Sierra Nevada Summerfest

Sierra Nevada's website beerfinder is usually pretty good. It's only showing Summerfest quite a bit north of the Denver Metro area (different distributor/warehouse). I'd imagine that means next week for Denver.

Their distributor here has been known to hold back the new SN seasonal if there's a ton of the previous out in the market. If you're seeing a lot of the 40th Anniversary Ale in the market, that could be a bad sign.

 

LOL, I just saw a pile of the anniversary yesterday. Guess we're in for a wait
With Polestar gone, SN Summerfest might best the best packaged pils that isn't from Bierstadt. At least that we can easily buy in Denver right now. Fingers crossed, hopefully we'll see some fresh Tannenzaepfle and Schoenramer again.

 

I don't think I have had it since I reviewed it aboot 14 years ago. I must revisit.

 

I mean Pivo is around on shelves if you're looking for a pils fix.. shoot I'd highly recommend trying (or revisiting) Prima, Trumer (so underrated), Brooklyn pils, or grabbing some Lagunitas Pils or Urquell (love the cans) if you're looking for something a little more Czech.

 

When it comes to Pivo, I would check the dates. At least at my local shop, all of its dated January. While not terrible for a pils, I am sure there are fresher options out there.

 

Well hell's bells, it's damn good.

 

Prost Pilsner is pretty tasty and available in cans FYI

 

I find it quite similar to Oskar Blues Mama's Little Yella Pils and the Trumer Pils I'm sipping on. All 3 are firmly in my comfort zone.

 

I haven't had Prost Pilsner in a while. My last few samples tasted grainy and husky and when combined with their high bittering level (43 IBU) it is not a pleasant quaffer. However, after reading around BA forums, it seems that Prost isn't consistent and that you can in fact get good batches. I just don't feel like playing roulette with a six pack. Does Prost run through head brewers? Why the inconsistency?

 

Without getting into the weeds, yeah, they've been through quite a few brewers. Early on it was Bill and Ashley from Bierstadt. When they departed, that's when the revolving door began. Whenever someone would right the ship, they'd move on. I guess that system isn't the most friendly to work with either. I can't recall where I heard this, but someone told me one of their issues is that brewers kept trying to replicate those original launch-day recipes. Some folks were able to do that much better than others. The hits were home runs and the misses were colossal strike outs. Whoever is in charge now apparently just started over from scratch.

 

I’ve had cans of Prost Dunkel and Pilsner recently and both were great imo, especially the dunkel

 

I still need to get some Prost cans one of these days. My closest store only had old bottles last time I looked. Hopefully as things normalize a little, they'll get some in.

 

Grapevine posted yesterday that they have Summerfest in stock and are selling them for $7.99.

 

An $8 6-pack of one of the best pilsners around? Wow. That's an amazing price.

 

I did a 3 way comparison with Summerfest, Oskar Blues Mama's Little Yella and Trumer. The first 2 have similar canning dates, aboot a week apart, the Trumer had no dating.

Summerfest was the smoothest yet still packed with flavour. Mama's was more assertive( it was the freshest) and tasted a little sharp at times during the session but still very admirable, the Trumer tasted "older" but again, nothing to sneeze at. I was very happy with all 3.

 

I feel like I must have tried this beer at some point in my life, but I honestly can't remember. Definitely on my radar now though.

 

I’ve seen summerfest in the past, but have not bought it.

I’m a pale lager drinker (among other styles), but this never hit my radar. The comments over the last few weeks has me wondering if I had a blind spot to everyone praising it in the past, or is it just now getting the attention it seems to deserve during this recent expansion in lager love and offerings?

Haven't tried it yet, but will remedy that after my next liquor store trip.

 

Has anyone seen this at their local? I haven’t been able to find it at any of my usual spots. I forgot to check at Grapevine when I was there the other week for Heady. I checked SN’s finder and it pulled up like 4 liquor stores I’d never heard of and not Grapevine. Who’s snagged some?

 

Hazel's has 12-packs as well

 

Just started showing up at my local, bottled in April tho... Grabbed a 6er yesterday. Tastes great as always, a perfect summer sipper

 

Finally, snagged a sixer of this. Very tasty stuff. I see a lot of people saying that it doesn't remind them at all of a Czech Pils but if you asked me to compare it to another beer, I think I'd go for Urquell, though there is an undercurrent of the SNPA citrus flavor going on too. Tastes like a nice American version of a classic, though maybe it's just me. I see a lot of people saying this is more like a Helles or something. Glad I finally got to try some though.