Best Places to Grab a Beer in Mammoth Lakes

Behind every great mountain town is a great microbrewery scene, and Mammoth Lakes is not short on options for cold one.

Mammoth Lakes Breweries

Distant Brewing

The newest addition to Mammoth Lakes’ beer scene, Distant Brewing is taking microbrewing to another level. The small-batch brews are available on tap and rotate regularly. Specializing in Belgian style ales, sours, hazy IPAs and barrel-aged beers, Distant Brewing is as passionate about their crafts as the locals are in tasting it. Try the Hopduction IPA or Smoke Doubt Porter. 

Mammoth Brewing Company

Mammoth Lakes’ longest-standing microbrewery is in a prominent location on the corner of Main Street and Minaret Road. Mammoth Brewing Company’s tasting room offers flights of flagship ales and seasonal brews. Or go all-in on a pint of a special sour or barrel-aged brew. When the weather is nice, sit outside at the picnic tables or find a table upstairs with a view. Join in the fun on Tuesday nights for trivia and order grub from the Eatery’s food counter any day of the week. On the first Wednesday of the month, growler refills are half price.

Shelter Distilling

The newest establishment brewing local beers is in The Village at Mammoth. Shelter Distilling opened its doors in 2018 and has been focused on distilling spirits since. However, they offer a small selection of beer, also brewed in-house. You actually can’t go wrong with whatever you choose to sample here.

Best Restaurants & Bars With a Beer Vibe in Mammoth Lakes

Clocktower Cellar

Arguably Mammoth Lakes’ favorite spot for a cold beer, Clocktower Cellar is a family-owned and operated drinking establishment. The local watering hole downsized its draft beer selection to make room for a selection of over 160 whiskeys, but Clocktower still offers more than 25 draft beers. You’ll also find pool and foosball tables, as well as a jukebox.

Liberty Sports Bar & Grill

Liberty Bar is one of Mammoth’s newest hot spots and has quickly become a favorite for its beer selection, flat-screen televisions and central location. With ten beers on draft and more selections in the bottle, there will be something for everyone at Liberty Bar. Plus Liberty is the perfect place to catch the game while having a drink and a bite to eat. 

Mammoth Tavern

This Old Mammoth locals’ hang out is known for its unparalleled mountain views, especially at sunset. Mammoth Tavern makes elevated pub food and craft cocktails and serves a few beers on draft. Perhaps the best part about Mammoth Tavern is its “Weak Wallet Wednesday” special, which includes a draft beer (or glass of wine) and a different dinner special each week.

Yodler Restaurant & Bar

Located at Main Lodge, this Bavarian-themed bar is a hotspot for après ski beers and German food. Plus the Yodler’s Stein and Wine Club membership goes hand-in-hand with a Mammoth Mountain season pass. A $100 donation to the Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation comes with a 25 oz. personalized stein that you can fill for the price of a 16 oz. stein all season long. (Ski all season; drink beer all season. It’s a win, win!)

Beer Events & Festivals in Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza

Beer lovers won’t want to miss Mammoth Lakes’ favorite festival of beers—Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza. Held at The Wood Site, this annual celebrates craft beer and the blues. Purchase the multi-day pass for three days of music and two days of beer tasting, with more than 60 breweries from around the country.

Breweries Just Outside of Mammoth Lakes

June Lake Brewing

Located 30 minutes north of Mammoth Lakes, June Lake’s own brewing company is a popular destination for Mammoth Lakes visitors taking an afternoon trip to June Lake or Mono Lake. With lots of unique beers on tap, you’ll go for the June Lake Brewing Company tasting room, but you’ll stay for the Hawaiin food truck, O’hana’s 395, which shares the space with the brewery.

Mountain Rambler Brewery

Just south of Mammoth Lakes in Bishop, Mountain Rambler offers tasty microbrews, good food and a stage for live music. If you’re just passing through, pick up or fill up a growler on your way to or from Mammoth Lakes. Local favorites include the Acrodectes IPA and the Venusian Blonde Ale.