Sierra Nevada 4 Way IPA

This is pretty sweet, I have not seen this yet and it looks awesome. Thanks for sharing info!! Will post when I see in AZ.

 

Peach IPA...
I dunno, man...

 

That was the only one I was skeptical on but if its very mild it could blend up. Definitely different.

 

Is it me, or are Sierra Nevada and Sam Adams redesigning their labels to look MORE generic?

 

Are these beer lower abv than Torpedo?

 

Yes...

German - 6.1%
Peach - 5.8%
Black - 6.9%
Torpedo - 7.2%

 

I know Sam Adams labels are horrible, they look pretty sad. SN labels seem to be same, have not noticed any decline with them.

 

Yeah, the new Sam Adams labels are worse by far, but I feel like the labels for the new IPAs in this 4-way pack are leaning in that direction.

 

Check out the labels for Sidecar and Tropical Torpedo, not very SN-ish in my opinion.

 

Yeah, the Sidecar and Tropical Torpedo labels aren't as good as Sierra Nevada's usual style. They're missing the "framed scenery" thing that most of the Sierra Nevada labels have -- why not an orange grove for Sidecar and a Hawaii-esque beach scene with palm trees for Tropical Torpedo, or something?

Interestingly, searching for Sidecar's label came up with a label for a different Sierra Nevada beer of the same name -- an amber ale which apparently just started to be bottled in 2015.



Poking around a bit, it seems like this Sidecar was previously draft-only and was only available in bottles in the local area of the brewery. I wonder why they used the same name for two beers...

 

Whether or not you like the result I think these "big" brewers have taken the right marketing approach by giving every beer something boldly brand-recognizable. These big guys biggest asset is their reputation. Newer and smaller breweries have to go way out of their way to stand out. Sometimes standing out downplays your branding message.

 

What is the distribution map and timing on this IPA pack. The webpage says very little.

 

It's the Q1 mixed 12 (Jan. - Mar.), should see national distribution. The golden IPA is the Q1 seasonal brew.

 

I get what you are saying but those labels are terrible (4 way IPA pack) and the packaging does not look like typical SN packaging, it's neon green and a totally new format.

 

I'm a little skeptical. I love Torpedo and can appreciate a good black IPA, but the Peach and German seem like grasping at straws. Nonetheless, I've had so many good beers from SN that I'll give it an honest try.

 

They did the same thing with Nooner that went from a session IPA to the current Pilsner. I would assume it has to do with overhead and stuff, easier to re-brand a name you have already done all of the legwork with.

 

4 way IPA is always a pick up.

 

I've had that Sidecar Amber on tap and in bottle in the Bay area and it's pretty fantastic. My only idea on why they're using the same name is that perhaps the "Sidecar" moniker is going to be a series of rotating beers. Sidecar Amber, Orange ect...

 

Wow already in the wild! Have not seen it in AZ yet but I have been busy buying up all the CELEBRATION while I can before it is gone.