Boring Sierra Nevada Pale Appreciation Issue

and can Sierra's non-hazy options ever return to store shelves?

Oct 29, 2022

Hi. Welcome back? to Drinking & Thinking. I hope this finds your inbox well and slightly buzzed.

I need to get some Sierra this weekend. Do we all know that when one simply says “Sierra” in the beer community, we are talking about Sierra Nevada Pale Ale?

Of course.

We are not talking about the mountain range (even though I am at the base of the Sierras), nor are we talking about other beers from Sierra Nevada, we are talking about the most clasic Craft Beer in existence, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Thank the Beer Gods that it is still on almost every grocery store shelf and has not really changed.

Imagine how terrible it would be (in many places) if the default option of all default Craft Beer options, wasn’t there.

Sadly it has dropped off many restaurant taps though.

It is at a point where it is difficult to find the draft option. It used to be the standard - at least where I am at (Firestone’s 805 seems to be the replacement for it).

But I know I can (and probably will today), run down to the store and get some, no questions asked (except when I check the date).

I think we should be regularly buying at least a 6-pack, for support and for palate resetting. And just because it’s a guest-friendly beer. I don’t take this advice enough as my fridge is regularly without Sierra.

Maybe I will see you down at the store today.

It’s not all perfect with store shelves and Sierra Nevada

I have been seeing some online (and hearing too) grumbling that all you see on the shelves are hazy and hoppy options.

Gone are the Stouts, Porters, and… well, everything not hoppy. Those are valid complaints:

Sierra Nevada options at the grocery store by my house

Sierra Nevada/distributors and grocery stores put out what sells. Sadly the regular-ass grocery store on your block, doesn’t have room to cater to us nerds. So you get some boring and safe hazy options.

I don’t know if Porters and Stouts will ever make a return enough to warrant the shelf space. I hope (and I say this as someone that doesn’t drink those styles much even), I really hope they do.

The beer world feels healthier when more styles are around.

*If you are in a cool enough state, you can try finding some non-haze options and have it sent directly from Sierra Nevada.