Sierra Nevada has pioneered efforts to integrate sound environmental values into management decisions and practices. Founded in Chico in 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. considers resourcefulness a philosophy. Reducing consumption and reusing and recycling raw materials is a basic component of the company's operations.
Sierra Nevada Celebrates Craft Beer Pioneers
Chico, CA (12/14/09)—Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. will mark 2010 with a yearlong celebration of the trailblazing brewers who helped transform America into the world’s most exciting brewing nation. Next year is the 30th anniversary for the Chico-based brewery, and Sierra Nevada is teaming up with the founders of the movement to benefit select charities and beer drinkers across the country.
March of 2010 will see the first of four beers in a series of collaborative projects with America’s craft-brewing pioneers: Fritz Maytag of Anchor Brewing; Jack McAuliffe, founder of New Albion Brewery; and authors, homebrewers, and beer advocates Fred Eckhardt, and Charlie Papazian. Together, this group is credited as ‘the men who launched a thousand breweries;’ and without them, our current day craft-beer-renaissance might never have happened.
“We wanted to pay tribute to the original pioneers who helped me and hundreds of others get started,” said Sierra Nevada founder Ken Grossman. “Few people in the craft-brewing world have accomplished more than these guys, and we thought it might be fun to get the original crew together and make something special.”
This project will begin where craft brewing started—Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco. Maytag bought the historic brewery in 1965, and his vision for American beer changed everything. In December 2009, these pioneers gathered at Anchor to catch up, reminisce about craft beer’s beginnings, and share their vision for the project.
“I feel honored to sit at the table with these guys,” said Grossman. “Without the help that these guys gave me in the early days, I never would have gotten started. Each of them has shaped craft beer in some meaningful way, and without them, who knows what American beer would be today?”
The beers will be released periodically throughout the year, starting with the first release in March, and continuing until Sierra Nevada’s 30th Anniversary on November 15. These limited-release 750ml cage-and-cork bottles will be available at select retailers and beer-centric bars.
These beers will be much more than a tribute: Proceeds from the project will go to benefit select charities chosen by the four pioneers.
Sierra Nevada started in 1980 with a humble hand-built brewhouse and some interesting ideas about beer. Today it’s America’s longest-running craft startup, and boasts the number-one best-selling craft brand in the country—the legendary flagship, Pale Ale.
A lot has changed in the generation since Grossman first met these brewing pioneers. When Sierra Nevada first opened its doors, there were less than 50 breweries in the United States. Today, there are more than 1,500 craft breweries in operation, and American brewers lead the world in variety of styles, innovation, experimentation, and quality.
Follow this collaboration of pioneering brewers at www.sierra30.com
Sierra Nevada and Dogfish Head to release “Life & Limb” Collaboration
Chico, CA (08/12/09)—This fall independent craft brewers Sierra Nevada and Dogfish Head, will release two collaborative beers. Limb & Life—a draft-only beer—will debut in October; with Life & Limb 24oz bottles and limited draft to follow in November.
The beers—Life & Limb, and Limb & Life—are dedicated to the family of beer drinkers and enthusiasts worldwide who continue to support the little guys, iconoclasts, entrepreneurs, and pioneers who risk life and limb to shape the vibrant craft-brewing community. Over the years, the two brewers—Ken Grossman and Sam Calagione—have become friends in the industry. They quickly realized how many similarities they share. Grossman’s history as a craft-brewing pioneer and his radical approach to brewing are echoed some fifteen years later by Calagione—through his boundary-pushing innovation and tireless promotion for the cause of craft beer.
Both men started out as home brewers obsessed with beer-making. Both share deep values of sustainability and responsibility. Both share the desire to pass their breweries on to the next generation, and both started out small—from humble beginnings—and built vibrant, creative, beer-centered and fiercely independent breweries, despite the long odds.
Their mutual respect, admiration, and none-too-few shared glasses of beer led to the collaborative idea.
