Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp Goes International

By Lee Heidel Published January 6, 2020

The 2017 edition of the Beer Camp collaboration beer series hits shelves in June.

Sierra Nevada is one of a handful of pioneering breweries responsible for the current state of American craft beer. Without iconic brews like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Torpedo, we wouldn’t have the multitude of hoppy, outrageous, and extreme choices on the market today.

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For the uninitiated, the Beer Camp concept is a welcome excuse for Sierra Nevada brewers to work with younger creative breweries to test exciting, boundary-breaking recipes. Previous years have seen fan favorites like Cigar City, Wicked Weed and Creature Comforts bringing their unique visions to the Beer Camp signature mixed 12-pack format.

Not content with only pioneering American craft beer, Sierra Nevada has opened up to the world for the 2017 edition of its highly anticipated collaboration beer series. Six domestic breweries are joined by 6 international ones to make this year’s Beer Camp release a truly globe-spanning celebration of craft beer. Expected highlights include White IPA with Yuzu, brewed with Kiuchi Brewery in Japan, Denmark brewery Mikkeller’s collaboration Thai-Style Ice Tea and Ginger Lager made with Minnesota’s Surly Brewing. Other breweries taking part include The Bruery, Boneyard Beer, Tree House Brewing Co., Duvel Moortgat, Saint Arnold, Avery Brewing, Garage Project, Fuller’s Brewery and Ayinger Brewery.

As with previous years, the beer release is accompanied by a roving beer festival, Beer Camp on Tour, hitting 8 U.S. cities from coast to coast this June. More than 700 breweries took part in the 2016 festivals and a similar number can be expected for 2017.

See what the hype is about first hand at the following cities for Beer Camp on Tour, or pick up the Beer Camp mixed 12-pack on store shelves this June for its one-time only national release.

Portland, ME – June 3
San Francisco, CA – June 3
Chicago, IL – June 10
Philadelphia, PA – June 17
Raleigh, NC – June 17
Austin, TX – June 24
Long Beach, CA – June 24
Seattle, WA – June 30

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Liquor, Beer, Wine & Drinks

Lee Heidel is the managing editor of Brew/Drink/Run, a website and podcast that promotes brewing your own beer, consuming the…

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Miller Lite’s simple hack for a cold beer all summer long is genius (and keeps selling out)

Get ready to kick yourself for not thinking of this hack before now

Glass of beer with a black background

Every now and then, an idea comes along that has us wondering how in the world it took so long for something so obvious to come to light. Those forehead slapping why-didn't-I-think-of-that moments. Well, brace yourself, because you're about to experience one such moment, courtesy of Miller Lite. If you've ever had the frustrating experience of room-temperature beer and lacked the patience to wait for the refrigerator to do its job, this clever little hack is for you. Miller Lite isn't just releasing retro gear and Christmas tree keg stands — the company has just released beer cube trays.
While Miller Lite has come up with some interesting ideas in the past, we are completely on board with this one. The idea is simple — ice cubes made from frozen beer instead of water. The pros? Instantly chilled beer without the worry of watery ice cubes diluting the flavor.
The cons? None. There are no cons. This idea is brilliant. What's more is that the molds of Miller Lite's beer cube trays are shaped into adorable tiny little beer cans, making them perfect for slipping into your can of brew. Plus, they're freaking adorable. The only problem is that since their release, they've become so popular that Miller Lite can hardly keep them in stock, so get them if you can. (At the time of writing, three different drops had sold out, but the company site says more will be in stock Monday.)

Of course, frozen beer cubes can be made from any of your favorite beers, in any perfectly charmless old ice cube tray from the grocery store. Simply pour your favorite beer into an ice cube tray, freeze, and voila! Beer cubes. Sure, they may not be as cute as Miller Lite's, but the benefits are the same — ice-cold beer in mere moments. And no watered-down taste? Who cares what the damned tray looks like?
People have been using ice cube trays in non-water applications for ages. Coffee ice cubes have been a thing for a while now. Simply pour a little of that leftover coffee into trays and freeze for a great way to enjoy your cold brew all day long without fear of losing any of that preciously caffeinated flavor. Or cool down a punch bowl with cubes of your frozen concoction for an icy treat that will stay flavorful for the whole party. You can even use your ice cube trays to portion out and freeze fresh herbs in oil for summertime flavor in wintertime meals. The possibilities really are immense.
If we're honest, though, this has got to be the cleverest idea so far. And yet, perhaps the most frustrating one at the same time. So thanks, Miller Lite, for pointing out what should have been so glaringly obvious for decades now: That the answer to warm, tepid beer has been in our freezers this whole time. So excuse us,while we go and buy all the ice cube trays.

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This is the drink that replaced Bud Light as the most popular beer in the U.S.

Bud Light and America have long been close. But there's a new most popular beer in the states.

Negra Modelo

For the first time in about a generation, the most popular beer in the states is not American. That's right, Bud Light has lost its place on the throne, replaced by the likes of Modelo Especial of Mexico. What can we deduce from this change in popular beers?

The margins are thin, and Budweiser may still win out in terms of total year sales, but this is still a significant storyline. A few things are unfolding here, which speak to larger themes that exist within the beverage industry and at large.
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Get To Know 6 Trending Types of Beer Hops

beer hops types

If you blink, you'll miss the debut of a new beer hop variety. The craft suds scene changes so fast it can be hard to keep up with, even when you follow the industry closely or are even part of it.

We've got you covered. New options may be coming to market in droves, but only the best make it big in beer land. As you shop for beer, scan the labels or talk up your bottle shop steward to see what hops are included. IPAs especially tend to wear the hop bill on its sleeve, a proud proclamation of what varieties made it into the brew. Think of hops like grape varieties in a good blended wine -- they play a key role in building the beer, and soon you'll begin to hone in on the ones you really like.