Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest 2015

Kellerweis is keeping its head above water for now, but if sales slip it'll be hard to keep it in the lineup. Tell your friends! Help keep it alive!

-Bill

 

291 won't be back this season (the single hop series is designed to showcase new varietals) but the next beer will feature another experimental hop: Idaho 7.

 

12-ounce torpedo 12-packs are already happening in a few markets. The rest of the country will see them as the year progresses.

 

And I was expecting the issue to be the high ABV, its a bit bigger than what you find in the Altstadt. Typically the normal is 4.6-4.8%, and sticke runs more like 6.2. In typical Victory fashion its bigger at 6.9% so that changes how crisp the finish comes across. There really aren't much differences in recipes IMO, with dry hopping (optional) being a one variable.

All beer geeks should be required to spend several nites in the Altstadt comparing the differences between Hausbrauerei's. Often folks come away with a new appreciation for Im Fuchschen for example. I love them all!

 

“…with dry hopping (optional) being a one variable.” Yes, that is a ‘variable’ but it plays a noticeable role. You brought up the topic of “…at 6.9% so that changes how crisp the finish comes across” which plays a noticeable role as well (but secondary to the hop presence aspect to my mind)

As Matt Cole mentioned: “The result is a bittersweet, ultra-crisp ale with a fresh, flowery aroma.”

So, what I look for in a Sticke Alt is “ultra-crisp” and “fresh, flowery aroma”.

I really hope that my comment of “Within the context of Altbier I thought it was a good beer” does not get lost in this discussion. I drank two Willi Becher glasses of the Hop Ticket Sticke Alt during my visit to the brewpub and I enjoyed both of those glasses.

Cheers!

 

Excellent. Hopefully we will see it up in Mass. soon. Thanks Bill!

 

This year's lineup looks absolutely fantastic, really looking forward to a lot of these!

 

Hopefully the brew with Ayinger, who I think makes the best Oktoberfest.

 

Let me first say that I love SN beers and I very much appreciate that Bill interacts with us on these forums.

As a fall seasonal lover, I find the prospect of an annual O-fest collaboration intriguing.

Honestly, I won't miss Flipside much as there are many similar beers out there.

Of course, I must close with the obligatory plea to please bring back Tumbler (beyond just adding it to a sampler pack).

 

Agree. @sierranevadabill does an excellent job keeping us all informed! Thanks Bill.

 

I am both a lover of all things lager and a person greatly disappointed by the never-ending "hoppy" offerings that dominate the shelves. With that said, I am bummed about this too. Flipside struck the right notes with me and I loved it and, as much I do love a variety of lagers, Oktoberfests have never been the one's that I enjoyed most.

Nevertheless, I am confident Flipside will make an appearance in a seasonal pack of some sort.

 

Sign me up! When do we leave?

 

Now if only we can get Glissade back...

 

Sad to see Flipside go. I have really enjoyed that one the last couple of years. Hopefully it will be included in the fall mix pack this year. I really loved the Oktoberfest in the pack last year. That pack was great all-around! Can't wait to try to the Hop Hunter and Nooner Pils. SN is definitely on top of their game right now. Rarely have I ever been disappointed by anything they do.

 

Fingers crossed that Blizzacane Bock hits us bars here in Michigan next year, that one sounds exciting. Also excited for rereleases of BA Narwhal and BA Big Foot, didn't get to try them last year. Looks to be a great year for beer!

 

Word. Perception is king and SN seems to managing their image better. When you look at production data, both brew huge volumes but somehow SN manages to come across smaller than they actually are. Leads back to the "Does small = craft?" Probably better suited for another thread.

 

I didn't think I could ever like Sierra Nevada more than I do already, but the addition of Nooner Pilsner and knowing they FINALLY have an Oktoberfest slotted as a seasonal release ups my adoration even more. It's easy to see why the majority of my beer budgets goes to the folks from Chico, CA (and now Mills River, NC).

 

Nooooooooo!!! Honestly I don't buy it all that often, but it's not only a great hefe, but the price is right. I will do my part to keep it in the lineup.

 

Never got the love for Glissade. Easily my least favorite SN beer.

 

I've been highly deceived by "oktoberfest" style beers that in turn end up being ales, Shiner OFest, and Flying Fish Ofest, both GABF medal winners.. Not sure what it is. I liked them initially. But aftering reading the label and more into what or how the beer was brewed, the Ale element rang too true, and they just weren't as crisp as they should have been.

Now if you tell me Santa Fe Oktoberfest isn't a lager, I will forever FORGET this genre.. Never have I seen a genre so spread out and vague.. I hate it... Not that I have to be told what to like, but the Ales do now stand out, and I just can't drink them like I used to.