With the hop harvest season fading into the background and pumpkin ales soon to follow suit, it’s time for another seasonal classic to herald the coming of fall and ease into winter. Chico, California based Sierra Nevada Brewing has announced the 40th annual release of their classic Celebration IPA, and for the first time ever the 2021 release will be available in 12oz cans.

Billed as a Fresh Hop IPA these days, Celebration actually uses kilned-hops not fresh undried hops. Though the brewery promises that they travel to the Pacific Northwest hop growing region to select the most premium lots of Cascade and Centennial to be featured at their peak of citrus, pine and floral notes. In our book a fresh hop beer can only be made from undried hops. Regardless of that fact, Celebration is a truly great beer that we look forward to every year.

More from a press release:

“We wanted to brew a beer that really featured what we love most about hops, so we chose to brew this beer only with hops that have been freshly harvested so the most amazing flavors and aromas can really shine,” says Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. “Hop harvest season is special time we look forward to every year.” 

The beer is sought after by retailers and drinkers every season, but its release can vary slightly by a matter of weeks from year to year as it is dependent on the hop harvest and when the hops themselves are at their peak and ready to be harvested. 

Celebration Fresh Hop IPA, while hoppy with distinct notes of citrus and pine, is well balanced with a subtly sweet backbone of caramelized two-row pale malt. It checks in at 6.8% ABV and 65 IBUs. Because it is a fresh hop beer, it’s recommended to enjoy as soon possible.

About Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Inspired by frequent trips to the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Ken Grossman founded Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in 1980. Highly regarded for using only the finest quality ingredients, Sierra Nevada has set the standard for craft brewers worldwide with innovations in the brewhouse and in its sustainability efforts. The pioneering spirit that launched Sierra Nevada now spans both coasts with breweries in Chico, California and Mills River, North Carolina. Sierra Nevada is famous for its extensive line of beers including Pale Ale, Hazy Little Thing®,Torpedo® and a host of seasonal, specialty and limited release beers. Learn more at www.sierranevada.com.