown, moderate carbonation, thick head. Smoky aroma, citrus hops. Thick, blast of herbal hops. Good malty balance, but the hops are the whole point of this beer. Maybe a little drying late.

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Awards:

Gold Medal, 1998 Great Alaska Beer & Barley Wine Festival

Date: June 28, 2003 (#4919)

Package: bottled

Place: from the brewery

Score: 18½ points

Overall Impression (3½)
Deep bright amber. Thick head. Richly malty aroma, some solvent and some DMS. Big creamy body. Richly malty all the way through. Subdued hop flavor and somewhat bigger than mild bitterness. Outstanding balance! Too bad about the off-aromas. Thanks to Mike Deliman for sending this bottle five years ago! I think there's still one more in my cellar...
Date: May 9, 1999 (#3276)

Package: bottled

Place: from the brewery

Score: 20 points

Overall Impression (3)
Red-brown, almost still, thick head. I almost dropped the glass...it smells SO GOOD. Thick. Hoppy. Perfect. Thanks to Mike Deliman for the bottle!

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: July 5, 1999 (#3296)

Package: bottled

Place: 1st Wines and Spirits, Allouez WI

Score: 19 points

Overall Impression (3½)
Deep amber, moderate carbonation, thick head. Classic Sierra Nevada hop aroma. Thick and bitter, warming late. Intense hop flavor all the way through, waxing even after the beer is gone!

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Awards:

Gold Medal, 2000 California State Fair Craft Brewing Competition

Date: January 1, 2007 (#6246)

Package: bottled

Place: 1st Wines and Spirits, Allouez WI

Score: 17½ points

Appearance (3)
Deep red. Really chunky. Good head.

Aroma (3)
Intense dark caramel. Plums, Alcohol. Brown sugar.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big body. Smooth. Huge caramel malt. Lots of dark fruit. Coconut. Huge herbal, grassy, fairly citrusy, fairly bitter hops. Lots of alcohol, but the whole thing is really well-balanced.

Overall Impression (2½)
This was our last bottle of the 2000 batch.
Date: June 28, 2003 (#4918)

Package: bottled

Place: 1st Wines and Spirits, Allouez WI

Score: 19 points

Overall Impression (3½)
Bright amber. Big thick head. Huge toasty caramelly aroma with lots of spicy hops. Medium-big body. Intense caramel malt and intense spicy/citrusy hops. Real nice lingering bitterness...excellent balance all the way through.
Date: June 7, 2001 (#3854)

Package: bottled

Place: 1st Wines and Spirits, Allouez WI

Score: 20 points

Overall Impression (3)
Deep red, moderate carbonation, thick head. Intensely hoppy, intensely caramel-malty, even warming aroma. Big body, LOTS of complex malt flavor. Nicely - generously - hoppy and bitter in the finish. Very well-balanced tasty beer.

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: January 1, 2008 (#6785)

Package: bottled

Place: Woodman's Food Market #20, Green Bay WI

Score: 17½ points

Appearance (3)
Bright red. Low head.

Aroma (3)
Big dark caramel. Hint of maple. Mildly resiny.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium-big body, smooth. Fiercely malty with lots of wood character. Big bitterness, resiny, but in balance. Just a hint of solvent (acetone) with the alcohol. Warming, malty, resiny, alcoholic finish.

Overall Impression (2½)
Date: January 9, 2007 (#6271)

Package: bottled

Place: Woodman's Food Market #20, Green Bay WI

Score: 15½ points

Appearance (2½)
Deep red-amber, hazy. No head.

Aroma (3)
Dark caramel and dark fruit. Spicy alcohol.

Mouthfeel (8)
Huge body. Very low carbonation. Quite bitter, with lots of caramel malt. Really warming. Some woody oxidation notes. Lingering bitter finish.

Overall Impression (2)
The bottle of 2000 we had last week was a lot better.
Date: November 20, 2001 (#3998)

Package: bottled

Place: Woodman's Food Market #20, Green Bay WI

Score: 17 points

Overall Impression (3)
Brown-amber, reasonably clear, thick head. Fruity, fairly malty aroma. Big body, massive hop flavor and bitterness, massive caramel malt character.
Date: March 20, 2001 (#3847)

Package: bottled

Place: BJCP Training Course, De Pere WI

Score: 14½ points

Overall Impression (3)
Amber, hazy, thick head. Biscuity, toasty, peppery aroma. Thick, big hop flavor and bitterness. Hops are fairly rough...young.

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: January 1, 2008 (#6784)

Package: bottled

Place: Woodman's Food Market #20, Green Bay WI

Score: 20 points

Appearance (3)
Bright deep red. Low head.

Aroma (4)
Spicy, alcohol? Toasty sweet malt.

Mouthfeel (10)
Big creamy body. Intensely malty and really hoppy, with a grassy, fruity, resiny flavor and a big bitterness. Spicy alcohol, and a big wood character from the malt. Fairly warming, with lots of alcohol on the tongue.

Overall Impression (3)
Very nice beer.
Date: March 17, 2002 (#4285)

Package: bottled

Place: Beer School, Appleton WI

Score: 16 points

Overall Impression (3)
Deep red-brown, thick head. Perfumey, caramelly aroma. Medium-big body, massively hoppy and bitter...can't wait for next year!

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: January 1, 2008 (#6783)

Package: bottled

Place: Place unknown

Score: 17 points

Appearance (3)
Red-brown, some yeast. Low head.

Aroma (3)
Mild toasty malt. Mild grassy hops. Mild alcohol.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big body, low carbonation. Big toasty, caramel malt supports a big grassy, resiny bitterness.

Overall Impression (2)
Maybe just a little less smooth than the 2004.

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: January 1, 2008 (#6782)

Package: bottled

Place: Place unknown

Score: 19 points

Appearance (3)
Bright red-brown. Low head.

Aroma (3)
Sweet, malty, with more oaky character than the 2005.

Mouthfeel (10)
Big body, really smooth. Lots of malt, with a real nice earthy, woody character. Very bitter, but very much in balance.

Overall Impression (3)

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Awards:

Gold Medal, 2005 Great American Beer Festival

Date: January 1, 2008 (#6781)

Package: bottled

Place: Place unknown

Score: 17 points

Appearance (3)
Red-brown, hazy. Moderate head.

Aroma (3)
Malty, almost chocolatey, some vanilla.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big smooth body. Hugely malty, hugely bitter. Resiny, but not like the 2007. Citrus hop flavor in the background. Some earthy, oaky character. Some astringency in the finish.

Overall Impression (2)

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: February 10, 2007 (#6316)

Package: draught

Place: Crescent Moon Ale House, Omaha NE

Score: 17½ points

Appearance (3)
Bright red-brown. Thick dense head.

Aroma (3)
Grassy, piney hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big really creamy body. Hugely malty and quite bitter, with a resiny, piney, grassy hop flavor. Mild citrus character.

Overall Impression (2½)
So much smoother than the 2007, but it still has a bit of an edge.

Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Awards:

Third Place, 2007 San Diego County Fair

Date: February 10, 2007 (#6315)

Package: draught

Place: Crescent Moon Ale House, Omaha NE

Score: 16½ points

Appearance (3)
Red-brown, some haze. Thick dense head.

Aroma (3)
Spicy, mildly alcoholic. Subdued.

Mouthfeel (8)
Big thick body. Fiercely bitter. Lots of caramel, dark caramel, brown sugar. Big grassy, resiny hop flavor.

