As 2010 was the 30^th Anniversary of the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, the fine folks there in Chico, California decided to brew up four special beers to commemorate the occasion. Each beer would be something special indeed; three would be a collaboration brew between Sierra Nevada founder Ken Grossman and other beer notables. The other would be a special blend of Sierra Nevada beers. Each effort would be packaged in a crown and cork topped 750 ML bottle and releases would be scattered throughout 2010.

The four beers were as follow:

·         Our Brewers reserve Grand Cru  (Blend of oak-aged Bigfoot, Celebration Ale, and Pale Ale)

·         Charlie, Fred, & Ken's Bock Imperial Helles Bock (Charlie Papazian, Fred Eckhardt, Ken Grossman)

·         Fritz and Ken's Ale: Stout (Fritz Maytag, Ken Grossman)

·         Jack and Ken’s Ale: Black Barleywine Ale  (Jack McAuliffe, Ken Grossman)

Tonight, of course, I’m sipping the latter, Sierra Nevada 30^th Anniversary Jack and Ken’s Ale: Black Barleywine Ale . Perhaps the most interesting thing about this beer (before I pop the cork anyway) is that one of the makers, Jack McAuliffe, was the pioneer of American  microbrewing. He founded the legendary New Albion Brewing Company in California way back in 1976, and though it would close only 6 years later it ignited a fire in American beer culture that burns on stronger than ever today.

In 2010, Jack came back to give us this magnificent black Barleywine ale, along with Sierra Nevada primary Ken Grossman. From the label:

Jack McAuliffe was the first American "micro" brewer. His tiny New Albion Brewery in Sonoma, California inspired countless dreamers to start small-scale breweries of their own. Jack agreed to guest brew this very special ale with us in honor of our 30th anniversary. This Black Barleywine Ale is a nod to the legendary ales New Albion served at their legendary summer solstice parties. Rich with bittersweet and roasted malt flavors, balanced with whole-cone American hops, this robust ale should age gracefully for years.

It’s quite prophetic that Sierra Nevada recommends aging the beer, as I did exactly that. My bottle, purchased in September of 2010, made it all the way to the spring of 2012, about a year and a half from purchase date. The formidable 10.2% alcohol content by volume will certainly help preserve the beer when well handled, as will the aggressive hopping.

My bottle of Sierra Nevada 30^th Anniversary Jack and Ken’s Ale: Black Barleywine Ale opened with a resounding “pop” when I decorked. A wispy, wavering trail of vapor slowly rose from the mouth like some long dormant genie roused from his ages-long slumber. That vapor was quite herbal and green hoppy to the smell. Pouring, I get a deep black colored liquid with a very thick and creamy tan head formation and an enticing nose laden with fresh bread and licorice.

Then, the sip. The beer has a very thick and rich mouthfeel with a very bready and doughy texture that is even a bit creamy tome. The palate is amazingly complex right from the first. Huge notes of roasted barley, intense licorice flavor that recalls  a mouthful of All Sorts candy, chocolate, dark fruit, and then grassy herbal hop aroma and huge alcohol in the finish.  A long dry bitterness lingers on the tongue after sipping.

The intense roastiness of this beer suggests imperial stout, and the licorice reinforces that. Still, it doesn’t have the oily mouthfeel of that style, though it still reminds me of imperial stout more than Barleywine. A bit of caramel might have reminded me more of Barleywine here.

Whatever you call it stylistically, this beer is simply amazing hedonistically. The hops have mellowed slightly, I think, over the past few years but they are still in your face from the start. I have seen bottles of the Sierra Nevada 30^th Anniversary line still floating around, and if you can get them for the $10.99 a 750 I paid or even more I would recommend that.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

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