Sierra Nevada Summerfest 2020

And year-old Summerfest.

The HB Maibock was last season, 2019 (I didn't get out much to scout down Maibock this year. For some reason). I called out the retailers on it and one got on the horn to the distro right away -- new stock was replaced in a week.

The Summerfest was a few years ago, but it was at a store that wasn't even open the year the vintage first came out -- and it was priced as usual, no discount. I let SN know about it, but not sure what happened. Haven't been back to that store since.

But it's just disheartening to know Summerfest is all around, but our distro isn't shelving it. Not sure what other seasonal they're waiting to sell out. This happens every year.

 

"Buy locally produced beers that are fresh.'
Amen to that brother! Fresh beer is good beer!
Cheers!

 

Agreed, seems crisper and better balanced.

Yeah I felt this way also.

I can drink a good Oktoberfest anytime so I haven't minded the earlier releases. But it does suck that by the time October rolls around that most have disappeared, as I like to have a good O-fest around Halloween. But no biggie, I just make sure that I have some on hand.

 

Definitely not creamed corn. It’s likely sulfur dioxide as @TongoRad said.

The best way I can describe it is that almost fresh ocean-like smell that’s most potent in a fresh German pale lager that you’ve just popped the cap on.

I recall SierraNevada Bill (@BillManley ) once saying that the industry has moved towards quarterly releases, as opposed to seasonal releases. Which lines up with what you’ve said here.

If you wait until the actual season you’ll miss out on a lot of sales.

 

Yeah, not really an unambiguous descriptor but...

Cheers!

 

Enjoying another one now--thankfully, tasting like it should! Not sure what was going on with the first bottle I had.

Even though I had a Koenig pils (not Radeberger as I said earlier) right before it, the C-hop taste and odd smell upon opening still makes me think something may have been wrong with the bottle. But the one I'm drinking now is definitely tasting like it should.

 

I'm surprised to not be seeing any 12-packs of this beer yet. Just sixers. I wonder if SN is limiting distribution or if there is some other factor going on. In past years when summerfest hits it hits hard and all at once.

 

Obvious solution seems to be running one seasonal from January - April, Summerfest from May-August, Oktoberfest in September and October, and Celebration in November and December.

I don't want Summerfest in early April, when it's cold, cloudy, windy, and rainy, but I really want it in mid August, when it's ungodly hot and humid. The current release schedule means I get the opposite.

Likewise, I want Oktoberfest on the first crisp night in September, not on a 90 degree day in the middle of July.

 

I am with you here. Unfortunately the Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest beers are already 'beat up' from sitting in hot Retail Beer Distributors from early/mid July until September.

I was fortunate that last year a small, local brewery (Workhorse) brewed their Oktoberfest beer sometime in August and canned that beer mid-September. That beer was fresh and tasty.

Cheers!

 

You aren't nuts. I used to pour a nice Helles and try to give definition to the aroma and could only come up with "water." Not a great descriptor for what should be a well-made beer, very lackluster.

Then Stan penned this post and link at Appellation Beer and it all made more sense. I wouldn't saddle it with "stinks, fishy, or tangy" but more of that fresh breeze that blows over the water.

And I've never gotten the sulfur nose at the same time, as you have, but I imagine there could be both.

 

Didn't realize I'd commented at Appellation, sorry for the redundancy! ;-D

 

I was surprised that I could not find Summerfest at the grocery stores I frequent, so I went to the liquor store nearby since they are now open for walk-in. Asked the nice manager when she expected to have this, and she said when the winter seasonal is gone. Thinking maybe they still had Celebration Ale I asked about it. They were referencing 40th Anniversary Ale which I liked when it was fresh but did not want now. She said check back next week.

I thanked her for her help & mumbled some expletives into my face mask

 

According to the SN beer finder, 40th and Summerfest are both supposed to be available now. Someone's getting bad info.

 

I think that you are correct. What I don't know is who decides what is put out to sell - distributer, retail store, retail chain.

Also, what is up with that SN beer finder? It tells me that Summerfest is unavailable as well! And it does not seem to be working as it should. COVID infection?

 

I like to use the no-frills finder at times. https://www.vtinfo.com/PF/product_finder.asp?custID=SNB

 

How often do you look at it, you may have to clear cookies.

I see it as "in season" when I look. Just not "in my area."

 

It's working correctly for me here in Ohio. The issue I'm having is what I mentioned above, distribution is very much lacking this year.

 

The 25 mile radius map that generates from my zip code would be hilarious if it wasn't so sad.

 

Yep. Cleared my history and get the same response as you. Just surprised because SN products are usually out in a timely fashion here. Probably just another issue with these strange times.

Thank you!

 

Yeah, not sure who the SN distributor is for the NE sector but it hasn't changed for quite a while.