“I have gotten to know Ken through our years on The Brewers Association Board and at numerous beer events throughout the country. As a brewer myself, it is inspiring to see a person like Ken drive a beer-centric (as opposed to a biz-centric) brewery so far and so wide while sticking to his original ideals and integrating his family into the company. I have enjoyed talking (and drinking) beer with his children, especially Sierra and Brian who currently work alongside Ken at Sierra Nevada. The iterative process of conceptualizing and brewing this beer with Ken and all the folks at Sierra has been a joy. We have designed this beer to intertwine signature aspects of both of our breweries’ creative approaches—from sustainability to exotic sugars, from bottle conditioning to cellarability. I hope Mariah, our amazing co-workers, and I can keep Dogfish on track with our beer-centric ideals for many years to come. I will know how successful we’ve been at this task if my children, Sammy and Grier, are able to share a bottle of 2009 Life & Limb with Sierra and Brian at a beer dinner or festival 15 years or so from now. I am hopeful that, as they toast each other, they can hold their heads up high knowing our two breweries were among many fine breweries that breathed LIFE into the colorful, diverse, and beautiful LIMBS of the American craft-brewing family tree.” – Sam Calagione, President and Founder, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.
“Sam and I have spent many evenings laughing, arguing, and toasting glasses, talking about where we are in the business and where we’re going. As Sierra Nevada approaches our 30 th anniversary, it’s inspiring to step back and see how far American craft beer has come. People like Sam and Dogfish help to push the boundaries of beer, and it has been fun working with him and the Dogfish crew. This is our first time working with maple syrup in beer on this kind of scale, and the first time we know of anyone using birch syrup. It has been an interesting and inspiring experience and will hopefully lead to big things. As a beer, Life & Limb has so much meaning for me personally, and for the brewery. As our first collaborative release, we couldn’t have had a better partner. Our families are coming together in this beer, both literally and figuratively by using ingredients from our family “farms”—estate hops and barley from us; maple and birch syrup and exotic sugars from Sam—and by having the Dogfish family come to Chico to brew. As the bottled beer ages and changes over time, it will be great to see our families share this beer over anniversaries of their own.” – Ken Grossman, Founder, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Life & Limb is a 10% ABV strong beer that defies style characteristics—brewed with pure maple syrup from the Calagione family farm in Massachusetts and estate barley grown on the Grossman “farm” at the brewery in Chico. The beer is alive with yeast—a blend of both breweries’ house strains—bottle conditioned for added complexity and shelf life, and naturally carbonated with birch syrup fresh from Alaska; it is the first beer we know of ever to use birch syrup in the brew. If stored under good conditions, this rich, full-bodied beer should age well for years. Life & Limb will be available in 24-oz. bottles and limited draft starting this November.
Limb & Life is a companion to the big beer—an acorn off the larger tree. It is a 5% ABV small beer—a low-gravity beer made using the residual sugar as “second runnings” from the first larger brew, fortified with American hops. This is a session beer. Its big brother is a sipper. Limb & Life will be a limited draft-only product, a prelude to the bigger beer, available in select bars and restaurants this October.
The two beers will be brewed at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., in Chico, CA and released through the Sierra Nevada distribution network.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. To Launch Wild Rivers Campaign In partnership with Western Rivers Conservancy
Chico, CA – Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.—an environmental leader in the craft brewing industry—announced today the launch of the “Wild Rivers” campaign to help keep our waterways clean and healthy.
For every 12-pack of Pale Ale and Summerfest Lager purchased in the U.S. this May, Sierra Nevada will donate a portion of proceeds to Western Rivers Conservancy, a nonprofit partner based in Portland, Oregon.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has been an active supporter of Western Rivers for many years. This partnership helps to raise awareness and increase stewardship of the vital waterways and ecosystems they help to preserve.
“Our beer is a product of our surroundings,” said Ken Grossman, Founder and President of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and member of the board of directors for Western Rivers Conservancy. “ Sierra Nevada is not just the name of our brewery, but also a place with its own unique environment. We need to do our part in protecting that environment for generations to come.”
Proceeds from the Wild Rivers campaign will support Western Rivers Conservancy’s work to create river parks and protected natural areas along rivers like the Klamath River in California, the John Day in Oregon, the Hoh River in Washington and the Bear River in Utah.
