Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has launched Shred, a new “beer soda” line that the Chico, California brewery describes as “drinks like a beer, tastes like a soda.” The 4.5% ABV beer uses a specific yeast strain paired with sugar to create soda-like carbonation and a brighter, sweet-citrus flavour, without actually pouring any soda or fruit juice into the brew. It launched as a four-flavour variety 12-pack (Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange and Lime Ginger), and we put together a full first-look review of Shred covering the flavours, pricing and where you can actually buy it.
Sierra Nevada’s own team calls it “a modern take on the classic radler,” pointing out that unlike a traditional radler or shandy, Shred’s recipe “doesn’t include pouring a can of pop into the brew kettle.” According to the brewery: “Shred is a beer, full stop. Though it is inspired by the classic radler, we don’t add any soda or juice to the brew. Instead, Shred’s uniquely refreshing soda-like drinking experience comes from its special yeast.”
New School Beer & Cider reports the variety 12-pack carries an MSRP of $21.99 and is shipping this week to a very short list of launch markets: Chico and Southern California metro areas, plus the Asheville and Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill areas of North Carolina. Sierra Nevada is also releasing a second low-ABV innovation alongside it, Go-Two IPA, a 2.8% ABV full-flavoured IPA rolling out to select states through late summer.
Shred arrives from a brewery that already has two beers on our list of the best American beers: Pale Ale and Torpedo Extra IPA. The launch also rides a broader trend of radlers, shandies and mid-strength beers gaining ground again as drinkers look for middle-ground options between full-strength craft beer and the alcohol-free category.
Source: The Drinks Business →
For the full breakdown of flavours, pricing and where to find it, read our Shred Beer Soda review. For more brewery launches and industry stories, visit our Beer News hub.
