Sierra Nevada creates new pale ale with 630-year-old Bavarian brewery

August 3, 2016Chris Crowell

Germany is suddenly in American pale ale heaven. First, there is the much-anticipated Stone Brewery opening up shop, and now Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is collaborating with 630-year-old Bavarian craft brewer Riegele to produce an American pale ale. The beer is being released in 11.2-ounce bottles exclusive to the German and European markets beginning this month.

The limited production beer, named Bayerisch Ale 2, was brewed in Riegele’s Augsburg brewery using: three of Riegele’s special yeast strains; two types of malt; and a combination of Amarillo, Citra, Cascade and Simcoe hops. The result is a complex, unfiltered Bavarian-made American pale ale.

“The beer has a fresh and lively character with notes of passion fruit, peach and apricot,” said Sebastian Priller-Riegele, World Champion Beer Sommelier. “Bayerisch Ale 2 is a perfect beer for summer.”

The relationship between Sierra Nevada and Riegele dates back to 2015, when the two breweries collaborated on Sierra Nevada’s award-winning 2015 Oktoberfest.

“We’re both family owned, our children are hands on and we share a passion for great beer,” explained Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada. “We’re aligned in so many ways, and I am confident that any beer that emerges from our partnership will be outstanding.”

Riegele is a family-owned brewery founded in 1386 and is one of the most awarded breweries in Europe. Recent accolades include being named 2015 German Craft Brewery of the Year, 2016 German Beer of the Year, voted Europe’s Best Brewery at the European Beer Star and 2016 World Cup of Beer and being proclaimed 2010 German Beer of the Decade.