30th Anniversary - Grand Cru
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
American Strong Ale
9.2% ABV
Poured into a wine glass about 2 months after the release. The label says that it's 33% oak-aged ale and the rest is simply ale: From their website, it's a, "marriage of our three most acclaimed ales: Oak-aged Bigfoot, Celebration Ale, fresh Pale Ale blended together and generously dry-hopped." I would guess it's an equal blend of the 3 beers.
First off, the cork was tight to the extent of being severely irritating. I couldn't pop it open and resorted to a corkscrew. Well, the corkscrew broke when I tried to pop the cork out (the dark green piece in the bottom right corner of the picture came out). The cork broke twice but didn't come off until it was in three pieces, and when it came off, it came off with one of the loudest pops and white fumes. Finally!
The ale poured in a deep, glowing amber colored stream and made a huge light murky colored head. The head retention was so good that I had to wait for a few minutes to smell and taste the beer, and when the head subsided, it left thick and beautiful lacing all over the glass.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
American Strong Ale
9.2% ABV
Poured into a wine glass about 2 months after the release. The label says that it's 33% oak-aged ale and the rest is simply ale: From their website, it's a, "marriage of our three most acclaimed ales: Oak-aged Bigfoot, Celebration Ale, fresh Pale Ale blended together and generously dry-hopped." I would guess it's an equal blend of the 3 beers.
First off, the cork was tight to the extent of being severely irritating. I couldn't pop it open and resorted to a corkscrew. Well, the corkscrew broke when I tried to pop the cork out (the dark green piece in the bottom right corner of the picture came out). The cork broke twice but didn't come off until it was in three pieces, and when it came off, it came off with one of the loudest pops and white fumes. Finally!
The ale poured in a deep, glowing amber colored stream and made a huge light murky colored head. The head retention was so good that I had to wait for a few minutes to smell and taste the beer, and when the head subsided, it left thick and beautiful lacing all over the glass.
The first whiff was disappointing. I could find adjectives if I tried too hard and made stuff out of the air but this beer smelled pretty much like, um... beer? Yeah, there wasn't anything characteristic to it. After the glass got a little emptier, I could pick some hops, toffee and oak notes riding on a bready character. Complex but not impressive in its strength.
Perhaps it's palate fatigue or just plain boredom but I haven't been able to really enjoy D/IPAs for the past few weeks. They all seem less. So I am glad I picked this one tonight! Starts lightly fruity, much like Celebration but finishes deliciously tannic and hugely bitter. The aroma was a let down but in taste it meets, if not exceeds, the likes of Oaked Arrogant Bastard. Hops and oak rule this ale with an unyielding bitterness and the just right tannic astringency. It's like drinking a tea brewed with hops, only the body is much stronger.
Finishes relatively clean for it's body, and I am sure the intense hoppiness and oak contribute towards that. Still, the sweetness lingers behind the long and bitter aftertaste. The carbonation is fittingly low, although it could've been the warm serving temperature. Great on drinkability, this one is guaranteed to warm you up, and bitterly so.
Perhaps it's palate fatigue or just plain boredom but I haven't been able to really enjoy D/IPAs for the past few weeks. They all seem less. So I am glad I picked this one tonight! Starts lightly fruity, much like Celebration but finishes deliciously tannic and hugely bitter. The aroma was a let down but in taste it meets, if not exceeds, the likes of Oaked Arrogant Bastard. Hops and oak rule this ale with an unyielding bitterness and the just right tannic astringency. It's like drinking a tea brewed with hops, only the body is much stronger.
Finishes relatively clean for it's body, and I am sure the intense hoppiness and oak contribute towards that. Still, the sweetness lingers behind the long and bitter aftertaste. The carbonation is fittingly low, although it could've been the warm serving temperature. Great on drinkability, this one is guaranteed to warm you up, and bitterly so.
Scores: Appearance 5/5, Aroma 3/5, Taste 4.5/5, Mouthfeel 5/5, Drinkability 5/5.
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