Bright Hops, Dark Tobacco

On a recent warm evening, I got a hankering for a nice cold beer — or two — to accompany my cigar. I still had some Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA in the refrigerator left over from a recent gathering with friends, and the thought of that citrusy ale had my mouth watering in anticipation.

First, I needed to decide on a suitable cigar accompaniment. After making several passes through the humidor shelves, I finally settled on the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva GT20, with high expectations for the pairing.

The Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA is not a delicate IPA. The beer pours a deep and bright orange color with a big frothy white head — I was relieved I chose a glass of sufficient size. It opens with strong, pithy citrus notes. Resinous, piney hops come through as well. The use of whole-cone hops for dry hopping contributes a fresh, grassy profile. Though a touch of piney resin lingers in the finish, the flavor profile ultimately leans toward bright, fresh citrus. At 7.2% ABV and roughly 65 IBU, it delivers a firm, refreshing citrus bitterness supported by floral hop character and a solid caramel malt backbone.

The Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva GT20 had been resting in the humidor for just over two years. The 6 x 54 softly box-pressed stick is a Nicaraguan puro with a glossy maduro wrapper. The filler tobaccos are reportedly aged for more than five years before the cigars are rolled.

The cigar began with the cedar, espresso, and roasted nut flavors I remembered from earlier smokes. After another two years of rest in the humidor, it offered an exceptionally balanced smoke with all of those notes present but none truly dominating. The white pepper finish noted in the past was diminished but not gone.

The pairing flavors provided an interesting array of contrasts. The Torpedo IPA’s grapefruit and pine notes tended to moderate the darker notes of the rich Nicaraguan cigar. Each sip cleansed the palate, allowing the cigar’s flavors to reintroduce themselves with every draw. Especially during the final third, when the Antaño Gran Reserva GT20 became richer and heavier, the Torpedo IPA seemed to emphasize the cedar and spice, making the cigar feel more vibrant and energetic. At the same time, the coffee and cocoa from the smoke soften Torpedo’s hop bitterness.

When I pulled a second bottle of the IPA from the fridge, the freshly chilled beer provided a sharp change to the pairing balance. The citrus aspect of the beer took even more of the limelight over the malt backbone experienced with the prior warmer sips. The pairing became even more engaging as the colder beer pushed the citrus character to the forefront.

After about 90 minutes, both the cigar and my two glasses of beer were finished. The sun was still nearly two hours from setting, yet the temperature had become pleasantly comfortable. We’ve been enjoying a stretch of lower-than-average humidity despite frequent afternoon showers, making for especially pleasant evenings outdoors.

Cheers!

Exploring an Aged Beer and Cigar Pairing: Bigfoot and Padrón Maduro

The rains had stopped, but the air remained cool, and my thoughts turned to a hearty beer to accompany the evening’s smoke. I grabbed an old bottle of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale from the stash in the basement. This bottle dated from the 2010 release, making it just over 15 years old.

When selecting a cigar to pair with the beer, I wanted something that could stand up to Bigfoot’s expected caramel and port-like dark fruit character while contributing a complementary sweetness of its own. I chose the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro in the Torpedo vitola. It was shaping up to be a dessert-like pairing.

The bottle released a small “poof” when opened, proof that some carbonation remained. I poured a bit too quickly at first, building a moderate beige head that dissipated almost immediately. A sweet molasses aroma rose from the glass. The liquid itself glowed a bright red-mahogany hue.

At 9.6% ABV, the well-aged Bigfoot carried surprisingly little noticeable alcohol on the palate. Though known for its aggressive hop bitterness, I was somewhat surprised that citrus and bitter notes remained fairly robust after 15 years. The ale offered a rich blend of dark caramel and dark fruit sweetness reminiscent of port wine. Hints of fig, raisin, and toffee emerged as I sipped the rich beverage.

Not nearly as aged as the beer, the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro had rested in my humidor for only four months. The cigar's construction was flawless, with the dense feel and clean lines expected from the line. The Torpedo size measures 6 x 52 and uses aged Nicaraguan tobaccos throughout.  

The smoke opened with bittersweet cocoa and espresso notes. As the cigar warmed, the profile deepened with molasses-like sweetness and hints of dark fruit. A soft peppery spice lingered into the finish.

The pairing of the vintage Bigfoot Ale and the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro proved delightful and fully met my dessert-like expectations. The cigar’s cocoa and espresso notes complemented Bigfoot’s dark-fruit richness particularly well, while the shared molasses undertones tied the pairing together.

