# Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 15, 2004, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900 "2004-11-15T18:32:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Licentious_Ectomorph)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/1 "2004-11-15T18:32:18Z")
One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is upon us: Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. Best. Beer. Ever. I crave it for ten months, and go into mourning when it goes off the market in January. This year I’m going to be smart and stock up. Beer this good should be illegal. Anyone else share my fondness for this nectar of the gods? Any other “seasonal only” treats you look forward to? ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/2 "2004-11-15T18:35:18Z")
I’ve not seen this brand of which you speak, but every year at this time Mr. Pug and I look for Samuel Smith’s “Winter Welcome”, a topnotch British ale. In fact, we just got a couple of pints this last weekend. Yum. ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/3 "2004-11-15T18:47:55Z")
Mmm… Celebration Ale. This, and cheapie supermarket brand egg nog are what keep bringing me back to Christmas season, year after year. Er, not together though. Because that would take the goodness out of both, I should think. Tenebras ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/4 "2004-11-15T20:34:26Z")
Never had it. But I’ll grab a pack if I see it, as I do enjoy Sierra-Nevada. As for my favorite seasonal, I really enjoy Pete’s Wicked Summer Time. It’s too light for most people who’ve tried it, which may explain why I didn’t see much of it out there this year. But it’s a wonderful beer to have when sitting on the porch, listening to a ballgame on the radio/TV. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/5 "2004-11-15T20:58:18Z")
Ah, yes. For a real treat, buy extra and save it. We’ve done vertical tastings of Celebration on occasion. It can last several years if stored properly. 😃 **Tenebras** , I second the egg nog shout-out. Yum. I gain 5 lbs a quart, but I just can’t stop drinking the stuff! ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/6 "2004-11-15T21:29:36Z")
I have to add the Portland Brewing Company’s (Buffalo Bill?) Pumpkin Ale. It’s almost impossible to get ahold of. Last year I found a case at a local store. The entire stock had been sold less than five minutes off the truck. We randomly found the last four six packs in the city while looking for something else. I LOVE this beer. I can’t wait to move closer to it. 🙂 One year we got six cases. It was all gone by New Year’s Eve. ---
**Author:** ![Nefarious\_Chipmunk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nefarious_chipmunk/32/1045_2.png) [@Nefarious\_Chipmunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nefarious_Chipmunk)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/7 "2004-11-15T23:36:17Z")
I live in Chico, CA, where Sierra Nevada Brewery is located. They sell the Celebration Ale for really cheap (well they do that with all their beers) so it is actually about the same as buying Bud or something. It is pretty sweet. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/8 "2004-11-16T00:09:06Z")
> [@FilmGeek](#): > > I have to add the Portland Brewing Company’s (Buffalo Bill?) Pumpkin Ale. You can have my allotment…I can’t stand the stuff! Their Orange Blossom Cream Ale, on the other hand… Luckily, a student of mine works at the local source, and clued me in on when they switch styles. That way I could stock up on the good stuff. I’m sipping one right now, as a matter of fact! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/9 "2004-11-16T02:05:37Z")
I was buying that Celebration Ale in June on sale locally here in July. It is really good ale. Sierra is absolutely my favorite ,it is very hard to pass up. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/10 "2004-11-16T04:24:04Z")
I haven’t tried the Celebration, but **Sierra Nevada Porter** is America’s best dark beer. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/11 "2004-11-16T12:03:07Z")
As a slight hijack, if you’re able to try Great Lakes Brewing Company Christmas Ale, you should. I drink it on tap at my local bar and this is one of the best beers I’ve ever had. ---
**Author:** ![FriendRob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecc23a/32.png) [@FriendRob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriendRob)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/12 "2004-11-16T16:43:49Z")
> [@pugluvr](#): > > I’ve not seen this brand of which you speak, but every year at this time Mr. Pug and I look for Samuel Smith’s “Winter Welcome”, a topnotch British ale. In fact, we just got a couple of pints this last weekend. Yum. Samuel Smith’s … ooooohhhhhhh… I just discovered these beers. The best. I’ve ever. Tasted. Now I have to go see if I can find Winter Welcome. Thanks, pugluvr! ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/13 "2004-11-16T22:48:26Z")
**FriendRob** : Good stuff, eh? You show no location, but if you have any Trader Joe’s near you, they usually stock several types of Samuel Smiths. And they usually knock quite a bit off the price, too. ---
**Author:** ![Cherry2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cherry2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cherry2000)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/14 "2004-11-16T23:17:00Z")
> [@Nordic](#): > > Anyone else share my fondness for this nectar of the gods? Any other “seasonal only” treats you look forward to? Yes!!! It is finally time for the winter ales here in Colorado. BF and I absolutely _live_ for this time of year. Two we really enjoy: [Full Sail Brewery’s Wassail Ale](http://www.fullsailbrewing.com/seasonal.cfm) [O’Dell Brewery’s Isolation Ale](http://www.odells.com/brew_isolation.htm) The second one might only be available in CO, though. Check out the beautiful artwork on the label (and check out the alcohol content 😃 ). ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/15 "2004-11-16T23:49:42Z")
I’ll second the **Wassail** , **Winter Welcome** , and **Celebration ale** and add **Alaskan Brewing Co.'s Smoked Porter**. So good you’ll want to dip a steak in it. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/16 "2004-11-17T00:19:25Z")
I’m going to be brewing a “clone” of the Celebration Ale this weekend. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/17 "2004-11-17T00:39:34Z")
The great thing about **Celebration** is that they change the recipe every year. Every vintage is unique. ---
**Author:** ![Elvez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8491ac/32.png) [@Elvez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elvez)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/18 "2004-11-17T01:27:45Z")
The winter beer from Deschutes Brewery and the Winternacht from Widmer are the ones I look forward to all year. ---
**Author:** ![jweb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71c47a/32.png) [@jweb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jweb)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierra-nevada-celebration-ale/274900/19 "2004-11-17T03:44:49Z")
Summit Oktoberfest. Yummy. I think I saw the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale in the beer store last time I was there, I’ll have to pick up a sixer next time. And while it’s not a seasonal beer, I’ve gotta throw a shout out to a recent discovery: Moose Drool