Sierra Nevada Alpha Hops Society

@SierraTerence may be able to jump in.

 

In the past (and barring anything major, I'm assuming similar for the future), membership was $375. For that you get:
- 18 750mL bottles, all one-offs (some are based on a SN main lineup beer with a different treatment, but that's pretty rare), all are barrel aged. That's 9 different beers, 2 each. This changed I think in year 2 or 3 where before it was 3 bottles each of 6 beers? I can't remember. Personally I like this method.
- 3 events a year that are free and allow you to bring 1 guest. These have been in the High Gravity room, the park at the river behind the brewery, in the brewer room, at Riverbend Malt House, and a number of other places. The events will pretty much always have the beers that are currently being picked up available for draft and usually a couple other ones as well, along with some kind of food, etc. They're pretty cool events really.
- A shirt of some sort (this year was a zip-up hoodie, past years were t-shirts)
- Discounts on merch in the shop
- First crack at SN festivals and events (not particularly needed since these almost never sell out, but still kinda cool)

I think most years the club has opened up for general signups. Returning members get first crack, then friends and family, then open to the public. I entered through a friend of mine and have gotten a couple other friends in. Friends of mine have never had a problem joining during the friends and family period.

 

There are a fixed number of memberships available. I believe it is 350 currently, and includes Mills River, Chico, and Berkley.

Current members have first crack at renewal for the next year, then, if memberships are available there is a period of time where current members can send invites to friends and family. If after that there are still memberships available, it opens to the general public.

There are additional perks to opportunity to purchase tickets for early access to sample brews that will only be available during the first hour, a commemorative glass,and Special Early Access Hour speakers’ panel.

Next year will be my 5th year.

 

What are some of your favorite members only beers so far?

 

I didn't do an exhaustive review, but my top 3 that I can remember of the top of my head have probably been:
- Tequila Barrel-Aged Lime Gose
- Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup Pecan Stout
- Blackberry Sour

With honorable mentions going to:
- Scotch Barrel Aged Sticke (I'm a sucker for interesting beer styles I've never had before and a Sticke certainly meets that)
- Barrel Aged Peach Blonde (this sounds... boring? I expected this to be meh based on the style. Instead it has probably been the most surprising beer for me as it was absolutely bursting with peach flavor and was a really quite surprising beer).

 

The detail above is correct, so I will avoid repeating it... If you are interested in joining, email me at [email protected] or [email protected] and I will put you on the friends and family email list for 2020.

I am looking at getting invites out in late Sept. or early Oct. We will expand memberships this year by 75 people, so it should be a problem getting a membership.

I look forward to meeting you.
Cheers,
Terence