Sierra Nevada - Beer Camp Juniper Black Ale

Today's brew comes from Sierra Nevada's specialty Beer Camp line of brews.  This is a black ale brewed with Juniper berries, which supposedly adds a resinous, pine flavor to beer.  I don't think I've ever tried a beer brewed with Juniper before, so this should be interesting.  Not a lot of information available on this brew, but it's a sipper at 8.0%ABV.

The beer is a thin blackish brown with a light tan powdery foam that really clings to the glass.  The aroma brings a fermented, sour berry scent, it may even be raisins.  I'm not exactly sure what juniper smells like, so I imagine that's what I'm smelling here. 

The drink starts off with a lot more bite that I expected.  Spicy, earthy, herbal hops start things off, really nips at my tongue.  From there the drink transitions into a completely different realm into a creamy, roasty malt sweetness.  It's a Jekyl and Hyde brew!  The taste finishes up with a strong layer of ground coffee, cream and a hint of bittersweet chocolate. 

Overall Rating:  This is definitely an interesting and unique beer, unlike anything I've ever tried before.  Honestly not my favorite, but I enjoyed the complexity and flavor roller coaster this brew provided.  I'm not sure what Juniper alone actually tastes like, so I can only guess what it adds to this beer.  But I do know this is one spicy, roasty, warming glass of beer that would be ideal for the winter season. 

Sierra Nevada - Beer Camp Double IPA

Today I'm drinking a Sierra Nevada Beer Camp brew - this one is a Double IPA.  I can't be sure, but I THINK this is their specialty 'Ghidorah Double IPA', offered through this Beer Camp variety pack.  I wasn't able to find any information on their website to confirm this, but the description seems to match up with the Ghidorah description in their specialty beer list.

This is a big 8.5% DIPA that doesn't look the part.  The beer is a light golden color, looks light and fluffly with a pure white head, completely innocent looking!  The aroma is also subdued, with a buttery sweetness combined with an earthy, herbal pine cone undertone.  The flavor start off with a big malt sweetness - big bread and butter, thick and chewy.  Then comes a nice wave of tart, fruity grapefruit hoppiness.  The bitterness is soft and juicy...it's actually less destructible than SN's Torpedo IPA.  Lots of pine lingers on the palate after the drink.  The beer is creamy and smooth all the way through - really nicely balanced.

Overall Rating:  Great beer from Sierra Nevada - I hope they consider adding it to their year-round line up.  It would probably eat into their Torpedo sales, but that's fine, it's better!  Great balance, very easy to drink, dangerously high and well-hidden alcohol content.  If you can find this in a Beer Camp variety pack, go for it!