Sierra Nevada Celly Drippins Returns; Lagunitas Sucks History Recalled

Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Fresh Hop IPA returns alongside a limited-release dry-hop runoff called Celly Drippins, while craft beer histories recall how Lagunitas turned a brewing capacity crunch into its cult-favorite Double IPA, American Craft Beer reported.

Brewery Scheduling Crunch Creates a Cult Classic

In 2011, the Petaluma, California producer found itself unable to fit its well-liked Brown Shugga’ winter seasonal into a fully packed production calendar. The beer took considerably longer to make than its regular offerings, and something had to give. To appease upset buyers before they could complain, Lagunitas crafted a substitute known as Lagunitas Sucks, choosing to mock its own brand preemptively.

First presented as an alternative to Brown Shugga’, this 7.85% ABV Double IPA featured a grain bill of barley, rye, wheat, and oats paired with heavy dry-hopping that yielded powerful aromatics and a resinous hop taste. What started out as a mere runner-up turned into a beloved staple on its own merits, securing ongoing production and a dedicated fanbase far outside that initial brewing dilemma.

Sierra Nevada Celebration Returns With a Rare Sibling

Dating back to its inception in 1981, Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop IPA stands as a 6.8% ABV India Pale Ale crafted using freshly gathered Cascade, Centennial and Chinook hops. A deep caramel malt structure counterweights its pine and citrus profile, forming a pairing that has ensured loyal support across multiple decades.

As fermentation tanks are emptied, workers gather the liquid that gradually seeps out from the soaked whole-leaf dry-hop sacks. Known as Celly Drippins, these intensely hoppy runoff liquids offer a much more potent variation of Celebration that used to remain a closely guarded internal company secret. It is produced in very limited quantities.

Celly Drippins Launches November 6 at Sierra Nevada Breweries

Set for November 6, the rollout of this year’s Celly Drippins gets underway at 3 p.m. local time across Sierra Nevada’s facility locations in Chico, California, and Mills River, North Carolina. It is available exclusively for on-site draft pours while supplies last, with no growler or crowler fills.