If you ask me for places that stand out in the greater Reno-Tahoe region brew scene, The Good Wolf…read morewould be near the top of the list. For years now, I've been saying these guys make some of the best, most unique beers in our area. And anyone looking for a solid pint or some creative things to try, would do well to swing by.
Firstly, I absolutely love the location. It's a cozy little spot in the north Truckee industrial area. But step through the doors, and you enter a space that can only be described as a mix of hippy commune and witch's lair, with some delightfully quirky decor, and an incredibly friendly staff. Really does feel like a hidden gem.
But as for r the beers themselves; in short, I think these are some of the best quality, and most niche types of brews you'll find around here. They have a smaller menu, but what they have is dominated by their Forest Beer series. These are concoctions made with all sorts of foraged ingredients from the forests, fields, and farms close to Truckee. Always changing, it is something to try out. The Borrowed Bines used fresh cut hops, the Bay Shore uses locally culled bay leaves, the Range of Light uses picked juniper berries, and the Dirt Candy uses mushrooms that grow in the woods. They also have been breaking into brewing their own apple cider, which is delicious but quite strong. Plus, they will usually have N/A options with their house lemonade or brewed soda on tap, too. So yeah, the menu almost certainly has something for everyone.
Prices for everything are pretty typical.for the area, usually around $8-9 per pint. Though my one sort of gripe is that the smaller 4-5 ounce tasters are like $4 each, a bit pricier than most other tasters, so that makes it quickly more pricy to try out a lot of their menu. If you want any beers to-go, sadly they only offer a few at this juncture, and in bottles. And there is no food here, just a few snacks for sale. But make sure to browse their swag stands, as they have some eclectic merch.
All in all, I definitely encourage any beer fans to come and check this spot out. Been one of my favorites for years, and I'll bet it can easily become one of yours, too.
Cheers, all!