Overall Impression (2½)
Tastes like all the previous brand-new Bigfoot issues.

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Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: February 20, 2008 (#6896)

Package: bottled

Place: Beertopia, Omaha NE

Score: 16 points

Appearance (3)
Bright red. Dense head.

Aroma (3)
Piney, intensely citrusy hops. Lots of spicy alcohol.

Mouthfeel (8)
Big and chewy, moderate carbonation. Lots of caramel and LOTS of floral grapefruity hops.

Overall Impression (2)
As usual, the remainder of this case is going to the cellar.

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Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: February 13, 2009 (#7700)

Package: bottled

Place: Beertopia, Omaha NE

Score: 16½ points

Appearance (3)
Bright red-amber. Moderate head.

Aroma (3)
Big floral, citrusy hops.

Mouthfeel (8)
Big and chewy, resiny and bitter. Lots of citrusy hops, lots of dark caramel.

Overall Impression (2½)
As always, this beer will be immensely better in 18 months or so.

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Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: May 18, 2010 (#8232)

Package: bottled

Place: Brix, Omaha NE

Score: 17½ points

Appearance (3)
Red. Hazy. Thick head.

Aroma (3½)
Hugely fruity, mildly alcoholic.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big body, smooth. Loads of caramel, toasty malt and loads of fruity, spicy hops. Fairly bitter all the way through. Mildly warming.

Overall Impression (2)
Good beer.

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Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: January 28, 2011 (#8447)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 18 points

Appearance (3)
Deep red-brown. Big thick head.

Aroma (3½)
Grapefruity hops. Biscuity, dark caramel malt.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big, smooth, and creamy. Rich dark caramel up front is overcome by a wave of spicy, piney, citrusy, grassy hops. Really quite bitter, and nicely warming.

Overall Impression (2½)
Not as harsh as some recent young batches, and it should age very nicely.

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Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: February 10, 2012 (#8732)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 17 points

Appearance (3)
Bright red-brown. Moderate head.

Aroma (3)
Deeply fruity, peppery. Toasty.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big and chewy. Massive earthy, fruity, resiny bitterness all the way through. Rich toasty malt underneath.

Overall Impression (2)
Time for another vertical tasting.

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Barley Wine-Style Ale

Date: November 24, 2016 (#9675)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 20 points

Appearance (3)
Copper color, some haze. Low dense head.

Aroma (4)
Hugely fruity, citrusy, piney. Big toasty malt, some alcohol.

Mouthfeel (10)
Thick. Moderate carbonation. Really malty with a big piney, earthy, citrusy hop flavor. Nice big bitterness in the finish.

Overall Impression (3)
Very nicely balanced big tasty beer.

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Barley Wine-Style Ale

9.60% abv.

Date: April 16, 2019 (#10021)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 20 points

Appearance (3)
Copper color, some haze, high carbonation. Dense head.

Aroma (4)
Hugely fruity, mildly toasty. Citrus and berries and bread.

Mouthfeel (10)
Big body, fairly fizzy. Big caramel-toasty malt, very big fruity hop flavor. Fairly bitter, but extremely well balanced. Hops and malt are tasty and complex all the way through.

Overall Impression (3)
This is a great beer.

Black Hop Rising

American-Style Black Ale

5.60% abv.

Golden or Blonde Ale

Date: October 3, 2008 (#7413)

Package: draught

Place: Knuckles Historical Sports Bar, Monterey CA

Score: 16½ points

Appearance (3)
Bright golden-amber. Dense head.

Aroma (2½)
Very mildly fruity. Very mild caramel.

Mouthfeel (9)
Light body, moderate carbonation. Sweet grainy malt. Mild fruity esters. Mild bitterness at the end.

Overall Impression (2)

American-Style Brown Ale

Awards:

Gold Medal, 2004 Los Angeles County Fair Competition

Date: December 29, 1994 (#679)

Package: draught

Place: at the brewery

Score: 16 points

Overall Impression (3)
Brown, clear, very low carbonation, good head. Sweet smell, some floral hops. Very brown flavor, almost Porter-like. Long smooth bitter finish.
Date: April 29, 1993 (#20)

Package: draught

Place: Pacific Coast Brewing, Oakland CA

Score: 17½ points

Overall Impression (3)
A little more red than brown. Head and carbonation are perfect. A little hoppy in the nose. Very nice indeed! Same sort of feel as Lost Coast Downtown Brown, with that characteristic Sierra hoppy finish.

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Brux Domesticated Wild Ale

French & Belgian-Style Saison

8.30% abv.

Date: August 13, 2012 (#8907)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 17½ points

Appearance (3)
Golden, opaque. Dense head.

Aroma (3½)
Earthy, sweet, mildly tart, mildly grainy.

Mouthfeel (9)
Light and fizzy. Sweet, grainy malt with a nice Brett flavor. Floral. Very mildly tart. Yeasty, fruity, floral, earthy finish.

Overall Impression (2)
Bottle-conditioned with Brettanomyces. Collaboration with Russian River Brewing.

Celebration Ale 1992

American-Style India Pale Ale

Date: December 12, 1992 (#2498)

Package: draught

Place: Pacific Coast Tasting of Christmas Beers, Oakland CA

Score: 17½ points

Overall Impression (3)
Looks beautiful, smells great. Characteristic "Sierra" hops. Good carbonation, big mouthfeel, but malt doesn't stand up to the hops. It's a little Bigfoot. My personal preference for malt over hops is the only reason this beer didn't score 20 points. Outstanding.

Celebration Ale 1994

American-Style India Pale Ale

Awards:

Gold Medal, 1994 United States Beer Tasting Championship

Date: February 4, 1995 (#752)

Package: draught

Place: The HopYard, Pleasanton CA

Score: 16 points

Overall Impression (3)
Red-amber, great head. Very spicy, perfumey. Huge hop flavor and bitterness. Tastes a lot like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale...not malty like Celebration...?
Date: December 29, 1994 (#684)

Package: draught

Place: at the brewery

Score: 17 points

Overall Impression (3)
Red-amber. Spicy Cascades. Big. Caramel and bitter hops...not much in between.
Date: October 31, 1994 (#485)

Package: draught

Place: Pacific Coast Brewing, Oakland CA

Score: 19 points

Overall Impression (3½)
Beautiful amber, thick white head. Malty, spicy, clean aromas. Lots of alcohol taste. Caramel, some diacetyl? Spicy hops. Bitter finish, almost clean but not quite.

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Celebration Ale 1996

American-Style India Pale Ale

Awards:

First Place, 1996 Chicago Beer Society Fall Beer Tasting

Date: March 15, 1997 (#2039)

Package: draught

Place: Kona Brewers Festival, Kailua-Kona HI

Score: 20 points

Overall Impression (3)
Very nice amber, clear, big head. Caramelly, 4-C aroma! (Centennial, Cascade, Columbus, Chinook hops.) Big, massive hop flavor, big bitterness, clean big bitter finish.
Date: December 8, 1996 (#1897)

Package: bottled

Place: Kamuela Liquor Store, Kamuela HI

Score: 20 points

Overall Impression (3)
Red, high carbonation, big white head. Very pleasant Cascade nose. Very big, very chewy beer. Phenomenal balance. Great firm body, excellent malt flavor, and a bitterness that bites just hard enough. Just a little hint of roast that's not in the Pale Ale...very pleasant.

