Sierra Nevada Brewing Company's 2009 Anniversary Ale

At first glance, this one seems indistinguishable from their Harvest Ale from yesterday's post. I guess it's not quite as coppery, and maybe the head is a hair lighter. Still, it's a solid amber and the head, like the Harvest Ale, is as big as you want to pour it.

Also similar in the smell to Harvest, except if you stay with it you get a nice piney hops smell. Very sweet malt as well. Right on style for an AIPA, a specialty of this brewery.

Strong bitterness that has pine overtones, with a slight citrus zing that makes it crisp, but also has a substantial and more dull bitterness underneath. The malt is very subdued in the taste compared to the smell. The body is there, but the sweetness is taken over by the hops. I wouldn't say overpowered, but it's clearly a hop-forward IPA.

Very good beer. One of the best IPA's out there, it's plenty hoppy but knows its place below barley wines. Always glad to see this one roll through Houston.