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Schussboom Brewing Company, an independent craft brewery based in Reno, Nevada, has officially entered the national spotlight as a Gold Sponsor for the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Known as "The People’s Tree," this year’s selection is a majestic Red Fir harvested from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada. The partnership marks a significant collaboration between the local private sector, the USDA Forest Service, and the Society of American Foresters, highlighting the intersection of regional industry and national tradition. As the tree embarks on a cross-country journey from the Sierra Nevada mountains to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Schussboom Brewing is providing both financial support and a series of commemorative craft beers designed to celebrate Nevada’s ecological and historical heritage.
The Selection of the 2024 People’s Tree
The tradition of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree dates back to 1964, when Architect of the Capitol J. George Stewart established the practice of decorating a live tree on the Capitol grounds. Since 1970, the USDA Forest Service has provided a different national forest the honor of selecting the tree each year. For 2024, the responsibility fell to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Spanning over 6.3 million acres, the Humboldt-Toiyabe is the largest national forest in the contiguous United States, encompassing diverse landscapes from the high desert to alpine peaks.
The 2024 selection is an Abies magnifica, commonly known as a California Red Fir. This species is native to the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada and the Southern Cascade Range. The tree was harvested in late October following a meticulous selection process that considered height, symmetry, and the ability to withstand a 2,000-mile journey. Standing approximately 70 to 80 feet tall, the tree serves as a biological ambassador for Nevada’s vast public lands.
The harvesting of the tree is a high-precision operation involving specialized cranes and a custom-built semi-trailer. Once secured, the tree is kept hydrated and protected from the elements as it navigates a series of "whistle stops" across the country. This logistical feat is supported by a network of sponsors, including Schussboom Brewing, whose contributions facilitate the public events and educational programming associated with the tour.
Crafting a Liquid Tribute: The Commemorative Beers
To commemorate Nevada’s role in the 2024 festivities, Schussboom Brewing Company developed three distinct beers. These brews are not merely seasonal offerings but are designed as narrative tools to educate the public on Nevada’s natural resources and frontier history.
The first in the series, "Abies Magnifica," is a hoppy red ale that draws direct inspiration from the tree itself. In a nod to traditional brewing techniques that utilize local flora, the brewery incorporated foraged red fir tips into the recipe. The young growth of the fir tree provides a unique citrus and resinous profile, bridging the gap between the forest and the glass. By naming the beer after the tree’s scientific classification, Schussboom emphasizes the botanical significance of the Humboldt-Toiyabe’s gift to the nation.
The second offering, "Comstock Lode," is a hazy IPA that shifts the focus from biology to geology. The name refers to the Comstock Lode, the first major silver ore deposit discovered in the United States. Located under Virginia City, Nevada, the lode sparked a silver rush in 1859 that transformed the region and paved the way for Nevada’s statehood. The beer’s "hazy" nature serves as a metaphorical nod to the dust and activity of the mining era, while the bold hop profile mirrors the ambitious spirit of the 19th-century pioneers.
Finally, the "Ghost of Christmas Pils" honors the cultural "spirits" of the Wild West. As a Bavarian-style Pilsner, it offers a crisp, clean finish that pays homage to the European immigrants who brought brewing traditions to the mining camps of the Sierra Nevada. This beer represents the social fabric of early Nevada, where saloons and breweries served as the primary gathering points for diverse communities of miners, loggers, and ranchers.
The Journey Across the American Heartland
The journey of the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is a multi-week expedition involving over two dozen community celebrations. The tour officially began following a public debut on October 25 at Mount Rose Ski Tahoe, a high-altitude resort that sits on the edge of the forest where the tree was harvested. Following the inaugural event, an "after-party" at Schussboom’s Reno taproom allowed the community to sample the commemorative beers before the tree began its eastward trek.
The logistics of the tour are managed through a partnership with the Society of American Foresters, which utilizes the events to promote sustainable forest management and the importance of public lands. The tree travels on a specially decorated Kenworth truck, often referred to as "Big Red," which features a transparent window on the trailer so that spectators can catch a glimpse of the needles and branches during the journey.
The 2024 route includes several stops in Nevada and Arizona, allowing Southwestern communities to engage with the project before the tree enters the Great Plains and the Midwest. At each stop, Schussboom Brewing representatives participate in community events, pouring their specialty brews and sharing the story of the Humboldt-Toiyabe. These stops serve as vital outreach points, connecting urban and suburban populations with the rural landscapes that provide the nation’s natural resources.
Community Involvement and Local Artistry
While the tree itself is the centerpiece, the "People’s Tree" project is defined by the thousands of ornaments that accompany it. In 2024, Nevada residents created over 10,000 handmade ornaments, many of which reflect the state’s symbols, such as the desert sagebrush, the bighorn sheep, and the Nevada state flag. These ornaments are crafted by school children, indigenous tribes, and local artisans, ensuring that the tree represents the collective identity of the state.
Briana Wagner, President of Schussboom Brewing, emphasized the importance of this representation. In a statement regarding the partnership, Wagner noted that the opportunity to represent Nevada on a national stage was a "once-in-a-lifetime" event. She highlighted that the goal of the brewery’s involvement was not only to support the logistics of the move but to "create Christmas cheer with beer," using the craft industry as a vehicle for community pride.
The involvement of a local brewery as a Gold Sponsor reflects a broader trend in the craft beer industry: the role of the "third place." Breweries have increasingly become centers for civic engagement and local philanthropy. By sponsoring a national event, Schussboom demonstrates how small businesses can play a pivotal role in maintaining and promoting large-scale cultural traditions.
Historical and Economic Context
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree project provides a significant economic and promotional boost to the host state. For Nevada, the 2024 tour highlights the state’s often-overlooked timber and forest resources. While Nevada is frequently associated with the arid landscapes of the Mojave Desert, the presence of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest reminds the nation of the state’s ecological diversity.
From an economic perspective, the partnership with the Society of American Foresters and the USDA Forest Service underscores the importance of the "outdoor economy." According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, outdoor recreation accounts for approximately 2.2% of the U.S. GDP, with Nevada seeing significant contributions from its national forests and parks. The visibility afforded by the Capitol Christmas Tree encourages tourism and brings attention to the conservation efforts required to maintain these lands.
Furthermore, the craft beer industry in Nevada has seen steady growth over the last decade. As of 2023, Nevada is home to over 50 craft breweries, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to the state’s economy. Schussboom’s sponsorship of a high-profile national event serves as a testament to the maturation of the state’s brewing industry and its ability to compete on a national branding level.
Arrival and Lighting Ceremony
The journey is scheduled to conclude in late November when the tree arrives at the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Upon arrival, the tree will be handed over to the Architect of the Capitol’s team, who will spend several days securing it and decorating it with the 10,000 ornaments provided by Nevadans.
The official lighting ceremony, typically held in early December, is a televised event attended by members of Congress and the public. The Speaker of the House traditionally presides over the ceremony, often accompanied by a student from the host state who won an essay contest or demonstrated exceptional community service. For 2024, the lighting of the Red Fir will serve as the culmination of years of planning by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest staff and months of coordination by sponsors like Schussboom Brewing.
As the tree glows in the heart of the nation’s capital, it will stand as a symbol of Nevada’s contribution to the Union. The commemorative beers brewed in Reno will have traveled their own path, serving as a liquid record of the 2024 journey. Through this blend of forestry, history, and craft brewing, the "People’s Tree" continues to fulfill its mission of bringing a piece of the American wilderness to the center of American democracy.