Celebration Ale 1997

American-Style India Pale Ale

Date: February 12, 1998 (#2387)

Package: draught

Place: Ryan's Grill, Honolulu HI

Score: 16 points

Overall Impression (3)
Red-brown, thick head. Subtly spicy aroma. Good body, not as heavy as Harvest Ale. Bitter, but not intensely so.
Date: December 28, 1997 (#2373)

Package: bottled

Place: Willow Glen Liquors, San Jose CA

Score: 20 points

Overall Impression (3)
Amber, fairly high carbonation, thick head. "4-C" blast of hop aroma! Thick and intensely bitter. Massive citrusy bitter hops on top of a very big beer. A magnificent IPA. Thanks to Chuck Farnham for the bottle!

Celebration Ale 1998

American-Style India Pale Ale

Date: February 5, 1999 (#3167)

Package: bottled

Place: Pasquale's International Cafe, De Pere WI

Score: 18 points

Overall Impression (3)
Beautiful amber, moderate carbonation, thick head. Spicy aroma, citrusy, very slightly musty. Medium body, massively hoppy. Excellent caramel malt flavor. Lingering clean bitter finish.

Celebration Ale 1999

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.80% abv.

Awards:

Silver Medal, 1999 California State Fair Craft Brewing Competition

Celebration Ale 2001

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.80% abv.

Celebration Ale 2002

American-Style India Pale Ale

Awards:

Silver Medal, 2002 Great American Beer Festival

Date: December 31, 2002 (#4578)

Package: draught

Place: Oblio's, Oshkosh WI

Score: 18 points

Overall Impression (3)
Bright red-amber, thick head. Mild spicy hop aroma. Medium body. Big spicy Centennial hop flavor, mild-to-big bitterness. Not nearly as citrusy as the bottled version. Very nice mildly toasty caramelly malt underlies it all.
Date: December 29, 2002 (#4571)

Package: bottled

Place: Woodman's Food Market #20, Green Bay WI

Score: 20 points

Overall Impression (3)
Bright amber, thick head. Fresh spicy citrusy hop aroma. Medium body, moderate carbonation. Huge spicy hop flavor with lots of citrusy notes. Big clean bitterness supported by caramel malts. This beer defines the American IPA style.

Celebration Ale 2003

American-Style India Pale Ale

Date: December 25, 2003 (#5169)

Package: bottled

Place: Woodman's Food Market #20, Green Bay WI

Score: 19 points

Overall Impression (3½)
Bright amber (watch the yeast!) with a thick head. Huge spicy citrusy hop aroma. Medium body, fizzy. ENORMOUS spicy resiny hop flavor and bitterness! There's malt in there somewhere, but this is a Really Bitter Beer all the way through.

Celebration Ale 2005

American-Style India Pale Ale

Awards:

Bronze Medal, 2005 International Beer Competition

Celebration Ale 2006

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.80% abv.

Date: February 10, 2007 (#6314)

Package: draught

Place: Crescent Moon Ale House, Omaha NE

Score: 18 points

Appearance (3)
Bright golden-amber. Thick tight head.

Aroma (3)
Mildly fruity, citrusy, piney hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, creamy. Real big real tasty piney, grassy hops. Fairly fruity. Fairly bitter.

Overall Impression (3)
Good clean IPA.
Date: February 3, 2007 (#6310)

Package: bottled

Place: Liquid Solutions, Tigard OR

Score: 16½ points

Appearance (2½)
Amber. Lots of tiny flakes. High carbonation. Thick head.

Aroma (3)
Earthy, piney, spicy hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium-big body, smooth. Lots of caramel and lots of hops, with a resiny, piney flavor and a big bitterness. Lingering resiny bitter finish.

Overall Impression (2)
Pretty good beer, but maybe just a bit stale.

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Celebration Ale 2007

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.80% abv.

Date: December 7, 2007 (#6725)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Columbus, Columbus NE

Score: 18 points

Appearance (3)
Bright amber. Dense head.

Aroma (3)
Earthy, citrusy, piney hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, smooth. Malty, with a huge resiny bitterness. Real nice balance.

Overall Impression (3)

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Celebration Ale 2008

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.80% abv.

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Celebration Ale 2009

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.80% abv.

Date: June 8, 2010 (#8246)

Package: bottled

Place: Brix, Omaha NE

Score: 16 points

Appearance (2½)
Bright golden. Cloudy. Big dense head.

Aroma (3)
Surprisingly floral and fruity.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium-big body. Moderately fizzy. Fruity floral hops on sweet clean malt. Fairly bitter. Lingering hops and just a little bit of yeast at the end.

Overall Impression (2½)

Celebration Ale 2010

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.80% abv.

Date: November 4, 2010 (#8338)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 17½ points

Appearance (3)
Amber. Some haze. Thick head.

Aroma (3½)
Citrusy, grapefruity hops. Biscuity malt.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium-big body, smooth. Quick taste of biscuity malt before the blast of grapefruit and bitterness.

Overall Impression (2)
Still, it's well-balanced and clean.

Celebration Ale 2011

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.80% abv.

Date: January 12, 2012 (#8704)

Package: draught

Place: Lauter Tun, Omaha NE

Score: 16½ points

Appearance (3)
Bright copper color. Thick dense head.

Aroma (3)
Malty, mildly spicy. Fairly fruity.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium-big body, moderate carbonation. Sweet, biscuity,dark caramel malt on top of earthy, fruity, resiny, fairly bitter hops. Finishes hoppy and clean.

Overall Impression (2½)

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Celebration Ale 2020

6.80% abv.

Date: December 30, 2020 (#10406)

Package: bottled

Place: Northbound Liquor Store, Elk River MN

Score: 17½ points

Appearance (3)
Bright amber-brown. Moderate dense head.

Aroma (3)
Floral hops. Mild toasty malt.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, pretty fizzy. Big floral, resiny hop flavor, fairly bitter. Graham cracker malt in the background. Lingering floral, resiny hop bitterness.

Overall Impression (2½)
Good beer, nice balance. Haven't had this one in years.

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Chico Estate Harvest Ale

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

Date: October 15, 2008 (#7474)

Package: draught

Place: Crescent Moon Ale House, Omaha NE

Score: 17 points

Appearance (3)
Bright red-amber. Dense head.

Aroma (3)
Huge citrusy grapefruit hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, creamy smooth. Big spicy, fruity, resiny hop flavor. Big bitterness. Some grapefruit, but not as much as in the aroma. Lingering resiny bitterness.

Overall Impression (2)
Brewed with freshly-picked Cascade and Centennial hops from the brewery's own fields.

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Cryo Fresh Torpedo

7.00% abv.

Date: January 26, 2023 (#11299)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Maplewood, Maplewood MN

Score: 13½ points

Appearance (3)
Golden. Unbelievably high carbonation. Huge creamy head.

Aroma (2)
Biscuity. Floral. Cheesy.

Mouthfeel (7)
Medium-big body, surprisingly smooth considering how fizzy it looks. Biscuity, earthy malt character. Grassy, herbal hop flavor with just a hint of citrus. Medium bitterness, less bitter than the standard Torpedo.

Overall Impression (1½)
Seems a little muddy. Not impressed.

Light American Wheat Beer without Yeast

Date: December 29, 1994 (#682)

Package: draught

Place: at the brewery

Score: 14 points

Overall Impression (2½)
Yellow, some haze. From the aroma, there's no doubt it's a Sierra beer. Way overhopped. Typical Sierra Nevada flavor. Very bitter. Good beer, though.