“Sierra Nevada is known for its quality and integrity. It’s an environmentally responsible company that makes great beer,” said Phillip Wallin, Western Rivers Conservancy’s President. “We are proud to partner with Sierra Nevada, and with the public’s help, we can conserve precious habitat for fish, wildlife and people.”
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was founded in 1980 as one of America’s first microbreweries. Since its inception, the brewery has pioneered many innovations to conserve resources and focus on sustainable business practices. The majority of the brewery’s electrical energy needs are produced on-site with fuel cells and the nation’s largest private solar installation. Sierra Nevada is regarded as the standard of quality for American craft brewers and has won numerous awards for its beers and ales. The brewery continues to be 100% owned by founder Ken Grossman. www.sierranevada.com
Western Rivers Conservancy protects outstanding river ecosystems in the western United States. The Conservancy acquires land to conserve critical habitat, provide public access for compatible use and enjoyment, and cooperates with other agencies and organizations to secure the health of whole ecosystems. www.westernrivers.org
The campaign launches at retailers nationwide on May 1, 2009, and continues through May 31.
Sierra Nevada Introduces Kellerweis as Newest Year-Round Beer
Chico, CA (03/06/2009) —Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is pleased to announce the release of Kellerweis Hefeweizen into their year-round portfolio of beers. This is the second new year-round release from the brewery in 2009, and a great addition to their lineup of world classic beers.
The name Sierra Nevada is synonymous with hops, and lots of them. Kellerweis is an exception to that rule, but fortunately, no less exceptional.
Several years ago, the brewers began working with a unique Bavarian hefeweizen yeast strain unknown in this country. This amazingly flavorful yeast was so exciting that they began working on a recipe for a traditional German hefeweizen with the Sierra Nevada twist. Traditional hefeweizen is a style that seems deceptively simple, but in reality is devilishly complex. For years the brewers weren’t satisfied with the beer; something was missing. In a flash of inspiration, an epic trip was arranged. The brewers took a whirlwind tour through the legendary Bavarian wheat breweries to see what they were doing. It was there they realized the advantages of making wheat beer using the traditional system of open fermentation.
Sierra Nevada had been making a portion of their beer using the difficult and labor-intensive technique of open fermentation for years. Most modern brewery fermentation takes place in closed, stainless-steel tanks; this method is efficient, quick and clean. In closed tanks, however, the yeast doesn’t have the opportunity to coax as much complexity from the fermenting beer. Using shallow open fermentation, the yeast has space to build layers of flavors and aroma that would otherwise be impossible.
After seeing the technique in use in Germany, the inspiration to make Kellerweis in the open system took hold. The name is an homage to the German Keller, meaning cellar—the name breweries give to their fermentation systems, and weis, or weiss—the German name for “white” or wheat beer, hazy with suspended yeast.
Kellerweis is a light and refreshing beer with deep complexity of flavor. The yeast provides hints of fruit flavors and spices, including ripe banana and clove. This hazy-golden beer glows with suspended yeast creating a velvety texture; perfect for a sunny California day. Sierra Nevada’s Kellerweis Hefeweizen will be available in 6-packs starting in early summer 2009.
Founded in 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is one of America’s first microbreweries and remains highly regarded for using only whole-cone hops and ingredients of the highest quality. Sierra Nevada has set the standard for artisan brewers worldwide as a winner of numerous awards for their line of beers and ales including the flagship Pale Ale, Torpedo, Porter, Stout, four seasonal beers, Harvest Ale series and a host of draft-only specialties.
Chico, CA (1/05/09) - For a brewery known for its use of hops, it seems out of character to wait nearly 30 years to produce a year-round IPA. Torpedo is worth the wait. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is proud to announce the release of Torpedo Extra IPA as the newest addition to its year-round roster of beers. This is the first full-production IPA to come from the brewery and the first change in its year-round lineup in over a decade.
