Fall 2025 | Drink Tank

Behind the Brews

Tours offer year-round fun for beer lovers and foodies.

The Biggest Little City is home to an impressive number of craft breweries where you can casually sip your favorite beers and socialize. But when you’re ready to dive deeper and geek out on the local beer scene, City Brew Tours is your ticket.

John Turner Jr., who owns the Reno-Tahoe location of the City Brew Tours franchise, retired to Reno with his wife, Renee, after a career as a Navy pilot. As a beer enthusiast and home brewer, he was excited to launch a year-round beer-and-food experience that locals and visitors could enjoy beyond the summer season staples, such as Strange Brew; BBQ, Brews, and Blues; and The Biggest Little Craft Beer Festival.

Hop On
After you make your tour reservation online, the CBT van picks you up at the Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel, nestled alongside the Truckee River. Then you’re off on a VIP tour of three of Reno’s best-loved craft breweries over the course of about three and a half hours.

At each stop on the tour, you begin with a pour of what the brewmaster is most excited to share, be it a seasonal classic or a brand-new offering. As you taste, your City Brew guide explains the ingredients and methods contributing to the beer’s flavor, aroma, mouthfeel, and alcohol volume.

Pulling Back the Curtain
Brew in hand, you’ll embark on a behind-the-scenes tour of the brewing facility, with fermenters forming the backdrop to your deep dive into the brewery’s history and brewing processes.

“My hope is that people will be able to understand what they’re tasting and what goes into the beer to make it taste that way. I hope they walk away with an appreciation of craft beer, and that the next time they look at a beer menu, they can decipher what they’re looking at and pick something they really enjoy,” Turner says. 

Each tour includes visits to three destinations, rotating among five breweries in the heart of Reno: Brewer’s Cabinet, Parlay 6, Pigeon Head, Slieve Brewing Co., and The Depot. Turner selected these breweries for their exceptional beers and the variety they offer.

“Pigeon Head, being a lager house, makes a phenomenal pilsner, as well as craft beers across the spectrum, from IPAs to sours. Slieve is a cool experience as you can see firsthand what it looks like to go from home brewer to professional. Due to the small scale, you’ll always find something different, and they’re good at matching the seasons with both beers and events,” Turner says.

At your third stop, you’ll be provided tasty snacks, and the conversation turns to pairing beer with bites. Turner’s goal is that no one leaves hungry and that patrons learn how to enjoy their favorite brews with complementary foods.

Beyond Beer
One of Turner’s skills is finding a beverage to please any palate. If you’re not already a beer lover, he’ll ask about the flavors you enjoy and find a brew for you. CBT is expanding its offerings to include cocktails and mocktails. You can even purchase a nondrinker’s ticket if you prefer NA beverage choices.

The beer bus accommodates 14 people, and while other parties may begin as strangers, they don’t stay that way. Once you get on the bus, your guide will break the ice with introductions, and then it’s straight into a brief history of beer, from Ancient Egypt to Bavarian brewing laws.

“By the second stop, it’s one big group, and by the third stop, everyone’s friends. Everyone’s talking to everyone,” Turner says.

You can book a private tour for special events such as birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and corporate events, or if you want to gather your beer besties for a fun day out with a designated driver included.

Turner, who considers himself more of a beer enthusiast than an aficionado, is passionate about spreading the love of craft beer. He sees the job of City Brew Tours as pulling back the curtain and demystifying beer so that everyone — from home brewer to beer newbie — can sip with satisfaction. 

City Brew Tours
775-510-2337 · Reno-tahoe@citybrewtours.com · Citybrewtours.com/reno-tahoe
Tour times are available year-round, from Thursday through Sunday.