RENO, NV - It is a longtime local favorite of beer drinkers: a hometown craft brew with a following that has been growing. And now, fans of Great Basin will be happy to learn it's easier than ever to get your hands on an Icky. At a time when so many businesses are struggling, it's a move that has many people here saying "Cheers."

In the back of Great Basin Brewing Company in Reno, Ryan Quinlan is busier than ever.

"We're brewing Icky today!" he says.

The Ichthyosaur brew, to be more accurate. It's the brewery's most popular IPA and Ryan can't work fast enough, now that the company has expanded operations and is now bottling the local favorite into six packs.

"I think there was a huge demand for it," Quinlan explains of the move. As for how it's working out...
"We've had a great response," he says. "It's been overwhelming."

Starting last month, the Icky is now available at about a handful of local supermarket chains in the Reno-Sparks area, like Scolari's. And liquor stores, like Ben's. The manager at the Ben's location on Moana and Lakeside says he can't keep enough in stock.

"Very high demand," says Dan Grohs, Ben's Fine Wines and Spirits manager. "We've been going through about 15 cases a week. So we'll buy as much as we can to sell as much as we can."

All of this is a bright spot in this dismal economy. And Icky's fans at Great Basin Brewery's restaurant in Reno say they'll drink to it.

"They're a local business and everything like that and you know i just like to see a success story like that," says Mark Buckler, a Reno resident and Great Basin Brewing Company regular.

"I'll definitely pick some up. It's light. It's refreshing. And i think it's great for the economy," says Denise Bremer, who was also dining at the restaurant.

Retail price for a six pack is $7.99.

Great Basin Brewing Co.'s Ichthyosaur India Pale Ale is available at the following stores:

Scolari's Food & Drug, Co.
Raley's Supermarkets
Smith's Food & Drug Center
Save Mart
Sak 'n Save Foodstore
Ben's Fine Wine & Spirits
Aloha Liquors (Carson City)
7-11 (select locations)
Reno Homebrewer

It is expected to sell at Craft and Whole Foods Market in the near future.