11 Best Lake Tahoe Breweries in 2023 [For Beer Lovers]

Over the last few years, there has been an increase of new Lake Tahoe breweries offering locals and tourists alike the experience of tasting unique brews inspired by Tahoe’s easy and relaxing environment.

From craft to nano, these Tahoe breweries provide guests with a variety of experiences and libations unique to each establishment.

So, if you’re looking for a watering hole to visit after a long day out in the lake area, this list has got you covered.

Lake Tahoe Breweries Map

South Lake Tahoe Breweries

If you’re on the lookout for the best breweries in Lake Tahoe, the South Lake Tahoe beer trail showcases up-and-coming establishments that will satisfy any beer enthusiast. Follow along the trail and explore what each brewery has to offer.

South of North Brewing Company

• Beers on tap: 6 (+7 Guest Taps)
• Patio Dining: Yes with firepits
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 3.6
• Food Offerings: appetizers, sandwiches, grain bowls, dessert
• Other Drink Offerings: Cider, Kombucha, N/A beverages
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

The Basecamp Beer Garden, also known as South of North Brewing Company, offers its visitors indoor and outdoor fun all year round with live music, a great selection of draughts made on-site, and delicious food pairings.

Various outdoor activities and the fire pits in their courtyard provide a warm and inviting atmosphere where groups can gather for some good laughs and even meet a new face or two.

If you ever visit this Lake Tahoe brewery, try The Buried Hatchet, a 4.7% ABV red ale that’s malty with subtle notes of caramel and a few fruity notes as well.

South Lake Brewing Company

• Beers on tap: 15 ( subject to change)
• Patio Dining: Yes
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 3.7
• Food Offerings: varies depending on the available food vendor on-site, outside food allowed
• Other Drink Offerings: Customers are allowed to bring their own N/A beverages
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

Whether you like to enjoy your beer in a large beer garden, on the front patio, or in an indoor tasting room, there’s a cozy space for you in South Lake Brewing Company (SLBC).

SLBC prides itself on being a community-focused brewery which you will experience firsthand when you catch their live music events, games, and the numerous food truck vendors they have on-site.

For their 5^th anniversary, SLBC teamed up with three California breweries to release three collaboration beers and two specialty beers that are uniquely theirs.

Stateline Brewery and Restaurant

• Beers on tap: 6 plus guest taps
• Patio Dining: Yes
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 3.3 
• Food Offerings: appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, pasta, steaks, seafood, kids menu, and desserts
• Other Drink Offerings: Full bar
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

With its newly renovated 8,500 square feet location, Stateline Brewery and Restaurant is one of the largest restaurants in Heavenly Village.

It provides guests with an extensive food and drinks menu and is a great place to bring groups and family along with pets allowed in their outdoor dining area.

This South Lake Tahoe brewery makes its own fresh IPA, Pale Ale, Wit, Blonde, and Seasonals and they also offer guest microbrews from some West Coast breweries.

Sidellis Lake Tahoe

• Beers on tap: 12 (rotating, subject to change)
• Patio Dining: Yes
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 3.6
• Food Offerings: snacks, salads, sandwiches, flatbreads, today’s specials
• Other Drink Offerings: Wine, Cider, N/A beverages
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

Included in the South Lake Tahoe Beer Trail, Sidellis Lake Tahoe is the brainchild of couple Chris Sidell and Ellwood Ellis.

Considered to be one of the best breweries in Lake Tahoe, Sidellis offers a unique lineup that is all available on tap.

Their Clockwork White Ale, a Belgian-style wheat beer brewed with coriander and sweet orange peel, is a crowd favorite.

But if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, and you’re lucky enough to catch it, try Clockwork White Ale’s mango habanero version, the Mangonero White.

Local Tip: This is a good stop after lounging at El Dorado Beach or the other beaches in South Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe Aleworx

• Beers on tap: 18 (subject to change)
• Patio Dining: Yes with firepits
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 3.4
• Food Offerings: snacks, salads, pizzas, sandwiches, desserts, kids menu, prime rib dinner (Friday-Saturdays only)
• Other Drink Offerings: Full Bar (Stateline), Wine & Nitro coffee (Y location)
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

If “Choose Your Own Adventure” is your thing, Lake Tahoe Aleworx offers you the experience of designing your own wood-fired pizza or serving yourself your own beer using their self-serve beer wall.

Guests are provided with glasses and wristbands that activate their taps, so you’ll only be charged for what and how much you pour – think of it as your own customized beer-tasting event.

During your visit, try the Cali Common, a citrusy pilsner crafted using fresh Lake Tahoe water.

💡 Did you know that Lake Tahoe is one of the purest lakes in the world? Check out this article to learn more fun facts about Tahoe!

Cold Water Brewery and Grill

• Beers on tap: 13
• Patio Dining: Yes with firepits & heaters
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 3.5
• Food Offerings: appetizers, salads, mains, sandwiches, desserts
• Other Drink Offerings: Full bar
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

Cold Water Brewery and Grill is one of the best breweries in South Lake Tahoe and has been voted as “Best Overall Restaurant” by the readers of the Tahoe Tribune.

