Meet Touchstone Brewing Company

Community-Focused, Lively, Relaxing

Some breweries are born in garages. Some in basements. Touchstone Brewing Company was born after a day of climbing, and honestly, that tells you everything you need to know about them.

Imagined, built, and operated by rock climbers, Touchstone shares a property with Pipeworks Climbing Gym in Sacramento, making them one of the only brewery-and-climbing-gym duos in the country. But don't let the niche origin story fool you. This place is built for everyone. Grab your friends, bring your dog, bring your kids, or bring someone you just met at the gym. There's an awesome patio, a sunset view, great food, and even better beer waiting for you.

What They're Pouring

Touchstone hasn't locked in their exact Brewfest lineup yet. They like to keep things fresh. But they promise whatever hits the table will be crisp, clean, and delicious. And keep your eyes open: they mentioned there might be some freebie swag at their booth, so stop by early.

If you haven't tried their beers before, their flagship Bear Hug Hazy IPA is the place to start. As they describe it: "If you've ever had a long day and just want to melt into the cozy arms of a tall, handsome beer, this is the one for you." Cozy, smooth, and an all-around crowd pleaser.

The Story Behind the Beer

Touchstone's brewery is an extension of their climbing identity. All their beer names are climbing-themed, and the whole ethos is built around the idea that "climbing" is sometimes just another word for socializing. The brewery was born out of that same spirit: a space where the after-climb hang is just as important as the send.

Right now, they're diving deeper into barrel aging and high-ABV beers, pushing beyond their IPA roots into more complex territory. And while they love a great Session IPA (all the flavor and punch of a full IPA, with less ABV), they're not afraid to go big when the moment calls for it. Their Elvis Leg IPA pairs excellently with their V2 Burger if you ever make it to the taproom.

As for collaboration brews? Their answer was refreshingly simple: the best part of a collab day is hanging out with friends, so they consider themselves to already be living the dream.

What to Expect at Their Booth

Tahoe Brewfest feels like home territory for Touchstone. They're just an hour and a half from the lake, and when they're not brewing, they're skiing or climbing in the same mountains you're staring at. Their hope for August 29th is a simple one: that people walk away putting

Sacramento on the map as a beer destination the next time they're making the drive to or from Tahoe. And if their beers have anything to say about it, that case will make itself.

See you at their booth on August 29th. 🍺