Sierra Nevada... Who's better?

Yeah but whats the national availability of those. Founders and certainly New Glarus distro is limited. I believe Lagunitas is as well. I tend to think Stone has possibly the best brews with widespread distro, but agree that in generally they tend to specialize in hoppy offerings, and their non hoppy beers fall short in my eyes.

Another one I would mention is Bells. Im not sure of their ditro but think its pretty wide, and they are very consistent with high quality beers of a number of different styles.

 

The answer is no. Everything considered, SN remains on top of craft brewing world.

 

I would say you have a point. it's obviously open to personal taste but they have got to be up there. their overall portfolio is solid. I don't think you can pick a bad one out of the bunch and most I've had are better than average.
My favorites are: Pale Ale, Celebration, Stout, Porter, Kellerweis, and Tumbler

 

This

 

Sierra Nevada has become even MORE solid recently, at least in my opinion. The beer camp variety pack this year was outstanding, I love the stout, porter, tumbler, cans of Pale Ale and Torpedo, Summerfest, Celebration. Haven't had Narwhal or Hoptimum but I'm sure I'd dig them.

 

Never had anything by Three Floyds i didnt like.

 

The availability, price and overall awesomeness of Torpedo puts Sierra Nevada in a league of their own.

 

I chase my founders with SN

 

Based solely on quality of the quantity that SN puts out, I would have to agree that they are very good at what they do. However, I do prefer Founder's, Bell's, Troeg's or Victory.

 

Years ago, SN Pale Ale was the first non-BMC beer I ever had. I couldn't believe how abrasive it was and it baffled me that people actually bought that crap. Skip forward a few years, and SN Pale Ale is a standard for me and SN in general a favorite brewery. Something like Hoptimum probably would've killed me back then.

 

Bell's and Lagunitas have a similar price point and availablity, but their beers are a notch above. Victory is right on par with SN (SN does hops better and Victory handles German & Belgian styles better).

I respect all of these brewers for making widely available, high quality brews at a reasonable price in a wide variety of styles. To me, that's what makes a great brewery.

 

Don't care for Glissade. Other than that, I agree. Consistently solid beers across a variety of styles.

 

Stone hands down. Founders almost definitely. And maybe even sweetwater. Love the dank tanks.

 

Firestone Walker

 

For some reason I seem to always think of SN and Deschutes in the same vein. I know if I buy one of their beers it will be high quality and very good. SN has much larger distribution and is somewhat cheaper, but I for some reason feel they are similar, though i prefer Deschutes in most styles.

 

Came here to say this. Union Jack destroys Torpedo. I'll take Pale 31 any day of the week as well. Parabola and Abacus alone dig a grave for Sierra.

 

There's no better brewery. Sierra Nevada is the best. Yes certain beers aren't the best of their style, but overall (price included) they are the best brewery in the world.

 

If your talking a craft brewer with 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 brands. I'm envious of those that can.

 

Agreed and I feel the same about Founders.

 

Sorry Stone just doesnt cut it for me and DAMN sure isnt in SN's league