The 2009 Estate Brewers Harvest Ale from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico, California is made with hops and barley grown on the brewery's premises in Chico. The ale pours out a deep copper, almost walnut brown, in color with decent clarity and a thick, foamy, off-white head that hangs around. On the nose aromas of pine and floral hops with some citrus. A nice malty sweetness underneath the hops. In the mouth this is very well balanced and while the pine hops and citrus hops (which are almost tangerine like) do give a punch they are tamed by malty sweetness. Nice level of spice in the flavor. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Excellent lacing. Slick mouthfeel. The finish, like the mouth, is balanced but slightly skewed to the malt side. An excellent beer that I recommend highly.

24 ounce bottle, 6.70% ABV, $9.99