Why did it take so long to introduce a year-round IPA? The brewery has spent years experimenting, searching for a way to highlight bold flavors without resorting to hop extracts or pellets. Sierra Nevada has brewed with 100% whole-cone hops for 29 years with the belief that it makes a better, more natural tasting beer. Whole-cone hops offer subtle flavors and complexities that are unavailable in processed form. Rather than sacrifice flavor, they invented a way to do it better.
Torpedo celebrates the brewery’s dedication to 100% whole-cone hops all the way through the brewing process. The name itself comes from a device called the “hop torpedo” that was conceived, designed and developed at the brewery. The result is a revolutionary method of dry-hopping that harnesses the vital hop oils and resins that lead to an unusually flavorful and aromatic beer featuring the full, nuanced range of spicy complexity that hops have to offer. Designed with a mixture of hop varietals, each with their own unique character, Torpedo Extra IPA has layers of flavors ranging from citrus, herbs, black pepper and pine, with delicate hints of tropical fruit.
Torpedo is an assertive American IPA deep reddish-gold in color, with a smooth and bready malt presence and over-the-top hop aromas. The beer has a solid bitterness and a massive hop flavor, yet remains easy drinking with a pleasant dry finish. Torpedo Extra IPA will be available for hop fans nationwide in 6-pack bottles starting late January 2009.
Founded in 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is one of America’s first microbreweries and remains highly regarded for using only whole-cone hops and ingredients of the highest quality. Sierra Nevada has set the standard for artisan brewers worldwide as a winner of numerous awards for their line of ales and lagers including the flagship Pale Ale, Wheat, Porter, Stout, four seasonal beers, Harvest Ale series, and a host of draft-only specialties.
Sierra Nevada Introduces Estate-Grown Hops in the Newest
Harvest Offering with Chico Estate Harvest Ale
With the third installment of Sierra Nevada’s Harvest Ale Series, they introduce a beer that is close to the brewery’s heart. Chico Estate Harvest Ale is a beer made with hops grown just feet from the brew house. They grow the hops themselves, pick them, and put them directly into the beer, still bursting with the signature flavors that have put Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. on the map. Hops this fresh can be found nowhere else.
By stealing a page from the winemaker’s playbook, Chico Estate Harvest Ale will use all of the hops grown in the brewery fields for one big full-flavored Sierra Nevada beer. Typically, hops are collected and dried for use throughout the year, but as they dry, the precious oils and resins break down and some of the big flavors become muted. With Sierra Nevada’s Harvest Ale series, the brewery takes care to use the freshest hops possible, and in the case of Chico Estate and fall Harvest Ales, they use only “wet” or undried hops to add not only bitterness, but the full range of character and flavors that the small but mighty hop has to offer.
Sierra Nevada is one of only a handful of breweries anywhere in the world with the space and the dedication to produce an estate harvest ale, and they remain committed to the versatility of the hop. Previously only available on draft as “20 th Street Ale,” Chico Estate Harvest Ale will be bottled for the first time and available in limited quantity at the end of August.
As the pioneers of using fresh-harvested, wet-hopped beers, Sierra Nevada adds Chico Estate Harvest Ale to the trinity of their beloved harvest ales.
Founded in 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is one of America’s first microbreweries and remains highly regarded for using only whole-cone hops and ingredients of the highest quality. Sierra Nevada has set the standard for artisan brewers worldwide as a winner of numerous awards for a line of beers and ales, including the flagship Pale Ale, Wheat, Porter, Stout, five seasonal beers and a host of draft-only specialties.
Sierra Nevada Brings Fresh Hops Year-Round With the Release of Southern Hemisphere Harvest
Sierra Nevada, the pioneer of fresh hop ales in America, has expanded its Harvest Ale Series with the release of another ground-breaking product introduction, Southern Hemisphere Harvest Ale. This marks the first time in known history that a fresh hop ale has been available in America in the spring since hops are harvested in the fall in the northern hemisphere. The inaugural ale will debut in early May.
To make this project happen, Sierra Nevada traveled to New Zealand to harvest fresh hops, and then transported them from the southern hemisphere to Chico where they were immediately used in brewing. Like their award-winning Celebration Ale, the fresh hops in this beer are dried right after being picked then shipped immediately to Chico for brewing, so that they retain their peak aromatics and flavors. Freshly harvested hops are richer in hop oils so they impart more hop aroma and hop spiciness into beer.
