I didn't necessarily want to pick up a whole six-pack for my last couple of days so I ended up getting two bombers, both happening to be interesting and new. I wouldn't even have seriously considered this one had it not said "wet hop". This is the companion ale to the Southern Hemisphere Harvest which uses fresh hops flown in from New Zealand. The confusing thing about wet hop and fresh hop is that fresh hops are actually whole-cones dried and then used within a few days while wet hops are undried and whole-cone hops used withing 24 hours of picking. The wet hops for this one, naturally, came from Yakima.
Pouring with a pretty full head, it leaves plenty of lacing down the glass. It's also a touch darker than I might see in an American IPA. The aroma is surprisingly subdued, noting the hoppiness but exuded some pine-y, woody, more organic character. The taste is fairly deep with a strong, lasting bitter but not palate-wrecking. Rather than resin-y, it's more oily and flavorful. It's well-smoothed over by the malts making for an exceptionally well balanced beer, both in terms of malts and hop and in terms of mouthfeel. It's full without being too voluminous.
This is really a well-put-together beer for Sierra Nevada. Assertive but not ostentatious, no off-flavors. At 6.7%ABV, it's still easy-going enough to be a relaxing beer or a dinner beer. I like it.
- Appearance: Dark copper with a luxurious head, which dissipates to moss but laces well.
- Smell: A subtle, subdued hop aroma; aromatic and organic.
- Taste: A solid but not overpowering hop bitterness. It balances well with the malts. Slightly grassy, pine-y, woody.
- Mouthfeel: Carbonation is spot on, full and refreshing.
- Drinkability and Overall: 6.7%ABV is a little high for sessioning, but it is still a solid, occasion beer.
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