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salad
climber
San Diego
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 6, 2007 - 06:29pm PT
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So over the last couple of months I kept getting these damn 12'ers of Pale Ale that were IMPOSSIBLE to twist off. I didn't think much of it and would just pry em off with an iron file I had laying around in the garage. It was intermittant as the occasional sixer would find its to my fridge that would twist off just fine.
It happened again last week and I decided to actually inspect the bottle cap.
There in little tiny font were the words 'pry off'.
I was horrified. I sent a letter to SN begging for the return of twist offs. I'll lose my callouses(sp) on my thumb and index finger! My shirts will no longer all have little holes on the left side from opening bottles!!
Anyway, they replied back with the letter below. Also said they would send me a check for a few 12'ers and a bottle opener. Cool, but I still want my twisties back...
In March 2007, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. quietly embraced a new technology with the
introduction of an innovative barrier crown that actually helps keep beer fresher;
blocking oxygen ingress longer without using oxygen-absorbing compounds. Initially,
the Chico, California brewer switched its crowns as the final phase of a multi-year
test by limiting the new crown to its Summerfest beer. Now, Sierra Nevada is
committing fully to the switchover, and has begun the process of utilizing the new
barrier crown technology with all its brews, including Sierra Nevada's flagship Pale
Ale.
The new pry-off crown offers an increased oxygen barrier due to its density and
oxygen barrier properties. The bottle cap or "crown" that is used to seal most beer
and other carbonated beverages has been in existence for over a hundred years. Cork
was originally used as the crown sealing liner material for its good resiliency and
sealing abilities. Synthetic materials were developed to replace cork due to
shortages and processing challenges of using natural cork. Additional benefits also
include being more environmentally friendly as these new crowns are produced PVC
free.
"We are always looking for new ways to ensure our beer reaches our drinkers as fresh
as possible," said brewery founder Ken Grossman. "It took a lot for us to give up
the convenience of our twist-off cap. But we've researched and tested oxygen ingress
through crown lining material since 1991 and continued until we found a new material
that substantially reduced it."
Oxygen is the enemy of beer as it causes beer to lose a significant amount of flavor
compounds that are essential to taste. Minute amounts of oxygen can pass through
the lining of a crown over time, even with a carbonated beverage, affecting the
flavor of the beer. While it may be tough to notice this flavor degradation to the
average consumer, it is essential to artisan brewers like Sierra Nevada whose
drinkers are more discerning and expect a full range of flavor in every bottle.
"We are one of the few brewers in the world who go to the trouble and expense of
using nothing but whole cone hops, and hops are one of the first things to lose
flavor when oxygen hits the beer," said Grossman. "If the beer doesn't reach the
consumer in the freshest state possible, all of our time and efforts are wasted."
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was founded in 1980 and is one of America's first
microbreweries. It is regarded as the standard of quality for American craft brewers
and has won numerous awards for its beers and ales. Its flagship product, Sierra
Nevada Pale Ale, has been the number one selling craft beer brand in America for the
past five years according to IRI scan data. The brewery is still 100% owned by Ken
Grossman.
In addition to Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada makes a Wheat, Porter and Stout year-round, a
host of draft-only specialty beers, and offers five seasonal beers including their
Anniversary Ale, which will be bottled for the first time this August.
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Rock!...oopsie.
Trad climber
pitch above you
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There's a way to open a pry-off in EVERY room... get creative.
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marky
climber
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That explains much. I damn near killed myself trying to twist off some SN bottle caps recently. After the third bottle I just said f*#k it and made the effort of tracking down an opener.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Wow, that's pretty cool. Actually giving you the science behind the new caps. Still one of the best beers in the world, now for more reasons than before.
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Jude Bischoff
Ice climber
Palm Springs
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This is devestating news. When I win the lottery I will now have to hire a camp site beer and wine stewerd besides the camp chef.
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WBraun
climber
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Just see the insanity.
This mans beer cap is so important .........
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salad
climber
San Diego
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 6, 2007 - 06:44pm PT
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sierra nevada is the fifth nobel truth
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Joe Metz
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Isn't a bottle opener one of the Ten Essentials?
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Phil_B
Social climber
Hercules, CA
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or just keep a beer stick around. Any thumb sized stick will do as long as it isn't too soft. Just place the end under the cap, use your thumb as a fulcrum and lever the dang thing off.
Works better than keys and it's fun to watch people with weak fingers try it.
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dirtbag
climber
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SIERRA NEVADA is OVERRATED.
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caughtinside
Social climber
Davis, CA
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SNPA is a fine beer, but with so many great ales, pale or otherwise, I don't know why anyone would limit themselves to one kind.
variety... the spice of life!
