Craft Beer Milestone: Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken's Ale

Bull sent out the word.  Sierra Nevada's 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken's Ale was in at Gomer's Midtown.  They only got one of eight cases for the Metro.  So of course I made a bee line to Gomer's right after work.  I didn't see any on the shelves or coolers as I walked around.  I was thinking I had missed out.  I asked at the counter, and they confirmed they did have it in.  It was on a Limit 1-Inquiry Only basis.  I got my one bottle, plus a bottle of York Creek to make it a complete Fritz Maytag evening.

Let me take a moment to give you some back ground.  If you are into craft beer there are some historic brewers you should be aware of.  Sierra Nevada is one of those brewers that is a common gateway beer to craft beer.  The first time I had Sierra Nevada Pale Ale it blew my mind.  I had never had anything so hoppy before, and I was instantly addicted.  I have since had many much hoppier beers, but the Pale Ale remains a classic.

That leads to Fritz Maytag.  Maytag is the great-grandson of the Maytag Corporation founder.  In 1965 Maytag was in San Francisco and fell in love with Anchor Steam Beer.  He found out that the brewery was going to close soon so he made the decision to buy the brewery.  Over the next ten years Maytag invested into and rebuilt the brewery, which in turn invented "micro-brewing".  Anchor lead the way with style and innovation, and were even the first to bring barleywine (Old Foghorn) to the US.

Sierra Nevada's 30 project is not just a celebration of Sierra Nevada, it is a celebration of craft brewing.  Four different beers will be crafted with some of the most influential people in craft brewing history, which Fritz and Ken's Stout is the first.

22 oz corked and caged bottle, and a fantastic looking label. High class all the way, and I would expect nothing less from Sierra Nevada. Poured into an original Smokestack goblet. A head looks like a whipped cream made of coffee. Fluffy brown so thick you can bite into is. Foamy rings circle the glass. Body color is pure black. No light comes through, even around the edges.

Smell has fresh ground espresso bean bitterness with a whiff of chocolate. It's really everything you should expect with an Imperial Stout. It's dark, it's malty, sweet and roasted bitterness. Taste follows smell perfectly. More chocolate malts come in with the taste. Still has a creamy sweetness.

Body has a light whipped cream texture. Very smooth and enjoyable, with a mild chewy finish. If I could ever get another bottle again, I would want to pair it with some German chocolate cake.