some damn good IPA's out there

[undertow2]

my memory is that it's been labeled simply as "celebration ale" or "fresh hop ale". their marketing spew on their website claims that it was one of the earliest examples of a west coast ipa.

I am not much of a Sierra Nevada fan nor am I much of a fan of these XMas ales (except for Mad Elf), but Sierras celebration is a standout...

[TahoeJ]

Just because they didn't initially position the product that way doesn't mean it isn't true, whether by chance or intention. Volvo didn't originally position their cars as the safest on the road, until they realized that old people who like driving boxes on wheels don't get into accidents, therefore making their brand statistically safe and a reason to differentiate and position relative to other brands. (Just parroting what I was told in a b-school marketing class, it could be just as untrue as Mark Twain's coldest winter in San Francisco quote)

Not to mention the folks over at Sierra Nevada aren't exactly newbies making outrageous claims. I think it's more a case of, "Oh, so that's what they're calling that now? We've been doing it for years."

[MMP]

To celebrate my son's 21st birthday Monday, we had dinner at The Farmhouse In Burlington. We had the Lawsons Sip of Sunshine and Edward from Hill Farmstead (American Pale). I really wanted to stay there and drink beer all night, but getting behind the wheel wasnt the message i was trying to convey to my newly minted legal drinker. He's young and has plenty of time. I plan to make him my beer mule from VT.

[FussyDutchman]

^
I'll gladly trade you some SOS or Fiddlehead if you transport some Wormtown next time you're in town!

[The AD]

I think it's more a case of, "Oh, so that's what they're calling that now? We've been doing it for years."

Yes. Exactly right. It was a "West Coast IPA" before "West Coast IPA" was a thing.

[bodywhomper]

Just because they didn't initially position the product that way doesn't mean it isn't true, whether by chance or intention. Volvo didn't originally position their cars as the safest on the road, until they realized that old people who like driving boxes on wheels don't get into accidents, therefore making their brand statistically safe and a reason to differentiate and position relative to other brands. (Just parroting what I was told in a b-school marketing class, it could be just as untrue as Mark Twain's coldest winter in San Francisco quote)

But is SN differentiating and positioning themselves relative to other brands by now marketing their celebration ale as an ipa? Maybe with their broadening market?

Personally, I wish they sold that beer all year long.

[~mikey b]

Can't always get fresh hops so it's gotta be seasonal.

[bodywhomper]

greenhouse

[~mikey b]

BIG MUTHAFUCKING GREENHOUSE!

ever seen a hop farm? fkn hudge

[guroo270]

PSA for Cali mags.

[bodywhomper]

West LA fade away......

Greenhouse hops! Invest now!

[MMP]

^
I'll gladly trade you some SOS or Fiddlehead if you transport some Wormtown next time you're in town!

consider it done. if i can find it.

[Name Redacted]

The SN rep was handing out tasters of the Celebration Ale the other day. It was OK but I left with another sixer of Fresh Squeezed

Can't always get fresh hops so it's gotta be seasonal.

They also do the NZ fresh hop called "Harvest".

[Hugh Conway]

they've a bunch of Harvest's now.

[PlayItLeo]

NEBCO Ghandi Bot. Yum.

[Binky]

Ghandi Bot is ridiculously good and incredibly difficult to get

[HD333]

Ghandi Bot is ridiculously good and incredibly difficult to get

Hell ya. Stopped at the brewery a while back and got a fresh growler of Ghandi Bot, it is outstanding. Most of NEBCo's stuff is great, Sea Hag is a great IPA and much more readily available.

[PlayItLeo]

Ghandi Bot is ridiculously good and incredibly difficult to get

Ya. I nearly fell off my stool when the local bar had it on the menu. Thinking of going for one now....

Their Fuzzy Baby Ducks (best beer name ever?) is supposed to be amazing as well, but I haven't had it.

Oh, and nice avatar, Binky. Trey oxy face ftw

[Binky]

Your local bar had it on the menu???

Over here, in the eastern half, package stores don't even put it on the shelves; it's spoken for before they can.

I miss oxy Trey. They have become so anemic.

[NW_SKIER]

Anybody had Fishtale organic IPA? Really mellow hops and under 7% so it was very sessionable IMO.

[PlayItLeo]

Your local bar had it on the menu???

Over here, in the eastern half, package stores don't even put it on the shelves; it's spoken for before they can.

I miss oxy Trey. They have become so anemic.

Yep, to be fair, it's the bar in a kind of fancy restaurant - but hey, I can ride a bike there and get down w the mahatma bot. Another place in town is rocking Sculpin on tap, it's a good month for IPAs in the Litchfield hills.

And yes, oxy jamzzz all day - I loved that shit. Raged the Nassau '03 tweezer today - so choice.

[bodywhomper]

tonight i stepped into the freezer and seized the alaska dipa. it was pretty good, not the huge hop bomb that i typically expect with a dipa. i had one last night, too, and thought that it was no bueno, but i now realize how much the stone mocha stout had affected my palate for the evening....

[SchralphMacchio]

Freezer ... DIPA? Do you let that shit warm up before really drinking it down? My personal experience and preference is that a lot of DIPAs, if they are not malt bombs, like to be warmed up to 55+ F to come alive. The aromatics just won't get there at 40F ... I often warm up my glasses with my hands for about 5 minutes before drinking if the beer is too cold.

[~mikey b]

Phreezer...it's a Phish reference.

Sent bmg97 a couple boxes with Pliney and some other tasty treats. Looking forward to my package.

[rcamp]

Ghandi Bot is ridiculously good and incredibly difficult to get

Yeah at the local store here in Southington you can get 1 in a 4 pack mixed with a few other NEB offerings and they take your name off your license. 1 per month is the limit.