Sierra Nevada Brewing releases 2026 Celebration Fresh Hop IPA and rare Celly Drippins variant
The 45th edition of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s classic winter seasonal Celebration Fresh Hop IPA has officially began shipping. Fans will start seeing the hoppy holiday beer on shelves throughout the second half of the month as it rolls out across the country, and a few will get a very rare chance to try the limited-edition draft-only variant - Celly Drippins. Brewed to commemorate and celebrate the year’s hop harvest season, Celebration IPA showcases whole-cone hops from the recent annual harvest.
More from a press release:
“Celebration season is upon us and we’re so excited,” said Brian Grossman, Chief Brewer and second-generation brewery owner at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. “This time of year the brewery is always buzzing with an extra energy as the freshly harvested hops arrive to the brewery and the aroma from brewing batches of Celebration Fresh Hop IPA hangs in the air. It’s a wonderful time of year.”
First brewed in 1981, the beer more recently rebranded as an American-style Fresh Hop IPA that uses recently kilned hops from the September harvest. As the style name alludes, a Fresh Hop IPA is recommended to be enjoyed during the same season in which it was produced to experience the full depth of flavor and aroma that the brewers intended.
Celebration Fresh Hop IPA – Beer Details
Style: American IPA made with freshly harvested kiln-dried hops
ABV: 6.8%
IBU: 65
Flavor Notes: Intense hoppy citrus and pine notes, accentuated by slight floral hop aromas, balanced with rich caramel malt flavors
Availability: Nationwide (October – December 2026)
Package: 6-packs (MSRP $12.99) and 12-packs (MSRP $21.99) of 12-ounce cans, draft, and 6-pack and 12-pack bottles in select markets
Celly Drippins 2026
With the brewing of Celebration Fresh Hop IPA comes Sierra Nevada’s rarest offering, Celly Drippins. The rare beer will be available at both the Mills River, NC and Chico, CA brewery locations for draft pours only while supplies last, starting on Friday, November 6. First pours of Celly Drippins will be served at 3:00 pm local time in each location. The beer can only be enjoyed on site as no crowlers or growlers of the beer will be offered. The brewery encourages fans to plan a visit for a memorable Celly Drippins tasting experience.
What is Celly Drippins? It is made from the drippings of the dry-hop bags used to make Celebration Fresh Hop IPA. Celly Drippins is a more concentrated, hoppy version of Celebration and is regarded as Sierra Nevada’s rarest offering because only a small handful of barrels are produced each year.