“We love fresh hop ales, but until now fresh hops were only available here once a year – during the fall hop harvest,” said brewery owner and founder Ken Grossman. “So we journeyed to the southern hemisphere to catch their hop harvest, which occurs during our spring.” The result is the North-by South fusion of fresh-picked New Zealand Pacific hops with the finest North American malts. Southern Hemisphere Harvest will feature fresh Pacific Hallertau, New Zealand Motueka and New Zealand Southern Cross hops, all from New Zealand.
The introduction of Southern Hemisphere Harvest gives Sierra Nevada three fresh-hop ales in their Harvest Series. In addition to Southern Hemisphere Harvest, Sierra Nevada produces Chico Estate Harvest in late summer and its original Harvest Ale in early fall.
Chico Estate Harvest is one of the very few estate harvest ales produced anywhere in the world today. All the hops in the beer are grown organically on the premises at the Chico brewery. The brewers pick the hops themselves and then take them directly to the brew kettle, without being dried, just after picking so they retain nearly all of their natural oils and resins. It is made with Cascade, Centennial and Chinook hops. Until now, this beer has only been available in draft. Starting this year, Sierra Nevada will bottle it on a very limited basis (Chico only this year) with plans to expand its availability as they expand their Chico hop field in the coming years.
The cornerstone of their Harvest Series is the beer that started the modern-day fresh hop ale phenomenon in America, the original Harvest Ale. Created in 1996, Harvest Ale features Cascade and Centennial hops from the Yakima Valley in Eastern Washington. These hops are harvested and shipped as “wet,” i.e., un-dried hops—the same day they are picked—to their brewery in Chico where the brewers eagerly wait to get them into the brew kettle while their oils and resins are still at their peak.
Representing the journey following the hop harvest around the globe, the Harvest Series includes hops sourced from new regions and brewed using new methods in an effort to maximize the oily, resinous qualities of the hops from each harvest as they transported them to the brewery in Chico, California.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was founded in 1980 and is one of America’s first microbreweries. It is regarded as the standard of quality for American craft brewers and has won numerous awards for its beers and ales. Its flagship product, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, has been the number one selling craft beer brand in America for the past five years according to IRI scan data. The brewery is still 100% owned by Ken Grossman.
In addition to Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada makes a Wheat, Porter, and Stout year-round, a host of draft-only specialty beers, and offers five seasonal beers. Harvest Ale will be available in limited supply nationwide in 24-ounce bottles and draft. The cost is slightly above Sierra Nevada’s year-round products.
Sierra Nevada Introduces New Spring Seasonal Release of ESB (Early Spring Beer)
On January 1, 2008 Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.-a pioneer of America's ale renaissance-released its new spring seasonal ESB - Early Spring Beer to market. The company, which just celebrated its 27th year with the release of its fall seasonal Anniversary Ale, decided to brew their interpretation of England's classic Extra Special Bitter style.
“Our ESB blends the best of English tradition with the boldness of West Coast style. Featuring English ingredients, we added a Sierra Nevada twist by leaving the ale unfiltered, which enhances mouthfeel and hop aroma creating a slightly reddish-copper hue,” said brewery founder Ken Grossman.
The 2008 ESB features England’s premier heritage malt, Maris Otter, and is blended with Canadian two-row malt to create a uniquely rich, malty sweetness. With the addition of hand-selected English Challenger hops (used for their earthy spiciness) and blended with U.S. Goldings, the beer presents a woodsy-cedar note and a slight citrusy aroma.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was founded in 1980 and is one of America’s first microbreweries. It is regarded as the standard of quality for American craft brewers and has won numerous awards for its beers and ales. Its flagship product, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, has been the number one selling craft beer brand in America for the past five years according to IRI scan data. The brewery is still 100% owned by Ken Grossman.
In addition to Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada makes a Wheat, Porter and Stout year-round, a host of draft-only specialty beers, and offers five seasonal beers.
