Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale (2007-2009)
12 oz into a pint A - Pours a brown color - very clear and filtered. Not much for apparent carbonation. Head formation is light, only down to a off white film. S- A potent hit of cascade hops, piney, floral, and earthy. Very edgy nose. A hair of malt in the background. T - Starts off very balanced, with only a light malt sweetness completely offset by a bitter bite. Mid-stream drives it into the big time bitter territory - but hops are still restrained. In the finish and aftertaste is where the american hops take back over, with a very earthy bite. Aftertaste leaves a bitter finish on the tongue. M - Pretty strong body from both the carbonation and the beer. Both unfermentables and oily alpha acids contribute significantly to the body. Not much oily aftertaste as I would have expected from the cascade hop quantity included. D - Pretty drinakble beer - abv is higher but manageable. Flavors are not overwhelming. It is a bit filling - the only downside.