Beer Camp is back! That’s right, Sierra Nevada is at it again with another 12-pack sampler of fine collaboration brews. There have been some changes, though, since the last time they did this two years ago. Back in 2014, the 12-Pack had 12 different beers; this time it’s two bottles each of 6. Then too, the first go-round featured for each brew a collaboration with Sierra Nevada and a unique brewer per beer. Now, each beer is a joint effort between Sierra Nevada and several notable brewers.

Then too, I had to spend some time hunting down the first one; this time, the Beer Camp Across America 12-pack found me. I was in Total Wine in early May when I spied them in a large display; several customers were already walking out the door with them. The second beer of the sampler I tried was Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Stout of the Union Robust Stout.

This beer is a collaboration between Sierra Nevada, Bagby Beer Company, Beachwood Brewing, Port Brewing aka The Lost Abbey, Smog City Brewing, and Societe Brewing Company. I’m not sure the benefit of a number of breweries versus just two, but the beer is very nice indeed.

From the label:

This stout hails from the land of sun, sand, and surf and proves that beach beer doesn’t have to be light colored and delicate. Stout of the Union is rich, roasty and full of deep malt flavor, creating a union of like-minded brewers together through beer.

Ingredients from the website:

Bittering hops: Magnum

Finishing Hops: Equinox

Malts: Maris Otter, Munich, Oats, Crystal, Chocolate, Roasted Barley

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Stout of the Union Robust Stout has an alcohol content of 7.3% by volume with 64 IBUs. My bottle was likely packaged in Mills River, North Carolina. It was bottled on April 6^th 2016 at 1:42 in the afternoon. Now here’s the kicker: the price. Two years ago, I complained about the $25 price tag for BCAA; this year we’re up to $30 a 12-pack. The fact that in 2014 the pack was a selection of 12 singles helped soften the blow of the high price. Today, that’s not the case, although there is the advantage that if you really like the beers you will have another bottle of each one to enjoy. Still, the price here is just too high.

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Stout of the Union Robust Stout pours to a jet black color with a very good sized creamy tan head of foam and vibrant dark nose of coffee and roasted malt. A thick layer of Brussels Lace forms on the sides of my glass and follows the liquid all the way to the bottom. Taking a sip, the beer is immediately in your face with bitter coffee with cream, roasted malt, bittersweet dark chocolate, and at the last a long dry grassy herbal bitter hop finish.

I found this beer to be very impressive, wonderfully roasty bursting with coffee, toffee and dark chocolate. Just wish the price on the 12-pack wasn't so high, but I'm glad I got it anyway. Not getting the fruit. Thick layer of Brussels lace.

Overall, I’d give Stout of the Union 4.5 stars, less a half star for price. Would I buy it again? Probably yes in this case. I might order it on tap if I came across it, and while I certainly wouldn’t pay $30 for another 12-pack, I think the price here (roughly $15 a six-pack) is high, but I've paid close to that for similar beers. Either way, I’ll recommend picking up the 12-pack sampler despite the high price for a try of all the beers here. Twice.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft



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