Cold Water Brewery and Grill

Let’s keep it short and simple. Started with the beers. Delicious craft brews and I’m a full on beer snob. Wheat, rye and a surprising (in a good way) porter. Let’s not stop there though. Literally the best pork chop I have ever had. Seriously, I don’t post on this thing, ok but this place deserved it

Nice place and great addition to Tahoe. Great service. Beer, Shishito Peppers, fries and sweet potato fries all so good! Bad was the $ 15 CW Burger. Had the makings of a good one but medium was very well done, dry hard meat. Bun was dry and hard too. Manager said the are training a new cook! She also comped our beer. Thank you! Hope they get the cook trained. Pricy place so we have expectations for excellent food. Good luck!

This is more than just a brewery. If you are looking for a hole in the wall brewery where they only serve lukewarm pizza, this is not the place for you.
This brewery has a nice dining area and a full menu. It’s clean, not loud, and not crowded. It’s the perfect place for dinner with family or a group of friends.
I had the chopped salad with chicken and it was a huge portion. It can be shared by two people. My BF and my dad ordered the same thing, the house burger, except my BF had sweet potato fries and my dad had truffle fries. The sweet potato fries were delicious, but the truffle fries were not on point.
Our waiter was friendly. He answered our 30 questions about each entrée and drink on the menu without getting impatient. While we were eating, the owner came by, talked to us, and even refilled our waters. The staff seemed genuine.
This restaurant was very comfortable and we didn’t feel rushed. It was nice after a long day of travels.

Really 4.5 stars. We stopped in randomly after sledding and loved it. Great beers and really good food — solid comfort type food perfect for after cold weather activities :) Nachos and sandwiches were delicious, and the kids loved the kids menu (burgers, chicken fingers, corndogs, etc.) Friendly and responsive service. Fun atmosphere. Casual and welcoming. We will definitely come again when in Tahoe!

Loved this place. Had a sample of all of there beers. Liked them all. They have a great menu. Can’t wait to visit them again when I am in South Lake Tahoe. Great service and they were busy. They sell growlers so I plan on stopping in and getting some of the Citra ass down for the stay.
Great job.

Seems like a hot spot in the local area. Came here after some time in the snow. The parking lot was packed, there was very little moving space. We were seated for a large group and had a large TV at our dining apace with the basketball game on. The place itself is also fairly small, or maybe it was the fact we were there on a Saturday night.
I had the CW burger. Came with fries, ordered it medium well. The burger itself wasn’t bad, but also not the greatest. Could have probably used a bit more taste to it, but overall not bad. If I ever come back here I’ll make sure to try something else.

Stopped in after a few hours on the snow. We were hungry and they offer food and beer.
Parking lot is tight! I can only imagine how many dings or taps of other cars happen here yearly. It is tough if you have a larger vehicle. Not the brewery’s fault, but it was a part of the experience.
Atmoshphere is nice. Fire pits outside was a nice touch after a cold day. Inside was exactly as I expected, brewery atmosphere. Beer was tasty, got the Preacher Pale Ale. Some of the other brews had some funny names. Food was typical bar food. Was ok. Nothing super great but not bad. Service was good when they were present, just tough trying to pay and leave. Kids got a bit cranky, taking my money should of been smoother and faster. The typical night folks were now entering the brewery, we would of been more than happy to help create more room, just take my money! It was about 15 minutes from receiving the check (which I asked for) to finally signing my receipt.
Overall, a decent place. Great people, maybe my experience was an isolated incident? I’d still try again.

I came into Cold Water Brewery and Grill because it sounded good as I was driving past it browsing for a good lunch location. I was not disappointed. Cold Water Brewery and Grill offered a friendly staff with prompt service, a hand crafted menu with a good variety of options, and pretty quality food.
We started our meal with truffle and parmesan fries and they were very good. For lunch I ordered the South Shore Fish Tacos (Alaskan cod). The fish tacos were absolutely delicious! A great mix between fresh fish taste and Mexican taco flavor. I enjoyed that Cold Water Brewery and Grill went a little above and beyond the standard pub food by offering some healthier options like salads and fish tacos, but I do remember wishing that there was a larger burger selection.
I really enjoyed the local feel that this restaurant gave off. It definitely got busy during peak hours, so be prepared to wait for a little bit.

