Sierra Nevada's Beer Camp Across the World Hitting Shelves

Beer Camp is the craft beer industry’s largest collaboration effort and showcases the art, spirit and attitude of craft beer. It's also become an annual tradition--something craft beer fans can look forward to.

This year, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has partnered with 12 craft breweries–6 overseas and 6 stateside–to brew an international collaboration 12-pack, dubbed Beer Camp Across the World. This pack is loaded with dream beers–no idea was too wild and no ingredient was off-limits–and a one-time-only national release originally announced for June, but boxes have already been shipped and some have been spotted on shelves across the country. 

Some craft beer sellers have already announced release events and tasting opportunities, such as this Beer Store in Oregon. Regardless of where you live, Beer Camp should hit your local store within the next week or two.

Variety pack brewery participants & beers:

Tree House Brewing Co. / East Meets West IPA

The Bruery / Raspberry Sundae

Avery Brewing Co. / Dry-Hopped Barleywine

Boneyard Beer / West Coast-Style DIPA

Surly Brewing Co. / Ginger Lager

Kiuchi Brewery / White IPA with Yuzu

Garage Project / Campout Porter

Fullers Brewery / Atlantic-style Vintage Ale

Mikkeller Brewery / Thai-Style Iced Tea

Ayinger Brewery / Dunkel Weisse

Saint Arnold Brewing Co. / Dry-Hopped Berliner Weisse

Duvel Moortgat / Hoppy Belgian Golden Ale

Five Must-Try Jacksonville Beers for Summer

Summer is around the corner, and that means you’re going to need local beers to keep your thirst quenched and palate satisfied. With eight distributing breweries in Jacksonville, there are plenty of beers to choose from. But the beers on this list stand above the rest in their ability to provide crisp refreshment without skimping on the flavor.

5) Buzzin Bee Honey Rye Wheat, Veterans United Craft Brewery.

Buzzin Bee is unfiltered and brewed with local honey which provides a balanced sweetness to counter the rye and wheat flavors. Hints of citrus fruits make this an enjoyable summer beer.
Notes: Honey, orange, and hints of rye.

4) I-10 IPA, Intuition Ale Works.

This highly drinkable IPA packs a hop-forward punch without being too aggressive for summer. Zesty citrus and resinous pine make this a flavorful IPA that’ll quench your thirst when you need it the most.
Notes:  Citrus, pine, grapefruit, and pineapple.

3) Big John’s Apricot Wheat Ale, Bold City Brewery

Light, drinkable, and refreshing, this is a gratifying beer that’ll please the palate. Complex layers of wheat, tart fruits, and sweet malts make this a refreshing companion to those sweltering summer months.
Notes: Wheat, biscuits, apricot, and apples.

2) Endless Summer Blonde Ale, Pinglehead Brewing Company.

Endless Summer laughs in the face of naysayers who believe Blonde Ales don’t have flavor. This beer starts with an inviting malt profile and finishes with a crisp, clean, and slightly dry finish.
Notes: Biscuity malt sweetness, honey, and an earthy-dry finish.

1) J’Ville Lager, Engine 15 Brewing Company.

Brewed to commemorate their anniversary, J’Ville is an American lager done right. It’s a clean and refreshing beer that will keep you comfortable during the dog days of summer.
Notes: pale malts, bready yeast, honey, and lemon zest.

From Left to Right: Carolyn Graham, Brian Little, Sean Bielman
celebrating the launch of Engine 15's J'Ville Lager

 

What's Your Favorite Summer Beer?

Brewery:  Cigar City Brewing Co.

Location: Tampa, FL
Style: Helles
ABV: 5%

 

Sadly, there aren't a ton of beers that I enjoy drinking in the heat of summer when I am looking for a good refreshingly crisp craft beer. In fact, I used to think that "refreshingly crisp craft beer" was an oxymoronic phrase.  However, as I have expanded my horizons, I have found certain beers that are quite appropriate to consume after mowing the lawn or some other summer activity. Maui's Bikini Blonde and Saint Arnold's Fancy Lawnmower are just two examples.

Add Cigar City's Hotter Than Helles to that list.

 

Now, let me be truthful and say that I don't think there's anything particularly compelling about this beer. The aroma is a bit musty, the flavor is full of of malt and bready yeast notes, and the body is light. All of this adds up to a fairly indistinct and forgettable beer. But that's my point: if I am laying by the pool or floating down a lazy river, I don't want a full-bodied beer; I want something that's light, easy to drink (in quantity), and refreshing. Hotter than Helles Lager is all of these things and more.

So, you might ask: "Why not just buy a 6-pack of Natty Ice, save a few bucks, and call it a day?"

Answer: Because my mouth deserves more respect than that. And so do you.

As summer is quickly approaching, I would love to know what are some of your favorite summer beers? Let's get a good list going!