Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Little has changed since we passed through almost 8 years ago, except for the massive solar field covering the parking lot. In 2007, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company commissioned the largest privately owned solar array in the U.S. (pictured above, right). Not shown is the 250 kilowatt fuel cell power unit used to power and heat the brewery. The methane generated at their waste water treatment plant is used as a fuel source.

Also shown above is Sierra's experimental hop field located in the field next to the tap room. The Cascade, Centennial and Chinook varieties grown on site are used fresh in the Chico Estate Harvest Ale.

The restaurant is sustainable as well, using beef from their own locally raised herd fed on brewer's yeast with beer and spent grains from the brewery. Breads and pizzas are made from spent grains too.

And finally the beer... Sierra's most known for their Pale, distributed nation-wide. But their true gems are the seasonals, which rarely make it into bottles. I had the Brown Saison made with roasted malt, Belgian yeast, coriander, star anise, orange peel and juniper berries. Potent and refreshing at 7.8% ABV.