For being such a popular gastropub, I’m surprised at how fast my group was seated upon arrival!
5 stars to service and beer. Our server immediately suggested we look at the seasonal beer menu instead of the set menu. He was knowledgeable on the minute details of each brew. We got a flight of 7 for $ 12, I believe. The beers we got ranged from blonde ales, amber ales, ipas, stouts, and porters. I like how these beers all had very distinct flavors, including citrus, banana, nuts, peppermint mocha… all great. And if you don’t feel like ordering their beers which are brewed on site, they also have craft beers from other breweries on tap.
Food gets 4 stars. I got a very hearty chili with sour cream on the side for $ 10. Perfect amount of seasoning and fillings to warm me up after a long drive from socal to Tahoe. My boyfriend got fish and chips for $ 15. Fish was flaky with crispy breading, but the fries could have used more seasoning. My sister got fish tacos that came with corn on the cob for $ 15 as well. She said she could have gotten better tacos from a street stand at a fifth of the price.
Overall, I’m a fan. When I return to Tahoe, I’m coming back to Cold Water Brewery.

This is our new spot. Great food and GREAT brew! The Citra Ass Down was tasty, as was the El Niño. The food, including the house-​made pickles were bomb.
You’ll find something for every taste here. Oh – and they did a great job with the old Swiss Chalet – great vibe!

CW rocks! Locally owned/​operated, the owner makes a point to stop by every table and the vibe is very nice! Tons of delicious beer brewed in house too!
CW must haves…
Beer: citra-​ass down ipa or tahoe cross
Apps: bacon wrapped dates or pretzel bites
Entrees: rice bowl or short rib burger

I came here for lunch while visiting South Lake from Mammoth. Funny thing is, a few mammoth locals were already there! It was very welcoming environment including the friendly staff and cheery regulars. The large fireplace and super cool wood wall were a welcome addition to any environment as it was snowy out.
We sat at the bar and shared a few CWB original beers which were all great and unique in style. They were launching a new beer that night, and it seemed like my style. Our super warm and loveable bartender poured me a taster as soon as the keg was on line, which was fabulous because she had already made it pretty clear that there would be no samples until the unveiling party that night.
Although I do not recall what food item we ordered, I remember being satisfied by it. The overall experience here was SO GREAT! I hate going to breweries and being served by someone who has no idea what they’re pouring, what ingredients are in it, or why its awesome, and this was certainly not the case here. ¹⁰⁄₁₀ would highly recommend and will definitely return.

Stopped in on the way out of town and I was pretty impressed. This brewery has a nice selection of burgers, salads and sandwiches and serves brunch on Sundays. After the server brought our drinks (Tahoe Cross IPA) she quickly took our lunch orders. Ordered the CW Burger (hearty bacon, smoked cheddar, LTOP) on a wonderful brioche bun. The burger blend is short rib and was cooked to well. That was a bummer as I wanted it medium. Really delicious and I highly recommend.

We pulled into this place straight after arriving in town. The snow had just started dumping and we were thirsty and hungry after a three hour drive. This place did not disappoint. We sat at a cozy corner table and had great service and good food as we watched the snow fall. My husband was able to sample a beer before deciding what he wanted to order, which was nice.
For appetizers we had the potato balls and pretzel bites with hot beer/​cheese fondue for dipping. Both really hit the spot! I had the Cobb salad, my son had the fish and chips, and my daughter had the kid’s pizza. My husband ordered their grilled cheese of the day, which had a few kinds of cheese and brisket on top! That sandwich was amazing! He also got a cup of their soup of the day, which was cheddar soup with ham, topped with crisp fried broccoli, and it was really tasty!
We really enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. We have two more days here in Tahoe, and we might just have to go back before we leave!

This place is great for the beer, nice crafts and good prices, but just meh for the food and service.
A group of 4 plus one child came in on a Saturday after a day of playing in the snow around 4 o’clock just before the dinner rush would hit. We were sat within a few minutes, the ambiance was warm and lively with tvs all around the space for good sports watching.
The group ordered buffalo wings, potato balls, pretzel bites, tri tip dip, fish and chips, and the grilled cheese special with a cup of corn chowder. I also had two of their IPAs.
The service could be improved. Tables were missing basics like napkins, I saw countless people getting up to steal napkins from other tables because they weren’t well stocked. Our server stated that she would send out the potato balls and pretzel bites first as appetizers and the rest as entrees. What came out first? The buffalo wings, when the runner dropped them off at the table he said, «I guess these are for you» as he looked around the room. Do they not number their tables? The buffalo wings were supposed to be someone’s meal and they were dropped off a good 10 – 15 minutes before any of the other food and they didn’t come with and ranch or blue cheese… so by the time our server checked in and delivered some they weren’t very hot.
The food in concept is great, but in execution it was just alright. The pretzel bites were hard, not chewy and fluffy like a pretzel should be. The fish and chips breading texture was awesome and the fish was good but it needed seasoning. The tartar sauce was a highlight, it was very good. The tri tip dip and grilled cheese were average.
Pros: Craft beers
Cons: Average food
Lackluster service

