Drink. PeDal. rePeat.
by Marc Tiar
Reno’s original and only Brew Bike service is a 15 passenger, pedal powered bike that will lead you to unique Reno bars, landmarks, and an unforgettable adventure! Open 7 days a week pedal tO 3 brew pubs $1 drink discOunts
Pigeon Head Brewery
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Head flagship, always available and well made. You can also usually expect to find their India Pale Lager—IPL, the hoppy lager version of the IPA—and the black Pigeon Head Brewery is one of those lager, challenging the idea that dark beers places I like but always forget about. The are heavy, strong and robust. small brewery, a former SPCA shelter on One reason I think Pigeon Head has an all-but-abandoned stretch of East Fifth remained somewhat under the radar is Street, literally under the Wells Avenue their lack of packaged beer. Draft-only overpass, is just enough off the beaten path limits a brewery’s reach, so I was happy to that you don’t just happen upon it—you see recent news that bottling and canning have to be going there. Pigeon Head’s beer has begun. To be honest, my interest was isn’t found everywhere. I don’t think it’s piqued by a sale on IPL six packs (in a major nightlife spot, and I’ve never seen 16-ounce cans!) to launch the new packagany advertising. Despite all this, the operaing, so decided I was overdue for a visit. tion is going on three years and is filling a Bottling thus far was a single limited run of unique spot in Reno brewing. 22-ounce double IPL. Although I think the word “unique” is I’ve never asked about the name, overused, as Reno’s only lager brewery, I Pigeon Head, but there’s a big painting of think Pigeon Head has earned it. You know a creepy pigeon-headed guy looming over there are different styles of beer, like stouts, the bar—you won’t forget where you are. IPAs and brown ales. On a broader scale, Industrial is the theme, from the chain link though, virtually all beers are either ales or fence separating you from the brewhouse to lagers, based on the yeast that fermented the rusty metal signage. You can look out it. Generally, ale yeast onto the somewhat works at slightly seedy neighborhood warmer conditions from picnic benches 840 E. Fifth St., 276-6766 (think room temperaout front when For more information, visit ture), with the yeast weather permits. This www.pigeonheadbrewery.com. floating at the top of the day, the chalkboard beer. Lager yeast thrives listing over the in much cooler temperatures, often near beer faucets included several of the usual freezing, and settles at the bottom of the beers and a couple of specialties—a red tank, slowly fermenting away over a longer wine oaked black lager and a cherrywood period than ales. Lagers end up with a smoked porter. I enjoyed the former while characteristic crisp, clean flavor, while ales chatting with friends then made off with my are full of “fruity” notes from the esters discounted six pack before continuing my produced during that warmer fermentation. day. I regretted not buying more of the IPL While they offer the occasional ale just when I drank one later with dinner. as others do lagers, Pigeon Head Brewery Time will tell if packaging will take is the only one in our area that primarily Pigeon Head to the next level, with focuses on lager brewing, putting them in supermarket and liquor store availability. a small niche in the world of craft brewing The beer is good, and making it availwhere ales rule. Not everyone makes a able to a wider audience is a good step pilsner, the light, straw-colored, Czech/ toward proving that not all lagers are German model for most of the beer drunk mass-produced swill and not all craft in the world, but I consider it a Pigeon beers are ales. Ω
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Rule of lager
Photo/Eric Marks
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Brewmaster Bryan Holloway stands in front of a fermenter at Pigeon Head Brewery.
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03.30.17 | RN&R | 17