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American-Style India Pale Ale

7.40% abv.

Date: January 10, 2022 (#10829)

Package: canned

Place: Northbound Liquor Store, Elk River MN

Score: 18½ points

Appearance (2½)
Amber. Fairly hazy. Creamy head.

Aroma (4)
Fruity, piney, floral hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, fairly fizzy. Big fruity, grapefruit hop flavor. Fairly bitter. Biscuity, bready malt background. More resiny bitterness at the end, but it's all balanced nicely.

Overall Impression (3)
Real good beer, like a juicy Torpedo.

Dark American Wheat Beer with Yeast

Date: March 15, 1997 (#2040)

Package: draught

Place: Kona Brewers Festival, Kailua-Kona HI

Score: 14½ points

Overall Impression (3)
Brown opaque, big head. Hoppy aroma, hint of smoke. Brown, hoppy, high test.

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American-Style Pale Ale

Awards:

Gold Medal and Champion Keg Ale, 2005 Brewing Industry International Awards

Date: December 18, 1994 (#649)

Package: draught

Place: Pacific Coast Brewing, Oakland CA

Score: 14½ points

Overall Impression (3)
Pale amber, great head. Fruity nose...berries? (It's on the tap next to a cranberry beer.) But it seems like the berry flavor is definitely coming from the hops.

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Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale

6.00% abv.

Date: May 12, 2020 (#10285)

Package: canned

Place: Northbound Liquor Store, Elk River MN

Score: 16½ points

Appearance (3)
Golden. Slight haze. Very high carbonation. Thick creamy head.

Aroma (3)
Piney, citrusy hops. Fruity.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium body, moderately fizzy. Sweet bready malt behind a medium-big fruity hop flavor and medium-low bitterness. There's an almost noble floral character to the hops, rather than "juicy" like the label says.

Overall Impression (2½)
Still, it's a pretty good beer.

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English-Style (Extra Special) Strong Bitter

5.90% abv.

Date: February 12, 2008 (#6882)

Package: bottled

Place: Beertopia, Omaha NE

Score: 15 points

Appearance (2½)
Bright amber. Lots of protein. Big head.

Aroma (2½)
Very mild earthy, fruity hops.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium body, smooth. Big sweet biscuity maltiness. Mild bitterness and a fruity hop flavor. Fruity, bitter finish.

Overall Impression (2)

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English-Style (Extra Special) Strong Bitter

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Estate Homegrown Ale

6.70% abv.

Awards:

Gold Medal, 2012 Great American Beer Festival
Silver Medal, 2010 Great American Beer Festival

Date: October 10, 2010 (#8312)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 20 points

Appearance (3)
Brilliant copper color. Huge rocky head.

Aroma (4)
Fruity, spicy, piney fresh hops.

Mouthfeel (10)
Medium-big body. Excellent smooth maltiness with lots of caramel. Big fruity hop flavor, nicely bitter. Excellent balance all the way through.

Overall Impression (3)

Extra Special Ale

American-Style Pale Ale

Date: November 18, 2006 (#6170)

Package: draught

Place: Crescent Moon Ale House, Omaha NE

Score: 18 points

Appearance (3)
Bright amber-brown. Low head.

Aroma (3)
Citrusy, fruity, with some biscuity malt.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, fizzy. Nice biscuity, toasty, caramelly malt character. Prominent fruity, mildly citrusy hops, with a lower-than-Sierra's-usual bitterness.

Overall Impression (3)
It seems like a Pale Ale clone, but with a milder bitterness, which contrasts starkly with the impressions of the gang over at BeerAdvocate.

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Flipside Red IPA

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.20% abv.

Date: October 5, 2013 (#9279)

Package: draught

Place: Krug Park, Omaha NE

Score: 19½ points

Appearance (3)
Brilliant red. Dense head.

Aroma (3½)
Earthy, piney hops.

Mouthfeel (10)
Medium body, smooth. Piney, fruity hop flavor, medium bitterness. Rich caramel malt, toasty. Toasty, fruity, hoppy finish.

Overall Impression (3)
Real good beer.

Bohemian-Style Pilsener

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Glissade Golden Bock

German-Style Heller Bock/Maibock

6.40% abv.

Date: February 4, 2010 (#8140)

Package: bottled

Place: Brass Monkey Sports Bar, Omaha NE

Score: 16 points

Appearance (3)
Bright golden. Low head.

Aroma (2½)
Very clean, mildly malty.

Mouthfeel (8)
Big, fizzy, smoky. Grainy malt. Clean grainy finish.

Overall Impression (2½)

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American-Style India Pale Ale

American-Style Pale Ale

Date: February 12, 1998 (#2386)

Package: draught

Place: Ryan's Grill, Honolulu HI

Score: 19 points

Overall Impression (3½)
Red-amber, moderate carbonation, good head. Sierra Nevada 4-C hop aroma blast. Very big body, blast of hops like Bigfoot! It's "Bigfoot Light".

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Harvest Ale 2007

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

Date: December 7, 2007 (#6726)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Columbus, Columbus NE

Score: 18 points

Appearance (3)
Bright amber. Big thick head.

Aroma (4)
Richly malty, with a huge fresh spicy hop.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big body, smooth. Lots of malt behind lots of grassy, earthy hop flavor. Reasonably bitter. A bit rough, but tasty.

Overall Impression (2)
This 11th edition of Harvest Ale is brewed with fresh-picked "wet" hops.

Harvest Ale 2008

American-Style India Pale Ale

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Harvest Wet Hop Ale 2009

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

Date: March 19, 2010 (#8176)

Package: bottled

Place: Brix, Omaha NE

Score: 18½ points

Appearance (3)
Copper color. Some haze. Thick head.

Aroma (3½)
Fruity, earthy, piney hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium-big body, smooth. Lots of biscuity malt behind a big fruity, resiny, piney bitterness.

Overall Impression (3)
Bigger and a little darker than Celebration.

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Hazy Little Thing

Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

Date: June 18, 2021 (#10562)

Package: canned

Place: Hy-Vee Maple Grove, Maple Grove MN

Score: 16½ points

Appearance (3)
Yellow. Opaque. Massive head.

Aroma (3½)
Lots of citrus, more lemon than orange. Bready. Earthy.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium body, moderate carbonation. Sweet bready malt. Big citrusy hop flavor, more orange than lemon. Low-medium bitterness. Sweet fruity finish.

Overall Impression (2)
Not bad.

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Imperial or Double India Pale Ale

8.00% abv.

Date: March 23, 2019 (#10019)

Package: canned

Place: Hy-Vee Council Bluffs, Council Bluffs IA

Score: 18½ points

Appearance (3)
Golden, some haze. Thick head.

Aroma (3½)
Huge grapefruit. Spicy, with some tropical fruit.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, fairly fizzy. Big big big grapefruit hop flavor, fairly bitter. Really fruity, mango, tangerine. Finishes remarkably clean.

Overall Impression (3)
Thanks, Choo!

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Date: May 29, 2017 (#9743)

Package: bottled

Place: Place unknown

Score: 20 points

Appearance (3)
Bright golden. Huge dense head.

Aroma (4)
Big fruity, citrusy, floral hops. Mild biscuit.

Mouthfeel (10)
Medium-big body, smooth. Rich, mildly biscuity malt under a big fruity-floral hop flavor. Fairly bitter and nicely balanced with a clean hoppy finish.

