(Chico, CA) – More news and notes compiled from around the web.

What a whirlwind two years it has been for Sierra Nevada Brewing. Since its modest performance in 2008 (1% growth), the brewery has re-invented itself:

* new year-round beers
* new seasonals
* working with Dogfish Head and several craft beer pioneers on collaboration projects as part of its 30th Anniversary
* increased engagement with the beer community through the Beer Camp program

The changes have grabbed the attention of consumers to the tune of 8% growth in 2009 and Brewmaster, Steve Dresler, recently told The Brewing Network that Sierra Nevada is on pace to sell 800,000 barrels this year (up 10% from 2009). It’s looking more and more like one million barrels in 2012 is an achievement that could be within reach.

What’s the latest for Ken Grossman and Co.?

* New bottles! Courtesy of Beer Business Daily and as shared by Jack Curtin: “[…] they will be rolling out, on allocation, a new [Double IPA] called Hoptimum in 24oz bottles and 5 gallon kegs in January 2011. Also possibly look for a new Lime and Limb collaboration with Sam Calagione.” That’s not a typo; the article heading reads “Midas Touch Lime?” Per RateBeer, “Hoptimum is a double-dry-hopped and torpedoed DIPA (~10%) made at Sierra Nevada Beer Camp for SF Beer Week 2010.”

* Sierra Nevada Torpedo was on a torrid pace during the first half of 2010, cruising into the top 10 craft beer brands sold nationally per IRI data. Introduced in early 2009, it is already the #1 top-selling IPA in the USA. Over the next year, Dresler expects that Torpedo will be sold in 12-packs in new markets and that the brewery will push more of it out to on-premise accounts. The brewery has also been discussing pushing more Sierra Nevada Kellerweis on draft as well.

* As reported yesterday, Sierra Nevada Estate Homegrown Ale, coming next month, is the brewery’s first USDA-certified organic beer. [Ed. note: Just noticed this today but the beer will be packaged in 750ml (green) wax-sealed bottles. At 800-850 barrels produced last year, that could make this the largest production beer to be packaged with wax sealing but I could be wrong.]

* Sierra Nevada Tumbler is the brewery’s new seasonal which started hitting markets within the last month is rolling out to others this month. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s probably because your local distributor still has some Sierra Nevada Summerfest to sell.

* Sierra Nevada Jack and Ken’s Ale is currently available. The brewery recently posted up a video on the collaboration for this beer on the Sierra30.com website.

* Also recently announced: the brewery is partnering up with Trappist-Cistercian Abbey of New Clairvaux next year.

* During The Brewing Network interview, Dresler mentioned that the brewery is playing with the idea of putting in a floor or
drum malting facility in the next couple years to get fresh roasted malts into some of the brewery’s specialty beers.