Sierra Nevada’s Celly Drippins pours in the UK for the first time
Celly Drippins, an ultra-limited beer from Sierra Nevada, which has never before been served outside of the brewery’s taprooms in the US, will be poured in London this month. Jessica Mason finds out how “discovery rather than routine” will help keep independent beer alive.
The occasion of a small amount of-much-sought after beer reaching one London venue has become big news. Not just because of its notable rarity, but also due to the sector suffering considerable challenges and find reasons to feel positive. That is why an exclusive 20 litre keg of the beer being served at the Beer Merchants Tap in Hackney Wick on 18 December has built “excitement” back into the category, primarily owing its arrival to distributors Cave Direct.
Only 100 pours available
Speaking to the drinks business, Cave Direct specials purchasing manager Ben Selby said: “Celly Drippins arriving in the UK feels like a reminder of what originally pulled people into independent beer in the first place, a sense of discovery rather than routine.”
Celly Drippins is brewed using the drippings from the dry hop bags used to produce Sierra Nevada’s annual festive release, Celebration. The resulting beer is a richer, more concentrated expression of Celebration.
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The single keg will be served exclusively at Beer Merchants Tap on 18 December with first pours beginning at 7pm as part of a full Sierra Nevada Tap Takeover.
With only around 100 pours available in total, this will be one of the most limited and unique beer experiences in the country this year. Pours will be served in thirds, with tokens issued from 5pm to guarantee your glass, while the keg officially opens and pours from 7pm.
‘Genuinely special’
Selby explained to db that “whilst getting this opportunity was all a bit of fun, a beer like this cuts straight through the noise because it is special, it is made by a brewery at their peak, and it exists for no commercial reason other than a brewery doing something it loves. Also, it shows Sierra Nevada believe in the UK market, and hopes to help push growth across the industry”.
Selby told db: “Whilst it’s only one single keg, securing this first keg outside the US feels like a small win for everyone who still believes in what indie brewing can be. It shows there is plenty of life left in the scene, and that when you bring something genuinely special to drinkers, the excitement returns instantly.”
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