Biking South Lake Tahoe’s Beer Trail
South Lake Tahoe is a mecca for outdoor activities - mountain biking, hiking, swimming, boating, and so much more. But we believe in balancing work out with play, or better yet, combining the two. With the selection of restaurants, bars, distilleries, and breweries in South Lake Tahoe, all within easy biking distance, this is the perfect place for combining outdoor adventure with great food and drink.
A favorite experience is the Beer Trail. South Lake Tahoe is home to 8 breweries on a 7.5 mile stretch. While any of these breweries are great to try out on their own, the recommended method for experiencing South Lake Tahoe’s craft beer scene is to travel to each of them via bicycle.
Here are the tips and tricks, as well as all of the fantastic breweries you can expect to sample, when you bike South Lake Tahoe Beer Trail.
How to Follow the South Lake Tahoe Beer Trail by Bicycle
Biking and beer seem to naturally go together. Both cyclists and beer drinkers have a strong sense of community, which often overlaps, and there is nothing like a cold beer to refresh you after a bike ride. Even the science confirms this since beer contains the carbs that can help give you your energy back after you have been biking.
All you need to get started traveling the Beer Trail in South Lake Tahoe is a bicycle. Our favorite bike for cycling the Beer Trail is an e-bike. Electric bikes have a built-in throttle to give you an extra push as you pedal and make the ride a little easier, striking that perfect balance between exercise without tiring you out enough that you cannot make it to every brewery.
Pine Nut Cycle Cafe has e-bike rentals in South Lake Tahoe. You can rent an e-bike for the entire day at a low cost. Each of our e-bikes is high quality with enough power to get you across South Lake Tahoe. For those who prefer a more traditional ride, we also have standard bikes for rent or eScooters if you want to be a little closer to the ground while traveling to breweries.
Once you have your mode of transportation, you still have to wait until the breweries open. This is a good time to get started with a cold brew and cold pressed juice at our in-house cafe when you pick up your bike for the day. When you are sufficiently hydrated and caffeinated, it is time to get started:
Lake Tahoe AleWorx - We are going out of order from the official Beer Trail because Lake Tahoe AleWorx offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Start off with a sandwich, breakfast pizza, or burrito to fuel the rest of the day. In addition to brunch, AleWorx also has a rotating selection of craft beers with self pouring so that you can sample as many beers as you like and pay for what you drink.
South Lake Brewing Co. - The next stop is across the street. South Lake Brewing Co. has extensive indoor seating and 16 beers on tap. They often have rotating food trucks on site as well. Their beer selection includes a range of pale ales, IPAs, brown ales, and more.
The Hangar - One mile down the road is The Hangar. As a taproom and bottle shop, they have 30 beers on tap from many California breweries and dozens of bottles to choose from. Enjoy the patio with plenty of seating, fireplaces, cornhole and horseshoes. They will either have food trucks available or be popping fresh popcorn.
Cold Water Brewery & Grill - Cold Water Brewery is a short 0.3 miles away. They brew beers in several different styles including ambers, kolsch, American ales, and IPAs. They also have some of the best food in South Lake Tahoe. Try the fish and chips.
Sidellis Lake Tahoe - The next part of the trail has the longest ride of the day at 2.4 miles, but it will take you to Sidellis with their expansive selection of beers, including sours, farmhouse ales, Belgians, and several barrel aged beers. Or take a break from hoppy drinks with a glass of wine or cider. For food, Sidellis has a limited menu of daily specials.
The Brewery at Lake Tahoe - There is just under a mile to the next stop at The Brewery at Lake Tahoe. They have their own range of beers that includes highly drinkable IPAs, seltzers, and lagers, as well as featured beers from other breweries. Their food menu is particularly tempting, making this a good place to stop for dinner on the Beer Trail.
Stateline Brewery & Restaurant - After another longer ride at 1.4 miles, you will be at Stateline Brewery and Restaurant in Heavenly. This bar is located underground for a unique vibe and offers a range of their own beers, guest beers, bourbons, and craft cocktails.
South of North Brewing Co. - Also in Heavenly Village, South of North Brewing is a little outside of town, making it a great place to end your day. Their outdoor patio, complete with a vintage Airstream trailer and firepits, is a relaxing place to sit and enjoy their beers and range of sandwiches and brats.
If you are still craving more beer after these, the official South Lake Tahoe Beer Trail also includes a second location of Lake Tahoe AleWorx across the Nevada-California border at Stateline. They serve cocktails in addition to beer and have a menu featuring wood-fired pizzas.
For easy navigation between each brewery, check out our Google map for biking directions. You can also download the South Lake Tahoe Beer Trail postcard to take along for your journey.
Preparing for the Perfect Bill Beer Trail Cycling Trip
Experiencing Lake Tahoe through the local craft beer offerings is a memorable experience, but you want to be aware of some basic tips before you get started to make sure that you have a safe and fun day. Our tips are to:
Leave Plenty of Time - Depending on how many of these breweries you go to, your beer and biking adventure may quickly become an all day event. If you plan on embarking on the entire beer trail, leave the whole day open. Take your time at each brewery and also enjoy bicycling between destinations. If you do not have enough time for the whole trail, you can also choose one or two breweries.
Get Plenty of Water - Drink water throughout the day to counteract the effects of drinking and exercise as you bike. This is especially true for people coming from lower elevations who may not be used to the altitude.
Choose Samples Instead of Full Pours - In order to avoid becoming too tipsy but still sample a variety of beers, choose tasters or share flights with others in your party.
Stay Safe - Biking can be a dangerous sport, especially when you are biking on roads around cars and other people. Wear a helmet and if you start to feel unstable, end your trip for the day. You can always come back and sample the rest of South Lake Tahoe’s craft beers later.
At Pine Nut Cycle Cafe, we rent our bikes by the day or by the week, enabling you to make your beer trail excursion just one part of your Lake Tahoe vacation. We also rent standard bikes if you prefer to head up into the mountains for an exciting day of mountain biking, and then grab a beer on your way back into town.
However you choose to experience South Lake Tahoe, e-bikes and e-scooters for rent are sure to make it memorable. Book your bicycle in advance on our website today.
