Cool Springs Wines & Spirits' Featured Beer
Updated June 1, 2010
Southern Hemisphere Harvest by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, California - This is a fun spring seasonal that never fails to disappoint. This beer appears in both spring and fall versions because Sierra Nevada acquires fresh hops from the fall harvest in whichever hemisphere happens to be experiencing fall at the time. The southern hemisphere has a fall harvest during our spring, of course, so the hops for this beer are flown directly from New Zealand within a week of being picked.
The flavor is a bit different every year, but interestingly, the New Zealand hops seem to impart similar flavor characteristics as many New Zealand wine grapes--the emphasis is on bold tropical fruit. The body is light and easy drinking, with a strong floral and citrus character and surprisingly low bitterness for such a hoppy beer. The North American malt imparts a base of caramel with which to frame all of the refreshing tropical flavors. One might find flavors reminiscent of pineapple, mango, passion fruit, grapefruit, peach, orange, lemon--the list goes on.
Also, depending on how long after release one drinks this, some of the hops will have "fallen out," and the earthy, grassy, piney, and bitter components will become more pronounced. I recommend picking one up soon, regardless.
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