On September 16, 2007 Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.-one of the innovators of the craft brewing renaissance since its founding in 1980-commissioned the first phase of what will be one of the country's largest private solar installations. This commissioning comes on the heels of the installation of four 250-kilowatt co-generation fuel cell power units, also one of the largest fuel cell installations in the United States.
“With the addition of our solar panels, we are approaching our goal of providing 100% of our energy needs with clean on-site alternative energy generation,” said brewery founder and CEO Ken Grossman.
When completed in 2008, the solar project will produce over 1.4 MW of AC power for the brewery. This—coupled with its existing 1 MW fuel cell plant—will provide for the majority of the brewery’s electrical energy needs with clean power produced on-site. Surplus electrical energy will be available to help supply the overloaded California power grid during peak power usage periods.
The already completed 442-kW elevated tracking array generates a significant amount of electricity to power brewery operations, as well as providing the added benefit of shaded parking for brewery and restaurant visitors as well as employees. Over 2000 Sunpower 220-watt high-efficiency panels were installed utilizing an intelligent tracking system that aims the array toward the sun throughout the day, increasing the output almost 30% over a fixed panel installation. This system should provide a total 892,859 per year of kilowatt hour (kWh) power output.
The next phase of installation is currently underway. Covering a majority of the brewing facility’s roofs, this system will utilize over 6700 Mitsubishi 185-watt lead-free panels. This installation will produce an additional 1 MW of AC power, and should be completed by early 2009.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was founded in 1980 and is one of America’s first microbreweries. Since its inception almost thirty years ago, it has pioneered many innovations to conserve resources and focus on sustainable business practices. It is regarded as the standard of quality for American craft brewers and has won numerous awards for its beers and ales. The brewery continues to be 100% owned by founder Ken Grossman.
In addition to Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada makes a Wheat, Porter and Stout year-round, a host of draft-only specialty beers, and offers four seasonal beers.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Releases First Bottles of Harvest Ale
For the second time this year, Sierra Nevada is bottling one of its limited draft-only beers. The
company, which recently released its 27th Anniversary Ale for the first time in bottles, has
decided to do the same with one of its most coveted brews, Harvest Ale, a fresh hop ale
scheduled for release in late September.
"People have been asking us to bottle Harvest for years and we just didn't have the capacity to
do it," said brewery owner and founder Ken Grossman. "Each fall we gear up for production of
our winter seasonal beer, and up until now that hasn't left room for us to do any of our specialty
beers. But this year we decided we would find a way to bottle Harvest Ale, because so many
people have asked for it."
Eleven years ago, Sierra Nevada was the first American brewer to experiment with "fresh hops"
when brewing their first batch of Harvest Ale, using nothing but hops that had been harvested in
Yakima, Washington the same day. Freshly harvested hops are richer in the hop oils that impart
hop aroma and spiciness into beer. The popularity of Harvest Ale-combined with the growing
enthusiasm for highly-hopped ales among craft beer aficionados-has created dozens of new
entries into the fresh-hop ale category.
Brewing fresh hop ales for eleven years has really helped Sierra Nevada understand that fresh
hop ales are more art than science. "As the brewing develops, you usually find that you have
more or less of one variety than the other," said head brewer Steve Dresler. "This allows you to
reformulate the brews as you go along to use all the hops shipped, and consequently the different
fermenters each have unique flavors and aromas that can be experienced prior to blending."
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was founded in 1980 and is one of America's first microbreweries. It
is regarded as the standard of quality for American craft brewers and has won numerous awards
for its beers and ales. Its flagship product, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, has been the number one
selling craft beer brand in America for the past five years according to IRI scan data. The
brewery, located in Chico, California, is still 100% owned by Ken Grossman.
In addition to Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada makes a Wheat, Porter and Stout year-round, a host of
draft-only specialty beers, and offers five seasonal beers. Harvest Ale will be available in
limited supply nationwide in 24-oz. bottles and draft. The cost is slightly above Sierra Nevada's
year-round products.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Celebrates 27 Years of Brewing: Release of Anniversary Ale
For the first time in its 27-year history, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. will release its Anniversary Ale in bottles. For years, this coveted beer has only been available in the brewery pub in Chico, California during the fall season when the company celebrates the anniversary of its founding in 1980.
