Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada remains 100% family-owned and operates major production facilities in both Chico, California, and Mills River, North Carolina. The brewery is widely credited with pioneering the American Pale Ale style, built around whole-cone Cascade hops, and its Pale Ale became one of the best-selling craft beers in the United States. That hop-centric identity carries directly into the AF range.

The alcohol-free lineup divides into two distinct product families. Hop Splash is a hop-infused sparkling water, introduced in late 2022 as the brand's first step into the AF space. Trail Pass, launched in late 2023, is the brand's first genuine AF beer range, covering IPAs, golden ales, hazy IPAs, and seasonal styles.

Trail Pass beers are brewed using traditional fermentation and then dealcoholised (brewed at full strength, with the alcohol subsequently removed), rather than using arrested fermentation (where fermentation is stopped early, before much alcohol develops). Sierra Nevada has been open about this choice, framing it as a commitment to producing AF beers that carry the structural character of a fully fermented brew. For fitness-focused drinkers who want the flavour profile of a craft IPA or golden ale on a rest day, the Trail Pass range is positioned squarely in that space.

The Trail Pass beers are available through specialist alcohol-free retailers. Sierra Nevada's broader range has long had multi-channel international distribution, and the AF line is gradually following that footprint. Hop Splash currently has no active listings outside the brand's home market.