Keep Tahoe Blue, Drink Tahoe Brew
Beer. The perfect punctuation mark to a great day on the slopes. Lake Tahoe is home to more than a dozen microbreweries and taphouses serving up some of the best hand-crafted ales and barrel-aged sours on the West Coast. We’ve rounded up seven not-to-be-missed beers to pair with each of Ski Lake Tahoe’s seven top-rated resorts. So kick off your ski boots, fill up a frosty mug and read on.
Cold Water Brewery and Grill
One of the newcomers to the microbrew game, Cold Water Brewery and Grill is quickly developing a loyal following thanks to its all-grain beers and tasty California comfort food. The vibe is always energetic after a powder day at the South Shore resorts, but don’t expect the locals to give up their powder stashes during happy hour. Their Tahoe Cross IPA is big, dank and loaded with an insane amount of hops, fitting for a beer that pays tribute to the skiable snow-filled chutes on neighboring Mt. Tallac.
Stateline Brewing
Located next to the gondola in Heavenly Village, Stateline Brewery is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a few hand-crafted beers before trying your luck on the felt at the nearby casinos. The restaurant serves up a wide variety of pub fare to refuel after a full day on the slopes including health-conscious pizzas with beer added to the dough. Their aptly named White-Out Whit is a light, an unfiltered wheat beer brewed with Belgian and German wheat malt, orange peel and coriander; more than two and you may need goggles for the walk back to the hotel.
The Brewery at Lake Tahoe
Established in 1992, The Brewery at Lake Tahoe is the original brewpub in the High Sierra occupying an unassuming brick building in the heart of South Lake Tahoe. Considered a “must visit” for beer aficionados frequenting the Tahoe region, The Brewery sources only the finest two-row malted barley and other specialty malts, all with their specific characteristics to perfectly color and flavor the beer. Their signature Bad Ass Ale is deep burgundy in color and high in alcohol making it a real roller coaster ride to drink. Make sure you are up for a double-black diamond night before imbibing a few of these.
Tahoe Mountain Brewery
Tahoe Mountain Brewery is a North Shore favorite with its brewery and taproom in Truckee and its satellite brewpub in Tahoe City. The brewers have mastered a number of European style beers including Farmhouse ales, French saisons and barrel-aged sours. Hit the brewpub in Tahoe City for classic American dishes and unobstructed views of the lake itself; however, do yourself a favor and stop by the taproom in Truckee to do some barrel tasting of limited releases and grab a growler to go.
Fifty Fifty Brewing Co.
Don’t let the name fool you, Fifty Fifty Brewing is 100% awesome. The brewpub’s welcoming atmosphere and locally-sourced, organic menus make it a regular haunt for North Shore ski bums looking to celebrate an epic day on the slopes. The Donner Party Porter is made in a “Colonial American” style resulting in a robust brew, very deep brown in color, yet imminently drinkable. Made to be a formidable beer to ward off winter’s chill, make sure to make it home for this party!
Sidellis Brewery and Restaurant
One of the smaller breweries located a bit off the beaten path in South Lake Tahoe, Sidellis Brewery is the latest microbrewery to open its doors in Tahoe. Their brewer Steve Canali has been a long-standing fixture in the Tahoe brewing scene bringing his passion for hand-crafted ales and barrel-aged sours to the new operation. Small in size but big in taste, Sidellis brews no more than seven kegs at a time with the Red Tape IPA commemorating their journey through the government “brew”ocracy to open the pub.
Alibi Ale Works
Brewed with pure water from Lake Tahoe itself, the rotating beer list at Alibi Ale Works in Incline Village is certain to tantalize your taste buds and satisfy your thirst. The onsite taproom serves up a balanced line-up of traditional European styles, super-fresh hoppy beers and innovative one-offs designed to expand your beer horizon. Their pet-friendly public house regularly hosts local food trucks and their Alibi Saison evokes flavors of lemon, pear, and sourdough bread with a crisp, peppery finish.
