New brewmaster pours into Doppelgangers

By Dave Frank

Appeal Staff Writer

Jason Courtney didn't expect to start brewing beer in a dry county in northwest Texas.

But after he made his first batch, a Christmas ale, 13 years ago as a student at Texas Tech University, he said he couldn't stop experimenting with beer.

His next recipe will be made as the new brewmaster at Carson City's only brewpub, Doppelgangers Bar & Grill.

"If you don't love beer," he said, "it's just because you haven't tried the right one yet."

Courtney said he is excited about brewing his first batch of Octoberfest in Nevada, which has few brewpubs compared to states he's worked in including Colorado and Montana.

Though Nevada isn't as well known as others - especially California - for its styles of beer, he sees that as an opportunity to try new things and take a chance to make the brewpub a place for the city to get together and discover the beers they love.

His wife, Sarah Courtney, said she and her husband have seen the enthusiasm and friends that can come to a local brewpub from their work across the country.

"It's a wonderful lifestyle," she said. "It's just awesome."

Jason Courtney said he can enjoy making beer everyone can love since he's won national awards for his lagers and ales in the past few years and isn't looking for any more confirmation that his beers are well made.

Some other of the ways to attract more people include dinners paring foods and beers, he said.

Melissa Claude, general manager and head chef of Doppelgangers, said this is done the same way food and wine pairings are done.

Pasta with a heavy sauce might be paired with a lighter beer for balance, for instance, she said.

Picking a new brewmaster after former brewmaster Joe Renden left was hard, she added, because the brewpub needed someone who could not only make beer for the restaurant, but also for outside sales, requiring someone who is organized and efficient.

Doppelgangers flew in about seven people to interview for the job, she said.

The brewpub is owned by 302 N Carson LLC, which is managed by Alan Adams, who is officer of the company that owns the Carson Nugget casino. Doppelgangers opened in September 2007.

• Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.