City: Reno, NV

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (775) 355-7711

Address: 846 Victorian Avenue

Description: This microbrewery not only makes fresh, handcrafted beers right before your eyes in its special, glass-enclosed brewroom, it also serves up a wide variety of excellent food. Yes, most patrons come here and crowd around the L-shaped bar to savor one of their favorite brews, but when you walk in, take a look around and you’ll see a packed dining room, too. The brewery’s beers are among the best in America and have won numerous awards at the Great American Beer Festival, but some Insiders think this brewery also has the best fish-and-chips in the Reno/Tahoe area. The secrets are the fish and batter. Instead of frozen fish, they use hand-cut Alaskan cod and deep-fry it in Wild Horse Ale batter (Wild Horse Ale is one of the brewery’s signature beers). Other unique specialties are the garlic fries made with real pieces of garlic scattered throughout the potatoes and an adaptation of an old-world pub-fare favorite, Shepherd’s Pie. The pie is made with tender, braised lamb, veggies, and gravy surrounded by mashed garlic potatoes. If pub grub is your preference, try the sausage sampler, which includes the brewhouse’s four kinds of sausage. Great Basin also has special events, which you’ll find posted on the Web site. Located just a few blocks from Victorian Square Plaza, this is a local hangout before and after the movies. During summer, there is an outside sitting area with a stage presenting free entertainment. The wait for a table on Friday and Saturday can be lengthy, especially if Victorian Square is hosting a special event. Great Basin serves lunch and dinner daily.