Sierra Nevada – Southern Hemisphere Fresh Hop Ale 2011

As a hop-head, I always love this time of year…we’re reaching the tail end of the traditional hoppy February beers and just starting to see the Hope harvests from elsewhere in the world hit our market….and FIRST up every year is Sierra Nevada with their Southern Hemisphere Fresh Hop ale.  As you know Sierra Nevada uses only whole cone hops and Southern Hemi gets it’s jump on everyone else by using fresh hop from New Zealand.  Looks like the 2011 version will come in at 6.7% ABV and retain the commitment that the hops are picked, dried, shipped and brewed within DAYS.