Brewery
Unclaimed profileSierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Has been an independent, family-owned brewery since 1980. The brewery produces a broad range of beers, from the balanced Pale Ale to the juicy Hazy Little Thing IPA, plus seasonal and limited releases. A dedicated non-alcoholic Trail Pass line includes a World Beer Cup gold-medal hazy IPA, and Hop Splash sparkling hop water offers a zero-alcohol, zero-calorie option. Visitors can explore rotating taps and beer flights.
- What should I order?
- Start with Pale Ale, a balanced, food-friendly classic that has defined the brewery for decades. For a hoppier pour, try Torpedo Extra IPA with its resinous pine and citrus notes. If you want a non-alcoholic option, Trail Pass Hazy IPA is a gold-medal winner. A beer flight is a good way to compare several styles.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Beer drinkers who appreciate a wide range of styles, from crisp lagers like PILS to malt-forward Bigfoot Barleywine-Style Ale. Those seeking non-alcoholic options will find a dedicated line, and anyone interested in a historic independent brewery will find plenty to explore.
- When should I go?
- Anytime you want to sample a variety of beers; flights make it easy to compare. Seasonal releases like Celebration Fresh Hop IPA and Oktoberfest are worth seeking out when available.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A family-owned brewery operating since 1980, Sierra Nevada maintains a broad portfolio that spans year-round, seasonal, high-altitude, limited-release, and non-alcoholic beers. The non-alcoholic Trail Pass Hazy IPA earned a World Beer Cup gold medal, and Hop Splash offers a zero-alcohol, zero-calorie, gluten-free sparkling hop water.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Beer
Sierra Nevada's beer portfolio spans year-round, seasonal, high-altitude, limited-release, and non-alcoholic brews. Named offerings include Pale Ale, Hazy Little Thing IPA, PILS, Torpedo Extra IPA, Celebration Fresh Hop IPA, Bigfoot Barleywine-Style Ale, Narwhal Imperial Stout, and Oktoberfest. Reviewers note a wide selection on tap with rotating and one-off options, and beer flights are a highlight.
Menu strengths
- — Family-owned independent brewery operating since 1980 with a broad portfolio.
- — Named selections cover a range of styles, from crisp PILS to malt-forward Bigfoot Barleywine-Style Ale.
- — Reviewers describe a wide selection of beers on tap, including rotating and one-off offerings, and highlight beer flights as a notable experience.
Standout selections
- — Pale Ale: Year-round handcrafted ale described as a balanced, food-friendly classic.
- — Hazy Little Thing IPA: Best-selling hazy IPA with juicy-citrus flavor and smooth haze.
- — Torpedo Extra IPA: Bold West Coast IPA with resinous pine and citrus flavors.
- — Celebration Fresh Hop IPA: Festive fresh-hop IPA with pine and citrus character.
Nonalcoholic
Trail Pass Hazy IPA: World Beer Cup gold medal-winning non-alcoholic hazy IPA with Mosaic and El Dorado hops; 100 calories.
Menu strengths
- — Dedicated non-alcoholic Trail Pass line with multiple styles and a gold-medal hazy IPA.
- — Hop Splash offers zero-alcohol, zero-calorie, gluten-free sparkling hop water options.
- — Non-alcoholic beers are brewed with a special yeast to keep ABV below 0.5%.
Standout selections
- — Trail Pass Hazy IPA: World Beer Cup gold medal-winning non-alcoholic hazy IPA with Mosaic and El Dorado hops; 100 calories.
- — Trail Pass IPA: Non-alcoholic IPA with Amarillo, Bravo, Cascade, CTZ, and Magnum hops; pine and citrus notes; 85 calories.
- — Trail Pass Golden: Smooth, malt-forward non-alcoholic beer; 71 calories.
- — Hop Splash: Sparkling hop water with Amarillo and Citra hops; zero alcohol, zero calories, zero gluten.
How it sits with the food
The brewery's blog covers food and beer pairings. Pale Ale is described as a balanced, food-friendly classic, and Bigfoot Barleywine-Style Ale is suited to rich foods and desserts.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
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