Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, California, USA · Est. 1980
Tally's Take
Why this matters
The spark of a revolution. Before Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, American beer was almost entirely light, flavorless lager. Grossman's aggressive use of the then-experimental Cascade hop — piney, citrusy — rewrote the nation's palate and laid the groundwork for the entire craft explosion.
The founding thesisHomebrewer Ken Grossman scrounged and welded recycled dairy equipment together to build his dream brewhouse.
The Museum
Timeline
- 1980Welded from scrap
Ken Grossman builds the original brewhouse from recycled dairy equipment.
- 1980Pale Ale debuts
The Cascade-forward Pale Ale becomes the template for American craft.
The People
Behind the beer
Homebrewer-turned-pioneer of the American craft beer movement; still family-owned.
The Beer Library
Beers
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Year-RoundAmerican Pale Ale
Defined by the then-experimental Cascade hop.
Travel Guide
Plan a visit
- Full kitchen
- Taproom
- Guided tours