edible notables
FUN AND PHILANTHROPY
Brews with Views helps preserve Nevada Land Trust.
WRITTEN BY JENNIE TEZAK
PHOTOS BY CELA ZAWADZKA, COURTESY OF NEVADA LAND TRUST
Fifteen years ago, Trent Schmidt, co-owner of Silver Peak Restaurant and Brewery in Reno, had a brilliant idea. He wanted to organize an entertaining project as well as give back to his community — in particular, the Nevada Land Trust, an organization dear to him. The brainchild became Brews with Views.
“It originated out of the creative promotion of good ideas,” Schmidt says. “We wanted to do something out of the norm to get people to pay attention.”
Every year in late September or early October, at least 70 to 80 people of all ages hike up Spooner Lake to Marlette Lake near Lake Tahoe. The hikers, known as “beer sherpas,” each lug one keg of beer (weighing 65 pounds) during the hike. The hikers may make a suggested donation of $5 that benefits the Nevada Land Trust. The nonprofit was born around the same time as the restaurant, so the two have a special connection
Preserving and Protecting
The Nevada Land Trust, established in 1998 as the Nevada Land Conservancy, is a private, nonprofit land trust dedicated to preserving and protecting Nevada’s open spaces for future generations. As the first “Nevada-born” land trust, the organization meets the state’s conservation needs through collaboration with landowners, businesses, environmental organizations, and public officials. The group’s management and members have worked to protect more than 42,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land, working ranches, and key wildlife habitat in the past 15 years.
“NLT originated to assist in the preservation of special places in Nevada,” Schmidt says. “We’re holding on to the land for future generations.”
This is why it was important to Schmidt that this organization, whose board he sits on, gains recognition. He was committed to spreading the word about what Nevada Land Trust does.
In addition to encouraging participant donations, Schmidt also brings an assemblage of items from the restaurant for hikers to purchase, including coupons for free beers, pint glasses, T-shirts, and more, all of whose proceeds also are donated.
Once they reach their endpoint, hikers chug down either the finely brewed Silver Peak beer, such as Sierra Amber Ale or XXX Blonde, or their own drinks and hang out before hiking back down. Food is not provided.
“It’s an excuse to have beer before noon on a Saturday afternoon,” Schmidt says.
Change of Scenery
Originally, the hike took place on the trail from Mt. Rose Highway to Mt. Rose summit. Schmidt remembers climbing up the mountain and saying to himself, exhausted, with his legs burning, “Whose stupid idea was this?
“It gave me a newfound respect for the military,” he adds.
Mt. Rose proved too much for participants, so the location was changed. But now his legs are finely tuned for that long hike.
Jennie Tezak is a freelance writer who graduated with a master’s degree from NYU’s journalism school.
The 15th Annual Brews with Views Beer Hike
Saturday, Oct. 11
8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hike begins at the Spooner Lake parking lot at the intersection of S.R. 28 and U.S. 50.
For details, visit http://www.Nevadalandtrust.org/events/brews-views