Being that I used to bartend, I am picky with my bartenders! Jacob knew all his beers and worked very fast!
I came in on a busy holiday night. And he still impressed me. Good job Jacob!

Cold Water Brewery and Grill has some tasty burgers.
Ordered the classic burger. It was a soft medium-​rare patty with fresh veggies and served with crispy fries. The décor was a modern cabin. (very fitting for Lake Tahoe). We also ordered the tri-​tip sandwich and nachos. (check photos cause they were good.)
Overall: Might return when in the area.

Do you like had crafted foods? Do you like carefully created micro brew. This place is a little outta the way from state line and I would make it a destination every time I visited.
I was greeted at the door by owner Debbie Brown. Not because the Unilocal VIP group was expected. It was because she makes every customer at her place a VIP. Impressive in these times. And to the moment I left she was making the rounds with all the customers. I have to say I know great customer service. My family had a fine restaurant for years and ran it the same way. It was always full.
Ryan Parker, the brew master came in and told us his amazing story of how it all came to be with a range of samples to see where they wound up. I was in heaven. He included a tour of the mini-​facility. Hew does he do it. Amazing. 5 Stars product.
The menu. I can’t explain excellence. you have to come … see … experience. They are so focused on quality. Getting the average is not an option. From «Bites to Brunch to Heavy Hitters» Its all popping with eye appeal. Ya gotta stop bye. And out door seating is limited. They are always busy.
Hugs and kisses to my amazing server Stephanie. I was totally looked after bye you sweet lady.

A Wonderful Lunch And Sampling Experience & Tour!
SITREP
South Lake Tahoe is full of a lot of little gems — businesses & restaurants that are off the beaten path from the lake area proper — that provide so many different opportunities to reach out to you with something pretty special to enjoy.
Cold Water Brewery and Grill («CWB») is exactly one of these special places, because little did we know that our lunch time happy hour would turn into a full-​blown tasting & sampling event!
THE SETUP
CWB is innovative and ground-​breaking: «innovative» since it brings brewing expertise with it’s gentleman brewmeister from breweries in Colorado & Utah (both the little ones AND the big ones, such as Coors):
And ground-​breaking, including the fact that it has a female owner named Debra, despite the fact that brewing is a totally-​male dominated industry.
TOUR
While we were enjoying lunch, our brewmeister too us in groups of six (6) on a fun tour of the CWB operation. The facility is not huge, but it was very educational, as we navigated through different areas of the working kitchen.
P-​A-​T-​I-​O !
This spot has a rockin patio! Out front, plenty of space, even with a rules of conduct:
Mad props to CWB for a great patio experience to enjoy while bruching, lunching or dining at your fair establishment!
THE LOWDOWN
CWB is worth the extra time to find to enjoy some excellent brews and some fantastic food. And if the brewmeister is present, you might find yourself the beneficiary of a fun fact-​filled tour on brewing!

Based on my first (but hopefully far from my last) visit to Cold Water Brewery and Grill, this is yet another quality top-​end beer drinker’s paradise in South Lake. As far as microbreweries are concerned, I have yet to find a better option by the big blue lake.
Their tap selection is second to none. The regularly have 8 rotating draft beers, all brewed on site. The two I tried were the Citra-​Ass Down, which was hoppy yet fruity and refreshing, and my personal favorite, the Mr. Toad’s Wild. This copper-​colored creation, as they explain, comes with a touch of German Noble Hops to balance out the crisp nuttiness of the rye malt. It’s refreshing and a true original.
Almost as enjoyable as the beer is sitting at their long, handsome bar and chatting it up with a friendly bartender. They know the beers and they know how to socialize, making this the kind of atmosphere any brew lover would enjoy.