Start rattling off destinations for your next potential ski trip and, odds are, you won't find Reno, Nevada near the top. Perhaps it is because people don't realize that you fly into the Reno Tahoe Airport when visiting Lake Tahoe. Or, maybe it's because many still see Reno, Nevada as Las Vegas' red-headed stepchild. Whatever the reason, the perception of Reno is wrong.
It's Not Far From Reno to Lake Tahoe
"The Biggest Little City in the World" is really starting to come into its own. Tech companies like Apple, Telsa and Google have all moved into town. With them brought a wave of new blood that has revitalized the once downtrodden city. Reno is no longer a forlorn gambling destination. It is now a center for skiers and snowboarders seeking to take advantage of its close proximity to the incredible skiing in and around Lake Tahoe.
The highly underrated Mt. Rose is only 20 minutes outside of Reno, Nevada. Drive a little further to north Lake Tahoe and you will find top-notch resorts such as Palisades Tahoe and Northstar. Not to be outdone is the skiing on the south side of the lake. There, Heavenly and Kirkwood are sure to capture your imagination.
Turn Après Ski Into a Reno Beer Crawl
Yes, Reno's prime location definitely makes the city worthy as a ski and snowboard destination, but that is not all it has to offer. Reno, Nevada's quirky mix of mountain town meets Vegas makes the city an excellent location to stay and hang après ski. Turn one corner and you'll find a monster casino staring you in the face. Head to another part of town and you'd be hard-pressed not to find an excellent restaurant and one of the many breweries in Reno.
Yes, there are breweries in Reno. In fact, the Reno craft beer scene is budding and continues to grow each and every year. This gives skiers and snowboarders plenty of options to satiate their taste buds with their favorite après ski beverage while in town.
So go ahead, turn your next après ski session into a Reno beer crawl and be sure to stop at these five stops along the way.
Reno Craft Beer That is Worth Your While
Great Basin Brewing Co.
Photo Credit: Great Basin Brewing Instagram Page
No Reno craft beer list would be complete without Great Basin Brewing on it. After all, they began the revolution when they became the first official brewery to open their doors in Reno in 1993.
The original brewery is technically in Sparks but Great Basin does have a location in south Reno too. Both locations serve food and between the two of them brew about 11,000 barrels of beer per year. Be sure to try their most popular beer, the Icky IPA. Short for the state fossil, Ichthyosaur, it is one of their original beers and the recipe hasn't changed much over time.
The Depot
Photo Credit: The Depot Instagram Page
The Depot is definitely one of the coolest-looking breweries on the list. The three-story brick building was built in 1910 and was once the headquarters for the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway. Now it serves as a cornerstone of an up-and-coming neighborhood in downtown Reno.
Double the pleasure, double the fun at The Depot. They are not only a brewery but also a distillery. The Depot also serves up some creatively tasty food. So whether you are just looking to drink or dine in as well, The Depot has it all.
Lead Dog Brewing Co.
Photo Credit: Lead Dog Brewing Instagram Page
To say Lead Dog Brewing has grown since opening in 2016 is quite an understatement. It's flourished! So much so that only three years after opening the original East Fourth Street location in Reno, they opened an 18,000 Square foot facility in Sparks too. Lead Dog needed this space to accommodate their exponential growth, particularly during the pandemic when they began canning almost double the amount of beer they had been prior.
Now the East Fourth Street location serves as a "brewtique" so to speak. Only a short walk from downtown it is a worthy stop on your Reno beer crawl. Lead Dog's award-winning craft beer is delicious. Not to mention, you are sure to have a good time while you play games like cornhole and shuffleboard with friends.
Brasserie St. James
Photo Credit: Brasserie St. James Instagram Page
Take one look inside Brasserie St. James and you will be hooked. The unique industrial lodge look accentuated by multiple stone fireplaces is, not only, captivating but screams après ski. Their atmosphere sets the stage for their award-winning craft beer and delicious food. In fact, it was this combination that earned them the Best Mid-size Brewpub award at the Great American Beer Festival in 2014.
Since then, The Brasserie has continued to grow in popularity. Dishes like the Brasserie Poutine and Southern Fried Chicken are creative takes on comfort classics. Equally innovative are their beers which connect the old and the new. Daily Wages, a Farm-Hand Saison, is an excellent Old World style while the Sierra Candy, a West Coast IPA is something we all can recognize.
IMBIB Custom Brews
Photo Credit: IMBIB Instagram Page
Imbib is yet another award-winning brewery in Reno, and with good reason. Their beers are authentically innovative and some of the best I've had. By combining traditional styles with unique ingredients they push they are breaking boundaries with their brewing. This has ultimately earned them multiple awards at major beer festivals.
Don't think for one second that their creativity will prevent you from finding something that you like on their beer menu. It won't. Imbib prides itself on brewing enough styles for everyone to enjoy. IPAs, Stouts, Bocks, Sours and more, they brew them all. More importantly, they brew them all well, making Imbib a must on your Reno beer crawl.
Après Ski Clothing Worthy of Reno Craft Beer
These five breweries in Reno are the mere tip of the iceberg. There are many others that are also great and worthy of your time. Whether you are hitting up the ones above or adding in a few of your own, it's important you have the right après ski clothes for your Reno beer crawl.
Our Raised on Après Ski Hoodie is an excellent choice for the occasion. Having a ski hoodie on hand is important given the potential temperature swings in Reno. And, the pint raised over the mountains will show everyone your love for craft beer at après ski.
If you enjoy finding out about the best places to hang and drink great craft beer on your next ski trip, then our Après Ski Blog is for you. Sign up today and never miss another post.
