There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding the opening of The Brass Tap on Steamboat Parkway, and it’s not just the buzz you’re catching from the 60 on-tap beers—the majority of which are brewed within 150 miles of the south Reno location.
The craft beer bar opened to much fanfare on Monday, Oct. 14. One man who lives in the apartments across the street even parked a camping chair outside of the front door around 9 a.m., according to owner Bryan Edwards, awaiting the grand opening event. As soon as those doors opened, the public flooded in—and there was a steady stream of patrons all day long, staying well into the night to watch Monday Night Football.
The new building erected in Damonte Ranch Town Center features an indoor/outdoor bar that is perhaps the restaurant’s best structural feature and allows guests to sidle up inside or out, a long tap wall featuring 60 beers, a full food menu specializing in American fare, several televisions playing a variety of sports, a fenced in outdoor patio and an indoor seating area.
The beers on tap include well-known local names including FiftyFifty, Lead Dog, Revision and Schussboom, as well as some from further out including an October-friendly Beer Zombies Boomstick Blonde out of Las Vegas and Belgium favorites hand selected by Edwards.
While beer may be the main draw, the full bar and restaurant is family friendly, a plus for the south Reno demographic. The menu includes a long list of bar-friendly starters, pizzas, burgers and more. If you ask Edwards his favorite, he’ll recommend the caprese pizza, which I can personally attest doesn’t disappoint.
Edwards, a northern Nevada native who grew up in the small town of Babbit, described his nearly 30-year career as a physical therapist as “rewarding,” but said he ultimately wanted to achieve his long-time dream of owning a local sports bar. He first conjured up the vision during his college years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the early 1990s.
“After almost 30 years in the medical field, I decided to pursue other interests,” he said. “And since I like to drink beer and watch sports, I thought ‘sports bar.’”
While Reno is Edwards’ first The Brass Tap, he has plans to open four additional locations in northern Nevada, including Carson City and Lake Tahoe.
We chatted with Edwards ahead of his opening to learn more about growing up in Nevada, his vision for the south Reno sports bar and his plans for expansion.
TIR: What inspired you to open a Brass Tap?
Edwards: After researching multiple franchise opportunities in the beer industry, I came across The Brass Tap (FSC Franchise Co.). After several conversations with management, I knew that I had found the right company.
TIR: How does this location compare to others?
Edwards: Every Brass Tap will vary from location to location as far as their beer representation. The food is excellent and regimented by the corporate office, but the beer is very regional, as in, the beer at The Brass Tap in Reno will be different from the beer you find in other Brass Taps nationwide, from Florida, to Wisconsin, to Montana, to Arizona, to northern California.
The Brass Tap Reno will focus on the northern Nevada and northern California craft beer scene. We have 60 taps at The Brass Tap Reno, plus an additional 200 packaged beers that explore the craft beer within a 150-mile radius of northern Nevada. Approximately 85% of our beers will be sourced locally.
TIR: What beers will you have on tap?
Edwards: Where do I start? We’ll have Wheat, IPAs, Hefeweizens, American IPAs, Imperial Stouts, Imperial Blonde Ales, Hoppy IPAs, Light Lagers, Belgium Style, Trappist Style, Tripels, Strong Ales, Marzens, Pilsners, Ciders, Irish Dry Stouts, Milk Stouts, Porters, Saisons, Sours and Full/Dark Lagers. Any style…you name it, we have it. And we are always on the lookout for that new “geeky” beer.
TIR: Do you live in Reno now? Tell us a little about you.
Edwards: I moved back to northern Nevada in 2007 and I have been here ever since. I have a very active outdoor lifestyle including hiking, biking, paddleboarding in Tahoe and white water rafting in the Grand Canyon. I am also an avid weightlifter five to six times per week; as a physical therapist you have to practice what you preach. I am not a guy who can sit around and do nothing. I always have something going on.
Details
https://www.brasstapbeerbar.com/Reno
1171 Steamboat Parkway #120, Reno, NV 89521
(775) 360-6188
