Year of New Beer: 40th Hoppy Anniversary Ale, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (CA)

Written By: Dion on 01/21/2020

An ode to the classic west coast IPAs, this one throws grapefruit and pine front and center. Plenty of citrus peel and piney hops on the nose, with just a touch of caramel and floral notes. Pithy citrus bitterness greets the tongue, teaming up with the pine to produce a slightly spicy bite. Has a touch of honey sweetness on the backend, but it's ultimately pushed aside by a lingering bitterness. If your experience with IPAs begins and ends with the "soft" New England hazy versions, this may not be your thing. But if you've been drinking craft through the 90s boom/bust and on into the current explosion, this should take you down memory lane.