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Off White
climber
Tenino, WA
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Humph, I thought this was going to be a trundling thread.
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John Moosie
climber
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At least my Swiss Army knife will now have a use again. It was feeling lonely after being replaced by light weight knifes and leathermans.
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nature
climber
Flagstaff, AZ
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so alls I gots to do is send a bitch letter to Sierra Nevada and I get free beer and a bottle opener?
BEST BETA ON THE TACO FOR THE DAY HANDS DOWN!
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mojede
Trad climber
Butte, America
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Cheers to SN for joining the ranks of quality brew products by offing the twist.
Now all of the twisty-domestic "water" beer bottles will have to stand on their own.
Go Sierra Nevada!
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klinefelter
Boulder climber
Bishop, CA
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" SIERRA NEVADA is OVERRATED."
Obviously a troll.
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Gary
climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
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Nah, dirtbag is right.
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Jude Bischoff
Ice climber
Palm Springs
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Dirtbag must drink coors light. It's like screwing in a canoe, it's right next to water.
SN is the reference point all beers should aspire to.
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marky
climber
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the truth lies in the middle: SN is good -- not bad, not great. Just an all-around servicible beer.
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mark miller
Social climber
Reno
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Well after a year away from my beloved SNPA ( switched to Hienekens to lose weight) I have come back. Well I fought with a few, got some open and resorted to openers when my hands were bloodied, I thought a year away had gotten me out of shape. But recently a freind ( whose eyes are better then mine) noticed the little pry note and I have happily been using an opener on my beloved little greenies since... I'm glad I wasn't the only beer aficionado a little bemused by this inconvenience.
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scuffy b
climber
Bates Creek
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Well, heck.
I'm still getting used to the notion of Anchor switching to
twist tops.
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Jerry Dodrill
climber
Bodega, CA
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This was noted in my Cathedral TR last week. The Summerfest was kicking my arse until I saw "Pry Off." It was shocking. 8-l
Thanks for the full story.
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Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
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SO THAT'S IT!
I picked up a couple of sixers of Summerfest over memorial Day weekend and broke two already worn and stubby fingernails trying to crank those puppies open.
I finally took out my magnifying glass to look at the number 4 font type on the caps which read "Pry Off You Idiot".
Should I send a letter to them too - I could go for a free 12 pack.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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I thought everyone learned how to open a beer bottle with a carabiner, in toproping class. Silly me.
The pry off bottles last quite a lot longer than the screw top ones, when it comes to returning and reusing them. Which makes them more environmentally friendly, assuming they're not just thrown in the garbage, or crushed in the generic glass bin.
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bler
Boulder climber
Alamo, CA
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i'd rather have better beer then an easier beer to open ;)
just my $0.02
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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"sierra nevada is the fifth nobel truth"
LOL!!!
I've said it before, they are consistently making a quality beer, whereas many other brewers seem to lose the consistency for a brand.
This new topper seems to reinforce the notion that they are really are going for quality over the long haul.
Besides I got a bottle opener attached to my truck a la Brutus of Wyde style.
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Binks
Social climber
i am of the universe and you know what it's worth.
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Sierra in bottles is mediocre. On tap, it's on of my favorites. Lagunitas in bottles is where it's at.
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john hansen
climber
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bler I'd rather have better beer than an easy open one...
My friend used to say "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me then a frontal labotomy."
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LuckyPink
climber
the last bivy
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M.H. I just learned how to open a beer with a carabiner on this last river trip! big AHAH, don't forget the reefs - opener on the bottom. and what about the wine bottles all twist off ?? another abomination.
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Landgolier
climber
the flatness
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A buddy of mine has a standing bet that he can open a beer with any metal object weighing as much as $1.50 in quarters and not fundamentally spherical in shape. This has probably produced more youtube-worthy situations than anything I can think of, though none have ever actually been captured.
Selected history:
Car key: trivial
'Biner: please
Giant machine screw: rote, but tedious. Threads got a little worn toward the end.
Trailed hitch ball: some debate re: spherical provision. Ruled to be street-legal due to other components. Threads held up much better than the screw.
Bike rack: tough going, some spillage. Would have been easier if it didn't have security bolts and beveled edges.
Roll of aluminum foil: This one was a real Houdini move, still not sure quite how the forces involved worked but it was some kind of compression bolt type rig involving the roll itself.
10' of bailing wire: broke a couple of times, but the wrap and pull method finally worked. Very elegant, kind of like cutting clay with a wire.
Try some of your own some time, it's a great one for slow moments at parties.
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Fletcher
Trad climber
Varied locales along the time and space continuum
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Hey, I thought only real men (and wimmin' too!) used pry offs! IMHO a move to a pry off is a good thing. SNPA is not a bad beer at all. I agree that on draft is when it really rocks out. Truckee Dark on tap is pretty durn good too.
