This is by far one of my favorite new releases this past year. After 10 years of just being a release at the brewery, Sierra Nevada has finally bottled their fresh hop ale. Rejoice hop heads, this one is very, very impressive!The label reads:
In 1996, we created Harvest Ale, America's first fresh hop ale. Fresh hops are richer in natural hop resins producing unmatched aromatics and layers of spicy-sweet notes that hop fanatics like us dream of all year.
This year, we harvested and brewed with 8,000 lbs. of fresh hops in a single day's time. It sounds insane because it is. Then we did it again. But when you taste this year's Harvest Ale, we think you'll agree it was well worth it.
Harvest Ale is brewed using only fresh-picked, "wet" hops. Brewing with fresh, undried hops preserves more natural hop resins and aromatic oils, producing layers of hop notes rarely experienced.
Christ almighty, 4 tons of hops harvested in one day! A moment of silence for all those hop cones that met their doom in the name of one amazing beer!
Pours a slick, clean golden tangerine color. You swear that you can see the alpha acids floating around within that beautiful amber liquid. The head is fluffy and has the rings of a fresh beer. The smell is outstanding. Its bitter lemon, grapefruit, pure fresh humulus lupulus juice in all its glory. There is a bit of breadiness to compliment the overload of hoppiness. Pure olfactory heaven.
Taste is bitter. Go figure. This is fresh hop taste at its best and very high on the tongue drying scale. Lots of citrus and piney notes. You have to respect a brewery for being able to create a beer that satisfies all the hop loving senses.
Don't worry, this is balanced. You can drink it and not say its another one sided hop bomb that lacks character. Seek this mother of india pale ales out and stock up before its all gone and you have to wait for next year's release.
Oh and by the way, Sierra Nevada put this liquid ambrosia in 24 ounce bottles. That's right, two more ounces of heavenly hopness just for you. Enjoy!
Check out Sierra Nevada's Southern Hemisphere Fresh Hop Ale HERE!
BEER FACTS
Name: Harvest Fresh Hop Ale 11th Edition (2007 vintage)
Style: India Pale Ale
Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Location: Chico, California, USA
Container: 24 oz. bottle
Malts: Two-row Pale & Caramel
Hops: Cascade & Centennial
ABV: 6.7%
IBUs: 60-65
1 comments:
I agree with the assessment of this ale. It is one of my favorites. Enjoy.
Mike in NC
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