Born from water, built by passion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeer is more than 90% water,\u201d says co-founder Justin Walsh. \u201cAnd we have some of the best water available.\u201d The pristine alpine water, sourced from the snow-capped peaks surrounding the town, is a key ingredient in JLB\u2019s success. The June Lake brewery\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
JLB\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From red tape to rapid growth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Launching the first brewery in unincorporated Mono County was no small feat. \u201cThe toughest challenge was working with the county to educate them on what we were doing,\u201d Justin shares. However, persistence paid off. Within just 12 months of opening their doors, June Lake Brewing was cash-flow positive\u2014a milestone many businesses only dream of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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,<\/a> Ballast Point<\/a>, and Green Flash<\/a>, Justin and co-founder Sarah Walsh understood the ropes\u2014and what pitfalls to avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While June Lake attracts outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe, it\u2019s the locals who are at the heart of JLB. \u201cTourism drives most of our revenue, especially in summer,\u201d Justin notes, \u201cbut we prioritize our people and community first.\u201d This balance is reflected in their hiring practices\u2014finding the best team members, supporting them with fair wages, and retaining them year-round despite the area\u2019s seasonal fluctuations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And those labels? That\u2019s where Avery comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe use full-wrap, matte-finished Avery labels<\/a> on our 16oz cans,\u201d Justin explains. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each can reflects JLB\u2019s brand identity\u2014crafted with intention and executed with precision. With Justin personally designing the brewery labels, the connection between product and branding is seamless. \u201cHow can you create something that represents the brand unless you eat, sleep, and breathe it?\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>, Distant Brewing<\/a>, and Mountain Rambler<\/a>. Together, they\u2019re building a regional reputation for quality and creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n JLB\u2019s most popular beer, Lil\u2019 Walker IPA, is a West Coast-style standout that combines piney citrus with savory undertones. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. \u201cI wrote my MBA thesis on the eco-efficiency of snowboard manufacturing,\u201d Justin shares. \u201cSo doing things better is always on my mind.\u201d Long-term goals include 100% renewable energy and cradle-to-cradle manufacturing\u2014a lofty vision, but one they\u2019re diligently pursuing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n When asked what\u2019s next, Justin doesn\u2019t hesitate: \u201cComplete and total world domination.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks to Avery labels, their Super Awesome Beer doesn\u2019t just taste the part\u2014it looks<\/em> it, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re 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<\/a> and follow their adventures on X<\/a>, Instagram <\/a>and Facebook<\/a>. Super Awesome Beer\u2014and the spirit behind it\u2014is just a click away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Want more stories like this?<\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Customer spotlight: June Lake Brewing Nestled in the breathtaking landscape of California\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":25933,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2681,4493],"tags":[2684,4463,63],"class_list":["post-25907","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-avery-customer-spotlights","category-grow-your-business","tag-custom-labels","tag-customer-spotlight","tag-product-labels"],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"\nTourism meets community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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DIY culture and creative beer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The power of collaboration and innovation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Sustainability with a vision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What\u2019s next? World domination<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ready to visit or just want to learn more?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Explore other inspiring customer spotlights on our blog and discover how small businesses across industries are building bold brands with Avery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n