The only bad thing about Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale is that it's only available during the holidays.  Luckily, it's holiday time now and Celebration Ale has reappeared for the winter. Many people think this is a Christmas Ale or a Winter beer... technically, this beer is classified as an IPA. Oh, but what an IPA it is! Sierra Nevada captures the holiday spirit by utilizing hops with pine notes. There's not much citrus here, mostly pine. The hop bite if followed by sweetness from the malt so it won't completely blow out your tastebuds, but if you love hops you won't be disappointed. As with most IPA's, I suggest you let this one warm up. A beer's aroma and flavor are stunted if it's served too cold. For some reason, this is much more noticable in IPAs.  I've had a few IPAs that have been so-so... only to get more and more flavorful as the chill wears off.  You know those beers that run commercials talking about how great cold beer tastes? They're hoping you drink it freezing cold before you realize what it really tastes like. Heck, you've got a whole growler full of Celebration Ale! Let a glass warm up for 15 minutes or so and then do a little side by side comparison with a cold one and see for yourself. Cheers!

 Official rating: A-