We’ve been enjoying opening some of the beers we tucked away for aging 10–15 years ago. I’ve found them immensely rewarding. Some come from breweries that now exist only in memory, yet all feel irreplaceable. Like cigars, they are ultimately meant to be enjoyed — even if that enjoyment comes years down the road. There is something bittersweet in finally opening a carefully aged bottle, knowing it can never truly be replaced.

Cheers!

Summer Solstice: A Smoke, a Beer, and Spicy Shrimp

While running errands on June 20 — the Summer Solstice — conversations everywhere seemed to center on the approaching heat wave. Like clockwork, the first truly warm days of the year shift everyone’s focus to “keeping cool.” My usual response is something along the lines of, “Well, it is summer… in Virginia.” I typically follow up with a contrarian remark about my dislike of cold weather.

To mark the glorious end of chilly days, I enjoyed lunch out on the sunny deck. A plate of steamed shrimp and a cold beer made for a delightful Friday afternoon meal. It was warm, yes, but hardly oppressive. I’ll admit the black arms of my chair were scorching from the sun, and when I tried to read a bit on my phone, I was greeted with an alert: iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it. Even my phone was joining the chorus of complaints about the heat.

After finishing my meal, I grabbed another beer from the fridge and selected a cigar from the humidor. Back in my seat, I lit up and continued soaking in the warmth.

I had chosen the Foundation Aksum — a cigar I often reach for when I want something smaller and quicker. This 5 x 50 Robusto is wrapped in a dark Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf, with a Connecticut Broadleaf binder and Nicaraguan fillers from the Jalapa and Estelí regions. 

The Aksum offers a bold smoking experience, led by rich notes of sweet espresso and dark chocolate. Hints of black pepper, dark cherry, and raisin make their way in as well, all tied together by a lingering spicy finish. It paired beautifully with the hoppy Sierra Nevada Pale Ale — a fitting dessert after a spicy meal.

Eventually, I moved to the covered screen porch to get out of the direct sun. There, I finished my beer and cigar while enjoying a bit of reading in the breeze from the fans — a most relaxing afternoon.

Cheers!

A Seasonal Classic: Sierra Nevada Celebration and a Hearty Lunch

One of the highlights of the winter beer season for me has long been the return of Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop IPA. Although my first pour of Celebration came later than usual this year, it was certainly worth the wait—better late than never!

We stopped for lunch at a favorite local pub on Saturday, and I was thrilled to spot Celebration IPA on the rotating draft list. My decision was immediate; I didn’t even glance at the rest of the menu. In years past, we’ve typically stocked up on a six-pack—or even a case—of this seasonal gem by now. However, I hadn’t noticed it on store shelves yet this season (though I admit I hadn’t been looking too closely).

Sierra Nevada Celebration IPA is brewed with freshly harvested hops, including Cascade, Centennial, and Chinook varieties, which are added shortly after harvest to lock in their vibrant flavors. In the glass, it glows with a vibrant amber-orange hue and a thin white head. Aromas of fresh pine and citrus leap from the glass, setting the stage for a bold flavor profile. Each sip delivers a symphony of hop bitterness, citrus zest, pine resin, and a sturdy malt backbone that provides just the right touch of sweetness for balance. This bright and refreshing combination delights from start to finish.

The flavorful ale made a superb pairing with the Bourbon Peppercorn Burger I had for lunch. The char-grilled patty was topped with Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, arugula, bacon, garlic aioli, and a house-made bourbon peppercorn sauce. It was messy, indulgent, and absolutely delicious—a perfect match for Celebration IPA’s bold and crisp profile.

Winter seasonal beer releases often lean toward dark, roasted flavors with notes of coffee, caramel, and higher alcohol content. While I enjoy those profiles as well, Celebration IPA stands apart with its bright, hoppy focus. Dating back to 1981, Celebration IPA is considered one of the earliest examples of an American-style IPA to incorporate fresh hops, making it an iconic and eagerly anticipated seasonal offering each year.

Cheers!

Pasencia Reserva Original, a Hoppy Beer, and a Lost Glass

It's been a rough few months here for our drinkware.  I mentioned previously dropping one of my favorite coffee mugs. Now, a classic beer glass has met its demise, and not without collateral damage.

