Trekking The World of Craft Beer Reno/Cali Style!

Reno-Along The I-80 Craft Beer Corridor -Start or Finish.

Sign to The District
Courtesy-San Diego Beer News

Craft Beer Reno Is Unique

Yes, there are places developed around specific interest; art  is one that comes to mind.  Other cities have also focused on areas to promote the community that is inherently felt amongst Craft Beer enthusiasts.  The Brewery District in Reno comprises 4th Street and part of 5th Street having 7 breweries-could be a few more if we want to stretch the border.

The unique feature of 4th Street is: 1. It’s very unique history (read below), and 2. The ability to walk between breweries.

Craft Beer is a beverage that bespeaks: community, conviviality, and entertainment.

As a product Craft Beer is very complex to produce, it takes a great deal of time,  and craft beer is known for use of high quality ingredients. Interestingly, these brewers do explore new recipes and techniques. Who wants -same ole beer?

We have given you the 7 breweries in a defined area and encourage you to explore local.

The Beginning of The Reno Craft Brewery District

The following information is from the virtual tour of Historic East 4th Street on Reno Historical. A great deal of research and curating is required to bring history to life. Visit-Reno Historical at: https://renohistorical.org/tours/show/7)

From manufacturing to tourism, railroads to restaurants, East 4th Street has played an important and multifaceted role in the history of Reno for more than a century. 

First operating as a county road populated by isolated industries, scattered homes, and an early streetcar line to Sparks, East 4th Street profited by its proximity to the railroad and to Reno’s commercial core. In 1913, the creation of the Lincoln Highway Association led to the designation of 4th Street as the route of the transcontinental highway, and later, the Victory Highway, which also ran through town.

Renamed U.S. 40 in the late 1920s, the former Lincoln Highway remained the primary east-west route through Reno until the completion of Interstate 80, three blocks to the north, in 1974. In recent years, the street has been experiencing a renaissance, infusing new energy into a corridor whose heritage is largely unsurpassed.

Keep exploring Reno Historical to discover more historic sites along this corridor.

The Story Starts Here

The following is an entry from Reno Historical, for more information on the Reno Brewing Company visit (https://renohistorical.org/items/show/83). 

“Reno need no longer send east for lager,” rejoiced one of the local papers upon the opening of the Reno Brewing Company in 1903. Located on the corner of E. 4th and Spokane Streets, the new company joined a number of existing breweries in Reno including the Buffalo Brewing Company, Riter’s Elite Steam Beer, and the Wieland Brewing Company.

The new business was founded by a trio of men in their thirties. Master brewer Jacob Hook had immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1886, while John Maurer and Peter Dohr were second-generation Germans originally from Wisconsin who moved to Reno from Montana. Their raw materials–corn, malt, and hops–were brought into town by rail, and an electricity-powered ice plant on the premises chilled the barrels in a vast refrigerator room.

By 1907 the successful company boasted a new five-story brick “annex” and produced three varieties of beer: Sierra Beer, Malt Rose, and Royal Lager. It was soon the largest brewery in the state, shipping its product from the nearby railroad tracks and delivering locally in the company’s signature trucks.

As the tee-totaling temperance movement gained momentum, the company began to promote its beer as a healthy, even medically beneficial, beverage. Unlike many of the state’s other breweries, which shut down permanently during Prohibition, the Reno Brewing Company sailed through by cleverly redirecting its equipment to manufacture near-beer, soda water, seltzers, tonics, and fruit-flavored soft drinks.

In the 1930s, the brewery began to produce a beer called One Sound State, a reference to Nevada’s campaign to entice prospective residents with its favorable tax climate. With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, demand for the company’s beer soared higher than ever, and in 1940, the company constructed a new bottling plant next door, which still stands today. A 380-foot well provided direct access to the water used in production.

The beer business soon changed, however, as a few national brands like Anheuser Busch began to dominate the industry, squeezing out smaller producers. After entering into an ill-advised financial arrangement with eccentric local millionaire LeVere Redfield, the Reno Brewing Company was forced to stop brewing in 1957. The company’s assets were sold, and the building was acquired by Joseph Hobson of the Frontier Land & Cattle Co. The building was demolished in 1959, reportedly to make way for a projected casino that was never built.

 

An established brewery in Reno until 1930's
Reno Brewing did operate through Prohibition and well into the 1930's.ot have a long history, due to Prohibition 1920-1933. Still, they contributed to the Western Culture. Image courtesy: Antique Advertising Expert.

Sacramento-Can be Beginning or End of Craft Beer Corridor

Mark Twain
Mark Twain tried his hand at gold prospecting in the wide open Sacramento Gold Rush town. Famous for Gold, Beer and Hops.

“I arrived in the City of Saloons this morning at 3 o’clock, on board the good steamer Antelope, Captain Poole, commander. I know I am departing from usage in calling Sacramento the City of Saloons instead of the City of the Plains, but I have my justification — I have not found any plains, here, yet, but I have been in most of the saloons, and there are a good many of them. Virginia City Territorial Enterprise, Feb. 25, 1866.

Mark Twain became a writer lucky for us. He was born in Southern Missouri and died in Connecticut in 1910. He was well travelled in the area of Reno, Carson City, Virginia City, Sacramento, San Francisco and Hawaii. He was known for appreciation of good beer.

Ruhstaller Brewery-The largest brewery West of the Mississippi. Came about through consolidation with Buffalo Brewing. Courtesy: Sacramento Bee.

