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 ribbon of asphalt unfurls between majestic granite peaks, their snow-capped shoulders gleaming under a cerulean sky. Glacier-carved canyons and cobalt blue lakes shimmer like scattered sapphires. Dotting the route are remnants of the Wild West, from ghost towns whispering tales of gold prospectors to historic saloons where cowboys once quenched their thirsts. Off in the distance is the imposing shadow of Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental United States. This is California’s Highway 395, the scenic backbone of the Eastern Sierra, which also serves as the gateway to the Eastern Sierra Spirit & Ale Trail.
Breathe in crisp mountain air, scented with pine and the promise of adventure. Jagged ranges like the Sherwins stand sentinel, their slopes painted with wildflowers in spring and dusted with gold in autumn. You’ll also encounter the otherworldly landscape that is Mono Lake, with its limestone tufas protruding from the water. But this journey isn’t just about the sights; it’s about savoring the laidback spirit of the Eastern Sierra one sip at a time, at the trail’s welcoming breweries and distilleries.
Launched in 2023, the Eastern Sierra Spirit & Ale Trail stretches for ninety miles between Bishop and Bridgeport, with stops at Mammoth and June Lake along the way. It is managed by the Eastern Sierra Brewers Alliance, which is made up of distilleries and breweries from Inyo County and Mono County, and it features eight participating locations.
If you start with Bishop from the south, it is equidistant from LAX and SFO. From Bridgeport, flying into either Reno or Oakland airports is a good option. 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 bus service which doesn’t operate on weekends, you can bring along a designated driver to ensure that you travel to each destination safely.
Pick up a trail map from any of the participating breweries or distilleries (or download it yourself) and embark on a self-guided adventure, sampling local flavors and collecting stamps. Start anywhere and end anywhere—collect all eight stamps and you’ll earn an iron-on patch, a badge of honor for any craft beverage enthusiast. Buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable exploration where every bend in the road promises a breathtaking vista, a taste of history, and a frosty pint waiting to be savored.
Bishop
Founded by husband and wife team Dave and Brittany Holman in 2018, Owens Valley Distilling is a modern distillery in Bishop that pays homage to the town’s rustic origins with its reclaimed wood interior and elements that invoke the Wild West, like copper piping. In 2006, the Holmans decided they’d had enough of the midwest so they sold their belongings, bought an RV, and headed west. Both avid climbers, they decided to start in Bishop which offered a plethora of climbing options. Dave always had a passion for fermentation, and they now bottle spirits that include vodka, whiskey, and moonshine. Whether enjoying your bounty on the outdoor patio or cozied up inside, pair it with a Chicago-style hot dog or Italian beef sandwich—a nod to the couple’s Windy City roots.
Bishop
Also in Bishop and just a five-minute walk down the road, Mountain Rambler Brewery is owned by a second generation Eastsider (east of the Sierra Nevada), whose grandparents arrived in Mammoth in 1948 when the town’s population was a whopping 100. The brewery specializes in craft beers that rotate seasonally, but with a special emphasis on European styles like its award-winning Scottish ale. The menu definitely caters to the climbing crowd, with a selection of small and hearty meals, pizza, and burgers.They also host a variety of events, including a local music night every Wednesday and Eastern Sierra Pride on the first Monday of every month.
Mammoth Lakes
Devils Creek Distillery is a grain-to-glass whiskey distillery in Mammoth that is family-owned and operated. Focusing on barrel-aged spirits, their flagship product is bourbon and everything is made under one roof at an elevation that is close to 8,000 feet. This impacts the distilling process because water boils at a lower temperature as the altitude increases, which can affect the flavor profile, leading to subtle, more delicate flavors in the final spirit. While taking in views of the Sherwin mountain range’s exposed granite cliffs against the backdrop of the ski slopes of Mammoth Mountain, visitors to the tasting room can choose between a flight of tastings or a cocktail. Flights feature three spirits of your choosing, and cocktails change depending on the season.
Mammoth Lakes
Established in 2015 by brothers Kirk and Drew Wallace, Distant Brewing has rightfully earned its place in Mammoth’s burgeoning brewery scene. It is located in the very place where law and order were once restored, an old police station off Old Mammoth Road. Distant Brewing features an array of ales, IPAs, lagers, stouts, and ciders. (Try Wilderness Permit, a hoppy pale lager. Its name, a clever nod to the nearby wilderness areas, is as refreshing as the beer itself, bursting with citrusy hops and a clear finish.) With live music every week, open mic nights on Mondays, and a pool tournament every Wednesday, you’ll find both locals and tourists mingling happily here.
Mammoth Lakes
The OG of Eastern Sierra breweries, Mammoth Brewing holds the title of the first craft brewery in the region and has been producing award-winning beers since 1995. This puts them at the forefront of the craft beer movement, well before the national craft beer boom. Mammoth Lakes has undergone some significant changes since then, evolving from a primarily winter sports destination to a year-round resort town. The brewery was started by Sam Walker, who initially opened 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 rotating selection of seasonal beers along with a tried-and-true year-round roster that includes the IPA 395, you can lounge in the outdoor Beer Garden and enjoy live music every Thursday and Sunday afternoon during the summer.
Mammoth Lakes
Located in the Village at Mammoth, a dining, shopping, and entertainment hub, just steps from the Village Gondola that takes you to Canyon Lodge and beyond, Shelter Distilling is a distillery and brewery that concocts all of its spirits and beers in-house. Shelter isn’t just about using any grain or water—they put a serious emphasis on using the freshest, most local ingredients possible, like heirloom California blue corn, which creates a distinctive bourbon with hints of birthday cake, vanilla, and maple. They also use water from the Eastern Sierra snowpack to create distinctive flavors in their spirits and ensure a clean base that lets the other ingredients shine. Their tacos, which include combinations like crispy confit pork belly and harissa shrimp, are not to be missed.
June Lake
Take a detour off Highway 395 to the June Lake Loop and you’ll encounter June Lake Brewing along the edge of its namesake, a local favorite. A small, hop-forward brewery, it opened its doors in 2014 in the tiny town of only 380 residents. Owned by Justin and Sarah Walsh, avid homebrewers who gained additional experience at San Diego breweries, they enlisted their friends, who volunteered their time and energy to help build the brewery with payment of beer or equity. In fact, they are now referred to as “the brewery the community built.” Open 365 days a year, the tasting room is as down-to-earth as its owner and head brewmaster. Their 10-year anniversary is approaching on Summer Solstice (June 20), and they’re as focused as ever on their original mission statement, which is to make super awesome beer™ (a philosophy they have trademarked), give back to the community by participating in events like the June Lake Autumn Beer Festival, and get people outside.
Bridgeport
Big Meadow Brewing is a small brewery in Bridgeport that focuses on small-batch brews, offering a taste of the Eastern Sierra spirit with their rotating selection of handcrafted beers. Their claim to fame is that they are the gateway to Bodie, a California State Historic Park and one of the most well-preserved ghost towns from the Gold Rush era. Imagine stepping back in time as you stroll Bodie’s eerily silent streets, lined with weathered wooden buildings that once bustled with miners. After a day of exploring this fascinating ghost town, head to Big Meadow Brewing, where the friendly owners and laid back vibe on the patio provide the perfect place to unwind and share stories over a beer.