Lassen Ale Works sits in the historic Boardroom building in downtown Susanville and does two things really well: beer and pizza. We grabbed a table on their outside patio with our dog and immediately noticed how relaxed the whole operation feels. They clearly have people who know what they’re doing behind the bar and in the kitchen.

The beer selection is what caught our attention first. Instead of the typical lineup of IPAs that you find everywhere, they actually rotate their offerings so there’s real variety. We tried a few different styles across our visit and each one had personality. The brewpub has been operating since 1993 and has picked up national awards for their brewing over the years, which isn’t something you see every day in a small mountain town.

The pizzas are legitimately good. We ordered the spicy Hawaiian and a margherita, and both arrived with toppings that didn’t skimp and a crust that had actual flavor. People weren’t exaggerating when they said these are the best pizzas in Susanville—we compared notes with another table and they’d said the same thing. The meat pizza is apparently another popular choice if you want something heavier.

Service was efficient without feeling rushed. Our server checked in at the right moments and knew the menu well enough to answer questions about the beers without being condescending about it. The patio itself is pleasant, especially on a nice day, and they clearly allow dogs without making a fuss about it. There’s a real community feel to the place, not corporate or trying too hard. The building itself has character from the historic renovation, which adds to the whole experience rather than feeling like a gimmick. If you’re in Susanville and want good beer with solid food, this is where you’ll actually want to spend an evening.