Our Story
Why "The Good Wolf"?
Our name is inspired by the old parable of the two wolves — a story passed down through generations. In it, a grandparent tells a child that there are two wolves inside each of us, locked in constant battle: one is the bad wolf, and represents anger, greed, and fear; the other is the good wolf, exemplifiying kindness, humility, and love.
“Which one wins?” the child asks.
“The one you feed,” the elder replies.
At The Good Wolf, we believe in feeding the better nature — gathering around the people we love, and moments that nourish the spirit. It’s more than a name; it’s a reminder to choose what we cultivate — in ourselves, and in our community.
Meet the Owners
Founded in 2019 by Matt and Heidi Petyo—partners in life and craft—The Good Wolf Brewing company is a love letter to the Tahoe National Forest and the transformative power of place.​
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After years in major brewing hubs and a life-altering return home following California’s devastating Camp Fire, Matt and Heidi sought to create something lasting and grounded. With deep roots in Northern California and a shared reverence for the wild, they opened The Good Wolf in Truckee, where the forest begins at the back door.
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Matt, a former animator turned brewer, honed his craft at breweries including Sierra Nevada, Elysian, and Oskar Blues. His beers are known for their complexity, balance, and creative exploration of flavor. Heidi, a professional archeaologist, brings a scholarly appreciation for history, land, and story—elements that infuse the brewery’s ethos and aesthetics.​
Small Batch, Crafted by Hand
Every beer is small batch and brewed by hand on a 10 barrel copper clad Bavarian style brewhouse- no rakes, plows, or automation. This allows us to have more control over all steps in the brewing process to create beers that are a personal creative expression.
We believe that making craft beer is a creative act at its core—an intentional blend of intuition, experimentation, and tradition that transforms raw ingredients into something greater than the sum of its parts.