Sierra Nevada Brewing Unveils 2026 Brewers Retreat West Coast IPA — An Eight‑Brewery Collaboration Blend

Today I’m excited to share a major new 2026 collaboration release coming from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico, California, brewed exclusively for the 2026 Brewers Retreat. This special‑edition beer is called Brewers Retreat 2026 West Coast IPA, and it represents one of the most ambitious multi‑brewery collaboration projects of the year.

What makes this beer truly unique is its production method: the final IPA is a fermentation blend, created by combining multiple individual brews, each crafted by a different participating brewery, into a single fermenter at Sierra Nevada. This approach captures the collective creativity, technique, and brewing philosophy of some of the most respected names in American craft beer.

The eight breweries contributing to this 2026 collaboration include:

• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
• Firestone Walker Brewing Company
• Burial Beer Co.
• WeldWerks Brewing Co.
• Green Bench Brewing Co.
• Scratch Brewing Co.
• Fonta Flora Brewery
• Russian River Brewing Company

Each brewery produced its own IPA wort, which was then blended together at Sierra Nevada to create a unified, expressive West Coast IPA that showcases the best of modern hop character, classic bitterness, and collaborative brewing spirit.

The finished beer lands at 7.6% ABV, positioning it squarely in the bold, aromatic, hop‑forward territory that defines the West Coast IPA style. Expect bright citrus, resinous pine, layered hop complexity, and the kind of crisp, clean finish that has made West Coast IPAs a cornerstone of the craft beer world.

This release comes packaged in a 16‑oz can clearly marked “Not Packaged For Resale,” emphasizing its exclusive nature and its role as a Brewers Retreat‑only offering. As with previous Retreat beers, this one is brewed and canned entirely by Sierra Nevada, honoring the collaborative recipes while ensuring consistent quality and execution.

As we get closer to the 2026 Brewers Retreat, expect more details on hop varieties, brewing techniques, and tasting notes for this standout collaboration. For now, consider this your first official look at one of the most exciting 2026 West Coast IPA releases and one of the most significant multi‑brewery collaborations of the year.

Stay tuned for more Sierra Nevada Brewing 2026 release updates, Brewers Retreat coverage, and full tasting‑note breakdowns as they become available.

Label Text Sierra Nevada 2026 Brewers Retreat:

“This collaboration IPA celebrates the spirit of our craft beer industry. It was originally composed of multiple brews blended into a single fermenter. These brews were created by teams from the following craft breweries: Sierra Nevada, Russian River, Firestone Walker, Burial, WeldWerks, Green Bench, Scratch, Fonta Flora. It has been faithfully brewed and packaged by the host brewery, Sierra Nevada, for your enjoyment.”

About Sierra Nevada Brewing:

Our founder, Ken Grossman, made a habit of chasing curiosity. His early years of backyard tinkering and covert science projects set the stage for the ultimate discovery: homebrewing.
 
Fascinated by the alchemy of fermentation, Ken opened The Home Brew Shop in Chico, slowly playing with more hop-forward flavors at a time when American beer wasn’t known for taking chances.  

When he finally started a brewery, Ken scoured salvage yards and defunct dairies to find the tanks, pipes, and valves he needed to hand-build Sierra Nevada’s original brewhouse.
 
On November 15, 1980, he put his first batch of craft beer to the test. That heady stout was a 13-hour labor of love, and after one sip, he knew he had a keeper. The Pale Ale that followed sparked a true craft beer revolution. The adventure’s never stopped, and our curiosity’s still brewing.

We brew and do business like the planet’s future depends on it. We’re committed to operating sustainably, from slashing our environmental impact and producing alternative energy to farming onsite with regenerative agriculture.

Visit
Mills River, NC100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, NC 287321 (828) 681-5300
Chico, CA1075 East 20th Street, Chico, CA 959281 (530) 893-3520

Inspired by frequent trips to the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, Ken Grossman founded Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in 1980 and it remains family-owned and operated. Highly regarded for using only the finest quality ingredients, Sierra Nevada has set the standard for craft brewers worldwide with innovations in the brewhouse and in its sustainability efforts. The pioneering spirit that launched Sierra Nevada now spans both coasts with breweries in Chico, California and Mills River, North Carolina. Sierra Nevada is famous for its extensive line of beers including Pale Ale, Hazy Little Thing®, Torpedo® and a host of seasonal, specialty and limited release beers. Learn more at www.sierranevada.com.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is a craft brewery in Chico, California that was founded in 1980 by Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi. It’s the longest-running craft startup in the United States.

Features
Known for: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, which is the best-selling craft beer in the country
Other beers: Bigfoot, Celebration Ale, and Resilience Butte County Proud IPA
Brewing techniques: Uses premium ingredients and time-honored brewing techniques
Environmental initiatives: Pioneering new environmental initiatives

History
The original brewhouse was hand-built by Grossman
Grossman found tanks, pipes, and valves for the brewery at salvage yards and defunct dairies.

The name comes from Grossman’s love of hiking in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is a highly influential and popular craft brewery in the United States, founded in 1979 by Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi. They are known for their quality, integrity, and commitment to sustainability. Sierra Nevada is a family business, with Ken Grossman still involved in the brewery’s operations. They have a flagship beer, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, which is a top-selling craft brand.

Founding and Early Years:

Sierra Nevada started as a homebrewing passion for Ken Grossman, who eventually opened a homebrew shop and then founded the brewery. He hand-built his first brewhouse, utilizing salvaged equipment.

Growth and Expansion:The brewery grew rapidly, expanding its production and opening a second location in Mills River, North Carolina in 2014.

Focus on Quality and Sustainability:

Sierra Nevada emphasizes quality in its brewing process, using premium ingredients and time-honored techniques. They are also known for their commitment to sustainability, having earned the “Green Business of the Year” award from the EPA.

Key Products: Besides their flagship Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada produces a wide range of beers, including Torpedo Extra IPA, Kellerweis, and various seasonal and limited-release brews.

Impact and Influence:Sierra Nevada is considered one of the earliest and most influential American craft breweries, playing a significant role in the craft beer movement.

Community and Philanthropy:Sierra Nevada is involved in community outreach and has partnerships with organizations like the National Park Foundation.

Visit and Experience:Sierra Nevada has a taproom and restaurant in Chico, California, where visitors can sample their beers and enjoy farm-to-table fare. They also have a live music venue and offer brewery tours.

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