Reno isn’t exactly short on breweries, which challenges each one to stand out from the crowd. At IMBĪB, that’s accomplished by thinking outside of the box.
With two locations, a taproom in Reno and a microbrewery and full restaurant in Sparks, IMBĪB reaches plenty of customers with its varied tap list that includes everything from dessert-style stouts to creative sours.
In general, the brews are hop-forward, meaning you’ll get plenty of hop taste on even the lighter varieties. Sure, there are traditional IPAs (West Coast and East Coast style), a blonde, a red and other mainstays on the menu, but that’s not all IMBĪB pours.
The brewery also likes to entertain barrel-aged beers, using wine or bourbon barrels for bolder flavors. IMBĪB also makes dry-hopped sour beers, pale ales and hazys.
With such variety, it’s smart to try a beer flight on the first visit. Wooden boards can hold up to five samples each,but there’s no limit to how many you can try. Pick selections from the regularly updated beer board and fill out a sheet so the server knows what to pour.
It’s hard to tell anyone what to order when it comes to beer because every palate is different. For those who want to try something off-the-wall, the Cucumber Key Lime Nevada Weisse is a sour beer that tastes a bit like spa water. The cucumber and lime tastes aren’t shy, a welcome change from the fruity sours that dominate the beer market.
If it’s not available on draft, that doesn’t mean the refrigerator case won’t have a can on hand A West Coast-style triple IPA dubbed Mike the Mechanic is a big, bold beer, 10.6% ABV. The Snow Bro is a popular malt IPA that combines several beer styles into one.
For lighter brews, the Fill My Belly Blonde, Seat at the Table, and Tropical Lager are all easy drinkers packing a lot of flavors—a clear distinction of IMBĪB products compared to some mass-produced light beers.
The Reno location offers a bar atmosphere—a place where to grab an after-work drink with friends. There are bar games available, including foosball and shuffleboard, and seating among beer barrels.
At the Sparks location, in The Outlets at Legends, there’s access to a full dining menu. The brewery has a bar top, some tables and an outdoor patio where you can sip your drinks and people watch.
Dubbed IMBĪB Eats & Drinks, the food presentation here is high-end, especially for a taproom. Choose a sausage flight to sample meats from around the world, or dive into other shareables like poutine, sliders, and pickled eggs and veggies. Entrees include pasta dishes and miso-glazed salmon. There’s even a kid’s menu and a few desserts.
The addition of the full restaurant pushes the envelope on what can be expected from “bar food” in Reno, creating a full dining experience where you can also enjoy beers from a homegrown local brewery.
And don’t forget wine and cocktails are offered there, too.
Find a beer you fancy? Anything on draft can be put in a “crowler,” a clever mix between a can and a growler, for later consumption. If it’s offered by the can, there may be four-packs in the fridge.