It is the first all-grain and only female-owned brewery in the area. Every Cold Water beer is brewed on-site and is available in 16 oz. to-go cans.

Their carefully curated seasonal food items are prepared daily using farm-fresh ingredients offering guests great-tasting California comfort food.

The Hangar

• Beers on tap: 30 (rotating)
• Patio Dining: Yes with firepits
• Food offerings: no kitchen on-site but are partnered with local vendors and caterers to have food available (mostly on weekends), outside food allowed, free popcorn on-site when there are no food vendors
• Other Drink Offerings: Cider, Kombucha
• Pet friendly: Yes (on leash, see rules)
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes (with rules)

With over four acres of outdoor space, The Hangar is Tahoe’s largest outdoor beer garden that offers a carefully hand-curated selection of beers unique to the Lake Tahoe area.

No matter what type of beer you fancy, The Hangar’s 30 taps will sure have a glass for you – even more so if you’d like to do a beer tasting.

Though considered to be pet and kid-friendly, there are strict rules you must observe to ensure a great experience for everybody.

During the summer, The Hangar hosts 21 and over only events, where it’s probably best to take the kids somewhere else.

This isn’t technically a brewery in South Lake Tahoe but they do feature the best beers from around the lake.

North Lake Tahoe Breweries

No matter how you choose to explore the mountain towns of North Tahoe, a great way to end the day of hiking or skiing is to grab a pint or two at any of these North Lake Tahoe breweries.

Alibi Ale Works

• Beers on tap: 20
• Patio Dining: Yes
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 3.7
• Food offerings: snacks, appetizers, soup, salad, flatbread, burger, sandwich, sausage, kids menu
• Other Drink Offerings: Wine, cider, kombucha, nitro coffee
• Pet friendly: No 
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

Alibi Ale Works’ Incline Public House, located in Incline Village, has over 18+ frequently rotating Alibi beers on draft. Their food menu is carefully designed to complement the flavors of their beers.

Locally sourced and sustainably produced, customers can enjoy delicious food either inside their well-spaced indoor seating or outside on their heated deck.

Alibi attributes its ever-evolving and wide selection of great-tasting beers to its talented and sometimes very experimental brewers along with their not-so-secret special ingredient, pure Lake Tahoe water.

Head to one of their three locations and try out the Jaded Local, a 4.2% ABV American Lager made in collaboration with the Mountain Gazette, a local magazine.

Bear Belly Brewing

• Beers on tap: 5
• Patio Dining: Yes
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 3.8
• Food Offerings: no kitchen, outside food allowed, Tahoe Shuck Truck available every other Saturday
• Pet friendly: Yes (on leash)
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

Located within the Kings Beach community, Bear Belly Brewing is a nano-brewery that brews in small batches ensuring that beers rotate constantly and are always fresh.

Kids and pets are allowed at their outdoor beer garden and during the summer, local food trucks are parked at the property to cater to food orders.

A regular in their five-draft beer lineup, Mountain Mango Wheat is a summertime favorite.

Made with German malts, hops, yeast, Kings Beach water, and mango puree, Mountain Mango Wheat is a refreshingly light and easy drink.

Tahoe National Brewing Company

• Beers on tap: 7-10
• Patio Dining: Yes
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 3.6
• Food offerings: snacks, deep-dish pizza, soft pretzels, salad, sandwiches
• Other Drink Offerings: Full bar
• Pet friendly: Yes (on leash)
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

With the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains as its backdrop, Tahoe National Brewing Company provides its guests a relaxing and scenic venue as they enjoy healthy food, specialty cocktails, well-curated wine, and freshly brewed beer.

Tucked away behind the Safeway, this newly renovated North Lake Tahoe brewpub has a dog-friendly patio where you can bring your furry friend along as you enjoy a glass of cold one while admiring unparalleled views of the lake.

Best Breweries near Lake Tahoe

Truckee Breweries

This small historic mountain town, located just 20 minutes from Lake Tahoe is a hotbed of local breweries that are producing some really amazing craft beers.

If you are visiting the lake and you love supporting small breweries, make the trek over and taste your way through the breweries in Truckee.

The Good Wolf Brewing Company

• Beers on tap: 11
• Patio Dining: Yes
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 3.9
• Food Offerings: Charcuterie, crackers, crunchy snacks (outside food is welcome)
• Other Drink Offerings: 2 N/A taps, summit soda
• Pet friendly: No
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

As poetic as the proverb from which its name was based, The Good Wolf Brewing Company showcases unique forest beers that can be described as a wonderful example of a marriage between science and art.

Located within Tahoe National Forest, its beer selections are made from local ingredients that are sourced and often foraged from the area.

A great example of how they are able to recreate the forest in a glass is their Dirt Candy. A foraged mushroom ale made with ingredients from their very own backyard, this pale to reddish-brown drink is rich in umami flavors. Talk about a mushroom trip! 