“When we heard people had driven all the way from San Francisco last year to try some of this beer, and how disappointed they were when they couldn’t take some home, we figured it was time to make our Anniversary Ale available to everyone on a consistent basis,” said brewery founder and CEO Ken Grossman.
Despite the pent-up demand, the company has historically only been able to produce its Anniversary Ale intermittently. Yet that hasn’t stemmed interest from devout followers who eagerly anticipate anything new from Sierra Nevada, which has been one of the innovators of the craft brewing renaissance since its founding in 1980.
“Ever since we put out our 25th Anniversary Ale in 2005, the demand to make this an annual beer has increased,” said Sierra Grossman, the company’s brand manager and daughter of the founder. “Since we don’t offer growlers to-go at the brewery, people have been pretty frustrated over the years that they haven’t been able to take any Anniversary Ale home.”
The 2007 Anniversary Ale features prominent usage of Cascade hops– the signature hop used in Sierra Nevada’s most popular product, Pale Ale. It is an American Style IPA with a big, fragrant pine and citrus hop aroma balanced by the sweetness of two-row pale and caramel malt. It finishes with an additional Cascade dry-hopping creating a big hop aroma Sierra Nevada fans will look forward to.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was founded in 1980 and is one of America’s first microbreweries. It is regarded as the standard of quality for American craft brewers and has won numerous awards for its beers and ales. Its flagship product, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, has been the number one selling craft beer brand in America for the past five years according to IRI scan data. The brewery is still 100% owned by Ken Grossman.
In addition to Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada makes a Wheat, Porter and Stout year-round, a host of draft-only specialty beers, and offers five seasonal beers.
Sierra Nevada Pioneers Change Again: Utilizes New Barrier Crown Technology To Keep Beer Fresh, Longer
In March 2007, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. quietly embraced a new technology with the introduction of an innovative barrier crown that actually helps keep beer fresher; blocking oxygen ingress longer without using oxygen-absorbing compounds.
Initially, the Chico, California brewer switched its crowns as the final phase of a multi-year test by limiting the new crown to its Summerfest beer. Now, Sierra Nevada is committing fully to the switchover, and has begun the process of utilizing the new barrier crown technology with all its brews, including Sierra Nevada's flagship Pale Ale. The new pry-off crown offers an increased oxygen barrier due to its density and oxygen barrier properties. The bottle cap or "crown" that is used to seal most beer and other carbonated beverages has been in existence for over a hundred years. Cork was originally used as the crown sealing liner material for its good resiliency and sealing abilities. Synthetic materials were developed to replace cork due to shortages and processing challenges of using natural cork.
“We are always looking for new ways to ensure our beer reaches our drinkers as fresh as possible,” said brewery founder Ken Grossman. “It took a lot for us to give up the convenience of our twist-off cap. But we’ve researched and tested oxygen ingress through crown lining material since 1991 and continued until we found a new material that substantially reduced it.”
Oxygen is the enemy of beer as it causes beer to lose a significant amount of flavor compounds that are essential to taste. Minute amounts of oxygen can pass through the lining of a crown over time, even with a carbonated beverage, affecting the flavor of the beer. While it may be tough to notice this flavor degradation to the average consumer, it is essential to artisan brewers like Sierra Nevada whose drinkers are more discerning and expect a full range of flavor in every bottle.
“We are one of the few brewers in the world who go to the trouble and expense of using nothing but whole cone hops, and hops are one of the first things to lose flavor when oxygen hits the beer,” said Grossman. “If the beer doesn’t reach the consumer in the freshest state possible, all of our time and efforts are wasted.”
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was founded in 1980 and is one of America’s first microbreweries. It is regarded as the standard of quality for American craft brewers and has won numerous awards for its beers and ales. Its flagship product, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, has been the number one selling craft beer brand in America for the past five years according to IRI scan data. The brewery is still 100% owned by Ken Grossman.
