A Pint Through Plumas: Local Beer, Good Food, and Time to Settle In

Tom and I pulled into The Brewing Lair around lunchtime on a Tuesday, fresh out of Truckee and at the beginning of a few days exploring Plumas County. I expected a quiet stop. Instead, families were heading into the woods to build forts, cyclists were finishing a ride, and about a dozen guests were enjoying the afternoon. We grabbed discs and headed out to play a couple of holes before meeting the owners.

I’ve stopped here plenty of times, but usually somewhere along the way after an adventure. Arriving midday, with most of the trip still ahead of us, felt different. There was time to try a few beers, look around, and enjoy being there. Two hours later, we were behind schedule.

That became a familiar theme over the next several days. Between Bucks Lake, Mount Hough, Crystal Lake, paddleboarding, and hiking, we found places that made us want to pull up a chair and stay awhile.

I’m no beer aficionado. I enjoy trying different styles, and I certainly have my favorites, but I’m more likely to remember the people and the evening than offer a detailed account of what was in my glass. On this trip, Plumas County gave us plenty to remember.

The Brewing Lair: A Familiar Stop With Something New to Discover

Beer outside in the trees feels like my kind of afternoon, which helps explain why The Brewing Lair in Blairsden has become a regular stop for me. Every time I’m here, I feel like I’ve found a secret hideaway. Judging by the people around us that Tuesday, the secret has been out for a while.

I ordered a sampler so I could taste several beers. I particularly enjoyed the sours, along with Ambush, a refreshing beer I’d had before and was happy to revisit. The sampler suited the afternoon: a chance to try different tastes while Tom and I settled into the beginning of the trip.

Meeting the owners gave this visit something extra. Carol told us they had just received local hops for a special batch they make once a year. She invited us to stick around while they weighed the hops and prepared for the beginning of the brewing process. Watching that work and hearing the story behind it gave me a better appreciation for a place I already liked.

We also talked about the families playing in the woods. Carol explained that this was common. They want the property to be welcoming to families, with room for kids to be kids. That afternoon, children were building forts while adults enjoyed a beer and cyclists wound down from a ride. Everyone seemed to have found their own way to enjoy the place.

It was refreshing to hear the intention behind an atmosphere I’d appreciated on previous visits. The beer brings people in, but the freedom to spend an afternoon comfortably is a good reason to return.

Ronin: A Reason to Come Back to Graeagle

By the time we left Brewing Lair, our schedule needed some attention. We made a quick stop at Ronin Fermentation Project in Graeagle, only to find it closed that Tuesday.

We took an exterior photo and moved on. More than once, people familiar with the area have told me I need to stop here, but I haven’t managed to experience it yet. Ronin remains on my return list, along with a reminder to check opening days before setting out. A midweek trip through smaller communities sometimes takes a little flexibility.

Rich’s in Quincy: Tacos and First-Night Plans

After checking in and touring Bucks Lake, Tom and I drove back into Quincy for dinner and drinks at Rich’s. It was our first night in Plumas County, and we were still running on the excitement of everything ahead.

I expected a little more bar and a little less open, comfortable dining space. The patio doors were open, but we chose seats inside, only discovering the back patio afterward. Even from indoors, the place had an easygoing feel that made it comfortable to linger over dinner.

The bartender chatted with someone at the counter while regularly checking on us. Tom and I talked through the coming days—Bucks Lake, the next adventure, and the plans we were eager to get moving on. It was the kind of first-night conversation you have when there’s plenty to look forward to.

Rich’s isn’t a brewery, but its selection of beers and modern tavern atmosphere fit naturally into our trip. Food comes from a permanent food truck with a varied menu. Street tacos were my choice that evening, and they were just right after a full day on the road and around the lake.

This is the kind of place my son and I enjoy finding around the Sierra. If I lived nearby, I could see it becoming a regular dinner stop. Discovering the patio on our way out gave me another reason to come back.

Quintopia: A Chance to Finally Breathe

By the following evening, the pace had caught up with us. We’d spent the day exploring Mount Hough and Crystal Lake, checked into our hotel in Crescent Mills, and eaten at Young’s Market in Taylorsville. We returned to Quincy to collect Tom’s car and stopped at Quintopia for a beer.

We were tired. After two full days, pulling a couple of comfortable chairs around to face each other on the outdoor deck felt like the first real chance to breathe.

I’d called ahead hoping to meet the owner, but we arrived later than planned and missed that opportunity. The staff made us feel welcome anyway. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to order, and they were happy to help. I was also gathering footage for Sierra Rec, and filming them pouring beers turned into a little fun of its own. They had us laughing and made the work feel easy.

Outside, the evening carried on around us. Dogs, kids, people getting off work—a mix of lives coming together over a beer and conversation. It felt like a regular local night, and we were comfortable being a small part of it.

Tom and I talked, watched people, and enjoyed having nowhere else we needed to be for a little while. The sunset was good enough that guests started taking pictures. We took one, too.

At Rich’s the night before, we’d been excitedly talking about what came next. At Quintopia, we were happy to sit and appreciate where we’d been. Between the two, we found a couple of very different reasons to spend an evening in Quincy.

Timber House in Chester: Finally Time to Stay Awhile

Our third night was quieter, with dinner at Sharon’s place, St. Bernard’s Lodge, followed by a relaxing evening. By night four, after paddleboarding and hiking, we were ready for dinner out in Chester.

I’d been to Timber House before, but always seemed to be in a hurry. There was usually somewhere else to get to at the end of the day. This time, we could sit down and enjoy the evening.

The owner welcomed us into the brewery and talked about the beer and some of the work behind it. I remember enjoying the red ale, and dinner was excellent: a Wagyu beef burger for me and a salmon plate for Tom.

What really stayed with me, though, was the energy around us. People were laughing, kids were playing cornhole, and the servers were funny and engaging. On a sunny evening, the outdoor space was full of the kind of activity that makes you want to settle in with family and friends.

After a day of paddling and hiking, I was ready to relax. Timber House made that easy. Good food, a beer I’d happily order again, and people enjoying themselves were plenty of reason to stay.

I’d liked it on those earlier, hurried visits. Having time to enjoy it properly made me appreciate it more.

Waganupa: Music and a Quick Look Around

After dinner, we headed toward the east side of Lake Almanor and made a photo stop at Waganupa’s peninsula location near the marina.

We weren’t planning another beer stop; we were gathering photos. But a young woman was playing guitar outside, and the live music had drawn guests onto the patio. Across the street, a busy pizza place added to the activity. That little corner had a lot going on.

We didn’t sample the beer or food, so I’ll save that experience for another visit. We’d also hoped to find the Chester location we’d heard about, but didn’t manage to locate it that evening. There are still places to discover on the next trip.

Make Room for the Evening

I wouldn’t build a vacation around driving from one beer stop to the next. For Tom and me, these places became part of several days spent outside, choosing somewhere to eat, have a beverage, and unwind as the trip unfolded.

What I appreciated was the care behind each place. At Brewing Lair, Carol gave us a glimpse of the work behind the beer and the thought behind welcoming families. Rich’s gave us a comfortable first-night dinner. Quintopia gave two tired friends room to slow down. At Timber House, we finally had time to enjoy the people and atmosphere that had caught my attention before.

You might find a favorite and return every time you’re in Plumas County. You might choose somewhere different depending on where the day takes you. Either way, leave yourself some time in the evening. Order dinner, talk to the people around you, and enjoy being there.

The lakes and trails will give you plenty of reasons to visit. These places give you a chance to meet the locals and get a feel for the mountain life happening around them.