Donner Creek Brewing

had a blast with my homie bopping around breweries and taprooms in the truckee area all day and we both really liked this little place, unassuming from the outside, just a little woodsy lodge looking place, humble and tucked just off the road, ample parking outside. inside its like a deli counter doubling as a bar, they make pressed sandwiches and some snacks in here, they also have a big selection of packaged beers across all styles, real well curated, right there when you walk in, giving it almost a convenience feel right there, but the place opens up to another side of the bar, a taproom seating area with some nice natural light coming in the front windows, and an area for darts in the back, all wood trimmed and looking very alpine, bright and clean, dude was even mopping when we rocked up. small tap list with just five of their own beers and four guest beers, and a cider when we were in, also nicely curated. i didnt see any tanks and the back of house area appears small, maybe just a little nano system or something back there, but the guy said they were all made right there, perhaps a glorified homebrew operation, but the thing is, the beers were really good, some of them even outstanding. i liked the black ipa, appreciated the uniqueness of the spiced strong amber saison, but was truly floored by the vitkus, a sourdough farmhouse ale done with some lithuanian yeast and citron, really impressive, weird, and great! this is why i walk into any brewery i come across with an open mind, you just never know what little impressive thing like this might lie inside, seriously epic beer, so much flavor, elite effervescence, unforgettable, i think it varies some batch to batch, they probably all do in here. the service was also wonderful, an esoteric hippie dude who had a ton of personality took great care of us, free beer samples, great conversation, local recommendations, and just genuine kindness and enthusiasm for the beer, even hooked us up with a free pretzel, which was mighty kind! the sandwiches looked good but we didnt eat, the pretzel was just okay, but it was sustenance, and we scored some packaged beers from other breweries here that were excellent too. low key place, fun range of beers, awesome service, would be eager to go back if out this way again, definitely worth stopping through, ask for the vitkus!