Sierra Nevada is stealing the show

I love love LOVE Sierra Nevada. Bigfoot has a big plot of real-estate in my cellar and their Torpedo IPA has become a regular in my fridge (and a staple of my beer diet). It's easy on the wallet and easy to find (you can even get it in grocery stores).

That said, I can't call SN my favorite brewery. I'm glad they're doing well. They excel at hoppy beers and sell their products at competitive prices, but there are waaaaaaay too many outstanding (small) brewers out there to give SN ``best brewer'' honors. There are some SN beers I could name that just don't do it for me. In order to be a truly great brewer in my book, I think a brewer has to excel in multiple ways. For example, Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids, Michigan excels in multiple styles. Their hoppy beers (Centennial and Double Trouble) are outstanding, but their big, rich, roasty, malty beers (Porter, Imperial Stout, Breakfast Stout) are just as otherworldly. Don't even get me started on their ``epic'' beers (KBS, CBS, blah, blah, blah).

SN does what they do, they're very good at it, and we are all grateful and love their beers. Let's leave it at that.

 

They're my favorite OVERALL brewery. Their beers are not my favorite individually. Based on the "favorite brewery" tournament held on this site they made it to the final four with the likes of Russian River, Bells, and Founders. Considering those breweries all have beers in the top 100 and Sierra Nevada doesn't speaks to how amazing they are as a brewery. They don't have to sell whales to get their name out there. Then again I'm a guy who's more impressed with simple beers. For example, Victory Headwaters Pale Ale and Sixpoint Sehr Crisp might be my two favorite recent releases.

 

Right, but can you go into your local gas station and get those? At best you can always find a SNPA, no matter where you go.

 

drinking a founders Centennial as I type and have to say price and consistency wise, there are several breweries producing good quality brews at reasonable prices...Founders, Bells, Lagunitas, Dogfishhead etc. Sometimes whales can be dissapointing, but you have to consider the extra overhead of added ingredients an length of aging. I ll break my piggy bank for bourbon county and older viscousity any time I find it.

 

I don't think I'd lump Founders and Dogfishhead in with Sierra Nevada and Lagunitas in terms of price.

 

Drink what you like and don't worry about it or other people the masses are asses. Damn who cares. Taste is subjective as are most things, live and let live. Sierra has always been solid, consistent in flavor and price and readily available. Cheers, don't let 'em grind ya' down.

 

Exactly.

DFH should go with 3F as they are pretty steep. Founders is spot on for the price/quality

 

I ll pay a little extra for some 90 minute for what Founders and Sierra can provide

 

I have only tried two beers by Sierra Nevada and did not care for either. Bigfoot was "meh" and Celebration was horrible.

 

How's that song go?

"I'm a loser baby...so why don't you drink me?"

 

Founders is pretty cheap for what they deliver, and I would rank Lagunitas better than Sierra as far as price. I stretched it a bit with DFH.

 

For me, this season's Celebration was overshadowed by Lagunitas Sucks. But I'm definitely looking forward to the 12 oz. Hoptimum's and tall boy Torpedo's this year!

 

Can't buy any beer here in Delaware, so if I want a beer, it's at a liquor store, and I can always find something from DFH, Troegs, or victory.

 

Well. Founders is in a different class than DFH with too many variants too mention that blow away anything DFH has ever offered.

Heck, I would take a Sou Hemi wet hop, Torpedo or Bigfoot over most DFH offerings.

 

I enjoyed Sou Hemi fresh, but in my town, 2010s are still on shelves

 

That's pretty hysterical. I wonder what buyback policies the craft brewers have. Sure Sierra Nevada is huge and probably has a Miller-Coors Bud type policy (I believe 6 months) but I imagine the little guys rely on the account.

Stuff like the SOU hemi doesn't age well.

 

I agree. I've had a lot of the white whales and now find myself reaching for quality brews from Sierra and Sam Adams more and more often...barely more expensive than Macros and a wide variety of top notch selections...for example Sierra Kellerweis...awesome hefe and you usually know it will be fresh....

 

Is this an either/or question? At least I think there's a question in there somewhere.
I had no idea there was a controversy until you made it one.
Big breweries - SN, Deschutes, Stone consistently outstanding.
But bring on the little guys - great often times superior offerings as well.

 

How does Stone not come up right aside this conversation? Insane beers. Bottle dating. Six packs. Twenty twos. Massive availability.

 

You, me. and many other BA's . I love expensive rare beers, and SNPA also. Glad to see it is in cans.