Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Beers

[Kealia]

How has nobody picked up a 12-pack of this yet and reviewed it? It's 12 different beers all brewed in collaboration with different breweries (3 Floyds, Firestone, Russian River, Bells and more). Read more about them here.

I haven't picked one up because there are too many styles that I don't like and I don't have drinking friends that would drink them either (*cough* Double Latter Coffee Milk Stout *cough*) BUT a buddy of mine scored two bottles of the Double IPA that SN used as "invitations" to the Beer Camp parties:



Hated it. Whatever hops they used in this did not agree with me. It smelled almost skunky and tasted the same way. It wasn't a bad bottle, though. My buddy already drank one and said they tasted the same - which he liked. I couldn't take more than two sips before handing him my glass to finish.

I'm unable to find out what they used other than "5 hop varieties with two dry hopped" but whatever the combo I hope I never come across it again

But, there are some beers in the 12-pack that look good and I'd love to know if others have tried them.

[jivex5k]

My buddy still has my 12 pack, plan on reviewing each one. That's a shame it wasn't up your alley.

[Kealia]

Normally if I don't like an IPA or IIPA it just doesn't jive with me, but this just tasted bad to me.

I'm looking forward to your reviews since there are a few beers in there that do interest me. Maybe I'll just pick up the pack and use the others for chili or something...hmm.....

[Beer-lord]

That's not going to be available here and I assume they were fresh but some hops just don't jive (apologies jivex5k) with some tastes. So far Summit has not been to favorable to me but I'm trying to find other hops it jives (?) with.
I'm waiting to see if my Mosaic IPA is ok with my tasty buds.

[Kealia]

That's too bad Paul. There are some great collaborations in there. The more I think about it, the more I am talking myself into buying a pack.

I like Mosiac. IIRC, they are 'bright' and 'floral'. I think you'll like - but I don't think they are dank.

[Beer-lord]

I've got a bit more than 5 gallons in the fermenter so I WILL LIKE IT! Prolly won't be outstanding but as long as it's drinkable, I can survive.
Now I'm wondering if it will be here because we do get lots of SN beers but I'm not sure if the collaboration stuff is something that comes this way. Now that they've got a place on the East Coast, things should be all good here soon.

[Kealia]

The ones that really interest me are:
Belgian Pale Ale with Allagash
Hoppy Pilsner with Firestone (although I'm not a huge Pilsner fan, I love FW's stuff)
Belgian Blonde with Russian River
IPL with Ballast Point
Pale Ale with 3 Floyds

[jivex5k]

Yeah the brewery list...every one listed is a great brewery.
Cigar City - Easily my favorite brewery. Zhukov, Jai Alai, Tocobaga
Russian River - The masters that make Pliny and Beatification
New Glarus - Makers of Raspberry Tart and Wisconsin Red
Victory - Storm King and Dirtwolf
Ballast Point - Sculpin
Firestone - Parabola
3 Floyds - Zombie Dust
Allagash - Heard of them but never had a beer from them, good reputation.
Ninkasi - never heard of em
Asheville Brewers - No idea, but my friend went to asheville recently, I think this is a mix of breweries like Wicked Weed and other local NC ones
Bell's - Two Hearted, Black Note, Expedition
Oskar Blues - G'Knight and Ten Fidy

All the beers I've listed I've personally tasted and they are all fantastic. I find myself following breweries more than anything these days as a guide to quality, so while I may not have had a beer from every single one there are enough that I have had, and considered top tier quality to warrant a purchase.
Hell, it's only 25 bucks, even if I end up hating every beer in the pack it will be fun to see what each brewery brings to the table.

[Beer-lord]

I want to try the IPL. Gonna look for this stuff but I have more beer than I can drink. Anyone going to be in my area this weekend to help me clear up some stock?

[The_Professor]

I just picked up this sampler today.

I'm drinking the Altbier (Alt Route) right now. Not bad.

Nothing looked terrible to me in the descriptions.

Two of the beers are in 12oz cans. The Rye Bock (CANfusion) and the Tropical (???) Maibock (Yonder Bock).

[John Sand]

I haven't seen it, but I'll look.
BeerLord, I think you'll like your Mosaic IPA. I tried Blue Point's Mosaic Session IPA. I loved the hops, though I didn't care for it any more than most session IPAs. It did make me want to use Mosaic. I just have to finish a lot of other hops first.

[jivex5k]

Got it, here are my notes so far:
Ballast Point Electric Ray - Awesome IPA, super fruit, juicy, hoppy, and just enough bitterness.
3 Floyds Chico King - Hoppy and clean, sessionable.
Ninkasi Double Latte - Favorite so far, freaking coffee bomb. Realllllllly good.
New Glarus There and Back - Good ESB. Extremely crisp, great summer beer.

I'll post about more when I taste them. Really looking forward to the Maibock from CCB, they are my all time favorite brewery.

[Kealia]

Clearly the beer gods want me to taste these beers. Here is what a new, local beer shop posted today:

"This Wed can't get here soon enough! Sierra Nevada Beer Camp & Collaborative Brewers Tap Takeover from 5 til close! Plenty of 24 pks are available & great raffle prizes! Big Cheers from Chico!!"

Quickly followed by:
"Aptos St. BBQ is coming to Soquel! For Beer Camp, that is...
Pre-order from their menu starting today http://aptosstbbq.com/bbq.html and they will deliver to the beer garden tomorrow during the event. Delivery times are 5:30, 6:30 & 7:30. Reserve your BBQ! (831) 662-1721 Tell 'em Beer Thirty sent you!"

[The_Professor]

The Maillard's Odyssey Imperial Dark Ale is really good.

[Kealia]

It has "dark" right in the name, man!