A rare Sierra Nevada beer, never seen outside of the brewer’s US taprooms, is to pour at the Beer Merchants Tap, in London, a week before Christmas.
Celly Drippins is brewed using the drippings from the dry hop bags used to produce Sierra Nevada’s iconic annual festive release, Celebration. The resulting beer is a richer, more concentrated expression of Celebration: smooth, intense and highly sought after.
This single 20-litre keg will be served exclusively at Beer Merchants Tap, in Hackney Wick, on Thursday, 18th December.
First pours will begin at 7pm as part of a full Sierra Nevada tap takeover, with Steve Grossman, international ambassador for the brewery, on hand to conduct a thorough quality check.
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 a glass, while the keg officially opens and pours from 7pm.
Fussball wager
The acquisition of this keg comes with an interesting backstory. During last year’s Cave Direct Christmas Charity Party, members of the Beer Merchants team, including specials purchasing manager Ben Selby, and Eddie Hollis of Floc Brewing, took part in a friendly fussball match with the Sierra Nevada team, including chief brewer Brian Grossman.
A light-hearted wager was made: if Beer Merchants won, they would secure a single keg of Celly Drippins for the UK.
Against the odds, Team Beer Merchants prevailed, and the result is this unprecedented release and Ben and Eddie securing themselves the first two of the 100 pours.
“This release underscores the ongoing relationship between Cave Direct and Sierra Nevada, reflecting mutual respect, shared commitment to exceptional beer, and the ability to bring world-class, rare, and meaningful beer experiences to UK drinkers,” said a Cave Direct spokesperson.
On 18th December, the pours will be strictly first come, first served, with the vouchers available from 5pm. No event tickets are required.
