(Chico, CA) – Sierra Nevada Brewing Company’s long-awaited semi-regular Imperial Stout will make its way to shelves this October, says Product Development Manager, Bill Manley. Shipping is tentatively set for October 10th.

The beer was initially slated for September though the company has been at “full bore” much of the year, forcing the brewery to get creative with schedules.

Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout will be the next release in the brewery’s “High Altitude” series of limited 4-packs. It will follow the currently-available Hoptimum Imperial IPA and be replaced by Bigfoot Barleywine in early 2013, This will be Bigfoot’s first appearance in 4-packs. Pricing and distribution for Narwhal should be identical to Hoptimum.

Label copy: Inspired by the mysterious creature that dwells in the deepest Arctic seas, Narwhal Imperial Stout is midnight black and bold–with notes of baker’s cocoa and dark roasted coffee. This massive imperial stout is incredibly complex and explores the darkest depths of malt flavor.

“The name is a reference to the mysterious whale-like animal that lives in the arctic ocean,” says Manley. “This mysterious creature has a spiraling horn and has been the stuff of legend and myth for years. A truly fascinating animal.”