Welcome to our annual Drinks edition, where we highlight local people, businesses, and endeavors in the beverage world. In this issue, we introduce you to a few new distillers creating spirits and experiences we think you might enjoy.
How important is ambience to you? I believe a meal or drink is greatly enhanced by a beautiful space with a good vibe. And a spectacular view can really elevate the occasion. We’re lucky to have restaurants and bars situated next to some pretty epic natural and historic wonders. We profile a few places to have drinks with a view in this issue.
Traditionally, women have not been that involved in the beer industry. Even today, it’s typically a male-dominated business. But that’s changing. We spoke to a few women in the Reno-Tahoe brewing scene — pioneers and newbies — about challenges they face and what the future may hold for them.
In this issue, we tell the fascinating tale of Nevada Sazerac saloons of yore. Nothing was too good for The Silver State’s early miners and speculators, and the fancy Sazerac cocktail fit the bill.
Are you making it a dry January this year? If so, we offer a collection of Reno-Tahoe’s best mocktails and where to find them. We also share how to make non-alcoholic ginger beer at home. I rarely drink soda, but when I do, I reach for a ginger beer. Not only does it have a wonderful sweet and spicy flavor, but the carbonation and ginger soothe my belly, too. And I learned in our story, it’s a healthy, natural probiotic!
Since couples often get engaged over the holidays, we include a wedding guide in this issue to help connect you to great local resources for the Big Day. And, for Valentine’s Day, we feature a gift guide to help you shop for all the loves in your life. Don’t miss those and our regular home and health & wellness guides.
Finally, this issue is dedicated to one of the most thoughtful, loving, caring men I ever met. Charlie Abowd was a pillar of the community and a fixture in our food-and-drink scene. Read more about him here. Sadly, he passed away from a heart attack on Nov. 9. Through his actions and love, he taught me and many others how to live: Make a difference whenever you can and put compassion into action. It’s a great lesson for us all.
Cheers!
About the Cover
Jonathan Stein, owner and master distiller of Shedcat Distillery & Kitchen in South Lake Tahoe business. Photo by Brooke Reyes, Dreampilot Films