“The Sacramento region is experiencing a craft beer renaissance, with more than 50 breweries operating in the region. Located throughout the area, multiple craft breweries are within walking distance from downtown Sacramento.

Sacramento has a long history as a beer town. Before Prohibition, Sacramento breweries such as Buffalo Brewing Company (now the site of The Sacramento Bee) and beers made by Swiss immigrant Capt. Frank Ruhstaller took advantage of the region’s agricultural bounty, making Sacramento the largest beer production spot west of the Mississippi.” Comments from Visit Sacramento.

An old picture of Sacramento's brick building that was home to Buffalo Brewing Company.

Prohibition came along and the land that was growing hops for beer in the U.S. and international markets. The beer industry recognized Sacramento hops to be the finest in the world and was the largest grower of hops in America.

 

 

Some I-80 Beer History to keep it interesting.

The hop industry in California during the 1860s was quite remarkable. The Sacramento Valley, along with Mendocino and Lake counties, became prominent regions for hop cultivation due to their ideal growing conditions. The rich soil and favorable climate allowed for high-quality hop production, which was essential for brewing beer.

Here are some key points about the hop industry during that era:

  1. Economic Impact: The hop industry was often compared to the gold rush in terms of its economic significance. It provided a substantial boost to the local economy, creating jobs and fostering trade.

  2. Wide Distribution: Hops grown in California were widely distributed, not just within the state but also to other parts of the United States and even internationally. This helped establish California as a key player in the hop market.

  3. Agricultural Practices: Farmers in the region employed advanced agricultural techniques for the time, which contributed to the high yields and quality of the hops. This included careful selection of hop varieties and innovative farming methods.

  4. Shift to the Pacific Northwest: While California was a major hop producer in the 1860s, the industry eventually shifted to the Pacific Northwest, particularly Oregon and Washington, due to even more favorable growing conditions and the development of new hop varieties.

Some Data to Make Craft Beer Trekking More Interesting!

Sacramento has a rich history in the beer industry, dating back to the Gold Rush era. Here are some key highlights:

  1. Early Beginnings: German immigrants began brewing beer in Sacramento during the Gold Rush, making it California’s second-largest brewing center after San Francisco. 

  2. Pre-Prohibition Era: Before Prohibition, Sacramento was a major hub for beer production. The city was home to several large breweries, including the Buffalo Brewing Company and those operated by Swiss immigrant Frank Ruhstaller. Sacramento was the largest beer production spot west of the Mississippi. 

  3. Hop Production: The region was also a significant hop-growing area, supplying brewers across the country. This agricultural bounty contributed to Sacramento’s prominence in the beer industry.

  4. Modern Craft Beer Renaissance: In recent years, Sacramento has experienced a craft beer renaissance. The number of breweries in the region has grown from six to over sixty in about a decade. The University of California-Davis has played a crucial role in this resurgence with its renowned brewing science program.

  5. Ruhstaller Revival: The modern incarnation of Ruhstaller Beer, named after Frank Ruhstaller, has become a cult favorite among craft beer enthusiasts in Sacramento. This revival is part of the broader farm-to-pint movement, emphasizing local ingredients and community involvement.
     

In 1866, Mark Twain famously called Sacramento “the city of saloons.” Industrious German immigrants began brewing here during the Gold Rush, making the city California’s second-largest brewing center after San Francisco. In 1890, Herman Grau started the Buffalo Brewing Company in Sacramento, naming it after the thriving beer culture in Buffalo, N.Y. Soon Buffalo Brewing was one of the largest beer producers west of the Mississippi. Prohibition halted production for a time, and the brewery turned to making ice and “near beer” before ultimately shutting its doors due to competition from national breweries in 1945.

Sacramento’s beer scene is diverse and vibrant, with several iconic styles that reflect its rich brewing history and innovative craft beer culture. Here are a few notable ones:

  1. West Coast IPA: Known for its bold hop flavors and aromas, the West Coast IPA is a staple in Sacramento. Breweries like Track 7 Brewing Co. and Knee Deep Brewing Co. are renowned for their excellent IPAs.

  2. California Common: Also known as Steam Beer, this style has historical roots in California. It’s a hybrid beer, fermented with lager yeast at ale temperatures, resulting in a unique flavor profile. Ruhstaller Beer often features this style, paying homage to Sacramento’s brewing heritage.
     
  3. Farmhouse Ales: Reflecting the region’s agricultural bounty, many Sacramento breweries produce farmhouse ales and saisons. These beers often incorporate local ingredients and showcase complex, rustic flavors.
     
  4. Barrel-Aged Beers: Sacramento’s craft breweries are known for their barrel-aged beers, which are aged in various types of barrels (e.g., bourbon, wine) to develop rich, layered flavors. New Helvetia Brewing Co. and Urban Roots Brewing & Smokehouse are notable for their barrel-aged offerings.
     
  5. Pale Ales: A classic style that remains popular, pale ales from Sacramento breweries are known for their balanced hop and malt profiles. Devices Brewing Company and Bike Dog Brewing Co. are among the local favorites for this style.
     
  6. Sour Beers: The craft beer scene in Sacramento also embraces sour beers, which are known for their tart and tangy flavors. Mraz Brewing Company and Crooked Lane Brewing Company are celebrated for their innovative sour beer selections.

These styles highlight the creativity and quality of Sacramento’s craft beer industry.