Truckee Brewing Company

• Beers on tap: 16
• Patio Dining: Yes
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 3.6
• Food Offerings: small bites, beer pairings (restaurant opening soon)
• Pet friendly: No
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

Truckee Brewing Company showcases an open warehouse concept with its high-vaulted ceilings and a friendly casual atmosphere that invites patrons to just hang out and enjoy a glass from their selection of over 16+ high-quality beers on tap.

TBC offers different styles of IPAs ranging from West Coast styles to New England and imperials. However, this Truckee brewery also brews mean sours, ales, and porters.

If ever you’re in the area, try their PHRESHEZ IPA, a hop-forward ale with 6.4% ABV.

Fiftyfifty Brewing

• Beers on tap: 16
• Patio Dining: Yes with firepit & heat lamps
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 4.1
• Food offerings: full lunch menu, full dinner menu
• Other Drink Offerings: Full bar, Cider, Kombucha, N/A beverages
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

Fiftyfifty Brewing (5050) was designed with balance in mind evidenced by the variety they offer both with their beer selection and food menu.

You will find there is a little something for everybody here. Fiftyfifty’s Truckee pub has indoor seating and an outside lounge where you can enjoy your food and drink by the firepit.

Known for their barrel-aged beer, try their Focal Ratio, a 13.6% ABV imperial stout brewed in collaboration with Bottle Logic Brewing and Urban Roots.

Also, be on the lookout for Eclipse, another imperial stout aged in oak bourbon barrels for six months which Fifty Fifty releases only once a year.

Donner Creek Brewing

• Beers on tap: 2-3
• Patio Dining: Yes
• Food Offerings: grilled cheese panini, soft pretzels
• Other Drink Offerings: Wine, Cider
• Pet friendly: Yes (outside only)
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

Donner Creek Brewing is the only pico brewery on the list – pico brewery means it’s smaller than a nano-brewery.

What they lack in selection they do make up for quality taps and several canned and bottled beers and wines that customers can drink on-site or to-go.

Donner Creek Brewing has indoor seating as well as outside dining for those who plan to bring their pets along.

Their current food offerings are only limited to five types of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and soft pretzels but they are expanding their menu and might open earlier daily as well. 

Carson City Breweries

Nestled within Carson City’s historical setting are some of the best breweries in the Lake Tahoe area. So if ever you find yourself exploring near the east shoreline of Lake Tahoe, drop by these breweries.

Shoe Tree Brewing Co.

• Beers on tap: 15
• Patio Dining: Yes
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 3.8
• Food Offerings: none
• Other Drinks Offerings: House-brewed rootbeer, sparkling lemonade
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

Founded by brothers and brew masters Jeff and Paul Young, Shoe Tree Brewing Co. in Carson City has an on-site beer tasting room offering a rotating list of award-winning beers.

With its great selection of craft beers on tap, Shoe Tree Brewing Co. is a favorite local hangout spot and stop-over for out-of-towners.

Local tip for a full experience, while in the area, make sure to do “The Triathlon” – soak in Carson Hot Springs, drink a glass of frosty beer from Shoe Tree, and dine at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint.

Great Basin Brewing Company

• Beers on tap: 18 (15 craft beers, 3 seasonal)
• Patio Dining: Yes
• Untappd rating (out of 5): 3.7
• Food Offerings: starters, soups and salads, pizza, burgers and sandwiches, pub favorites
• Other Drink Offerings: Full bar
• Pet friendly: Yes (during warmer months)
• Family/Kid-Friendly: Yes

Great Basin Brewing Company is Nevada’s oldest operating brewery. Both its brewpubs in Sparks and Reno offer delicious meals and a full bar.

Make sure to visit either location on Tightwad Tuesdays to avail pints of their award-winning craft beer for only $3.50.

The ICKY IPA is a malt-balanced IPA with flavors of caramel and citrus and was named after Nevada’s official state fossil.   

Best Time to Visit Lake Tahoe

The best time to visit Lake Tahoe will depend on the activity that you want to do.

If you want to go skiing, snowboarding, or even sledding in South Lake Tahoe, then the winter months will be the prime time to enjoy the snow at ski resorts at Lake Tahoe.

Visit Lake Tahoe in late November if you want to ski early in the season.

You can relax at the end of the day by soaking in your cabin’s hot tub or visiting one of the hot springs in the area.

The summer months in Lake Tahoe are just as amazing for those who want to enjoy its beautiful beaches and hundreds of hiking trails.

And if you want to have an even more memorable vacation, stay at one of the beachfront hotels for access to a private beach.

For those who want to avoid the crowds, visit Lake Tahoe in the Spring, such as April and May, as well as in early Fall.

Wrap-Up: Best Lake Tahoe Breweries

Whether you’re a beer enthusiast looking to explore what Lake Tahoe Breweries has to offer, or you’re just thirsting for a glass of cold one, the Lake Tahoe beer scene surely won’t disappoint. 

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