Something new is brewing at Sierra Nevada. The California-based brewing company recently filed “intent to use” trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office under the registration Tea West, confirming that Sierra Nevada is exploring a hard tea offering.

According to the USPTO, Sierra Nevada’s Tea West trademark registration is intended to cover the subcategory of “alcoholic tea-based beverage” among other non-beer malt beverage subcategories.

Raspberry & Blackberry Sparkling Hard Tea

Earlier this year the brewing company tested a Raspberry & Blackberry Sparkling Hard Tea at two independent taprooms in its hometown of Chico, California. The bubbly hard tea was well received by patrons of The Lab Bar and Grill and The Commons Social Emporium. Untappd users called the tea “Excellent!” and “Very drinkable!” At the time of testing, the tea contained an ABV of 5.5%.

Strainge Beast

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is no “strainger” to bold tea flavors. Last year the brewery launched Strainge Beast Hard Kombucha, an alcoholic kombucha brewed with organic green and black tea leaves as well as water. The tea is then fermented with bacteria and yeast which produces kombucha’s distinct tart and fizzy flavor profile.

Strange Beast is available in six unique, ready-to-drink (RTD) flavors. Ginger, Lemon & Hibiscus, Acai & Sweet Basil, Passionfruit, Hops & Blood Orange Grapefruit, Pomegranate & Cucumber all contain an ABV of 7% and between 180-190 calories per 12 ounce serving. They are packaged in 16 ounce cans.

The brand also makes two lower calorie options including Raspberry, Golden Kiwi & Elderflower and Watermelon, Sea Salt, Lime & Mint. Both contain an ABV of 4% and only 100 calories per 12 ounce can.

History of Tinkering

Over the years Sierra Nevada has also brewed several limited edition beers featuring intriguing tea notes. In 2016, as part of its Beer Camp Across America campaign, the brewing company collaborated with several breweries across the country to create Sweet Sunny South. Sweet Sunny South was a lower ABV (4.9%) Table Beer which showcased flavors “the south holds strong to” such as tea, honey, corn grits and sweet peaches.

In 2017 Sierra Nevada partnered with Denmark’s Mikkeller Brewery as part of its expanded Beer Camp Across the World campaign to create a Thai-Style Iced Tea Ale. According to the breweries, the brew was “inspired by flavors of a classic Thai iced tea” and was made with black tea and spices.

Sierra Nevada also brewed Earl’s IPA, an ale flavored with Earl Grey Tea. The brewery explained that “tea leaves, long famous overseas, bolster this English-style IPA with the rich citrus aroma and flavor of bergamot oranges.”

Additionally, the brewery produced Audition Chai, a beer described by the company as “sweet and rich, with warming spice notes and delicate fruit flavors that maintain a drinkability from the use of black tea in the finish.”

Hard teas have become increasingly popular in the ready-to-drink and hard seltzer categories. Big brands like Mark Anthony Brands’ White Claw, Boston Beer’s Truly and Anheuser-Busch’s Bud Light Seltzer all recently launched hard seltzer iced tea products. Twisted Tea, which is also owned by Boston Beer, is known for its many RTD hard teas.

Owl’s Brew Boozy Tea is a line of RTD canned tea cocktails featuring options brewed with Matcha, chamomile, Darjeeling, white tea, Jasmine and English Breakfast.

Sierra Nevada, which was founded in 1980, has not yet publicly announced anything regarding the trademark applications.  We reached out for comment, but no immediate reply was offered by the company. For now eager fans will have to wait before they can enjoy tea time with a Sierra Nevada hard tea.

Shirani Jayasuriya
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