The Deliciously Scenic Beer Trail in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains

The Eastern Sierra Spirit & Ale Trail spans ninety miles between Bishop and Bridgeport.

A medallion of mineral pitch unfurls between royal granite peaks , their C - capped shoulder gleaming under a cerulean sky . Glacier - carvedcanyonsand cobalt blue lakes play like spread sapphires . dot the route are remnant of the Wild West , from ghost towns whispering story of gold prospectors to historical saloons where cowboys once quenched their thirsts . Off in the distance is the imposing shadow of Mt. Whitney , the magniloquent mountain in the continental United States . This is California ’s Highway 395 , the scenic backbone of the Eastern Sierra , which also serve as the gateway to theEastern Sierra Spirit & Ale Trail .

Breathe in laconic lot melody , scented with pine tree and the hope of risky venture . Jagged array like the Sherwins stand sentinel , their incline painted withwildflowersin outflow and disperse with Au in fall . You ’ll also encounter the transcendental landscape that is Mono Lake , with its limestone calc-tufa protruding from the water . But this journeying is n’t just about the sights ; it ’s about savoring the laidback look of the Eastern Sierra one sip at a clock time , at the track ’s welcomingbreweriesand distilleries .

launch in 2023 , the Eastern Sierra Spirit & Ale Trail stretches for ninety mi between Bishop and Bridgeport , with stopover atMammothand June Lake along the way . It is managed by the Eastern Sierra Brewers Alliance , which is made up of distilleries and brewery from Inyo County and Mono County , and it feature eight participating location .

Mountain Rambler Brewery

Photo courtesy of Mountain Rambler Brewery

If you bulge out with Bishop from the south , it is equidistant fromLAXandSFO . From Bridgeport , flying into either Reno or Oakland airports is a honest selection . Both Mammoth and Bishop have their own regional airports as well . While public transportation along the trail is limited to the Eastern Sierra Transit ’s 395 Route jitney servicing which does n’t operate on weekends , you’re able to wreak along a designate machine driver to guarantee that you travel to each destination safely .

Pick up a lead mathematical function from any of the participating breweries or still ( or download it yourself ) and embark on a self - guided adventure , sampling local sapidity and collecting stamps . start out anywhere and terminate anywhere — collect all eight stamps and you ’ll bring in an iron - on patch , a badge of laurels for anycraft beverageenthusiast . warp up and get ready for an unforgettable exploration where every bend dexter in the route promises a breathtaking vista , a taste of history , and a rimed dry pint waiting to be savored .

Owens Valley Distilling Company

BishopFounded by husband and wife team Dave and Brittany Holman in 2018 , Owens Valley Distilling is a modern distillery in Bishop that pays court to the town ’s rustic origins with its rescued wood inner and element that invoke the Wild West , like pig pipage . In 2006 , the Holmans decided they ’d had enough of the midwest so they sold their belongings , purchase an RV , and head Dame Rebecca West . Both greedy climbers , they determine to jump in Bishop which offered a overplus of climbing options . Dave always had a passionateness for ferment , and they now bottle spirits that admit vodka , whiskey , and moonshine . Whether enjoy your bountifulness on the outside terrace or cozied up indoors , pair it with a Chicago - style hot andiron or Italian beef sandwich — a nod to the twosome ’s Windy City roots .

Mountain Rambler Brewery

BishopAlso in Bishop and just a five - minute paseo down the route , Mountain Rambler Brewery is owned by a 2nd genesis Eastsider ( east of the Sierra Nevada ) , whose grandparent make it in Mammoth in 1948 when the town ’s population was a whopping 100 . The brewery specializes in craft beer that go around seasonally , but with a exceptional emphasis on European vogue like its award - winning Scotch ale . The menu definitely caters to the climbing crowd , with a selection of minor and hearty meals , pizza , and burgers . They also host a diverseness of upshot , including a local music night every Wednesday and Eastern Sierra Pride on the first Monday of every month .

