Just under thirty minutes from the shores of Lake Tahoe is the town of Truckee. A place that’s near and dear to our hearts. Its historic downtown is filled with award-winning eateries such as the original Squeeze-In. Surrounded by half a dozen ski resorts and miles of world-class singletrack in the summer. While we don’t make it here often enough, when we do, we ALWAYS make it a point to stop at one of the Truckee Breweries to celebrate.
Alibi Ale Works
Ever since the brewery opened in Incline Village, we’ve LOVED everything they’ve done. So much so that we’ve held countless movie premieres here. Their classics such as the porter, IPA, and Kolsch are drinkable to the point that you don’t even realize you’ve had three of them. But what makes them stand out is their experimental concoctions. Like mad scientists, each season brings forth another one or four to try. Ingredients such as wild yeast from their beer hives or entire juniper branches into their boil kettle.
Truckee Public House
With their second location open since 2017, it reminds us of a German ale house we visited years ago on a trip to Koln (or Cologne in American). The windows are framed with pine and let in lots of light. While the outdoor seating is large and airy allowing you to relax the afternoon away with a cold pint in hand. They also serve up classic brew house food such as a bratwurst and large pretzel with their own twist on both.
Easy On The Gut
I have to be honest with you. My body doesn’t like beer as much as it used to. I can have one or two at the most before I regret it or rather my body tells me that I should regret it. As Bernie Mac would say, “I’m old ‘merica.” Alibi has gone out of their way to help us folks by using enzymes to ensure your gut can enjoy it without regret.
FiftyFifty Brewing
You’ll see there is a theme to Truckee breweries, each one being innovative and crafting suddy brews that are all worth a visit. FiftyFifty has won countless awards over the years and even named the “Brewery Group of the Year” at the Great American Beer Festival. Besides the core lineup, their seasonal variations are a must. IPA drinkers will beeline to the Space Dog. It gives their brewers a chance to create with new and experimental hops each season being a different release. How do you know what it will be like? Each version is marked with a “Mission” like Apollo 11.
The Eclipse Series
How could we talk about this Truckee brewing company without mentioning the Eclipse series. Every year they take their award-winning Imperial Stout and age it in whiskey barrels for months to create a one-of-a kind concoction that’s released in December. They are so popular that to grab one of these you must reserve a future in April.
Truckee Brewing Company
Since 2018 when the Truckee Brew Co opened in the Pioneer Commerce Center, their mission has been to put out quality drinkable beer. To ensure this happens, they use domestic malted barely, high quality hops, and water that flows from Lake Tahoe. This helps guarantee that the flavor of their suds are consistent and tastes great.
In 2022, they stepped up their game by opening a restaurant serving elevated bar food. It includes hand crafted pizzas made with double zero Caputo flour. Mouthwatering sandwiches and appetizers such as freshly shucked oysters flown in from northern America. All that pairs well with their different styles of ales, lagers, and IPAs. Located in the same plaza as the new Raley’s in Truckee, they’re far enough away from the hustle and bustle of downtown (i.e. free/easy parking) but close enough to get there quickly. And to make it even better, they arguably have one of the best views in Truckee from their patio deck giving you a prime time shot of Castle Peak.
The Good Wolf
In 2017, a wolf was spotted for the first time in more than a century in Lake Tahoe, but there is one that is more permanent and of a different kind found in Truckee California – a brewery named the Good Wolf. A wolf symbolizes untamed wildness that stirs something deep within your soul and this brewery’s offerings do just that. Located in the old Tahoe Mountain Brewing Company, they continually rotate and experiment with their offerings. For example, they’ve brought back an extinct lager recipe that was crafted in Truckee more than 150 years ago and shipped globally. From heavy hopped maniacs to German hounds, you’ll find their barley pops refreshing and creative.
Donner Creek Brewing
The final spot on our list of Truckee breweries is Donner Creek Brewing. It reminds us of the little engine that could. Smaller than a nano, it’s labeled as a “pico” brewery meaning they use a 1-3 bbl system. And yet it’s nominated for the best brewery, best bartender, best lunch, and even the best local spot. From the Storm Day IPA to the Death by Pothole Stout, the names will make you smile, and the taste will have you coming back for more. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the mouthwatering grilled cheese sandwiches. And if some of your friends aren’t into brews, they also serve a variety of wines, ciders, hard booch, and even CBD drinks.
