Sierra Nevada... Who's better?

I really wish I enjoyed Sierra Nevada as much as some of ye do, but it's just not in the cards for me. I've had one or two good beers from them, but unfortunately never anything great. I'll keep trying their beers hoping for something unexpected to come along, but I'm frequently disappointed. :/

 

Just drank an Estate I had sitting in my cellar. It just made me thirsty for a Pliny. I mean, it was good, and SN has the coolest labels. Then again, Lucky Buddha has the most kickass bottle...

 

Depending on your style I would say..
They just DONT disappoint in my eyes..
BA Bigfoot BRING IT ON !!!

 

If you're talking a craft brewer with comparable national distribution, then the only other one I can think of is Boston Beer Company aka Samuel Adams. It's amazing how good SA still is as huge as they've gotten; but overall, Sierra Nevada's lineup averages a higher score top to bottom. The usual suspects are being mentioned here, such as Founder's and Three Floyd's; although I'm surprised that Russian River and Surly haven't been mentioned yet. Being in Texas, I can't get any of those last four brands. I'm envious of those that can.

 

Because on the left coast the beers you named are not available.

 

Sierra Nevada can be purchased almost anywhere in the US. The beers you named are not available out West. So no comparison is possible.

 

pointless due to no distribution.

 

never had any of their beers.

 

Overall SN rocks! Consistent, true to style, available almost anywhere in the U.S., great value, and tasty. Did I miss anything?

 

You couldn't have just said that stuff in one post?

 

I feel the same way about Deschutes except for Chainbreaker White IPA. I wonder if it's them or just that I don't like the style. But everything else from Deschutes is wonderful IMO. And it's rediculously available here. They're selling The Abyss at a fucking Shell station!

 

But back to SN. I've only had Celebration and their PA (I know, I'm fuckin' up), but I found both to be wonderful.

 

What it is, what it do...

 

I'd take Lagunitas, Stone, Deschutes and Rogue over SN. I know I might take flack for Rogue, but I live in Sacramento, and their price point here isn't nearly as bad as it is in the mid-west and back east.

 

says the guy with the colts in his prof pic. of course, i'd take a 3F over an SN any day, no question.

edit: spellcheckin'

 

true, and while i havent had a bad stone, the lagunita's brown shugga..... sucks.

 

Founders whoops SN, hands down. in terms of a disgustingly available brewery, though, SN has something figured out. Hell, to be honest, in MI, Short's, Bell's, Dark Horse, and Kuhnhenn beat SN too. But you probably haven't had much of them, so they're not fair comparisons. I'm surprised DFH hasn't showed up too much here; they rival a good number of SN beers, style vs. style, with damn good specialties. That being said, the SN 30th anniversary stout... holy shit. and the narwhal is underrated as of yet, albeit being new.

 

I agree with OP, and while there are other breweries that I like better, SN always brings the quality for great prices and is available everywhere. ​

 

For readily accessible beers, Dogfish Head, Lagunitas, Stone, Green Flash, and Ballast Point are all wayyyyy better than SN in my opinion. Sierra Nevada beers tend to just be way too herbally. I am looking forward to Ruthless Rye again next year though.

 

I am very good with that. The styles that they do have that aren't IPA are fantastic as well. Their smoked porter, IRS, barleywine and Strong Ales are all top notch. And I don't need a giant portfolio if the beers are good, I'd rather 5 or 6 styles to drink from a brewery that are all outstanding.