Why I can't stop drinking Sierra Nevada?

We entered New York in 1987-ish... the cool stuff is pumped by now, I think. But back then we only made Pale Ale, Porter, and Stout as year-rounds and the odd cases of Celebration and Bigfoot rarely made it too far east.

 

Kellerweis IS available, you just need to petition your store (and probably commit to buy a case.) The smaller year-rounds (Kellerweis, Porter, Stout) have niche markets where they do really well, but if you don't happen to live in one of those markets, you'll have to lobby to get those beers. We still make them, and still ship them wherever their wanted, but if nobody knows there's a demand, you'll never see it.

 

I've asked time and time again at local stores in my area (western Queens, NY) and I'm told no one buys them so they don't order it. Can't rally blame them since there's so much more beer taking up shelf space these days but maybe if it was pushed alittle harder - maybe drop a dollar off a six pack, I don't know.
Can you give any insight on why the Kolsch didn't return? Any chance in our lifetime it could become a year-rounder? I feel that its such a great style that a big and respected craft brewery like SN could push it into the mainstream alittle bit.

 

Yes, and it's a shame that some people are just starting to accept pilsners because they are hot now. When you realize the absurdity of "Double Imperial Belgian style Extra IPA" and can appreciate the beauty of a fresh Pilsner Urquell, you have reached full beer enlightenment.

 

Are these styles made in the NC location?

 

We do a large portion of Kellerweis draft in NC, but the only bottled Keller we do has been for variety packs. The bulk of Kellerweis is sold in the Southwest, so it isn't prudent to brew more in North Carolina and ship it backward. For now, the volumes just don't demand it. Bottled Stout and Porter is exclusively brewed in California. Again, super small volumes.

 

I'm a big fan of Nooner, Kolsch, Kellerweis and to a lesser extent Summerfest. I understand there is some overlap with your potential buyers for these brands, but I would love to see Kolsch and Kellerweis available in 12 pack can format. I would probably never buy another brewery's beer during the warmer months if that happened.

 

Stopped by the Sierra Nevada Torpedo Room this past weekend and really enjoyed it. Picked up a couple bottles of their "Trip in The Woods BA Stout aged in Red Wine and Bourbon Barrels," definitely one of the best beers I had during my Bay Area trip.

 

I never quite understood why Nooner made it to year round, in bottles and cans, available everywhere by me instead of others, etc. It just doesn't compare to something like Summerfest and Kolsch.

 

I think I'm in the minority here but I prefer Nooner over Summerfest. Of the SN summer appropriate offerings the Kolsch is my favorite, with Nooner and Kellerweis being tied for my affection. Summerfest is a good beer but I prefer Nooner for the Pils offering.

 

I never stopped. Good Lord, I'm cool and didn't even know it.

 

I do rate Summerfest higher.. however I think alot of it has to do with it being a seasonal and the sheer cleanliness/crispness of it really plays into the whole summer thing. If both were year round offerings I might agree with you.

I mean I feel both are a tad subdued (probably a smart move for sales) but I think I forgive Summerfest more just because it's a seasonal.

 

Is this blasphemy? I prefer Hop Hunter 5 times over SNPA and their Torpedo. SNPA felt more like a blonde ale/slightly red ale with a touch of hops and a bunch of sweetness. HH feels more in my dry IPA wheelhouse. It's aroma can stand up with those hop oils imho. I want more of HH and less of the other two.

Fyi, very eventful revisit with two month old HH and two month old SNPA this past weekend

Blind wise, I have found HH to sit within the top percentage quite often. People tend to turn away with the malt flavor. It tends to not be as sweet as they are expecting.. I hope it continues to sell well because I love it. I just want a draft option once in awhile

 

Well said, good sir.

 

Maybe he meant SNPA.

 

I disagree with you on Pale Ale, which is perfect for the style IMO.

I'm in a big minority on this one, but I agree with you on HH besting Torpedo. To me HH is perfect, and I love the dryness and drinkability from the lean body. Torpedo to me is just too big and the overall impression is muddled.

 

When you discover and appreciate the beauty and delicious artistry in every style, and not think there is a ranking, nor absurdity, to any of them in terms of worthiness, THEN you have reached full beer enlightenment.

 

The point was that in the last ten years the focus has been 90% on one style; some sort of off shoot of IPA. In the 90's this wasn't the case. Then it was about diversity of styles. When I was brewing for a brewpub in the late 90's we made an excellent IPA but only brewed it twice a year. We had 7 bright tanks and and three keg lines giving us ten taps. Our goal was to keep ten distinct beers on tap. A modern scenario would be to have 5 of those IPA or some IPA like style.

As for gimmicky made up styles to market towards the trend of over hopped beer....I'm sorry but I think that is absurd. There is no such thing as a "Belgian style IPA". That's all about marketing.

I mentioned Pilsener Urquell because it is a classic beer that is the benchmark for the style. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is similar in that regard. It is THE American Pale Ale

 

for me it's because they make the best most reasonably priced mixed 12 session beers available and that's a pretty sweet spot to be in.

 

Well, my distant ancestor, N'Gombo, invented beer in his cave using wild barley and water in a rock bowl he left to ferment. Every different beer since then has been "gimmicky" to those who came before. Appreciate all beer with a wise view is the true way to enlightenment.