Sierra Nevada Brewing has been churning out delicious, consistent beers for several decades. The Chico, California based craft brewery has kept beer fans more than satisfied with its ubiquitous Pale Ale, distinctively hoppy Celebration Ale, and a host of other brews. If Sierra Nevada continued down the familiar malt beverage highway for the remainder of its existence, beer lovers young and old would have no reason to object. But Sierra Nevada Brewing isn’t one to play it safe forever and to show its willingness to step outside its comfort zone, the brewery has announced the release of its first ever non- beer product: Strainge Beast, an unpasteurized, USDA Certified Organic hard kombucha.
Many craft beer fans are likely unaware of the changes at Sierra Nevada Brewing, so let me fill you in. The brewery now has a newly formed division known as the Chico Fermentation Project. Its mission is to experiment with anything that is fermentable and when you think about all the different fermentable ingredients that exist and the number of ways different flavors can be combined, the possibilities for Chico Fermentation Project are truly limitless.
Sierra Nevada Founder and President Ken Grossman is a fan of kombucha and he loves what the members of this new division have created.
“I love it”, said Grossman. “I’ve been drinking kombucha for some time, and the team has done a fantastic job of coming up with really nice flavor and balance,” Grossman added.
Grossman also said that he has no problem whatsoever with brewing beverages other than beer, provided they measure up to Sierra Nevada’s tough standards.
“As long as the product has providence and soul, I’m good with it. Like beer, kombucha allows you to become an alchemist, morphing natural, raw ingredients into something amazing to drink,” Grossman stated.
Strainge Beast’s first flavor offering will be Ginger, Lemon & Hibiscus, a drink that combines these three signature flavors with organic black and green teas. The beverage contains 7 percent alcohol by volume and Sierra Nevada Director of Technical brewing and Innovation Sean Lavery says this initial offering serves up flavors that are like that of a spicy tea, with an added kick.
“The tea flavor comes through, as does a nice clean acidity,” said Lavery. “The lemon adds a refreshing burst of citrus, the ginger is bright with some heat, and the hibiscus lends a floral flavor and a brilliant magenta color,” Lavery added.
Additional flavors on the release schedule include Blueberry, Acai & Sweet Basil and Passion Fruit, Hops & Blood Orange. Strainge Beast Ginger, Lemon & Hibiscus will debut on draft in select markets starting in March, launching first in San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, and Santa Cruz in California; Portland, Oregon; Phoenix, Arizona; Tampa, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Asheville and Raleigh, North Carolina. Strainge Beast will be released nationwide in cans in all three flavors in August, 2020.
As a kombucha fan I am interested in trying this. What a cool idea. Thanks so much for sharing.
I’m not much of a kombucha fan myself, but I do find this product intriguing and will try it. Anything with Sierra Nevada’s name on the label is bound to be good!