Sierra's Beer Camp Variety - (7.0)

name: The Best of Beer Camp Series (4)

brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing

vendor: QFC, Seattle

price: $14.99 (12pc)

name: Camp#8 California Common

% alc: 6.5

type: Lager/Steam Ale

Rating: (8.0)

Also known as Steam Beer, California Common style is named for the yeast used who prefer a hotter temperature to bask in and the recipe's history dating back to the mid 19th to 20th centuries. It is usually associated with San Francisco and Anchor Steam who have perhaps the most widely known Common. However, I much prefer this one. Its bright but malty make-up is complicated with a grapefruit-like citrus that bitters it nicely. It is relatively hoppy, after-all this is Sierra Nevada we're talking about, but it doesn't linger. It slips away quickly into a caramel hinted malt background. Overall this is a beautiful balancing act and I found myself wishing this was available in a 6er or 22oz. Also like its yeasts, I too would recommend a warm environment for this beverage, and what do you know, the weather is just about getting there.

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name: Camp#29 Double IPA

% alc: 8.5

type: Strong India Pale Ale

Rating: (7.0)

IPA, Double IPA, Imperial IPA?

Apparently the Double is pretty much exchangeable for the Imperial. Although the terms may contain a bit of history and origin in them. The Double IPA can be considered to have been invented and coined on the west coast of the USA so quite possibly this is why Sierra Nevada might have gone this route instead... Verbal preferences aside I enjoyed this one quite a lot. I always enjoy when an imperial or double IPA of such high alcohol content leaves you none the wiser. Not too sweet, it felt nicely balanced (considering its pedigree), with plenty of piney hops. The term brawny came to mind. I would enjoy this one on a mountain in California, save a bottle for the summit and enjoy the views, smells and tastes. 

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name: Camp#37 Weizenbock

% alc: 6.8

type: Weizenbock

Rating: (6.0)

This is one of those beers made for summer. Its fruity, light and looks like someone shoved the sun into a keg and poured you a fresh pint. Its a German wheat brew with some interesting other flavors: Apricot, Banana and some orange peel aroma. For a drinker of this sort of beer, I usually don't opt for the fruity types, I would think this would be a great new option to try. Hell, when I get outside I'm pretty happy drinking a beer like this. It would do nicely with some seats in the sun at a baseball game.

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name: Camp#16 Juniper Black Ale

% alc: 8.0

type: Black Ale

Rating: (6.5)

I generally tend to neglect these types of beer come this time of year. I want sunshine in a glass even if this mythical Seattle sun isn't exactly shining. But this was a different type of dark beer. It seemed to me like a blend of a piney pale ale and a toasty porter. The viscosity is about equivalent to this blend as well. It was remarkably tasty and satisfying for this time of year. It also didn't bite like the 8%er it is, which is great. On an evening where you're just interested in a single pint of beer, not the marathon that is sometimes social drinking, grab this bottle and sip to enjoy, this will warm you from the core.

avg. review (/10): 7.0

recommended setting:  Grab this case and make camp of your own near to some piney trees which will compliment Sierra Nevada's hop assortment. Bring 2 friends who will enjoy something new and special to taste...
1. Pitch your tent while intermittently sipping, staking, and poling.
2. Hike to a nearby summit and enjoy a hearty Double IPA. *Note: Take time before you climb down. 
3. After relaxing back at the camp, likely eating some things, head out to a meadow and toss a frisbee in the sun with the Weizenbock in a safely sippable spot.
4. As the sky turns a luminous purple, the color on the Juniper Black Ale label, pass the bottles out round the fire and sink into the warm night.
5. That should be all the beers in the Beer Camp. Again?

extraneous ramble (optional):