liquid assets
LAKE BREW
New spot offers eight house-made beers with a view.
WRITTEN BY TIM HAUSERMAN
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TAHOE MOUNTAIN BREWERY
Much to the joy of locals and visitors alike, Tahoe Mountain Brewery in Tahoe City became the Tahoe Basin’s only craft brewery when it opened this summer. And not only is it a popular place to try eight beers brewed onsite — or eat some surprisingly tasty food — but it’s also a great spot to admire Lake Tahoe from its location across from Commons Beach.
| Tahoe Mountain Brewery owner Aaron Bigelow |
Tahoe Mountain Brewery owner Aaron Bigelow has been passionate about brewing beer since he started home brewing in 1992. When he was ready to take the plunge and open his own brewery, a location in the German-themed Cobblestone Center opened, providing the perfect spot for a brewery in Tahoe. It doesn’t hurt that every October the Cobblestone hosts a popular Oktoberfest event.
Bigelow, who also is a building contractor, gutted the former site of Evergreen Restaurant. He used rough-sawn spruce on the vaulted ceilings where he also installed a 175-year-old canoe he found in Vermont. The walls are accented with mounted prize fish, many of which Bigelow caught himself. When you add seven big-screen TVs and a cozy bar, it’s classic boathouse chic meets luxury man cave.
Currently restricted by space (with a nano-sized, seven-barrel system tucked in the restaurant’s loft), Bigelow aims to keep eight beers on tap at all times. But his 20-barrel production facility is about to come online in Truckee, which will help Bigelow reach his goal of one day serving 25 to 30 different beers each year.
Today you’ll find all the classic craft offerings such as an IPA, porter, and pilsner. And the brewery is small enough to create one-of-a-kind beers as well. Bigelow produces Belgian-style sours such as Funky Farmhouse, which is stored in wine barrels from Bordeaux, a Pepe Pilsner with white and black peppercorns, and a recent edition called Hopped Up Monk.
Tahoe Mountain Brewery also serves delicious food that complements the beer well. Try the ahi chips, a Cajun-seared tuna with a flavorful salsa and aioli on won ton chips. Or the pretzel bites, a combination of pretzel saltiness and donut softness and sweetness, slathered in beer mustard made with Pepe Pilsner. Moving on to the entrées, you can’t beat the tasty smokehouse meats such as the Tahoe Mountain ribs, which are juicy and fall off the bone. Dessert needs to be made with beer, right? Sample the porter bread pudding made with Tahoe Mountain Brewery’s Sugar Pine Porter.
Tim Hauserman has spent most of his life in Tahoe City. He wrote the official guidebook to the Tahoe Rim Trail, and his third edition was published in August.
Resources
Tahoe Mountain Brewery
475 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City
530-581-4677
www.Tahoebrewing.com
