We are excited to offer Sierra Nevada Estate Ale in which 100% of the barley and hops are grown on site in Chico CA. As it turns out, yet sort of not surprisingly, this is rarely done anywhere in the world. The hops were planted in 2003, slowly harvested and used year after year. The soil improved and barley was planted. This year Sierra Nevada deemed the crop beer worthy, and indeed, the beer, an American IPA with classic Sierra Nevada crisp piney and citrus-y flavors, is great.
It should be noted that Sierra Nevada has been a huge leader in environmentalism and sustainability with a very attainable goal of soon being 100% self sustainable. Currently the brewery has four fuel-cell power units to provide heat for production and a gas recovery plant in which they capture CO2, clean it, compress it, liquify it and do other things to it that make it ready for reuse. Sierra Nevada also has a ton of solar panels that provide not only enough power for the brewery, restaurant and tap room, but enough overflow to contribute to the California power grid during peak usage times. Kudos Sierra Nevada, you are totally awesome.
Sierra Nevada brewed a special pilsner for the Phish festival in Indio called “Foam”, which is named after a Phish song. They sent 150 kegs down to the festival and they didn’t even make it to day 2! Rock on!