Sierra Nevada ESB
March 11th, 2008I can’t stand Gristedes. They’re overpriced, underwhelming, and manages to bring grocery shopping to a continual new low with every trip. But they are the closest grocery store to me, and my pets were hungry, so what else could I do? While browsing the frozen fruit section (because buying fresh melons every couple days for my millipedes is getting to be a bit of an annoyance), I noticed – Sierra Nevada’s spring seasonal beer!
Daylight savings, warming weather, and spring seasonal beer; nothing better spells out the end of winter. Available for $12.49/6pack at my local grocery store (Gristedes @ York & 66th)… and therefore, probably $8 at your local beer grocery store,
Named, “Early Spring Beer“, Sierra Nevada’s spring seasonal is a Extra Special Bitter, an Americanized version of the British style pale ale known for its low carbonation, high alcohol percentage, and bitter taste. And despite everything that BeerAdvocate is saying about the key being “balance”, ESBs are pretty aptly named IMO - bitter is as bitter does.
I had mixed hopes for this ESB. I love Sierra Nevada, I disliked their winter seasonal, their Celebration Ale, and I have very mixed feelings to ESBs in general. I do enjoy them, but wow, do I have to be in the right mood to enjoy it.
Upon opening, it smells just like a normal Sierra Nevada. Pretty hoppy. As for the initial taste; wow… its weird. Super bitter and middle-of-the-road carbonated. Not exactly the most pleasant sensation, but the mid/aftertaste makes up for it; feels like a hearty sourdough bread made for dipping into soup (how does a beer taste like that? you decry. jeez, I don’t know, you try it). It’s quite tasty once you get past the initial bitter shock. Very rich & malty.
Nothing of it reminds me of spring, but then again, spring is a season I tend not to associate with beers in general. I did like this beer and I can see myself buying it again, but I won’t be looking forward to spring with anticipation for this, come this time next year.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:15 am
The record should show that only communists, satanists, and deviants dislike Celebration Ale. And even *most* of them like it.
I don’t know why I haven’t seen the ESB up here in the civilized north — I would hate to have to make the trek to New York just to pick up a 6-pack at *Gristedes*. (Somehow Gristedes makes Shaw’s look positively civilized, which is really quite a feat.) It’s probably time for me to start looking a little harder.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
i always knew i was a commie, satanist and a deviant. and a pretty bad one at that.
i’ll bring you whats left of the 6pack when i come up next time. methinks you’d like it
(fanboy)