I had enjoyed a sunny afternoon with a Sierra Nevada Celebration, one from 2020 that had been hiding in the back of the beer fridge. This annual winter release is always anticipated for its fresh hop goodness. They usually don't last long here, but at least the bottle ensured it retained most of its flavor.

The cigar smoked was Plasencia Reserva Original. Being a Nicaraguan puro, (a blend I have been gravitating to of late) I get the expected mash of espresso, cedar, pepper, and dark cherry notes, all softened with some sweet bread. The cigar is medium bodied, but richly flavored. 

I had some trepidation how the cigar and beer would match up, but surprisingly the flavors melded well. This cigar is something one could enjoy in the morning with coffee, or with an after dinner bourbon. And, obviously, a hoppy beer. 

The glassware I used was a promotional glass I had picked up years ago at some "Steal the Glass"event at a local pub. With an easy to hold shape, and embossed with the brewery name on one side, and the Celebration on the other, it makes fun glass to use with a fun beer. (And for added bling in the Instagram shot.) Alas, as I was washing the glass the next day, as I place my hand and sponge into the glass, it shattered. Granted the glass was at least a decade old, but I am always careful to not forcibly shove my hand inside.

The glass was one of a pair, and we've accumulated hundreds of logo glasses over the years, so only a sentimental loss. The sharp edge did make a pretty significant slice on my hand. Actually more of a filet than deep cut. I'll spare you photo of the wound or bloody sink. 

I needed another drink after this.

Cheers!

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot, Vintage 2007

Friday evening I decided to treat myself to something from the "old stuff" stash in the basement. My choice, after much deliberation, was Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Ale. This particular bottle was from the 2007 release. 

The beer poured a deep reddish-brown color with a very thin beige head. The aroma was dark fruit and sweet malt. My mouth watered at the delightful aroma. The flavors of the beer continued along the path started by the aroma. Dark fruits like dates and raisons came to mind. There was a hint of molasses in the sweetness. There was almost a port aspect to the finish. After thirteen years, the bold hoppiness of "fresh" Bigfoot had faded. The mouthfeel was on the thin side, with low carbonation. Suffice it to say, I enjoyed this special libation immensely.

It's always a little bittersweet to consume one of the aged beers. But the enjoyment of the beer is usually worth it. After all, beers are meant to be enjoyed, not collected.

In looking through the stash, we have a few more bottles of pre-2010 Bigfoot stored away. Unfortunately, we didn't save any of the more "recent" vintages. This winter I plan to stock up on this and a few other beers I favor for aging, and hopefully resume the yearly stocking for enjoyment down the road.

An Old Beer and A New Cigar

How to wind down the weekend? That was the question after dinner last Sunday. It had been a full weekend of good smokes, drinks, and shooting. It was still warm (I'm sounding like a broken record.) but bearable, with proper refreshments. I went back to digging through the old beer stash in the basement and came up with a bottle of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale from 2013. 

I've been neglectful picking up bottles of this annual release. However, I've got quite a few older vintages from various years stashed away, some even older than this one. The Barleywine-style ale is ripe for aging.

The seven year old Bigfoot Ale featured a rich, sweet malt backbone, with a pleasing hop bitterness in the finish. Carbonation was good and the beer left a sweet coating on the palate. I was sorely tempted to dig out another bottle but resisted the urge. 

The cigar selected was the Viva La Vida in Torpedo. This 6 ½" x 54 stick was another from a recent My Cigar Pack shipment. Featuring a dark, shiny Habano Maduro wrapper over a Nicaraguan Corojo binder and Criollo ’98 fillers, the boutique cigar comes from Artesano del Tabaco in collaboration with master AJ Fernandez. The full-bodied smoke has rich notes of leather, coffee, pepper and cinnamon spice, all with a hint of sweetness. Construction was perfect and I got a razor sharp burn and plenty of flavorful smoke all the way to the nub.

Of course, I was inspired to dig up a video of Coldplay performing the song of the same name as I enjoyed the smoke.

A Fine Cigar and Ale Pairing

When the work week was done, and Friday dinner complete, it was finally time to kick off the holiday weekend with a cigar and a beer on the deck. I had recently come across some 2013 bottles of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale in the basement, and had already earmarked at least one of them for this weekend. Perusing the humidor for a suitable companion to the strong beer, I selected an Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial Torpedo. I retired to the porch for what I knew would be a pleasant flavor experience.

