Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale (2007-2009)
Poured into a pint glass. Appearance: Poured with about a 1/4" of very light, white head that exists for slightly over a minute. Beer is slightly cloudy and has a dark orange color to it. Smell: The smell of the beer is very powerful; the cascades are instantly noticeable in the smell, very citrusy. The malts smell very sweet and balanced given the high degree of hop usage in this brew. It is very inviting to the nose. Taste: The taste of the beer is influenced by the cascade hops used; their presence is very powerful. You get a quick taste of the sweet lighter pale malt used which is then quickly followed up by a powerful burst of bitterness from the hops. It is heavily focused on the hops, given the fact that it is an IPA. Mouthfeel: The beer does feel a bit heavy yet slightly watery but that gives it an edge of smoothness. I do feel that there could of been less carbonation used with this particular beer. Drinkability: This is a beer that I would drink another but only after taking a few moments in between; the cascades used are very powerful and once you get beyond half of the beer it seems the balance has completely shifted toward the hops. due to the fact that it leaves a very strong aftertaste in your mouth as well once you get to the halfway point. Yet if you are a fan of cascade hops then this would be quite welcome.