How a June Lake Brewery Blends Craft, Community, and Creativity

⏱️Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Customer spotlight: June Lake Brewing

Nestled in the breathtaking landscape of California’s Eastern Sierra, June Lake Brewing (JLB) is a vibrant craft brewery that has become a cherished spot for both locals and visitors. Renowned for bold flavors and strong community spirit, this June Lake brewery is a story of resilience, purpose, and creativity. And with help from quality tools like Avery labels, they bring that story to life on every can.

Born from water, built by passion

“Beer is more than 90% water,” says co-founder Justin Walsh. “And we have some of the best water available.” The pristine alpine water, sourced from the snow-capped peaks surrounding the town, is a key ingredient in JLB’s success. The June Lake brewery’s location was not merely a scenic choice; it was a strategic one. The local water profile, comparable to the legendary brewing waters of Pilsen, Czech Republic, provides the perfect foundation for crafting both delicate lagers and bold IPAs.

JLB’s mission is as straightforward as their flavor is bold:
1. Make Super Awesome Beer.
2. Give back to our community.
3. Get people outside.
That mission echoes in every pint they pour.

From red tape to rapid growth

Launching the first brewery in unincorporated Mono County was no small feat. “The toughest challenge was working with the county to educate them on what we were doing,” Justin shares. However, persistence paid off. Within just 12 months of opening their doors, June Lake Brewing was cash-flow positive—a milestone many businesses only dream of.

This early success was the result of thoughtful planning, business savvy, and a background steeped in the industry. With experience at major players like Alaskan Brewing, Ballast Point, and Green Flash, Justin and co-founder Sarah Walsh understood the ropes—and what pitfalls to avoid.

Tourism meets community

While June Lake attracts outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe, it’s the locals who are at the heart of JLB. “Tourism drives most of our revenue, especially in summer,” Justin notes, “but we prioritize our people and community first.” This balance is reflected in their hiring practices—finding the best team members, supporting them with fair wages, and retaining them year-round despite the area’s seasonal fluctuations.

It’s also evident in the way JLB operates. From donating to local causes and supporting civic organizations to educating visitors on environmental stewardship, the brewery is deeply woven into the fabric of its mountain town.

DIY culture and creative beer

Self-reliance is essential in June Lake, where the nearest grocery store is 30 minutes away and the closest Home Depot is more than 100 miles out. That “make it work” attitude permeates everything JLB does, from constructing their tasting room furniture using locally sourced Jeffrey Pine to designing their own brewery labels in-house.

And those labels? That’s where Avery comes in.

“We use full-wrap, matte-finished Avery labels on our 16oz cans,” Justin explains. “We love Avery for the quality, quick turnaround, and unbeatable price point. Our design is very simple and clean, so the quality of the label helps communicate the quality of the product inside.”

Each can reflects JLB’s brand identity—crafted with intention and executed with precision. With Justin personally designing the brewery labels, the connection between product and branding is seamless. “How can you create something that represents the brand unless you eat, sleep, and breathe it?” he says.

The power of collaboration and innovation

Despite its remote location, the June Lake brewery is far from isolated. The Eastern Sierra boasts a tight-knit brewing community, with JLB regularly collaborating with other local craft breweries like Mammoth Brewing, Distant Brewing, and Mountain Rambler. Together, they’re building a regional reputation for quality and creativity.

JLB’s most popular beer, Lil’ Walker IPA, is a West Coast-style standout that combines piney citrus with savory undertones. It’s as much a tribute to local geography as it is to the boldness of Sierra-brewed craft. Under the guidance of Head Brewer Ryan March, innovation is always on tap.

Sustainability with a vision

Sustainability is another area where JLB excels. From reducing water usage to maximizing raw material yields and promoting recycling, eco-efficiency is built into their process. “I wrote my MBA thesis on the eco-efficiency of snowboard manufacturing,” Justin shares. “So doing things better is always on my mind.” Long-term goals include 100% renewable energy and cradle-to-cradle manufacturing—a lofty vision, but one they’re diligently pursuing.

What’s next? World domination

When asked what’s next, Justin doesn’t hesitate: “Complete and total world domination.” This tongue-in-cheek response reflects the ambition behind the brand. With a loyal following, a stunning location, and uncompromising product quality, June Lake Brewing is carving out a unique niche in the craft beer landscape.

Thanks to Avery labels, their Super Awesome Beer doesn’t just taste the part—it looks it, too.

Ready to visit or just want to learn more?

Whether you’re planning a trip to the Eastern Sierra or simply want to dive deeper into the story behind June Lake Brewing, you can find them online at junelakebrewing.com and follow their adventures on X, Instagram and Facebook. Super Awesome Beer—and the spirit behind it—is just a click away.

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