Overall Impression (3)
Real good beer.

Hop Smack Double Black

American-Style Black Ale

Date: August 10, 2011 (#8615)

Package: bottled

Place: from the brewery

Score: 17 points

Appearance (3)
Very very dark red. Big dense head.

Aroma (3)
Earthy, grassy hops. Roasty.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big body, fairly fizzy. Roasty and sweet. Big grassy hop flavor, nicely bitter.

Overall Impression (2)
Good beer brewed by Jay Wilson at Sierra Nevada's Beer Camp. Thanks to KJ Harnack for the bottle!

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German-Style Pilsener

5.50% abv.

Date: August 20, 2018 (#9901)

Package: draught

Place: The Casual Pint, Omaha NE

Score: 16½ points

Appearance (3)
Golden. Dense head.

Aroma (3)
Pretty clean. Very mild spicy-peppery hops.

Mouthfeel (8)
Light body, smooth. Big floral hop flavor, a bit grassy. Medium bitterness, fades in the finish.

Overall Impression (2½)
I could see drinking a few of these on a hot day.

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Imperial or Double India Pale Ale

10.40% abv.

Date: January 27, 2011 (#8445)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 19 points

Appearance (3)
Bright amber-brown. Dense head.

Aroma (3½)
Big grapefruity hops, spicy and piney.

Mouthfeel (10)
Big and chewy and bitter. A mouthful of resiny-grapefruity hops and another mouthful of biscuity malt. Warming.

Overall Impression (2½)
Intense beer, but well-balanced.

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Imperial or Double India Pale Ale

11.00% abv.

Date: July 7, 2022 (#11082)

Package: bottled

Place: Wine, Beer, and Spirits Grand Island, Grand Island NE

Score: 20 points

Appearance (3)
Golden amber. Creamy head.

Aroma (4)
Intense grapefruit and orange. Bready background.

Mouthfeel (10)
Thick. Creamy with just enough fizz. Bready, malt, toasty background. Big citrusy hop flavor and pretty bitter, but really well balanced. Lingering hoppy finish with a graham cracker note.

Overall Impression (3)
Excellent beer that's similarish to Bigfoot.

English-Style India Pale Ale

6.80% abv.

Awards:

Gold Medal, 2005 Great American Beer Festival

Date: February 10, 2007 (#6319)

Package: bottled

Place: Beertopia, Omaha NE

Score: 15½ points

Appearance (2½)
Golden. Lots of suspended chunks. Moderate head.

Aroma (3)
Minty hops, toasty malt.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium body, fairly fizzy. Huge toasty maltiness. Fairly bitter, grassy herbal hops. Biscuity malt joins the bitterness in the finish. Very mild diacetyl note.

Overall Impression (2)

Juniper Black Ale

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South German-Style Hefeweizen/Hefeweissbier

4.80% abv.

Awards:

Bronze Medal, 2011 Stockholm Beer Festival

Date: July 30, 2009 (#7859)

Package: bottled

Place: Beertopia, Omaha NE

Score: 14 points

Appearance (3)
Yellow. Opaque. Moderate head.

Aroma (2)
Smoky. Phenolic.

Mouthfeel (7)
Light-medium body. Fizzy. Sweet wheat malt. Mild banana flavor. Creamy banana-cream finish.

Overall Impression (2)

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Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout

Date: January 13, 2018 (#9807)

Package: nitrogenated

Place: Krug Park, Omaha NE

Score: 14 points

Appearance (2½)
Bright dark burgundy. Dense nitro head.

Aroma (2½)
Very mild roasted malt.

Mouthfeel (7)
Light body, nitro-smooth. Mildly sweet, mildly roasty. Maybe kinda Murphy's-like? Clean, mildly roasty finish.

Overall Impression (2)

Kolsch Style Ale

German-Style Kölsch/Köln-Style Kölsch

Awards:

Gold Medal, 2009 Great American Beer Festival
Silver Medal, 2008 Great American Beer Festival

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10.00% abv.

Date: December 10, 2009 (#8081)

Package: draught

Place: Max & Joe's Belgian Beer Tavern, Omaha NE

Score: 17 points

Appearance (3)
Dark red. Almost opaque. Moderate head.

Aroma (3)
Surprisingly clean. Mildly malty and roasty.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big and smooth. Lots of chewy malt. Roasty. Big grassy hop flavor, fairly bitter. Warming at the end, with a big sweet malty-roasty finish.

Overall Impression (2)
Brewed in collaboration with Dogfish Head.

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10.20% abv.

Date: November 5, 2011 (#8668)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 18 points

Appearance (3)
Dark dark brown. Thick head.

Aroma (3)
Very mild coffee, grassy.

Mouthfeel (9)
Thick. Creamy. Roasty, malty, and fairly bitter. Chocolate. Warming. Smooth malty, herbal finish.

Overall Impression (3)

5.00% abv.

Date: December 10, 2009 (#8080)

Package: draught

Place: Max & Joe's Belgian Beer Tavern, Omaha NE

Score: 16 points

Appearance (3)
Brown opaque. Thick head.

Aroma (3)
Big fresh spicy hops.

Mouthfeel (8)
Light and fizzy. Roasty, woody. Grassy hops, reasonably bitter.

Overall Impression (2)
Pretty good but somewhat overhopped Brown Porter, made from the second runnings of Life & Limb.

Liquid Hoppiness IPA

Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale

7.00% abv.

Herb and Spice Beer

5.80% abv.

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Narwhal Imperial Stout

10.20% abv.

Awards:

Silver Medal, 2012 Great American Beer Festival

Date: October 26, 2012 (#8960)

Package: draught

Place: Jake's Cigars and Spirits, Omaha NE

Score: 13½ points

Appearance (3)
Black. Dense creamy head.

Aroma (1½)
Aged cheddar.

Mouthfeel (7)
Thick. Malty. Spicy. Chocolate. Bitter hops. Bitter black malt. Alcohol.

Overall Impression (2)
Seriously needs some age.

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German-Style Pilsener

5.20% abv.

Date: November 8, 2023 (#11501)

Package: bottled

Place: Princeton Wine & Spirits, Princeton MN

Score: 18 points

Appearance (3)
Brilliant golden. Low dense head.

Aroma (3½)
Big graham cracker malt. Very mild floral hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, fizzy. Huge graham cracker, grainy malt with some sulfur. The sulfur enhances the bitterness from the floral noble hops. Lingering hoppy finish.

Overall Impression (2½)
Real good clean beer.

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Northern Hemisphere Harvest Ale 2010

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

Date: October 10, 2010 (#8313)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 17½ points

Appearance (3)
Bright copper color. Massive head.

Aroma (3½)
Floral, resiny hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium-big body, smooth. Lots of biscuity malt. Big fruity, resiny, floral hop flavor, fairly bitter.

Overall Impression (2)
More hop-forward than their Estate Homegrown Ale.

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Northern Hemisphere Harvest Ale 2011

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

Date: November 21, 2011 (#8671)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 18½ points

Appearance (3)
Deep copper color. Hazy. Thick dense head.

Aroma (3½)
Big spicy, piney, earthy hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big-medium body, fizzy. Big piney, grassy, earthy hop flavor. Fairly bitter, even more so in the finish.

Overall Impression (3)
The malt is in there for body, not flavor. Real good IPA.