The Bigfoot Ale was a good as I remembered it to be. While savoring the flavor, I realized that it had been several years since I had enjoyed this annual Winter release from Sierra Nevada. The mouthfeel was full, and mildly carbonated. It sports a sweet malt backbone that finishes with the rich bitterness of hops. Even after nearly seven years of "cellaring," the full hop bitterness is still strong on the palate. The 9.6% ABV was barely detectable, the alcohol well masked by the strong bittersweet flavors.

The Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial is one of my favorite smokes. It sports a beautiful Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers, creating a full bodied smoke. Rich flavors of cocoa, coffee, roasted nuts, and cedar made for a fitting companion to the rich bitterness of the beer. The cigar gave a nearly two-hour smoke with a perfect burn from beginning to end.

All too soon the cigar neared its end, though outlasting the ale in my glass. I held on to the hot nub for as long as I could, the flavor never wavering. This was a thoroughly enjoyable combination, and one worth repeating. While my stock of 2013 Bigfoot is limited, I just happen to have bottles from other years stashed away. The Oliva stick was the last of my stock, but that shortfall is easily remedied by a trip to my local tobacconist. 

Fall Tailgating: Beer, Cigars

With the advent of fall, our weekend activities often revolve around college football. Fall also means the store shelves are filled with one of my favorite styles, the malt-rich Oktoberfest lagers. Afternoon tailgating before a game provides the opportunity to combine good beer, good food, and a good smoke.

The tailgate preparations included picking up a six pack of Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest. The brewery collaborated with Germany’s Bitburger Brewery to create the 2019 version of the seasonal release.

Though not visible through the plastic cup, the beer is an attractive copper-red color with a creamy head. A rich malt aroma greats the nose. The flavor profile has toasty malt, caramel, and a sweet breadiness. There's a mild, but pleasant bitterness in the finish, along with thick mouthfeel. Overall, a very enjoyable drink.

I opted to pair the beer with the limited release Fratello D.M.V. in the District of Columbia vitola. The medium bodied cigar features a rich leather flavor and moderate spiciness. The two hour smoke offered the chance to open another refreshing bottle of the Oktoberfest.

Sadly, our team is not having a good season, and the game following the tailgate fun was most disappointing. However, as fans, we will look forward to the next tailgate, along with more enjoyable beer and cigar pairings.

Sierra Nevada Celebration: A Winter Treat

I often lament the onset of cold weather in these Musings. Despite my aversion to cold and dreary, there are still things I look forward to this time of year. One of those bright spots is the release of Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop IPA. The beer has been on the shelves for a few weeks, and we finally got some in the house this week. I was happy to also find our logo Celebration glasses for this year's first taste.

The deep amber ale is tipped with a long-lasting beige foam and releases aromas of citrus and pine. Rich flavors of citrus, pine and grassy hops over a biscuity malt backbone treat the tastebuds. The lingering bitterness coats the palate to complete the flavor delights.

One of my all time favorites, Sierra Nevada Celebration is a welcome pleasure in the cold season. I look forward to brightening the days with many more pints of this tasty brew.

Sierra Nevada Beer Recall

Check your beer fridge. Sierra Nevada Brewing has issued a recall of some beer bottled at their Mills River, NC brewery. A flaw in the packaging may allow for bits of glass to break off into the bottles.

The affected beers as have a package date between Dec. 5, 2016, and Jan. 13, 2017, and a brewery code of "M'' printed on bottles and the packaging of cardboard cases. Affected beers include Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Beer Camp Golden IPA, Sidecar Orange Pale Ale, Torpedo Extra IPA, Tropical Torpedo, Nooner, Hop Hunter and Otra Vez.

The widespread recall applies to these 36 states:  Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia

See "Sierra Nevada brewery issues 36-state recall of select beers" for more information on the voluntary recall.

Free Glasses From Sierra Nevada

Free stuff! A couple weeks ago I came across this offer from Sierra Nevada Brewing. In exchange for uploading a picture of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, the brewery would send a couple of free glasses. Since I had just taken a photo my beer for the VA Tech celebration post, I uploaded it to the site as my entry. And I promptly forgot about it.

Lo and behold, the other day a package arrived and there were two nicely decorated Sierra Nevada Celebration glasses from Sierra Nevada. Time to celebrate with some Celebration, again!

The Circle of Time

After I posted the pic of my glass of Sierra Nevada Celebration yesterday, I was looking through old Musings and found an interesting coincidence. Last year on the same date, November 28, I also shared a post about the same beer.

