America’s first micro brewer was Jack McAuliffe. He started his tiny brewing company (New Albion) in the 1976 in Sonoma California which would inspire many people of craft brewing dreams to star their own breweries. Great tribute is spent not only to him but also to Sierra Nevada in their 30th anniversary. Jack McAuliffe and Ken Grossman got together to create this awesome beer in commemoration of  Sierra Nevada’s 30th anniversary (1980-2010). It is a 10.2% ABV black barley wine ale. It is what used to be served in the New Albion for the summer solstice. The ale is made with bittersweet malts and balanced whole-cone hops. Some dark fruits like raisins, bread, dark bitter chocolate, coffee roast, orange peels, grass,wood and oak flavors are present in the taste.It has a great sweet and chocolate coffee smell like a stout but it is definitely not a stout as it is mainly brewed with the barley malts. The trademark hops of Sierra Nevada certainly compliments the malts of the New Albion brewery.Definitely a unique beer and may be worth the pick up. Check it out and see for yourself :P….