In addition to Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada makes a Wheat, Porter and Stout year-round, a host of draft-only specialty beers, and offers five seasonal beers including their Anniversary Ale, which will be bottled for the first time this August.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. to Combat Climate Change
Beer Brewer Commits to Cooling Trend
LOS ANGELES, California - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has joined the California Climate Action Registry (Registry), a distinguished group of organizations demonstrating leadership by voluntarily taking action on climate change. Sierra Nevada is the first brewing company to participate in this rigorous program. As a member, Sierra Nevada will work with the Registry to annually track, report and certify its greenhouse gas emissions, the main drivers of global warming.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is considered the premier craft brewery in the United States, well known for creating the landmark Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Beginning in 1980 in the town of Chico, California, owner Ken Grossman founded this independent brewery which now produces over six hundred thousand barrels per year and is distributed widely. With comprehensive energy efficiency, recycling, and waste water programs in place, they are a leader in environmentally responsible business practices.
The Registry, created by the California legislature in 2000, is a non-profit public/private partnership that helps companies and organizations throughout the United States to track, publicly report and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The results are certified by independent third parties to ensure compliance with Registry protocols and standardization across participants and sectors. The Registry has been widely recognized as a gold standard for public reporting of greenhouse gases.
“Sierra Nevada has a long history of environmentally sustainable practices. Joining the Registry to track and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions is a natural extension of this leadership,” said Ken Grossman, President.
“Sierra Nevada is an innovative business making a positive difference to the environment by how they choose to conduct their operations. We are pleased to welcome them to the Registry community.”said Diane Wittenberg, President of the California Climate Action Registry.
The California Climate Action Registry is a non-profit public/private partnership that serves as a voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) registry to protect, encourage, and promote early actions to reduce GHG emissions. Over 200 major companies, cities, government agencies and NGOs measure and publicly report their GHG emissions through the Registry. www.climateregistry.org
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has a proud history as one of the pioneers of the craft brewing industry and as a brewer of award-winning beers since 1980. The brewery is driven to operate in an efficient and environmentally sound manner. Sierra Nevada considers resourcefulness a philosophy and has pioneered efforts to integrate environmental values into management decisions and practices. More information is available at www.sierranevada.com
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Receives State’s Top Environmental Honor for Sustainable Practices – Waste Reduction & Recycling
CHICO—During a ceremony held November 22, 2005 in Sacramento, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was recognized by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as one of California’s best business waste cutters for its ongoing program of recycling, resource conservation, and innovative waste reduction efforts.
In a press release issued by his office, Governor Schwarzenegger said, "Californians take very seriously their commitment to preserving the beauty and health of the state we call home. I commend this year’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award recipients for their efforts in making California’s air, land, and water cleaner and safer.”
The "Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards" recognize Californians, California-based organizations and businesses that demonstrate outstanding environmental leadership by voluntarily working to conserve precious resources or improve the environment.
States Ken Grossman, President, Owner, and Founder of the brewery, “Receiving the Governor’s Award for our sustainability practices is extremely gratifying. We consider resourcefulness a philosophy and work hard at integrating environmental values into management decisions and practices. We are honored by this recognition.”
Founded in Chico in 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. ( SNBC) is the tenth largest brewery in the United States and produces ales and lagers of the highest quality. In March 2005, SNBC installed four 250-kilowatt fuel cell power units to supply electric power and heat to the brewery’s production processes—one of the largest commercial fuel cell projects in the United States. In November 2005, the brewery installed a CO 2 gas recovery plant to recover, clean, compress, liquefy, and place the gas into its 50-ton CO 2 storage vessel for reuse. SNBC also installed a $3 million wastewater treatment plant on site. Additionally, the company has reduced landfill and liquid discharges by recycling: 35.5 million pounds of grain; 512,000 pounds of hops; 11,025,000 pounds of yeast; and 800,000 pounds of glass, cardboard, office paper, and other materials. For more information, please visit www.sierranevada.com or call (530) 893-3520.
For more information on the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards, please visit the California Environmental Protection Agency online at www.calepa.ca.gov
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