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Reno is famous for its plethora of tech companies (Tesla, Apple, and Google), and natural wonders like Lake Tahoe, ski resorts, and casinos. However, there is something more to this little city – it’s beer. The Biggest Little City in the World has more than dozens of craft breweries, pubs, and bars sprawling across Nevada. This contributes to its popularity as Nevada’s exciting beer destination.
If you’re looking to have a good time in the summer heat, Reno has everything you need! With a delicious food menu and European-style craft beers, entertainment, and great outdoor spaces—not to mention easy access to Lake Tahoe—a visit to Reno is worth it!
1. Great Basin Brewing Company
As the home for Nevada’s official beer- The Icky (Icthyosaur Pale Ale), Great Basin Brewing Company deserves to be on top of Reno’s craft breweries. Founded in 1993, it’s the oldest brewery, with four locations across Nevada. It has become a neighborhood staple where locals and tourists alike can enjoy Nevada’s best beers in a relaxing and welcoming environment.
Since its foundation, Great Basin already bags multiple awards for its flagships, The Icky, Wild Horse Amber Ale, and Outlaw Milk Stout, inspired by Nevada’s nature and vibrant vibe. Aside from its flagship beers, Great Basin is also a great place to dine, offering a delicious made-from-scratch menu, hand-tossed pizza, and pub grub. During summer, they offer an expansive patio with weekly live music in a fun and laidback atmosphere. Get to taste all their best craft brew by ordering flights, and proceed to order a pint if you find your favorite.
- Crowd Favorite: Icthyosaur ICKY, IPA, 6.4% ABV. A malty American IPA with grapefruit, lime, and caramel flavors.
- Highly Recommended: Outlaw Milk Stout, 5% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Great Basin Brewing offers “tightwad Tuesday,” where you can enjoy their award-winning craft beers for only $4.50!
Hours: Open Mon – Thur 11am – 9pm, Fri & Sat 11am – 10pm, Sun 11am – 8pm.
Address: 5525 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
Contact: (775)284-7711 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
2. The Depot Craft Brewery
Housed in a historic three-story train station, The Depot combines a brewery and distillery that aims to preserve the Old West heritage and create innovative beers and spirits for locals and tourists alike. The brewery is a nostalgic, beautiful anchor building that produces creative craft beers from Belgian style to American ales. The distillery sections also make bourbon, vodka, and gin that can be purchased by glass, bottles, or handcrafted into cocktails.
The Depot also offers delicious foods for brunch, lunch, and dinner that can be served in their taproom or on the outdoor patio if weather permits. Because of its century-old façade and rustic interiors, this brewery is also a favorite venue for private events such as weddings, rehearsal dinners, and others, catering from intimate to large gatherings.
- Crowd Favorite: The Voyager IPA, 5.6% ABV. A hop-forward American IPA with notes of tangerine and grapefruit.
- Highly Recommended: The Ranch Hand, Blonde Ale, 4.6% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: The Depot Craft Brewery required reservations for dining, so make sure to book your table ahead.
- Fun Fact: The century-old train station that houses The Depot was built in 1910 and caters to passengers of the Nevada- California- Oregon Railway passengers.
Hours: Open Tues & Wed 3pm – 9pm, Thur 11am – 9pm, Fri & Sat 11am – 10pm, Sun 11am – 3pm. Mon Closed.
Address: 325 E 4th St, Reno, NV 89512
Contact: (775)737-4330 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
3. Revision Brewery (Pignic Pub & Patio)
Revision Brewery is an award-winning brewery and was hailed as Nevada’s best brewery in 2020 (Business Insider) and Nevada’s Brewery of the Year at the 11th Annual New York International Beer Competition 2022. Revision Taproom and Pignic in downtown Reno features a full bar and a community grill yard perfect for outdoor family picnics and gatherings. The brewery is housed in a two-story historic 1916 craftsman’s house and offers a cozy and laidback atmosphere. The brewery also features a speakeasy-style taproom with themed rooms perfect for private events.
- Crowd Favorite: Disco Ninja, IPA, 7% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Revision IPA, 7.5% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Stop by on Thursday and participate in the famous Revision’s DJ Trivia!
- Fun Fact: The founder of Revision Brewery is a former brewmaster and CEO of Deep Knee Brewing Company in Auburn, CA.
Hours: Open Mon – Fri 3pm – 12am, Sat 12pm – 3am, Sun 12pm – 12am.
Address: 235 Flint St, Reno, NV 89501
Contact: (775)376-1948 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
4. The Brewer’s Cabinet
If you’re looking for great beers, a lively outdoor patio, and delicious foods in a laidback neighborhood vibe, then ride straight to The Brewer’s Cabinet! Located in Midtown Reno along the Truckee River, this brewery is known for its Tahoe beers, which have a deep-rooted history in Nevada. Aside from beers, the Brewer’s Cabinet also offers a wide selection of cocktails, wines, and spirits. Another thing that makes this brewery popular for locals is its mouth-watering food selections, from sandwiches to salad, and a special brunch menu every Saturday and Sunday. Make sure to bring the whole gang and try their bestsellers in a relaxed and homey vibe.
