Ok, so we talk about organics and green living here… so how could I leave out the beer? Just so you guys know, I am one of the biggest craft beer nuts you will ever meet. I love me some flavorful brew and am a bonafied hophead for sure!
As a rule, most craft breweries tend to be fairly environmentally conscious. They strive for natural ingredients just for the sheer fact that they produce better flavors, and craft brewing is all about “more real flavor.”
But there is a “movement within movement” and that being the idea of using organic ingredients in the brewing process. And the quickest way to hit that vein is by using organically grown hops and barley. Enter Sierra Nevada Estate – my very favorite beer in the world.
Here is how they describe it:
“Taste fresh-from-the-field flavors with this handmade, homegrown, and completely natural ale. Made with organic wet hops and barley grown at our brewery in Chico, this remarkable ale is the only one of its kind.”
The fact that the hops and malts come from organic sources is cool, but what is even better is the fact that Sierra Nevada grows them on their own land, or “Estate” in the same way that famous wine makers do it. Up until now, hops all came in from farmers all over the place depending on the flavor and variety desired. But Sierra is controlling all of it in their own organically enriched black California dirt – amazing!
So how does this organic ale taste? Here is my review:
The nose is of sweet-pine/evergreen with a citrus twang. It’s a beautiful copper color with a nice head.
The best part, however, is the perfect balance between the hops and malts. One does not overpower the other… they work in perfect harmony. There is enough hop bitterness to satisfy my hoppy desires, but a nice backing of sweet malts that make the aftertaste enjoyable. I get nice biscuity bread flavors and that pine/evergreen comes through on the tail end. I also get a bit of orange zest right through the middle. The carbonation is right too… making this brew crisp and cool.
So guys, why not go organic with your beer eh? This one is not cheap – but no craft beers really are anyway. The 22oz bomber bottle around $9 but well worth it if you like tasty beers!