Happy Thanksgiving Folks! I hope everyone has up-held the Thanksgiving tradition and over-indulged in food, beer and football. I know I have.....I wonder if this is what it feels like to be pregnant? It's a great time of year, and there certainly are plenty of great limited release beers coming out this month. But today, I'm going to do a little experiment. While at the brew shop a couple days ago, I came across this little nugget in the 'clearance' aisle - a bottle of 2009 Sierra Nevada Estate Ale! I kept the price tags on, just to hammer down the fact that this was an incredible deal.....but 2009? This isn't the type of beer that one would normally age, so the brew shop marked it down 10000%.....but is it worth it? Let's find out how Estate Harvest Ale with-stands the test of time.
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| Original Price, $10.59 / Sale Price, $1.97 - Score. |
Estate Ale made it's debut in 2009 - this is one of the originals! Brewed with 100% all-natural, locally-grown hops and barley, all produced in Chico, CA. 6.7% alcohol by volume. The beer is a hazy amber, with a big layer of fluffy white foam. Great retention, lots of lace. The aroma is heavily herbal, tea leaves, some lemongrass. Also catching some whiffs of alcohol, surprising for a 6.7% beer...
The taste brings a big initial wave of citrus - orange rinds, lemon rinds, RIND rinds. These are hops with a lot of California funk. Almost a farmhouse quality to the citrus, grassy and herbal.....tea-bags! The malts are there, but fairly muted, leaving just faint caramel reminders throughout the middle and finish. Some pine makes its way to the forefront at the finish, and the alcohol makes itself known, warms things up quite a bit.
Overall Rating: I had my doubts, but it turns out this beer withstood 2+ years in a beer shop with flying colors. Great beer at a great price, this was a win-win Thanksgiving brew. If you come across a vintage Estate Ale, don't hesitate, grab it. B+
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