Oktoberfest 2016 (Mahrs Bräu)

German-Style Märzen/Oktoberfest

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Oktoberfest Amber Märzen

German-Style Märzen/Oktoberfest

5.50% abv.

Date: August 29, 2021 (#10715)

Package: canned

Place: Hy-Vee Maple Grove, Maple Grove MN

Score: 16 points

Appearance (3)
Bright deep copper color. Moderate dense head.

Aroma (3)
Dark fruit. Dark toast. Dark bread crust.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium body, fairly fizzy. Sweet toasty malt, bready. Big dark fruit note. Mild grassy hops, low-medium bitterness. Sweet fruity finish.

Overall Impression (2)

Old Cantankerous Stock Ale

6.60% abv.

American-Style Sour Ale

4.50% abv.

Ovila Abbey Dubbel

Belgian-Style Dubbel

7.50% abv.

Date: April 14, 2011 (#8511)

Package: draught

Place: Max & Joe's Belgian Beer Tavern, Omaha NE

Score: 16 points

Appearance (3)
Red-brown, hazy. Low head.

Aroma (3)
Very mild toasty-sweet malt.

Mouthfeel (8)
Light-medium body, fizzy. Sweet caramel malt. Grassy, fruity, with a mild bitterness. Hint of oak. Dry, earthy finish.

Overall Impression (2)

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Ovila Belgian-Style Golden

Belgian-Style Pale Ale

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Belgian-Style Dark Strong Ale

10.40% abv.

Date: January 9, 2012 (#8699)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 17 points

Appearance (3)
Deep mahogany. Dense head.

Aroma (4)
Rich dark caramel and chocolate. Toasted malt.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium-big body, moderate carbonation. Rich dark malt. Smoky, grainy, Root beer, earthy and fruity.

Overall Impression (2)

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French & Belgian-Style Saison

7.00% abv.

Date: July 6, 2011 (#8602)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 17 points

Appearance (3)
Deep golden. Massive head.

Aroma (3)
Earthy. Grassy. Spicy. Mild citrus note.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, very fizzy. Earthy, grainy malt with lots of grassy hops. Moderate bitterness. Lemony esters. Lingering bitterness in the finish.

Overall Impression (2)

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American-Style Pale Ale

5.60% abv.

Awards:

Silver Medal, 2005 Brewing Industry International Awards
Gold Medal and Champion Keg Ale, 2004 Brewing Industry International Awards
Gold Medal, 1995 Great American Beer Festival
Gold Medal, 1994 Great American Beer Festival
Gold Medal, 1993 Great American Beer Festival
Gold Medal, 1992 Great American Beer Festival
Gold Medal, 1990 Great American Beer Festival
Gold Medal, 1989 Great American Beer Festival
Gold Medal, 1987 Great American Beer Festival

Date: February 6, 2004 (#5207)

Package: draught

Place: Peabody's Ale House, Oshkosh WI

Score: 16½ points

Overall Impression (3½)
Bright amber. Nice head. Mild spicy hop aroma. Medium body. Lots of spicy, citrusy hop flavor, mildly bitter. Not as assertive as it's been, but pretty tasty nonetheless.
Date: August 31, 2002 (#4398)

Package: bottled

Place: Festival Foods, Oshkosh WI

Score: 16 points

Overall Impression (3)
Bright golden amber, moderate carbonation, thick head. Big citrusy hop aroma, like orange juice. Light-medium body. Lots of caramel malt, but even more fruity bitter hops. Some maltiness returns in the finish. Good, but not excellent...it seems their beer doesn't travel well all the way to Wisconsin.
Date: April 1, 1998 (#2600)

Package: bottled

Place: Siebel Institute of Technology, Chicago IL

Score: 15 points

Overall Impression (2½)
Amber, moderate carbonation and head. Citrusy hop aroma, hint of cheese/"sweat socks". Bitter, spicy, grapefruit, drying.
Date: October 31, 1995 (#1231)

Package: bottled

Place: Moloka`i Wines and Spirits Unlimited, Kaunakakai HI

Score: 16 points

Overall Impression (3)
Golden-amber, some haze, low carbonation and head. Bright fruity-spicy hop nose. Good body. Excellent balance with bitter-hoppy finish. Big carbonation bite. Finishes very slightly harsh.
Date: January 27, 1995 (#729)

Package: draught

Place: The HopYard, Pleasanton CA

Score: 19 points

Overall Impression (3½)
Pale-amber, good carbonation and head. Fruity nose. Good body. Hops, malt, carbonation all extremely well-balanced.
Date: December 29, 1994 (#685)

Package: draught

Place: at the brewery

Score: 16 points

Overall Impression (3)
Pale amber, hazy. Fruity spicy Cascades. Bitter finish, but clean. Good balance, but tilted toward fruity hops.
Date: June 27, 1993 (#93)

Package: draught

Place: Lyon's Brewery, Dublin CA

Score: 18 points

Overall Impression (3)
Amber, crystal clear, great head. Aroma is Cascades Cascades Cascades but no malt. Body just on the thin side of full. Lots of carbonation. Very hoppy. A classic beer.

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German-Style Heller Bock/Maibock

Date: April 18, 1995 (#866)

Package: draught

Place: The HopYard, Pleasanton CA

Score: 12½ points

Overall Impression (2½)
Pale-golden, thin head. Clear. Hoppy...but stale? Maybe a little oxidized? Almost clean, but not quite. Sticky.
Date: December 29, 1994 (#681)

Package: draught

Place: at the brewery

Score: 14½ points

Overall Impression (3)
Yellow-clear. Looks a lot like the Crystal Wheat, only more transparent. Hop aroma, some malt...none very assertive. Full body. Some vegetal bitterness. Long finish is almost cloying but not quite.
Date: May 7, 1994 (#320)

Package: draught

Place: Pacific Coast Brewing, Oakland CA

Score: 15½ points

Overall Impression (3)
Medium-yellow. Good head. Big fruity Sierra Nevada hop nose. Bitter. Fairly light body. Malty finish.
Date: March 22, 1993 (#4)

Package: draught

Place: Pacific Coast Brewing, Oakland CA

Score: 16 points

Overall Impression (3)
Gold, good carbonation and head. Malty nose, but those Sierra Nevada characteristic hops are in the background. Good light bock. OK heavy, good flavor. Very nice beer. All their seasonals are as exceptional as their regulars. Can't wait for Summerfest this year...

German-Style Pilsener

Awards:

Gold Medal, 2010 World Beer Cup

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5.60% abv.

