Sierra Nevada Brewing Previews Boat Plane New West Coast Pilsner for 2026

I can’t offer any explanation for the name just yet, but this morning brings your first look at an intriguing new canned lager coming soon from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., the iconic craft brewery with homes in Chico, California and Mills River, North Carolina. The beer is called Boat Plane, and it’s shaping up to be one of the more curious and conversation‑starting releases in Sierra Nevada’s upcoming lineup.

Boat Plane is described as a West Coast pilsner, a style that blends classic pilsner crispness with the bright, snappy hop character the West Coast is known for. This new lager will “fly in” at a clean and drinkable 6% ABV, offering a slightly stronger take on the modern hoppy pilsner trend while still keeping that refreshing, easy‑drinking profile intact.

The brewery will package Boat Plane in 16‑oz cans, each wrapped in artwork that leans into Sierra Nevada’s playful, exploratory side. While the name remains a mystery for now, it certainly adds to the intrigue and sets the stage for a story we’ll hopefully learn more about as the release approaches.

As always, Sierra Nevada continues to push boundaries within the craft lager space, and Boat Plane looks poised to join the growing wave of hop‑forward pilsners gaining traction across the U.S. craft beer market. Fans of crisp, aromatic, West Coast‑inspired lagers will want to keep this one on their radar.

Stay tuned for full release details, tasting notes, and, hopefully, an official explanation behind the Boat Plane name as we get closer to its 2026 debut.

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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