Rarely does one find such outstanding beer with such a unique history, vision and success story. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has not only proven itself as a superior product but their mission is leaving the planet a better place in the process.
We recently had the pleasure of touring the facility and this brewery tour stands out as the most interesting we had ever experienced. The tasting at the end was not only enjoyable from a beer lover’s perspective but the history, craft, and education behind the experience was unforgettable.
I thought I knew a lot about beer. I’ve toured breweries in more than half the states in our country and have even tried a little home brewing but I learned a great deal and most importantly a deep appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes at Sierra Nevada. I will never look at a Pale Ale the same again.
The amazing part is that their beers have become famous the world over while being such amazing stewards of their resources. Recycling, composting water treatment, solar, bio-fuel production, water conservation, organic gardening, sustainable farming, carbon dioxide recovery, vehicle charging stations, estate agriculture, rail shipping, and more. They don’t just talk about it, they do it and they do most of it first. With the first HotRot Composting System in the US in 2010 to the 1997 equipping of vapor condensers to utilize heat recovery, they have set the stage and raised the bar for everyone else in the industry.
Let’s not forget the beer. It’s not actually green in color, but better for the planet and better for you. Estate hops grown on the largest hop field in the state of California is just one tiny facet of these gems. Sierra Nevada is one of the only breweries in the world to produce a 100% estate made ale thanks to 26 acres of estate grown barley.
The next time your travels take you anywhere near Northern California, a tour of Sierra Nevada is in order. Make plans to stay for lunch. It can be a wonderful way to relax away an afternoon for a couple on a road trip. With great food, great beer, and terrific vision, Sierra Nevada Brewery offers everyone a thoroughly wonderful and inspiring experience.