SIERRA Nevada have been widely available for a while. Often enough you'll see a row of the brewery's pale ale, the signature sap green label almost turned venomous by the supernatural light of a supermarket aisle.

Or perhaps you found a neglected bottle in the fridge at a trendy bar, the sort of place where the staff didn't even know they stocked anything beyond gassy lager and Guinness extra cold.

Less easy to find, however, is the rest of range (excepting, perhaps, the odd bottle of Torpedo IPA). But if you manage to find a specialist drinks shop such the Trembling Madness or the York Beer and Wine Shop, you might just find one of their seasonal brews, such as this red IPA.

Pouring a glowing ruby, with a loose rocky beige head, the aroma is classically clean. Sweet, malty bran-flakes and raisins are lifted and cleansed by spicy crystalised ginger and orange-zest, with a smooth berry base-note reminiscent of warm red wine.

Moderate to dry, the flavour is initially lead by violets and hawthorn blossom; both aromatic and drying on the palate. A mild astringency gives way to lemon pith bitterness atop treacle sponge and brandy, with blackcurrant jam sharpness on the finish.

This, coupled with some coconut and honey sweetness provides the clean, well-balanced finish we've come to expect from Sierra Nevada.

Recommended by Michael Bates, Trembling Madness, Stongegate, York