A Reno Tour of Hoppy Delights

We love beer. But then again who doesn’t? Being the eclectic and off-beat town that it is, Reno’s beer scene is not only rapidly expanding, but it’s pretty darn quality. Breweries are opening, distribution is constantly improving, and bar tap handles are housing some of the best and/or unique brews Reno’s ever seen.

For those of you who demand more depth than the typical domestics, we’ve put together another little list of places around town where you’ll find some hoppy gems.

One of our favorite places to kick back and grab a beer is Ole Bridge Pub. Perfectly set along the Truckee River, Ole Bridge is a Euro-style pub with shuffle board, outdoor seating, a selection of sports games playing, and of course, beers galore. Our favorite beer is a little “fruity”, but delightfully crisp and refreshing. Samuel Smith’s organic fruit brews come in 18 ounce bottles, pour like fruit juice, and are perfect for any lady date you’re trying to impress. Away from that, the selection continues to please pallets, and features several brews from De Molen, Grand Teton, Mikkeller, Rouge, and Stone. Bottled or draft, this is one fine place to enjoy the sunshine, downtown, and a delicious beer in a quite enchanting atmosphere.

If you’re going to call yourself a “west coaster” then you’ve got to have several things down and implemented into your lifestyle- one of those being an unsurpassed love and loyalty towards Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. And anyone who’s got that part down is well aware that the selection of brews offered by Sierra goes for miles, and covers ground on every style of beer that exists, from your strong imperials to the classic pale ale. And there’s one bar in Reno that houses an exclusive selection of these delightful beers. Sierra Tap House is tucked into the back of the same building Java Jungle and Jungle Vino call home. Its outside seating is a mere 2 feet from the Truckee and just across the bridge from Wingfield Park’s stage (by far the most convenient bar to pour into after downtown events such as the Reno River Festival, the Tour De Nez, or Artown) and inside it’s got that Cheers feeling of a neighborhood basement bar, where anyone and everyone are always welcome. You won’t find a place in Reno that only features one brewery’s beer yet holds so much dynamic in doing just that.

Take a stroll down Virginia and you’ll eventually land at Chapel Tavern. Now this is a bar we recommend you all become accustomed with and frequent. From the outside looks, you automatically picture a dive inside. But with a fresh renovation only a few years in, Chapel is top quality. Bar stools, comfy couches, and one random pole that will make your imagination wander with possibilities, Chapel beckons for fun. There’s always cool artwork rotating in display as well. But we’re here to talk beer. Chapel’s finest quality is their selection of European brews, particularly the Belgium imports. The diverse catalogue of brews Chapel houses has not been surpassed in Reno in our opinion. Beer snobs, this is your hot spot. Become a regular and make it point to get friendly with bartender Dave. He’ll take good care of you!

Much like Chapel, St James Infirmary on California & Arlington is a beer lovers haven. We’ve never been let down by their beer specials, which almost always include a few American and a few European craft brews from the tap, most of which fall under the $8 range (anyone who knows good beer knows it’s not cheap). Whether you’re in the mood for a nice Rouge Amber or a Blanche De Chambly, St. James hip but non-pretentious ambience is perfect for beers, good conversation, and a chance to try out one of the best jukeboxes in Reno.

Our final beer sanctuary is home to what we consider the best selection and prices in the area. First off, every beer is stored in a walk-in cooler that patrons can wander around and choose their brews from. The selection is divided between regions and includes beers from America, Europe, New Zealand, and Japan. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in here, then it probably can’t be found in Nevada at all. We’ve noticed that Craft’s foreign selection is unsurpassed by any place we’ve found in the area- Cantillon's, Panil, Mikkeller, de Struisse, and so, so much more. Best part? The staff is knowledgeable beyond belief, and not cocky in the slightest. They’re friendly, you can take the beer to go or drink it there, and the prices more inexpensive than most liquor and grocery stores around Reno-Tahoe. We wish this place the best of luck, as they’ve brought an awesome, innovative concept to Reno and provided all the beer lovers a place to call their second home.