Today I am going to profile Distant Brewing, located at 568 Old Mammoth Road in Mammoth Lakes. Distant Brewing is cool and hip: the staff are cool, the vibe is cool, and there is always something cool going on there. Plus, it has great food and even better beer.
The Quick Details
Hours: Sunday – Thursday 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM; Friday and Saturdays 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Happy Hour: 3:00 to 5:00 PM on Monday through Thursday.
Events: Open Mic on Mondays at 6:00; Pool Tournaments on Wednesdays at 5:00; and Free Live Music on Thursdays and Sundays.
Kid Friendliness Level: Has highchairs. No kids menu but kid friendly plates like pizzas, grilled cheese, and a hummus dish.
Dog Friendliness Level: Dogs are welcome!
Vegetarian options: The regular menu has many vegetarian options.
Gluten Free options: Nothing advertised on the menu, but they have salads that can be GF and sandwiches that can be breadless and GF.
Drinks: BEER – discussed more broadly below.
Price point: A budget friendlier option; plates range from $11 to $16 and pizzas are $11 to $24.
Parking: There is a parking lot in front of the restaurant. You can also park across the street and walk over.
Reservations: None.
Ability to accommodate large parties: Seating is first come first serve. There is a lot of seating available, especially with the outdoor seating.
The Experience
We went to Distant Brewing on a Monday night after hiking Mammoth Rock trial. We got there when open mic was in full swing and the spot was hopping. A pair of women were performing and crooning Stevie Nicks. I recognized some people from town were there, and a few families we talked to were visiting. There was a table of young girls making friendship bracelets and eating pizzas while their parents sat nearby sipping beers. Many patrons brought their dogs, and they were sitting both inside and outside the restaurant. The pool table and dart board were both in use.
We sat outside because the volume of the open mic night was a little loud for our toddler and dog, but outside it was perfect. The outside patio has a lounge area with low tables and cushioned seats under the overhang of the building that is perfect for relaxing, as well as high-top tables under shade structures. The outdoor seating is admittedly in a parking lot, but you can peek the Sherwins and catch a beautiful sunset. The evening we were there, the cloud show did not disappoint.
Being at a brewery, we of course tried the beers. Distant Brewing has a bunch of their own beers as well as collaborations with other breweries, which is super cool. The names of the beers were witty and hilarious, like Full Send, Sky Pillow, Coastal Elevation, and Nutty Professor. Based on names alone, I wanted to drink them all. I landed on Distant Future, which is a coconut hazy that is conditioned on toasted coconut with citra hops, coming in at 7.0% ABV. I understand that IPA’s have been a trend in American brewing for a long time now, but I had never seen a beer like that before. I figured it would either be delicious or taste like sunscreen. It was frankly very pleasant. The coconut flavor was present but not overbearing. I don’t think I could crush coconut hazy’s all night long, but it was lovely to sip while I waited for my food. My husband got the Mister Nelson West Coast IPA that checked all the boxes for a refreshing IPA.
At Distant Brewing you order at the counter, get your drinks and a number for your food, and have a seat of your choosing. The service team consisted of a bartender, a food runner, and the kitchen staff. The system seemed to work well, and I bet (and hope) that they made a lot of money with two front of house staff serving a full restaurant of people. As a result, our food came out staggered and my husband’s wrap came out late. Not a problem when you are there to hang out and enjoy the atmosphere, but my hubby did get a little hangry watching me with my panini.
For food, we ordered the hummus plate as a starter. The presentation was lovely, with a generous portion of hummus and plenty of pita chips. The garnishes added a nice flavor. I had the veggie panini, which was bursting with flavor. It had pesto, mushrooms, olives, and thick balsamic that was a unique and delicious blend. It came with a pickle and salt and vinegar potato chips. My husband ordered the buffalo chicken Caesar wrap, which he described as filling, delicious, and something he will order again. Neither plate was fancy or overdone, but they hit the spot.
The ambiance of Distant Brewing is what makes it a real standout. There was a lot to do: watch live music, play pool or darts, sit outside and watch the sunset, sample beers, or just hang out with friends. There were families, couples, and groups of friends. Many people brought their dogs. Everyone was in a good mood. If you are looking for a casual and engaging dining experience, Distant Brewing is a fantastic choice.
As always, please comment with any questions, thoughts, or your own experiences.
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