... and so did I! I poured two glasses of brew - a Sierra Nevada Celebration, and my own IPA which was the "Hoppiness is an IPA" recipe from Brewing Classic Styles. I then had her do a blind taste test, which made her very nervous.
Eventually, she tentatively said that 'that one' (mine) had a lot of good aroma, and better flavor, while the other (SN) was "just bitter".
She was very relieved when I revealed the identities of the brews.
In fairness to SN, I am sure that a commercial beer would have a hard time competing against a fresh, dry-hopped homebrew in the aroma category. I also understand that the two recipes are not really similar. I also feel that last year's Celebration Ale was better than this one.
In any case, my beer was the winner. I'm happy about that, for sure.
Eventually, she tentatively said that 'that one' (mine) had a lot of good aroma, and better flavor, while the other (SN) was "just bitter".
She was very relieved when I revealed the identities of the brews.
In fairness to SN, I am sure that a commercial beer would have a hard time competing against a fresh, dry-hopped homebrew in the aroma category. I also understand that the two recipes are not really similar. I also feel that last year's Celebration Ale was better than this one.
In any case, my beer was the winner. I'm happy about that, for sure.