In California’s High Sierra, craft breweries have become a fixture in mountain towns from Truckee to Mammoth Lakes. Often located near trailheads and ski areas, these spots offer a range of beers made with Sierra Nevada water.
Mammoth Lakes Breweries
“Welcome to altitude.” That’s the slogan of Mammoth Brewing Company in Mammoth Lakes, one of the kick-back-and-relax taprooms and beer pubs dotting California’s mountain country. After a wintry day carving the moguls or riding in the terrain parks, or hiking a granite trail in summer, these craft breweries are the perfect place to chill out with a cold one. Mammoth Brewing uses local ingredients, such as wild elderberries and hops grown near the White Mountains to the east, to flavor its signature beers. Sample the results in the tasting room or at picnic tables outside.
Also in Mammoth Lakes you’ll find Distant Brewing, a 1,200-square-foot self-described “nano-brewery” specializing in Belgian-style ales, sour beers, and other barrel-aged creations. In the mountain hamlet of June Lake, just north of Mammoth Lakes, June Lake Brewing offers a full suite of beers in its high-elevation taproom. Try a crisp Hellraiser Kolsch, or bracing Hockey Fight Hazy IPA.
Lake Tahoe–Area Breweries
The Lake Tahoe region has almost a six-pack-full of microbreweries pouring ales, stouts, pilsners, and more. In Truckee, enjoy the brews and relax in the restaurant at FiftyFifty Brewing Company (be sure to try the oak-bourbon-barrel-aged Eclipse Imperial Stout) and Truckee Brewing Company, which has two locations: the brewery (where food is not served) and the restaurant (where the menu includes tacos and an array of delicious pizzas). Also in Truckee, Good Wolf Brewing Company offers small-batch beers often incorporating local botanicals.
In Tahoe City, Tahoe National Brewing Co. offers international cuisine and spectacular views along with a beer menu that takes pains to represent multiple styles. At the California-Nevada border on the lake’s south shore, Stateline Brewery & Restaurant is practically at the bottom of the Heavenly Gondola, making it a popular après-ski hangout.
More High Sierra Breweries
Head deeper into the Lost Sierra, where the craft beer scene takes on a distinctly off-the-grid, mountain-town feel. In Blairsden, The Brewing Lair offers a one-of-a-kind setting tucked into the forest, where hop-forward ales can be enjoyed alongside picnic tables, live music, and even a round of disc golf.
Nearby in Graeagle, Ronin Fermentation Project pushes boundaries with its slow-crafted, koji-inspired beers that blend sake techniques with traditional brewing, resulting in nuanced, small-batch pours that reflect both old-world and experimental influences.
Around Lake Almanor, Waganupa Brewing in Chester channels the spirit of the region with beers brewed using pristine Sierra snowmelt, creating crisp, clean flavors that mirror the surrounding landscape. In Quincy, Quintopia Brewing Co. has brought craft beer back to town for the first time in a century, offering a community-driven taproom experience with locally brewed beers and creative pub fare in a welcoming, small-town setting.