Sierra Nevada 2009 Estate Brewers Harvest Ale

Sierra Nevada's Estate Brewers Harvest Ale is a beer makers play on the regional winemakers focus on their terrior, the flavor characteristics produced by the unique local environmental conditions - the fertile soil, rainfall and Central Valley setting. All of the hops and barley used in this beer are grown on-site and, given the brewery's long time affinity for pale ales, the resulting beer is a reflection of their passion for aromatic, hoppy beers.

The beer has a deep copper, orange color that extends to the foam head when poured. It also has a pretty significant haze to it, it looks unfiltered, and is very likely likely bottle-conditioned to promote cellaring.

The aroma is all hops - grapefruit, citrus notes - very aromatic. The hops are grown on-site at the brewery in Chico, CA and based on the aroma of this beer's big hop nose, I'd say this year's harvest was a good one.

The Estate starts bitter, with lots of hops and a little higher than expected carbonation level - likely from bottle conditioning. The body is big, there's no lack of malt in this beer and the malty sweetness fills out the palate. Caramel, apricot and mild fruity notes complement the citrus hop aroma. But this beer packs a hop wallop and while the hops compete with the sweetness, the hops win out for a dry, bitter finish.

Given Sierra Nevada's status the preeminent American pale ale producer, this beer is a labor of pale ale love from the brewers most qualified for this particular job.