Brewery Feature: Sierra Nevada

 The Brewery!

 This past year was Sierra Nevada's 30th Anniversary. As a pioneer in the craft beer movement, Sierra Nevada has been able to maintain their popularity and continually set the standards of craft beer for decades. With their major success and growth over the years they continue to innovate and stick to their roots; something that I respect very much. There was talk this year at the GABF of Sierra Nevada going public, but it was just a rumor and was discredited by founder; Ken Grossman. Like I said, sticking to their roots!

While visiting the brewery in Chico this past summer, I was amazed to learn about their dedication to the environment and ability to be locally minded and self-sustainable. From using their own hops and barley  to feeding spent grains to their small pasture of free ranged cattle. They even have their own water treatment plant, use solar power, and recently added a railroad line that will make deliveries to the brewery more efficiently! For those interested, click here to read more about their innovation and dedication to the environment!


The Beer!

Obviously everyone reading this is familiar with their beer, but here are a few things you may have not been aware of. With this last year being their 30th Anniversary, they decided to commemorate it with a special series of four collaboration beers. 

March: An Imperial Stout
May: Imperial Helles Bock
July: Black Barleywine
October: Blended Oak Aged Ale

 I had the pleasure of trying all of the beers this past year and was impressed by each and everyone of them.
If you see any of the aforementioned beers, do yourself a favor and pick one up. All of the 30th Series are beers that can be aged and recently I revisited the Imperial Stout. After having it fresh and with a little age on it (10 months) it really came into it's own. The thinner body that I didn't care for when fresh, developed an incredible creaminess that complement the roastiness and chocolate notes and kept it quite drinkable.

Sierra Nevada 30th: Fritz & Ken's Ale: 9.2%abv: Chico, CA.

Continuing on with the theme of aging these beers; I would highly recommend picking up a bottle of the final installment of the series and aging it. The concept for this beer was so exciting that I knew I couldn't wait. A blend of oak aged Bigfoot, Celebration, and Pale ale that was then dry hopped! I knew it would be intense, but wow, so much going on and so many flavors, I could really see this as a prime candidate for the cellar!

Sierra Nevada 30th: Blended Oak Age Ale: 9.2%abv: Chico, CA

 The Future!

As some of you may know, while in Belgium this fall, Emily and I crossed paths with the Sierra Nevada Crew at St. Bernardus. We were lucky enough to take a private tour and join in on their tasting, as they were researching and visiting various breweries to gain knowledge and inspiration for their upcoming project: Ovila!
It was truly an honor and an experience that we will never forget! I look forward to the Ovila releases as well as this years Bigfoot and their newest bottle addition: Hoptimum. I had the pleasure of tasting this at the brewery, it is awesome, can't wait!

Hoptimum