Devils Creek Distillery

Distant Brewing

Mammoth LakesEstablished in 2015 by pal Kirk and Drew Wallace , Distant Brewing has truly garner its blank space in Mammoth ’s burgeon brewery scene . It is locate in the very place where law and order were once touch on , an old police station off Old Mammoth Road . Distant Brewing features an array of ale , IPAs , lager , stouts , and ciders . ( Try Wilderness Permit , a hoppy pale lager . Its name , a canny nod to the nearby wild areas , is as brisk as the beer itself , split with citrusy hop and a clear refinement . ) With live music every week , open mic nights on Mondays , and a kitty tournament every Wednesday , you ’ll observe both locals and holidaymaker mingling happily here .

Mammoth Brewing Company

Mammoth LakesThe OG of Eastern Sierra breweries , Mammoth Brewing holds the rubric of the first craft brewery in the region and has been produce award - winning beers since 1995 . This puts them at the cutting edge of the craft beer movement , well before the national craft beer manna from heaven . Mammoth Lakes has undergone some significant change since then , develop from a primarily wintertime sports destination to a year - troll resort town . The brewery was started by Sam Walker , who initially open a restaurant called Whiskey Creek in the 1970s before expanding to include brewing . In 2007 , Sean Turner and his wife Joyce took over ownership of Mammoth Brewing Company . Offering a splay selection of seasonal beer along with a tried - and - true year - one shot roster that includes the IPA 395 , you may tarry in the out-of-door Beer Garden and love live euphony every Thursday and Sunday good afternoon during the summer .

Shelter Distilling

Mammoth LakesLocated in the Village at Mammoth , a dining , shopping , and amusement hub , just steps from the Village Gondola that takes you to Canyon Lodge and beyond , Shelter Distilling is a distillery and brewery that hatch all of its John Barleycorn and beers in - star sign . Shelter is n’t just about using any texture or water system — they put a serious emphasis on using the overbold , most local ingredients possible , like heirloom California blue corn , which creates a distinctive bourbon with hints of birthday bar , vanilla extract , and maple . They also apply water from the Eastern Sierra snowpack to create distinctive flavors in their spirits and ensure a clean fundament that lets the other ingredients shine . Their tacos , which let in combinations like crispy confit pork abdomen and harissa peewee , are not to be missed .

June Lake Brewing

June LakeTake a detour off Highway 395 to the June Lake Loop and you ’ll come across June Lake Brewing along the edge of its namesake , a local favorite . A small , hop - forward-moving brewery , it opened its door in 2014 in the diminutive town of only 380 residents . possess by Justin and Sarah Walsh , avid homebrewers who gained additional experience at San Diego breweries , they enlisted their friends , who volunteered their prison term and vigor to aid progress the brewery with defrayment of beer or fairness . In fact , they are now relate to as “ the brewery the community built . ” give 365 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. a yr , the tasting way is as down - to - ground as its possessor and head brewmaster . Their 10 - year day of remembrance is approaching on Summer Solstice ( June 20 ) , and they ’re as pore as ever on their original mission statement , which is to make topnotch awesome beer ™ ( a philosophy they have trademarked ) , give back to the community by take part in events like the June Lake Autumn Beer Festival , and get people alfresco .

Big Meadow Brewing Company

BridgeportBig Meadow Brewing is a small brewery in Bridgeport that pore on small - batch brews , offer a taste of the Eastern Sierra emotional state with their rotating selection of handcrafted beers . Their claim to renown is that they are the gateway to Bodie , a California State Historic Park and one of the most well - preservedghost townsfrom the Gold Rush era . Imagine step back in time as you saunter Bodie ’s spookily still street , lined with weathered wooden buildings that once bustle about with miners . After a day of research this gripping ghost town , head to Big Meadow Brewing , where the well-disposed owner and lay back vibration on the terrace provide the thoroughgoing position to unbend and partake tale over a beer .

Owens Valley Distilling Company