Beer Review: Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale

I admit it, on more than just rare occasions I like to imbibe of the potent potables, and I am always willing to try something new, at least once. That was how I discovered that I knew I did not really enjoy the three wise men (Jose Cuervo, Jim Beam, and Jack Daniels all mixed into one deadly shot), but that it was a real quick way to loosen up. So, whenever I go to a liquor store (or any place that sells beer and booze) I am always on the lookout for something new. Well, tonight I found it: Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale. The Sierra Nevada Brewing company is probably most well known for its location (Chico, California) and its flagship beer: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (of which I am not a very big fan). Come to think of it, I don't enjoy most of Sierra Nevada's beers. The Pale Ale is too hoppy for me, and has a weird lingering aftertaste that I don't care for at all. Their Wheat Ale is a nice light beer, but again it has that hoppy flavor shared by all of their beers. Sierra Nevada Best Bitter is delicious, and not bitter at all, and the Summerfest is okay, but again not one of my faves.

The Anniversary Ale has the signature Sierra Nevada taste (strong and hoppy with that strange aftertaste), and it is not my new favorite beer. However, it is more than drinkable. The strong flavor of the hops found in a beer like their Pale Ale is muted, and the beer has a little bit of a sweet flavor, which was a nice surprise for my palette. You may be asking why I chose to buy a Sierra Nevada beer when I am not the biggest fan of their products. Well, like I said I enjoy trying new things, and I knew that I would be able to drink it as long as it did not taste too much like the Pale Ale. It does taste very similar, but it is different enough for it to be a different beer, and not just have different name. Also it has one of the things I look for in my beer: a high alcohol content, 5.9% by volume.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't just go for the high alcohol content. If I did, I would drink nothing but 311 Steel Reserve and hard liquor, but I also care about taste, and when I can find a beer high in alcohol that tastes good, I am happy as a clam. Lucky for me the Anniversary Ale does taste good (not as good as Sierra's Best Bitter--but you can only find that on tap so I guess I'll just have to deal), and it seems like it would be a good beer for any weather. It is a little heavy, but not too heavy, so it would be fine to enjoy on a nice summer day, and it is heavy enough to be appropriate for a cold winter evening as well.

Overall I give this beer a 7.5 out of 10.