A long time ago I learned the best trick for opening a pry off without an opener. Just find a solid (emphasis on solid!) squared off edge such as the side of a countertop. Place and hold bottle so the bottom edge of the cap is resting on the top of the counter. With yer free hand, whack down hard onto the cap (palm facing down). The cap should just pop right off. Very good for impressing other adolescent minded cohorts. Careful that the beer is not too warm or you'll get a foaming spewer! Also, if you don't hit it quite right, you might wreck your hand a bit (speaking from bitter experience).
Also make sure the counter is solid as mentioned. I've had a few "oopsies" gouging less than stellar counter material. Doht!
Fletch
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David
Trad climber
San Rafael, CA
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The Sierra Nevada IPA sure was good while it lasted. It seems to already be disappearing from shelves. I can no longer find it anywhere. I guess it was just a seasonal brew?
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andy@climbingmoab
Big Wall climber
Park City, UT
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Twist off wine bottle caps are not an abomination in any wine that you aren't going to cellar, and no one bottles wines worth cellaring with twist offs anyway. There really is nothing better for a wine you are going to drink young like a sauvignon blanc or an oregon pinot noir - no chance at all of a corked bottle, and i find that at least 1 in 20 bottles of wine with corks that i get suffer from that flaw.
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the Fet
Knackered climber
A bivy sack in the secret campground
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Yeah SN is overrated. It's very good, but there's better out there. Ever been to Bavaria?
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salad
climber
San Diego
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 7, 2007 - 01:06pm PT
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binks, i much prefer it in a bottle than on tap.
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salad
climber
San Diego
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 7, 2007 - 01:09pm PT
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taco bill, i was discussing this pry-off issue with two VP's from Qualcomm at the Padre game the other night. We were drinking sub-standard beer - Stone and Red Hook IPA's..
Anyway, VP # 1 said the exact same thing about Mickeys as you just did. he mentioned in the end it was better move, as he always lost 2oz of beer in the pry off.
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Matt
Trad climber
places you shouldn't talk about in polite company
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it's not so hard to have a bottle opener in every room in the house
you can have an opener waiting on the front porch when you get home from work
you can even have it waiting for you at the bottom of every climb
whatever you do, don't let THE MAN take your opener away!
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Flex
Trad climber
Flagstaff, AZ
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Matt - I'll second the notion of always having an opener handy. When Gabbro first got his opener I would start salivating for a beer like a Pavlov dog!
On another note concerning Sierra Nevada brews - (this is going way back to '99), did anyone notice a rather "salty" flavor to their brews for a short while? I only mention it because I took a hiatus from all SN beers after witnessing an unsavory "additive" going into their water.
It all began with a rest day hike. youngharz, flimsy, the Mayor, and myself were hiking to some hot springs on the East side of Lassen Park in the headwaters of Deer Creek. For those that don't know, Deer Creek is the beautiful drainage that runs directly to Chico and provides the cool, clear water for the SN brewery. Anyhow, we were searching for a nice hot pool to soak our weary bones in after our back to back climbs of Shasta & Lassen. We'd heard of some nice, out of the way pools surrounded by a serene forest, so off we went tramping through the bush. Our keen geologists' noses alerted us we were nearing the pools(sulpher scent). As we brushed aside the last few pine boughs we were greeted with one of the lovliest backcountry hot pools I've ever come across. Unfortunately, it was already occupied. We were privy to witness a semi-portly man, mid-40's or so, submerged to his knees in the pool, buck naked and giving a real lashing to his member. That's right-choking the bishop, jerkin' the gherkin, flogging the dolphin, etc. He was summoning his Old Faithful to spew forth into that idyllic pool, which fed directly downstream to our beloved Sierra Nevada brewery! Needless to say we beat a hasty retreat, found a different pool, then went straight to the liquor store to load up on the greenies before that salt malt made it to Chico. Afterwards we all took about a 6 month break from all SN brews just to be sure.
It just goes to show, you never can be sure why your favorite beer might taste a little "off" every now and again.
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youngharz
Boulder climber
Carpinteria
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Ho Man...
I still remember you and kelly's expressions when you came sprinting back towards the Mayor and I, Screaming, "These pool are NO good! NO good! Turnaround! RUN! We're oouutta here!!
I was still so young and innocent back then. I kinda feel scarred for life..
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salad
climber
San Diego
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 12, 2007 - 12:06am PT
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update. the sn brewery came thru. in todays mail was one letter with a bottle opener (must the cheapest piece of sh#t ever, but ill take it).
and another letter with a check for 20 bucks to compensate me for pain and suffering.
rad!
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