Which brewery is the next Sam Adams?

I think it is Sierra Nevada since they have the distribution and capacity. They have a more diverse range of beer than Lagunitas which I think gives them the edge.

 

1. Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
2. Sierra Nevada
3. New Belgium

 

I do not think this is a fair statement. New Belgium's quality and consistency are both top notch so their flagship beers have not gone downhill at all, they just aren't breaking new grounds and challenging your palate anymore (mine either). Fat Tire today is the same Fat Tire from a decade ago; an approachable and well made amber ale, no more, no less.

I have the utmost confidence that NB will continue to grow, and this isn't me being a homer (I honestly don't drink much NB beer outside of La Folie and Le Terroir). Having toured their facility several times and being friends with a few employees, I can tell you that they genuinely care about what they do there and have a great respect for beer culture, plus they're just a lot of fun!

 

New Belgium.


Fat Tire might one day kick the ass of Coors' Blue Moon in sales

 

I too like the idea of Sierra Nevada. But we'll see.

 

I agree for the most part, but I do think at a couple of points they have simply grown for the sake of growing. I've been to the facility many times as well, and they do a nice enough job, it's cool they are employee owned too. I won't lie, I may be a bit partial to one of their neighbors, but hey, that's just me. I am sure they will enjoy continued success, I just am picturing certain chain restaurant tap lists looking like, BMC, BMC Light, Sam/Fat Tire, that's all.

 

My question is how do you not consider Sierra and New Belgium (where distributed) the same as Sam Adams?
All 3 flagships are sold in every single store that carries beer, available in both 6 pack and 12 pack formats.
All 3 have regular lineups that are widely carried by better liquor stores.
All 3 have an IPA in a 12 pack with similar prices.
All 3 make lines of beers more geared towards beer geeks that are only carried at beer geek liquor stores.

Seems like the only thing SA has that the other two don't, is a large and loyal customer base in the northeast.
I would like to see barrels sold just in CA and CO for those 3 brewers.

 

You may be right and that may be why Sierra Nevada has brought out a year round lager Nooner Pilsner.

 

Dogfish Head

 

One thing that Sam Adams does not have is capacity problems. And it won't have them for a long time.

 

I think a key element to which ever brewery steps up is having a great lager. Lets be honest, that is what 90% of people are drinking in this county. Even most consumers that transition from BMC are still only drinking things like Boston Lager or Yuengling.
As great as Stone is, I don't think they could compete because most people don't want hoppy or intensely flavored beers like we do.
I think Sierra Nevada has the best chance at catching the Boston Beer Co because they have a large selection of styles, they distribute everywhere and are reasonably priced.
I see New Belgium getting a lot of support, but I cant speak about them much because they don't feel the need to distribute to PA...I mean come on. Who ships beer to Wilmington, Delaware but doesn't take the extra 1/2 hour to distribute to Philadelphia.

 

Helltown, Mt Pleasant PA, just getting the world out to rest of you.

 

How about Uinta brewery?

 

Sierra Nevada has everything in place except an incredibly mind blowing beer. They make very good beer don't get me wrong, but it's above average stuff at best. I like their Pa, Torpedo is pretty good, but that about sums it up, pretty good. Offer up a brew as good as Hdr, 077xx , Neshaminy Creek and it could/ would take off.

 

It won't be too long before Lagunitas builds another brewery in my opinion. I think they'll be #2 before the end of the decade.

 

agreed

 

I think the "where distributed" part is key as it relates to New Belgium. You can't be considered on the same level of Sam Adams when you can't get it in every state. My guess is that SN is available in at least all the contiguous US but if not I'd say the same for them.

 

I would like to see Sierra Nevada and Dogfish Head become the next 'Samuel Adams'. Maybe they'll both distribute to New Brunswick someday, too!

 

gotta be new belgium, more accessibility, better marketing, and mass peal to non craft drinkers. Also their flagship beer fat tire is better than Boston lager and more drinkable than sierra nevada APA (even though I like SN better)

 

New Belgium is already expanding and getting their beers well distributed. Like Boston Beer Co., they attract the casual drinker but still have some beers that are a little more than the casual drinker would probably want.
I'd like to see Sierra Nevada distribute more of the beers all over the US. Good quality despite a decent range of beers.