In an another similarity, last night's glass of this seasonal favorite was also the first I enjoyed this season. And perhaps a tradition is born.

Go Hokies!

With a 23 - 20 win over rival Virginia, the Hokies continue the streaks! We're finally relaxing after a long day Charlottesville and this seemed liked fitting libation to cap off the day.

It was a nail-biter of a game and great send off for Coach Beamer.

Warping the Calendar

The tap room at Sierra Nevada Brewing posted this to Twitter on July 21...

Our new Oktoberfest is now available at the @TorpedoRoom! Come try a sample or take home a 6-Pack. pic.twitter.com/oZfcxLFrat

— Torpedo Room (@TorpedoRoom) July 21, 2015

Despite the name, Oktoberfest actually starts in September, and we're used to seeing Oktoberfest in late Summer. But, July? That's just silly.

That said, I'm looking forward to trying this when it's available in stores, in August or September.

Now It's Really the Holiday Season

Thanksgiving Day traditionally marks the start of the Holiday Season. But for me, like many craft beer fans, there's another marker of the season. It's that first glass of Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop IPA. I had mine a few days before Thanksgiving.

Celebration Ale pours an attractive glowing orange color with a thick cream-colored head. The aroma of grapefruit and pine preps the palate. Grapefruit and orange pithiness hits the taste buds first, followed by just enough breadiness in the malt to round it all out.

This Winter release is one we look forward to each year. It's one of our favorite beers and "this is so good" is my frequent comment as I'm sipping. We'll be enjoying a lot of it in the coming months.

A Dark Beer Evening

We went down to Capital Ale House for dinner and a beer or two last Friday. Due to the crowds, we were seated in the dining area instead of taking our preferred bar seats. The table servers are generally clueless about what's on tap, especially with regard to anything not listed on the (often outdated) beer menu. The dining table servers are well-versed in the food specials, but that's not really why we're there, is it? But, this is not an insurmountable problem, I simply make a point to review the tap handles myself whenever we end up at a table.

During my walk of the tap lineup, I spied a handle for Great Divide Yeti. It's been a while since I had this Russian Imperial Stout from one of my old favorite breweries. My first beer of the evening was an easy choice. This pitch black beer smells of dark roasted malt, espresso, dark chocolate, and a hint of smoke. The flavor is slightly sweet, with espresso and bitter chocolate notes. At 9.5% ABV it's a sipper, and was as enjoyable as I remember. Great Divide produces a number of versions of Yeti, including barrel-aged versions. Sipping my glass of Yeti the other night put me in the mood for tracking down a few of them once again.

My next beer choice was a bit more daunting. Do I repeat a beer I've enjoyed recently, while it's available, or try something new? I noticed on the menu that Sierra Nevada Narwhal was listed as an "upcoming" beer. Since the list was a couple of weeks old, and some of the other upcoming beers were already on, I took a shot and ordered the Narwhal. Unfortunately, our server returned with the news that it wasn't available. But for bonus points, he did return with samples of two other Stouts he suggested I might want to try; Blue Mountain Dark Hollow and Bell's Expedition Stout. Having had the Dark Hollow frequently, and recently, I opted for Expedition Stout. (Although I enjoyed the taster of the Blue Mountain beer as well.)

Bell's Expedition Stout is another dark Russian Stout, but one that takes "dark and bitter" to the next level. The aroma has roasted malt, and dark chocolate, with boozy underpinnings. To no surprise, the flavor profile continues with the same theme. The roasted malt, dark chocolate and espresso flavors are strong. The alcohol level makes its presence known in the flavor as well. A thick mouthfeel and a long-lingering bitter finish completes the picture. It's no secret that I like bold-flavored beers, and Expedition Stout met that preference quite well.

As an added beer bonus, Colleen was enjoying a flight of St. Bernardus beers; Witbier, Pater 6, Prior 8, Tripel, and Abt 12.  She graciously shared the flight with the rest of the table. It was a treat, and very interesting to sample most of the St. Bernardus lineup at one time. The Christmas Ale was listed as part of the flight as well, but was unavailable. Capital Ale House substituted N'Ice Chouffe, the Christmas Ale from Brasserie d'Achouffe, adding to the evening's beer variety. Not be daunted, we picked up a bottle of St. Bernardus Christmas Ale over the weekend for our upcoming Christmas celebrations at home.

