"Torpedo Away...Sierra Nevada"

Sierra Nevada is a California iconic brewery and is almost synonymous with Pale Ale.  This "giant" craft brewery has very humble beginnings but, through all this growth, they still maintain their craft passion.  I had always wanted to visit the brewery but, rarely do I pass through Chico and as Danny and I were planning our trip, I decided now was the time.

Ken Grossman originally learned to homebrew from a close friend's father.  From an early age he was enamored with the art and science of brewing.  During a trip with friends through Northern California, he fell in love with Chico and decided to move from his Southern California home.  Ken decided to open a homebrew supply shop in downtown Chico and began honing his craft alongside fellow homebrewer Paul Camusi.  Their craft brews were beginning to get noticed.  During the 1970's, not many hops were available for homebrewers.  Ken decided to go straight to the source in Yakima, Washington.  He returned with 100 pounds of whole cone hops and so begun the signature of Sierra Nevada and their hop-forward beers.

*Centennial whole hops...nothing has changed in 35 + years

In 1979, Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi establish Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico, California.  Following early pioneers like Anchor Brewing and New Albion Brewing, Sierra begins selling a craft beer with real taste and body.  Their Pale Ale is an immediate hit and Americans start to think twice about drinking adjunct bland lagers.

*The Hospitality Center is First Class and very welcoming

*Can't begin a tour without a little taste

*Beautiful German copper brewing vessel in the Hupmann brewhouse

*That is Ken Grossman on the left...look for him in the new brewhouse!

*Torpedos Away!  These are the nefarious Hop Torpedos

*Beer doesn't get any fresher than drinking straight from the "Mother's Tit"...Hoptimum!

*These guys are brewing and bottling 24/7

*Keeping up with the demand

The brewery also has an amazing restaurant and garden on the property.  The garden is a little more VIP and not sure if it is part of the regular tour but, the vegetables and fruit are used exclusively for the restaurant.

*Sierra Nevadas garden

*Sierra also grows a limited amount of hops on the property

If you are heading to the brewery or anywhere near Chico, do yourself a favor and stop by the restaurant and have the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale battered Fish and Chips!  I love a good Fish and Chips and these are probably one of the best I have ever had!

Thank you Sierra Nevada for doing all you do!  A huge thank you to Steve Grossman for taking such great care of us!  Cheers!

http://www.sierranevada.com/