Awards:

Bronze Medal, 2006 North American Beer Awards
Bronze Medal, 2005 Brewing Industry International Awards
Silver Medal, 2002 Los Angeles County Fair Competition
First Place, 2000 California Brewers Festival
First Place, 1996 Colorado State Fair

Date: November 6, 2001 (#3981)

Package: bottled

Place: Woodman's Food Market #20, Green Bay WI

Score: 18 points

Overall Impression (3)
Black, thick head. Big herbal hop aroma. Medium body, excellent balance between roasted malts and herbal hop flavor. Very nice clean finish.
Date: May 12, 1998 (#2780)

Package: bottled

Place: Siebel Institute of Technology, Chicago IL

Score: 15½ points

Overall Impression (3)
Dark brown opaque, thick head. Roasty, Cascade aroma. Medium body, sweet, all kinds of hop flavor, plenty of chocolate.
Date: August 19, 1996 (#1551)

Package: bottled

Place: Kamuela Liquor Store, Kamuela HI

Score: 19 points

Overall Impression (3½)
Dark brown-red, thick white head. Coffee, hoppy aroma. Coffee flavor, followed quickly by a blast of black malt. Mildly bitter, with a lingering black malt finish. Even better than I remember it!
Date: December 27, 1994 (#665)

Package: draught

Place: The HopYard, Pleasanton CA

Score: 13½ points

Overall Impression (2½)
Dark red, thick head. Cascades...not as assertive as I remember. Dark version of Pale Ale. Doesn't have the burnt character I expect in a Porter.
Date: August 14, 1993 (#160)

Package: draught

Place: Pacific Coast Brewing, Oakland CA

Score: 14½ points

Overall Impression (3)
Very dark red. Very clear...not opaque at all. Actually, I think it should be darker. Typical Sierra Nevada flowery hop aroma. Some roasty notes. Again, could smell darker. Good thick body...creamy, even. Roasty, then a carbonation bite, then roasty-fading. Carbonation is fairly high. I like it, but it's not very big. 14.5?!? I'm biased toward DARK BLACK HEAVY BURNT Porters (like Anchor or even the old Devil's Brew), so that probably hurt the score. I like this a LOT, but in my opinion, it's a bit out-of-style. (The taste alone rates a 20!)

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Juicy or Hazy Imperial or Double India Pale Ale

7.70% abv.

Date: February 9, 2023 (#11325)

Package: canned

Place: Hy-Vee Maplewood, Maplewood MN

Score: 15½ points

Appearance (3)
Amber, slight haze. Thick dense head

Aroma (3½)
Citrusy, piney hops. Very mild bready malt.

Mouthfeel (7)
Medium body, smooth. Kinda slick, like the haziest. Citrusy hops, low-medium bitterness. Grassy at the end.

Overall Impression (2)
Double dry hopped, for what that's worth.

Experimental Beer

5.50% abv.

American-Style Rye Beer

Date: February 5, 2012 (#8727)

Package: draught

Place: Krug Park, Omaha NE

Score: 17 points

Appearance (3)
Copper color, moderate head.

Aroma (3)
Spicy, grassy hops. Toasty.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body, smooth and creamy. Big grassy rye flavor, sweetly malty and toasty. Medium bitterness, more in the finish.

Overall Impression (2)
Good clean beer.

Ruthless Weiss Beer

South German-Style Hefeweizen/Hefeweissbier

Date: October 3, 2008 (#7412)

Package: draught

Place: Knuckles Historical Sports Bar, Monterey CA

Score: 19 points

Appearance (3)
Yellow. Thick haze. Dense head.

Aroma (3)
Smoky bananas.

Mouthfeel (10)
Light body, very creamy. Big banana flavor on top of lots of sweet wheat malt.

Overall Impression (3)
Real good beer.

German-Style Schwarzbier

Date: October 3, 2008 (#7411)

Package: draught

Place: Knuckles Historical Sports Bar, Monterey CA

Score: 18 points

Appearance (3)
Black. Dense head.

Aroma (3)
Chocolate. Grassy.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium body. Creamy. Malty and roasty, with a grassy hop note.

Overall Impression (3)
Real tasty beer.

Sierra Nevada & Brauhaus Riegele: Festival Bier

German-Style Märzen/Oktoberfest

6.00% abv.

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Sierra Nevada Big Little Thing

Imperial or Double India Pale Ale

9.00% abv.

Date: July 2, 2021 (#10572)

Package: canned

Place: Hy-Vee Maple Grove, Maple Grove MN

Score: 18 points

Appearance (3)
Bright golden. Moderate head.

Aroma (4)
"Big C" hops. Kinda toasty.

Mouthfeel (9)
Big body, moderate carbonation. Lots of malt, kinda sulfury. Fruity-floral hop flavor, medium-big bitterness. Grassy and a bit sulfury in the finish.

Overall Impression (2)
Pretty good beer.

Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout 2019

10.20% abv.

Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA

6.60% abv.

Southern Hemisphere Harvest Ale 2011

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

Date: November 21, 2011 (#8672)

Package: bottled

Place: Hy-Vee Stony Brook, Omaha NE

Score: 16 points

Appearance (3)
Bright deep copper color. Thick head.

Aroma (3)
Fruity, earthy hops. Berries.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium-big body, smooth. Earthy, grassy hop flavor, fairly bitter, astringent. Some toasty malt in the background. Lingering bitter, woody, drying finish.

Overall Impression (2)

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Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale 2008

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

Date: May 9, 2008 (#7000)

Package: draught

Place: Crescent Moon Ale House, Omaha NE

Score: 19 points

Appearance (3)
Looks just like the Torpedo Ale.

Aroma (3)
Pretty floral.

Mouthfeel (10)
Big malty base behind a massive fruity, floral, citrusy hop flavor and bitterness. Bigger than the Pale Ale, bigger than Celebration.

Overall Impression (3)
Real bitter, but real well-balanced.

Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale 2010

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

Awards:

Bronze Medal, 2010 US Open Beer Championship

Date: May 14, 2010 (#8226)

Package: bottled

Place: Brix, Omaha NE

Score: 19 points

Appearance (3)
Brilliant beautiful copper color. Dense head.

Aroma (4)
Intensely fruity hops, berries. Grassy. Dark caramel. Piney. Earthy.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium-big body. Chewy and fizzy. Big malty base and lots of fruity, piney hop flavor. Nicely bitter, resiny and grassy. There's a sulfury-grainy note that I'll attribute to the fresh New Zealand Hops.

Overall Impression (3)

Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale 2013

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

Date: June 8, 2013 (#9158)

Package: draught

Place: Haymarket Brewing Company, Chicago IL

Score: 15 points

Appearance (3)
Bright copper color. Thick head.

Aroma (2½)
Really floral, earthy.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium-big body, moderate carbonation. Dark caramel malt, grassy-citrusy hops. Fairly bitter.

Overall Impression (1½)

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Southern Hemisphere IPA

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

Date: August 20, 2018 (#9903)

Package: draught

Place: The Casual Pint, Omaha NE

Score: 16 points

Appearance (3)
Yellow, opaque. Dense head.

Aroma (3)
Mild tropical fruit. Grassy. Bready.

Mouthfeel (8)
Medium-big body, smooth. Chewy malt, mildly biscuity. Big grassy, fruity hop flavor, reasonably bitter. Clean hoppy finish.

Overall Impression (2)
Good clean beer, but nothing really stands out.

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Southern Hemisphere Session IPA

4.60% abv.

Date: August 20, 2018 (#9902)

Package: draught

Place: The Casual Pint, Omaha NE

Score: 16 points

Appearance (3)
Bright golden. Dense head.

Aroma (3)
Fruity. Spicy. Bready.

Mouthfeel (8)
Light body, fairly fizzy. Big spicy, peppery hop flavor, nicely bitter. Peppery flavor lingers along with the bitterness.

Overall Impression (2)
Pretty good light-ish beer.

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American-Style Stout

5.80% abv.

