The flavors are aplenty at Black Doubt Brewing Company
The true definition of a “nano-brewery,” Black Doubt Brewing Company made its debut in Mammoth Lakes in December, 2015. The space, located in the Sierra Center Mall, is truly tiny (at 1,200 square feet with a 3.5 BBL brew house). Blink and you’ll miss it—it’s tucked away in the Sierra Center Mall, a space once famous for a new-defunct sushi restaurant (some old-timers still refer to it as the “Shogun Mall” in homage to the old eatery).
Despite its diminutive size, the ambience is nice when even a few people pack the place for its popular open-mic nights and Sunday music residency with local musician Phil Coconis’ “Some Assembly Required.” Although those blue walls leave a little to be desired, the metal countertops are hip, and cozy tables allow you to talk (or shout) over the din of the small space.
Owned by Drew and Kerissa Wallace, who hail from San Diego and who began their careers home brewing, Black Doubt are known for their sour beers, Belgian-style ales, and—if you’re lucky—you’ll catch their Peanut Butter Porter.
It’s more of a locals’ hangout than the behemoth Mammoth Brewing Company, where most of the only locals you’ll find are people who work there (taking advantage of their discount). Take home a growler or some merch (featuring the brewery’s creepy logo of eyes peering out from an oak barrel) after enjoying a pint of a flight of tasters.
They don’t have any food available at Black Doubt, but there are two pretty decent restaurants nearby (Delicious Kitchen, which serves awesome BBQ, and Food Cache Cafe, which has more hippie-inspired fare, plus Pho). You can also bring in food from wherever you like, which many locals take advantage of to drink beer and eat on the cheap.
452 Old Mammoth Road, Mammoth. Open 2:30-9 p.m every day but Tuesday. blackdoubtbrewing.com
Sarah Rea is a freelance dirtbag-turned-journalist who has been living in the Sierra on and off for twenty years, with eight spent in Yosemite National Park and five in Mammoth Lakes. She likes dogs, rocks, good food and jumping into cold water.