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The 2024 holiday season marks a historic milestone for the state of Nevada as a majestic red fir from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest begins its cross-country trek to serve as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Known affectionately as "The People’s Tree," this year’s selection represents the first time in several years that the Silver State has provided the centerpiece for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Enhancing this year’s celebration is a unique partnership with Reno-based Schussboom Brewing Company, which has stepped forward as a gold sponsor for the initiative. To commemorate the journey, the brewery has launched a series of specialty beers designed to showcase Nevada’s diverse ecology and rich frontier history, bridging the gap between the rugged wilderness of the Great Basin and the formal traditions of the nation’s capital.
The History and Tradition of the People’s Tree
The tradition of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree dates back to 1964, when Speaker of the House John W. McCormack suggested that a live tree be planted on the Capitol grounds. That initial tree, a 24-foot Douglas fir, survived for several years before being damaged by wind and replaced by the current practice of selecting a cut tree from a different National Forest each year. This rotating selection process ensures that every region of the United States eventually has the opportunity to showcase its natural beauty and local culture on a national stage.
The 2024 selection comes from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, a massive expanse of public land that holds the distinction of being the largest National Forest in the lower 48 states. Spanning approximately 6.3 million acres across Nevada and parts of eastern California, the forest is a patchwork of high-desert basins and jagged alpine peaks. The selection of a red fir (Abies magnifica) for this year’s honor highlights the specific biodiversity of the Sierra Nevada and the Carson Range, where these trees are known for their symmetrical growth and sturdy branches—qualities that make them ideal for supporting thousands of ornaments and lights.
Schussboom Brewing’s Commemorative Craft Series
For Schussboom Brewing Company, the opportunity to serve as a gold sponsor was an alignment of brand values and civic pride. Located in Reno, the brewery has long focused on the intersection of outdoor recreation and craft culture. To celebrate the tree’s journey, the brewing team developed three distinct labels that serve as a liquid tribute to the state of Nevada.
The flagship of this commemorative series is the "Abies Magnifica," a hoppy red ale that takes its name from the scientific classification of the red fir itself. In a nod to traditional brewing techniques that utilize forest ingredients, the ale was brewed using foraged red fir tips. These tips provide a distinct citrusy and resinous profile that complements the malt-forward nature of the red ale, offering drinkers a sensory connection to the very forest from which the Capitol tree was harvested.
The second offering, "Comstock Lode," is a hazy IPA that honors Nevada’s foundational mining history. Named after the legendary silver strike in Virginia City in 1859, the beer reflects the "gold and silver" heritage of the state. In the craft beer market, hazy IPAs are often associated with richness and complexity, qualities the brewers felt mirrored the storied past of the Comstock era, which fueled the development of the American West and secured Nevada’s statehood during the Civil War.
Completing the trio is the "Ghost of Christmas Pils," a Bavarian-style Pilsner. This brew is intended to honor the "rowdy spirits" of the Wild West and the enduring folklore of Nevada’s ghost towns. By choosing a crisp, clean pilsner style, the brewery sought to provide a balanced contrast to the more robust ale and IPA, ensuring the series appealed to a wide range of palates during the various community events scheduled along the tree’s route.
Logistics and the Cross-Country Journey
Moving a 60-to-80-foot tree across several thousand miles is a logistical feat that requires months of planning and the coordination of multiple federal and private entities. The 2024 journey began in late October with a ceremonial harvest in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Following the harvest, the tree was carefully loaded onto a specialized trailer equipped with a massive water bladder to keep the needles hydrated during the multi-week transit.
The "whistle-stop" tour is a critical component of the People’s Tree tradition, allowing communities far removed from Washington, D.C., to participate in the holiday spirit. The 2024 route includes several high-profile stops across Nevada and Arizona before the tree heads east. On October 25, the tree made its first major public appearance at Mount Rose Ski Tahoe, a location that underscores Nevada’s status as a premier winter sports destination. The event was followed by an official after-party at Schussboom Brewing’s headquarters, where the commemorative beers were officially debuted to the public.
As the tree travels, it is accompanied by a convoy that includes representatives from the USDA Forest Service and the Society of American Foresters. These organizations use the tour as an educational platform to discuss sustainable forest management, the importance of public lands, and the role of forestry in the American economy. Schussboom Brewing representatives are also joining segments of the tour, hosting "pour events" where residents in different states can sample the Nevada-inspired brews and learn about the tree’s origins.
Community Involvement and Local Artistry
While the tree itself is the primary attraction, it serves as a canvas for the people of the sponsoring state. This year, residents across Nevada have contributed more than 10,000 handmade ornaments. These decorations were crafted by schoolchildren, non-profit organizations, and local artisans, often utilizing recycled materials or themes that represent Nevada’s flora, fauna, and landmarks.
The involvement of a local brewery as a gold sponsor highlights a growing trend in public-private partnerships for national events. By engaging with a small business like Schussboom, the USDA Forest Service is able to tap into local enthusiasm and leverage the brewery’s community reach to promote the message of the People’s Tree. Briana Wagner, President of Schussboom Brewing, emphasized the significance of this role, noting that the partnership is a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to represent Nevada’s burgeoning craft beer industry on a national scale while contributing to a 55-year-old holiday tradition.
Economic and Cultural Implications
The selection of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree provides a significant promotional boost for the host state. For Nevada, the 2024 tour serves as an advertisement for its natural beauty beyond the neon lights of Las Vegas and Reno. It highlights the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest as a vital ecological resource and a destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
From an economic perspective, the craft beer industry in Nevada has seen substantial growth over the last decade. According to data from the Brewers Association, Nevada’s craft breweries contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to the state’s economy annually. Partnerships of this magnitude allow local breweries to gain visibility in new markets and demonstrate the sophistication of the state’s culinary and brewing scene. The "Comstock Lode" and "Abies Magnifica" releases are not merely seasonal products; they are marketing tools that tell a story of Nevada’s heritage to an audience that spans from the Sierra Nevada to the Potomac River.
Arrival and the 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 Architect of the Capitol’s team will take over, using cranes to hoist the tree into position and beginning the arduous process of stringing miles of LED lights and hanging the thousands of Nevada-made ornaments.
The official lighting ceremony, typically held in early December, is a televised event presided over by the Speaker of the House. It serves as a symbolic start to the holiday season in the nation’s capital. For the team at Schussboom Brewing and the residents of Nevada, the sight of the Humboldt-Toiyabe red fir glowing in front of the Capitol dome will be the culmination of years of growth in the forest and months of dedicated planning on the ground.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative remains a powerful reminder of the shared ownership of America’s public lands. Through the sponsorship of Schussboom Brewing and the coordination of the USDA Forest Service, the 2024 journey has successfully combined environmental stewardship, historical tribute, and community celebration into a single, cross-country mission of "Christmas cheer with beer." As the tree makes its final push toward Washington, D.C., it carries with it the spirit of the Silver State and the craftsmanship of its people.
