2000 Sierra Nevada Celebration

[Stodbrew]

Well. it's 10:20 in the morning, so I thought I'd do a little tasting. Actually, I was taking something out of the refrigerator and I knocked this beer on the floor, and the cap started leaking. So, I thought I should probably give this a shot. Take one for the team, if you will.

After more than four years in the bottle, this beer is holding up amazingly well. Its thrown quite a haze, but still has that beautiful red color.

The nose is still all hops. In fact, it almost smells like a new, fresh bottle. In the flavor, the hops have certainly mellowed a bit, but they are still there in full force. But, the malt is definitely a bit more pronounced.

This is still an amazing beer. I'm going to have to cellar quite a few of these from this year.

[fretlessman71]

YIKES! A 4 year old bottle of Celebration?! That's quite a way to start your day! (Especially at 10:20am!)

Does this mean it can only go downhill from here? ;)

[steveh]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
I was taking something out of the refrigerator and I knocked this beer on the floor, and the cap started leaking.

I like that - I'm gonna use it myself some time!

So, I thought I should probably give this a shot. Take one for the team, if you will.

It's a dirty, thankless job...

S.

A friend of mine was at a tavern with '04 Celebration on tap last night -- standing in line for a beer, the cat in front of him got the last draw from the keg! Timing.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by steveh
A friend of mine was at a tavern with '04 Celebration on tap last night -- standing in line for a beer, the cat in front of him got the last draw from the keg! Timing. What were they doing letting a cat lick the taps at a bar?

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
What were they doing letting a cat lick the taps at a bar?

Figures you'd be that guy.

S.

[fretlessman71]

It just sounds like something our cat Luna would do... if there's liquid in the area, she has to try to sample it, and that includes trying to drink from the kitchen faucet when I'm washing dishes! :p

[threecb]

I'm with steve (both of you!), good excuse for a pre-noon beer when Summertime Drinking Rules aren't in effect!

Celebration of any vintage is an awesome beer, but a solid 4 year old bottle would be sublime. I've been having fun with some of my vintage beers this year, with mostly good results.

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by threecb
I'm with steve (both of you!), good excuse for a pre-noon beer when Summertime Drinking Rules aren't in effect!

I didn't know you needed an excuse. Maybe its just Louisiana culture, but IMO you never need an excuse for a beer no matter what time it is.

I've never had a celebration - I need to get a hold of one.

[fretlessman71]

Hmmm... must be Louisiana culture. :)

[kevin]

I always assumed it was noon somewhere, so that was always good for me

[HogieWan]

In most places in LA, you can't buy alcohol from 2am to 6am (12am to 6am for sunday night, monday morning). Any bars must close at these times, and stores simply can't sell. On certain days of the year (Mardi Gras and others), bars will open at 6am, expecting customers. We also have drive-thru daquiri stores.
When I go to family gatherings, it may be 9am when I pop the first beer and it doesn't ever seem out of place.

[matth76]

I don't think I have the discipline to let such a nice, tasty beer sit around for 4 years. I admire you taking one for the team.:D

[Tweek]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Hmmm... must be Louisiana culture. :)


you know.

[MeridianFC]

Is it beer:30 yet?

[Jake]

What is it that makes Sierra Navada Celebration not spoil whereas other beers most likely would be spoiled after 120-180 days?

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
Is it beer:30 yet? Actually, I thought it was Schlitz o' clock! :D

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by Jake
What is it that makes Sierra Navada Celebration not spoil whereas other beers most likely would be spoiled after 120-180 days? In a word... HOPS. The ultimate preservative... as a matter of fact, that very quality is what created the India Pale Ale. Do a search and read up on it!

[Jake]

Hops was my suspicion. I did read an article about the history of IPA's. I think it might of been from this site, but I can't find it now. It was really interesting article on how the English was trying to come up with a way to ship beer to their warm weather colonies. The sulution was what is known today as IPA. I've got to try to get my hands on some SNC, but I have never seen it around here.