Sierra Nevada 2019 Calendar

Are 24 x 12oz, 18 x 16oz and 15 x 19.2oz new formats? I have never seen them before.

 

Wow, are they really getting rid of the seasonal sampler packs? That's really, really too bad in my opinion. I always loved getting them. Did I get every single one? No, but I did purchase a couple every year.

Sierra Nevada has long been one of my favorite breweries but the way they are adapting to the new craft beer market is a bit unfortunate, at least in my opinion...

- The new "major" additions are nothing special IMO (Sidecar, Hazy Little Thing, Tropical Torpedo)
- The new branding... I just love the old classic look
- No sampler packs

That said, there are some things I like...

- Hop Hunter is back!
- Keller, Porter and Stout are back too!!!

Overall though, I can't help but be bummed about the seasonal packs being gone. I know lots of breweries do them now, but there was always something special about a Sierra Nevada seasonal pack.

 

Hop Hunter, stout, Porter, kellerweiss never went away - just made in very limited quantities therefore they are practically retired.

 

The death of the fall pack may be the worst beer related news I have ever received. The Vienna and Tumbler are 2 of the better examples of the styles.
Ruthless Rye is the only one to survive, but while it’s fantastic, there is no way I am buying a sampler with SNPAs, Tropical Torpedo, and that orange thing to get 2 of them. Bummer.

 

I would concur if it were a traditional Helles. From reading the description that doesn’t appear to be the case.

 

Looks like they simplified their beers. Nice to see Porter and Stout listed but as mentioned before they are only available if your area demand deems it, so for most they are not.

 

What a tough job SN has in this market—so many different demographics to consider as the second? largest craft brewer in the country.

I think they do an amazing job to stay relevant to so many.

Cheers to a solid ‘19!

 

“Bittering Hops Experimental

Finishing Hops Experimental, El Dorado, Loral”

https://www.sierranevada.com/beer/variety-packs/helles-in-the-tropics

Yup, that is indeed not a traditional Helles beer.

Cheers!

@ecpho

 

Yeah that's a weird approach. Not what I expected SN. Oh well, Jack's Abby House Lager and Hofbrau are easy to find.

 

I figured that this would start happening since craft Lagers are becoming more popular and now we will start to see hoppy styles of what really should not be. I am all for experimenting and will reserve judgment until I try it but...

Speaking of I am surprised to not see Hoppy Lager making a comeback, was a decent beer.

Re: Stout, Porter and Kellerweis, I just can't believe Sidecar IPA is a better seller than those [availability aside]? It collects dust around me and is always buried on a bottom shelf. I don't mind drinking it every now and again, though, but I am generally a fan of fruited IPAs.

 

SNPA $13.99 12 pack
Celebration/Torpedo $14.99 12 pack

Stout/Keller $9.99/10.99 6 pack

Could be a reason some sell better than others.

Enjoy

 

No experimental/single/fresh hop packs? Am I missing that?

 

The abandonment of the Fresh Hop Pack for 2019 makes me extra bummed that this year's iteration apparently never made it to Massachusetts.

 

Grocery stores—esp chains—sell fast movers (or at least what has been perceived as such). Your observation is not odd but fairly standard practice.

 

Except those "fast movers" are quite often past their expiration date.

 

Agreed but not the point. A family member worked for a while as the beer and wine manager in one of the larger stores for a big grocery store chain. There was a list he had to keep in stock/ order I.e. things that were the larger sellers based on whole chain sales. He always “allowed” to request other things, support promotions etc.

Out of interest, I asked him about 4 years ago if he could get KBS. Was still a bit more limited and they provided him 3 cases as the store had been a good Founders acct. He stuck it on the shelves a 4 at a time and watched and few customers gleam.

 

I completely agree they have a tough job trying to balance all of the different demographics, but I can't help but be disappointed by the lack of variety packs. If they need/want to do things like Sidecar or Topical Torpedo, fine. But getting rid of the variety packs is awful

 

Agree, sounds like they are focused on their base beer and hazy IPA and the rest are either limited or local items, etc. To me this does not seem like a great business idea. I can get fresh IPA local along with stouts, pills, sours, and just about every other item. I still am confused how Bells, Founders, and others seem to put out a wide spread of items and are doing well yet SN seems hell bent on eliminating variety for their SNPA and Hazy, big mistake in my eyes. Does anyone really enjoy Sidecar?

 

Hmmm...never even tried it so i guess that tells you where i am at and i have had a few SNBC brews in my day!

 

You hit the nail on the head for me, Wes. I bought 2 fall variety packs this year for the Ruthless, Vienna, and Tumbler. If they stick with this, I'll be buying less SN.