- Crowd Favorite: Dirty Wookie, Brown Ale, 7.2% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Tahoe Amber Ale, Red Ale, 6.4% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: The brewer’s Cabinet accepts table reservations.
- Fun Fact: Tahoe beer was a pre-modern beer crafted in 1862. The brewer’s Cabinet bought the beer rights and brought the iconic beer to bottles and cans once again.
Hours: Open Mon – Fri 3pm – 12am, Sat 12pm – 3am, Sun 12pm – 12am.
Address: 475 S Arlington Ave, Reno, NV 89501
Contact: (775)348-7481 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
5. IMBÍB Custom Brew
IMBÍB is one of the smallest microbreweries in Nevada that is popular for its barrel-aged beers, hop-forward IPAs, lagers, and sours ales. The brewery features fun and relaxing community beer hall which offers craft beers on tap, beer memberships, and brewing classes. They have exciting events throughout the week, such as beer and food pairings and craft beer week, where its patron can taste their newest and freshest brew with delicious foods from local food trucks.
- Crowd Favorite: Freshy Pow IPA, 6.2% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Red Rye, Red Ale, 6% ABV.
Hours: Open Sun – Tues 1pm – 8pm, Wed – Sat 1pm – 10pm.
Address: 785 E 2nd St, Reno, NV 89502
Contact: (775)470-5996 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
6. Brasserie St. James
With an old-world rustic vibe, award-winning beers, and tasty foods, Brasserie St. James is one of the most popular breweries in Reno, Nevada! This brewery offers an old-world feel due to its rustic interiors and classic craft beer styles from German Kolsch, ales, lagers, and Saison. Another factor that makes this brewery unique is the fact that it has an underground lake where they get their water source for their craft beers. Brasserie also offers a fusion of European cuisine and American comfort foods and a selection of wines and cocktails.
- Crowd Favorite: Red Headed Stranger, Farmhouse Ale, 6.6% ABV. An award-winning farmhouse ale in caramel and toffee flavor.
- Highly Recommended: Daily Wages, Farmhouse Ale, 6.7% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Brasserie St. James is accepting table reservations by phone.
- Fun Fact: Brasserie St. James is housed in the historic Crystal Springs Ice Building, founded in the 1920s.
Hours: Open Tues 3pm – 9pm, Wed – Fri 11am – 9pm, Sat 10am – 9pm, Sun 10am – 8pm, Mon Closed.
Address: 901 S Center St, Reno, NV 89501
Contact: (775)348-8888 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
7. Schussboom Brewing
Located in South Reno, Schussboom Brewing is the newest addition to Reno’s craft beer scene. It is a small local microbrewery and pizzeria that offers creative craft beers and elevated pub fare in a relaxed and casual vibe. Schussboom also features an expansive outdoor patio and covered deck that is kid and family-friendly. Other than beers, the brewery also serves wine, spirits, and cocktails, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Although the brewery is relatively new, the founder is an award-winning brewmaster that already bags awards making it a must-visit brewery.
- Crowd Favorite: Seis on Nueve, Farmhouse Ale, 9.6% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Double Eject IPA, 8.5% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Schussboom Brewing only allowed service dogs in the brewery.
- Fun Fact: Schussboom Brewing is the world’s first brewery to offer propane tank refills.
Hours: Open Sun – Thur 11am – 9pm, Fri & Sat 11am – 10pm.
Address: 12245 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89511
Contact: (775)900-3930 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
8. Pigeon Head Brewery
If you’re a fan of seasonal ales and lagers, Pigeon Head Brewery is the place in Reno for you. The brewery’s head brewer and co-founder graduated from the World Brewing Academy, giving him years of experience to draw from as he creates new and innovative craft beers. Pigeon Head also specializes in Belgian-style beers and provides a rotating selection on tap as well as weekly specials. With its rustic and relaxing taproom with a view of the brewery and an outdoor patio, it’s another of Reno’s pride!
- Crowd Favorite: Pilsner, 4.9% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Rye Rye Lager, 7% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Pigeon Head Brewery does not serve food, but food trucks are always available on rotation.
Hours: Open Mon – Thur 2pm – 8pm, Fri & Sat 12pm – 8pm, Sun 12pm – 6pm.
Address: 840 E 5th St, Reno, NV 89512
Contact: (775)276-6766 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
9. Lead Dog Brewery
The brewery opened in 2016, and since then it has won several medals in national and international beer competitions. Creative craft brews from approachable lagers, ales, IPAs, stout, and local food trucks make it a community gathering place. The brewery also offers a fun and welcoming vibe (which can only also be seen through their can artworks) in a more intimate space on Fourth Street. They have regular cornhole competitions every Saturday as well as local music.
- Crowd Favorite: Citra Solo, IPA, 6.4% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Peanut Butter Chocolate Stout, 6.6% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Unfortunately, Lead Dog is not a Kid-friendly brewery.
- Fun Fact: Ryan Gaumer, the CEO of Lead Dog Brewing, was hailed as the younger brewery owner in the US at the age of 21.
Hours: Open Tues – Thur 3pm – 8pm, Fri & Sat 12pm – 12am, Sun 3pm – 8pm, Mon Closed.
Address: 415 E 4th St, Reno, NV 89512
Contact: (775)462-3294 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