As with most evenings at Capital Ale House, we left with full bellies and with memories of great beers.

Beers of Winter - Sierra Nevada Celebration

This is surely the beer that we most look forward to each year. Long-time readers will know of our love for this Winter seasonal. Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop Ale takes a somewhat different approach to the Winter beer. Instead of bringing dark, roasted flavors to the party, Celebration treats us to citrus, hoppy goodness.

Celebration Ale pours a rich marmalade-orange color with a thick, sticky head. I always tend to pour the first few servings a little too hard, until I again remember the strength of the foam. I think this year I'll keep my 20 ounce Sierra Nevada glass handy to help avoid any overflow. The aroma of grapefruit and pine foretells the flavor enjoyment to come. The bold taste of citrus, in the form of grapefruit and orange pithiness hits first. Freshly harvested Cascade hops are used to add to the richness. A balancing bitterness comes quickly into play, and there's just enough breadiness in the malt to round it all out. The mouthfeel is "thick" and "juicy." (If that  sounds odd, once you've had the beer, you'll understand.) A fair amount of carbonation adds to the body and helps impart a crisp, clean finish.

I have no doubt that the seasonal nature of Sierra Nevada Celebration adds to the enjoyment and desirability. We like this beer, a lot, and if my bulk purchases are influenced by marketing, and knowing I can only buy it for a couple months of the year, I'm comfortable being manipulated in that manner.

Which reminds me, I need to get back to the store...

Beers of Winter - Starr Hill Snow Blind

Stopping by the local beverage emporrium on my way home from work last Wednesday, I had it in my mind to pick up (only) a couple of seasonal beers with which to celebrate over the Thanksgiving holiday. My plan was to let the store displays guide my decision. I would pick just two beers and not give in to temptation and walk out with extra impulse purchases. I headed to the "holiday" beer corner and immediately spied a stack of Sierra Nevada Celebration. My first pick was decided, now to look for something in the maltier range. I noticed that the store employees were clustered around someone doing a tasting so I wandered over. There was a young lady pouring beers from Starr Hill Brewery. She had the Boxcarr Pumpkin Porter and Snow Blind Dobblebock available to sample. After a sip from the tiny medicine cup offered, I had my second choice in hand.

Snow Blind is a new Winter seasonal from Starr Hill. According to the brewery's website it was released on November 15. The bottle is stamped with a bottling date of November 3, freshness is another reason to drink locally brewed beer.

The beer pours a deep, caramel brown, with a reddish tint that shows as the light comes through the glass. The beige head is thin and short-lived. The aroma of the beer is mild with sweet malt, with dark fruit and a hint of licorice. The flavor is earthy, caramel, lightly sweet and toasted, with a touch of spiciness. The finish is dry, clean, and little aftertaste is left behind. At 7.4% ABV there is only faint alcohol flavor noticeable. I enjoyed my post-range trip glass of Starr Hill Snow Blind very much. I think this will be one we keep on hand over the Winter.

Oh, and I did succumb to just one impulse purchase during my shopping trip. I grabbed a bottle of Northern Hemisphere Harvest Wet Hop Ale from Sierra Nevada. But that's a story for another post.

Bigfoot Sighted and Captured

I look forward each winter to the release of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Ale. I saw a notice that it had arrived in Virginia a couple weeks ago, but it wasn't until this weekend that I was out shopping for beer that I ran across it. Actually, Colleen spotted it first, and a 4-pack was added to our cart. Needless to say I was excited to enjoy the ale and opened a bottle that same evening.

I enjoy craft beer foremost for the flavor, but there's a visual aspect to the pleasure as well. A glass of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale is a feast for the eyes. The translucent mahogany liquid is topped by a thick  cap of beige foam. The head drops to a thin persistent layer leaving a lot of lacing behind. I could pick up on the aroma of sweet malt and some dark fruit as I was grabbing a blog photo.

The flavor is strong with a start of bitter and piney hops followed by sweet, caramel malt and dark fruit notes. The 9.6% ABV does not overwhelm the flavor but the alcohol warmth is noticeable at the end. A bit of stickiness remains in the mouth with the lingering bitter finish.

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot is a big beer, perfect for sipping on a cold winter night. Fans of Double/Imperial IPAs will appreciate the copious hops in this Barleywine. I've got bottles of prior year's releases set aside for aging, but to best appreciate the robust bitter hops, Bigfoot is a beer to enjoyed right away.