Awards:

Silver Medal, 2011 Stockholm Beer Festival
Bronze Medal, 2004 World Beer Cup
Gold Medal, 2000 California State Fair Craft Brewing Competition

Date: August 4, 2003 (#4990)

Package: bottled

Place: Peabody's Ale House, Oshkosh WI

Score: 18 points

Overall Impression (3)
Black. Thick brown head. Spicy hop aroma, and sweetly black. Medium creamy body with plenty of carbonation. Richly malty, with a big dose of black malt. Big hop flavor and bitterness. Lingering herbal hoppy black-ish finish. Too bad there's not a recognized "American Stout" style; this would be the archetype.
Date: August 19, 1996 (#1552)

Package: bottled

Place: Kamuela Liquor Store, Kamuela HI

Score: 15½ points

Overall Impression (3)
Black, big brown head. Big fresh hop nose. Bitter, with a lot of black malt and a LOT of hop flavor. Finishes black and hoppy.
Date: December 29, 1994 (#686)

Package: draught

Place: at the brewery

Score: 14½ points

Overall Impression (3)
Pretty dark. Not quite black. Hoppy aroma. Some black malt. Thick. Burnt. Hoppy. Astringent finish.
Date: October 31, 1994 (#488)

Package: draught

Place: Pacific Coast Brewing, Oakland CA

Score: 15½ points

Overall Impression (3)
Black, brown head. Black malt, not the usual Sierra Nevada nose. Creamy smooth. Lots of chocolate. Quick strong bitterness.

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Juicy or Hazy Pale Ale

4.60% abv.

Date: June 6, 2021 (#10548)

Package: canned

Place: Hy-Vee Maple Grove, Maple Grove MN

Score: 16½ points

Appearance (3)
Yellow. Hazy. Big fluffy head.

Aroma (3½)
Fruity, citrus and tropical. Grassy, a little yeasty.

Mouthfeel (8)
Light body, moderate carbonation. Mild grainy malt behind citrusy hops. Low-medium bitterness. Clean, Mango-Shop finish.

Overall Impression (2)
The label says "Session Hazy IPA", but it's really a Pale Ale in need of filtration.

European-Style Pilsener

5.00% abv.

Awards:

First Place, 2007 San Diego County Fair
Gold Medal, 2006 Los Angeles County Fair Competition
Bronze Medal, 2004 Great American Beer Festival
Gold Medal, 2004 Los Angeles County Fair Competition
Gold Medal, 2003 Los Angeles County Fair Competition
Gold Medal, 1999 California State Fair Craft Brewing Competition

Date: June 21, 2007 (#6555)

Package: bottled

Place: Crescent Moon Ale House, Omaha NE

Score: 16½ points

Appearance (3)
Bright golden. Nice tight head.

Aroma (3)
Grainy malt. Fruity — not citrusy — hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Light body. Moderately fizzy. Huge sweet grainy malt start-to-finish. Nice and clean. Mild grassy hop flavor. Mild bitterness.

Overall Impression (1½)
The more I drink it, the sweeter it gets.
Date: June 12, 1996 (#1502)

Package: bottled

Place: Willow Glen Liquors, San Jose CA

Score: 16 points

Overall Impression (3)
Golden, high carbonation and head. Sweet aroma, slightly skunked. Malty, reasonably bitter with good hop flavor. Lingering bitter finish. It's as good as I remember it. Thanks to Paris Cunningham for bringing this beer to Hawai`i for me!
Date: August 14, 1993 (#159)

Package: draught

Place: Pacific Coast Brewing, Oakland CA

Score: 19 points

Overall Impression (3½)
Brilliant. Pale yellow that glows in the dark. Noble hop aroma? Not the typical Sierra Nevada nose. Very nice indeed. Some frutiness as well. Aroma really comes through in flavor. Nice light bitterness. Surprise body...expected much lighter. Very nice indeed. Some lingering sweetness.
Date: July 28, 1993 (#190)

Package: bottled

Place: 1993 American Homebrewers Association Convention, Portland OR

Score: 15 points

Overall Impression (2½)
Bright yellow and transparent. Fruity hop aroma. Thick and bitter-sweet. Sweet lingering finish.

Tangerine Express Hazy IPA

Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

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Torpedo Extra IPA

American-Style India Pale Ale

7.20% abv.

Date: May 9, 2008 (#6999)

Package: draught

Place: Crescent Moon Ale House, Omaha NE

Score: 20 points

Appearance (3)
Bright amber. Thick head.

Aroma (4)
Incredibly fruity hops. A bit earthy.

Mouthfeel (10)
Medium body. Moderate carbonation. Huge caramel malt base, nicely dry. Huge fruity, floral, grassy hop flavor with a fairly assertive bitterness.

Overall Impression (3)
Damn fine beer.

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Tropical Torpedo

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.70% abv.

Date: June 24, 2018 (#9861)

Package: bottled

Place: Baker's, Omaha NE

Score: 20 points

Appearance (3)
Bright golden-amber. Big thick head.

Aroma (4)
Tropical fruits. Floral, mildly citrusy.

Mouthfeel (10)
Medium body, fizzy and kinda chewy. Bready malt behind a big tropical fruity hop flavor. Medium-big bitterness all the way through.

Overall Impression (3)
Surprisingly refreshing on this hot sticky day.

Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale

American-Style Brown Ale

5.50% abv.

Date: July 30, 2010 (#8591)

Package: draught

Place: Crescent Moon Ale House, Omaha NE

Score: 18 points

Appearance (3)
Bright brown. Dense head.

Aroma (3)
Mildly toasty, mildly sweet.

Mouthfeel (9)
Medium creamy body. Sweet toasty malt. Citrusy, grassy bitterness at the very end.

Overall Impression (3)

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Unfiltered Wheat Beer

Light American Wheat Beer with Yeast

4.40% abv.

Awards:

Bronze Medal, 2003 Los Angeles County Fair Competition
Silver Medal, 2000 California State Fair Craft Brewing Competition

Date: January 1, 2008 (#6778)

Package: bottled

Place: Beertopia, Omaha NE

Score: 19 points

Appearance (3)
Yellow, full of yeast. Big dense head.

Aroma (4)
Big clean wheat malt. Fruity hops.

Mouthfeel (9)
Light-medium body, fizzy, creamy. Big wheat malt flavor, mildly grainy. Mild fruity hop flavor, very low bitterness.

Overall Impression (3)
Very clean beer.
Date: September 4, 1997 (#2169)

Package: draught

Place: The HopYard, Pleasanton CA

Score: 16 points

Overall Impression (3)
Yellow opaque, big white head. Sweet wheat aroma. Sweet, lots of wheat flavor, not a lot else. But what did you expect?
Date: December 29, 1994 (#680)

Package: draught

Place: at the brewery

Score: 15 points

Overall Impression (2½)
Yellow opaque. Malty-musty nose. Wheat character. Bitter, but clean.
Date: August 8, 1994 (#400)

Package: draught

Place: The HopYard, Pleasanton CA

Score: 12 points

Overall Impression (2½)
Unfiltered opaque yellow. Minor head. Very clean. Some phenols are trying to get through unsuccessfully. Good body. Very citrusy in middle. Quick clean finish. Sweetness OK. A "merely average" beer from Sierra Nevada!
Date: May 22, 1994 (#333)

Package: draught

Place: Berkeley Beer Festival, Berkeley CA

Score: 12½ points

Overall Impression (2½)
Yellow opaque. Very grainy aroma. Not the clean aroma I'd expect of an American-style wheat. Grainy-sweet malt. First underhopped Sierra Nevada beer ever. "Wet"...in-style, out-of-character?

German-Style Wheat Ale

Awards:

Silver Medal, 2011 Great American Beer Festival

Yippee Rye Aye!

Herb and Spice Beer

5.90% abv.