One of my favorite places in the world is the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, where we found ourselves camping a couple weekends ago. We’ve driven up Highway 395 dozens of times, and have passed a little brewery on the side of the road in Bishop, California called Mountain Rambler Brewery, but have never been able to stop in. But this time we finally made it happen and it did not disappoint, which is why it’s my latest Sip of the Week!
If you’ve never driven up Highway 395 from the Los Angeles area toward Mammoth, Reno, and eventually Oregon, let me paint a picture for you.
After about an hour on the road, you hit the Mojave dessert. Aside from the occasional gas station, it’s a pretty barren (and beautiful) place. Continue north from there and you’ll find a few small towns running along the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains before you run into Mammoth Lakes a few hundred miles later. Each of these little towns have distinct personalities, featuring old-school post offices, tiny little cafes, and quirky shops along a main drag that distances a mile at most. I’ve highlighted a few of the hole-in-the-wall spots we’ve seen or experienced below.
But first, let’s highlight THE beer stop of Highway 395: Mountain Rambler Brewery!
In the heart of Bishop, California, situated right on Highway 395, Mountain Rambler Brewery is a fairly discreet brewery whose service and quality is anything but. If you’re lucky to catch a glimpse of the brewery from the main road, you’ll see a simple outdoor patio, probably with some patrons and a few dogs hanging around if the weather is nice. I love a brewery that’s dog friendly (and so does Oakley!).
When we first arrived at Mountain Rambler Brewery, I was expecting a refreshing sip of beer that would hit the spot mid-road trip, but I wasn’t necessarily thinking it would be something to write home about. Boy, was I wrong!
I grabbed a pint of Shieldback IPA and Tucker grabbed a Peaklet Porter and both were absolutely delicious. The Shieldback IPA was clear, hop-forward, and full of crisp flavors. The Peaklet Porter was smooth and well-rounded, with the perfect malty backbone and vibrant taste that left it feeling refreshing rather than heavy. Two very different styles of beer, but both got A+’s in our book.
I was impressed by the variety of beer styles offered at Mountain Rambler Brewery. They had a little bit of everything, which left me excited to come back and try more styles (and bring a growler to fill next time, too!). One that’s high on my “must try” list is their Seven Gables Scottish Ale, which is award-winning. Mountain Rambler’s mission is to bring “world class craft beer to Bishop”, and it is clear that they are succeeding in this endeavor.
Mountain Rambler Brewery also has a restaurant on-site, making it the perfect place for a mealtime stop.
Tucker indulged in a burger, and I enjoyed a jerk chicken sandwich for lunch. The sweet potato fries on the side were to-die-for, too! The cozy interior of Mountain Rambler Brewery is adorned with cultural and historical relics of Bishop, including Pacific Crest Trail signs (it runs right along the Sierra Nevada mountain range!), arts and crafts with Native American influence, and long picnic tables for guests to share, conversate over, and cheers around.
Needless to say, what I thought might be a one-time, ‘check off the list’ stop along Highway 395 quickly became a must-stop location for every future camping trip up 395. Bravo, Mountain Rambler Brewery! We can’t wait to be back again soon.
If you find yourself driving along 395, there are some additional roadside gems that can’t be missed:
Olancha, California
Gus’s Fresh Jerky: the strangest little roadside shop that always seems to be open and is known for some great homemade jerky. If you can’t buy it directly from the shop, the Mobil gas station across the street also sells it.
Lone Pine, California
Alabama Hills Café: Alabama Hills is a picturesque, overly-popular camping area at the base of Mt. Whitney (the highest peak in the continental United States!). Unfortunately we tend to avoid Alabama Hills altogether these days due to the crowds, but a quick stop at Alabama Hills Café for breakfast along the drive is never a bad idea. This place also gets crowded, but it’s worth the wait.
Big Pine, California
Copper Top BBQ: I’ve yet to check this place off my list, but the tiny shack right on 395 features several smokers out front and lines around the block of people waiting to get their hands on whatever is cooking that day. It smells amazing when you drive by, and I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews.
Bishop, California
Erik Schat’s Bakery: Home of the original sheepherder bread and with roots tying back to the gold rush era, this European-style bakery is a staple of Bishop. I’ve yet to check some sheepherder bread off my list, but this will definitely be a stop on our next 395 trip!
Did you enjoy this Sip of the Week? Let me know in the comments below, or share on social media!
