Let me tell you, you haven’t lived until you’ve gone to beer camp. I went to Oldenberg’s Beer Camp in Fort Mitchell, KY many moons ago. And while that brewery (sadly) is now defunct, others have taken up the banner of beer camp. One of them is Sierra Nevada Brewing of Chico, California. This Beer Camp is a little different, however, so it’s probably best to explain why.

Oldenberg’s camp was all about drinking beer, experiencing beer, learning about beer, and enjoying beer. Sierra Nevada’s camp has all that going for it too, but with one important difference: you get to make beer, too. It’s also a bit tougher to get into. To attend Oldenberg Beer Camp, one plunked down one’s hard earned cash and got to Fort Mitchell (just outside Cincinnati). Money won’t buy your way into Sierra Nevada’s camp. Instead, you have to go the Beer Camp Website and make a case as to why you should be selected as a Beer Camper.

Even if you don’t get to go, though, you can still enjoy the fruits of Beer Campers’ labors in the Sierra Nevada Best of Beer Camp 12-pack sampler. The sampler offers 3 bottles each of four different past beer camp favorites. Under consideration tonight: Sierra Nevada Beer Camp #8 California Common.

At camp, this beer was called “Nuthin’ in Common Beer” and was first brewed at the 2009 camp. The beer is obviously a California Common by style and has 6.5% alcohol by volume. The most famous example of the style is Anchor Steam beer, though only Anchor can use the “Steam” designation.

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp #8 California Common pours to a golden amber color with a moderate foamy head of loosely packed large bubbles and an enticing soft malty nose. Steam beer gets its name from the high carbonation it contains, and this beer lives up to that. A steady stream of bubbles rises from the bottom of my glass to the head in a never ending procession. Taking a sip, I like what I taste, a firm malty body dominated by chewy caramel and a hint of fruit lead up to a drying hop finish that’s perhaps just a tad more bitter and aromatic than the classic Anchor Steam.

Still, this is a worthy salute to a legend, and a great beer to serve with food. I enjoyed a bottle with roast chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and fresh asparagus.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft



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