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Grabbing Great Beer Downtown

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by wasilla, Nov 28, 2019.

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  1. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    If I rent a car in Vegas, it's typically to hit National Parks in Utah, Arizona, California or Nevada. I typically go to Khourey's via a ride with my brother (wouldn't try to bus there unless a very special event was going on). I really liked hitting the three breweries in Henderson near the Autoplex (Astronomy Aleworks, Crafthaus and Bad Beat - two buses required) and also to Lovelady, my favorite Henderson Brewery. It's also the easiest to get to (HDX from downtown to the bar in about 30 minutes, most expressway).Teneya's website includes a video of their entire draft list (in house and guest). I plan on hitting Able Baker (Arts District) and Beer Zombies (Summerlin) this trip. and will report back my findings.

    In Chicago, The Beer Temple is my favorite bottle shop / draft list for a non brewery (Beer on the Wall near O'Hare is also solid). HopLeaf is my favorite bar (Lambics AND Abbey/Trappist). I'd rank the major breweries 1. Revolution; 2. Half Acre and 3. Goose Island. For smaller / mid tier breweries, my alpha order list are Alarmist, Dovetail, Off Color, Spiteful and Une Annee / Hubbards Cave.

    Is it easy to hit many Belgium breweries via train / public transit, or is a car required to cover good ground?
     
  2. blissfulignoramus

    blissfulignoramus 3:2, nothing else will do

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    For years now there’s been a standing Groupon for Banger where you get a flight and four beers for $32 (“two people” version) and get to keep the glass. A pretty good deal — currently on sale for $30. They also have a version (double that) for four people.

    A couple of years ago they had a Mexican food stand operating outside, that was really good. Wish they would do that more. In any case, it’s a fun place with great staff, and they have some good beers.
     
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  3. SAll11

    SAll11 High-Roller

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    okay as a fellow beer vacationer Which places had the best NE IPAs and Sours. I enjoyed Hop Nuts when I was there last year.
     
  4. SAll11

    SAll11 High-Roller

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    I think my favorite Chicago brewery is Noon Whistle and Marz is pretty good
     
  5. jimshan

    jimshan Tourist

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    Ive been to all the Henderson Breweries, except Astronomy Aleworks, as it wasnt opened yet when i went. I did it from the bus, but walked a bit more then i wanted. I may hit them next week to try Astronomy. . Definitely will hit Able Baker. I always the dispensary that is behind Hop Nuts, so that area is a whole day for me!
    Belgium is easy to get around via public transportation. Cantillon is right in Brussels and easily walkable from most hotels. A car might make it easier to get to some of the further out breweries like West Vleteran, although you can only visit their restaraunt, and Chimay, which im not sure if its open to the public or not. I went on a group visit there. Its not as essential to hit the breweries over there, as the pubs are awesome and if you plan a trip i can recommend a bunch.
     
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  6. mountaindave

    mountaindave Tourist

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    somebody mentioned Holy Cow. Yes, that place was very fun for whatever reason. There was a
    bartender from Boston named Dave, who always cracked us up. "You goin to the Gahhhdens"?
    No, no Olympic Gardens strip club tonight Dave :)
    Tenaya Creek, wasnt too impressed. Just didnt have anything hoppy enough for my tastes. i am glad
    to see a couple new breweries opening up that are close. You also mentioned Dogfish brew at one of
    the casinos. Have you tried their slightly mighty IPA? for 95 calories and 3.6 carbs, it isnt half bad. My
    habit of IPA drinking has put 30 pounds of unwanted weight, so i will be bringing a couple six packs in
    my cooler when we drive up.
     
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  7. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    Spent most of December in Vegas, hit a few new places.

    Beer Zombies Bottle Shop in South Summerlin has great draft pours, to-go bottles/cans. Bartenders and customers are very friendly, SkinnyFat food is on point (loved the Nashville Hot, they have additional hot sauce). Next trip in is at the end of February, looking forward to hitting the Beer Festival and future visits to their bottle shop.

    Was also able to hit Able Baker and CraftHaus new spots in the Arts District. Able Baker was excellent, didn't try their food but will on a future visit. Chris Kael Impaled Ale was my favorite Nevada brewed pour of the trip, had many good ones.

    CraftHaus modern space, beer good. Tenaya Creek, Astronomy AleWorks, Lovelady Brewing great as always. Hit Chicago Brewing at 4 Queens, very smokey but great service and decent pours. Also had a few good specialty pours at 777 @ Main Street Station.

    My favorite ten pours on the trip (source)

    1. Able Baker Chris Kael Impaled Ale (Beer Zombies, reloaded at AbleBaker)

    2. Ellis Island Egg Nog (Ellis Island)

    3, Joseph James Tenth Year Anniversary (Beer Zombies)

    4. Tenaya Creek Barrel Aged Old Jackalope (Tenaya Creek)

    5. Tenaya Creek Tandem Double IPA (Tenaya Creek)

    6. Bruery Terreux collaboration with Brooke Williamson Kyuri Dragon (Gift)

    7. Joesph James Salted Caramel Rauchbier (Tenaya Creek)

    8. WeldWerks Extra Extra Juicy Bits - Nelson (Beer Zombies)

    9. Decadent Passifloria (Beer Zombies)

    10. Modern Times Techno Comforts (Beer Zombies)

    Didn't gamble much, but did score a few 777 beers at Boar's Head and one visit to 777. All Chicago Brewery pours were comped, but I'm done gambling and drinking in smoky places. Space Dust also scored at The Cal.

    Hitting San Diego in mid-February, and Arizona (Sonoma & Spring Training at Camelback Ranch - Go White Sox!), California (Los Angeles - First Visit to Santa Anina plus trip to Death Valley) and of course Las Vegas, Nevada including the Beer Zombies Beer festival on Leap Year Day!

    The VMB had great input as always, will checking out Chicago Brewing in Summerlin (either bar if not smoky or resturant) for additional pours, plan on making it back to Khoury's, and hope to continue having great visits to Vegas breweries throughout the Valley.

    Wanted to hit the meet up at Bally's, but family time was tight with brother traveling for work, did Christmas shopping and hit Beer Zombies and Ellis Island on the only day possible (meet-up day). Based on the posts and pictures, it appears fun and great times were had by all.

    All the best this decade and continued great pours!

    Cheers!!!

    :beer:
     
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  8. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    The sippy cup NEIPA beers. :) You have time next trip, hit Beer Zombies in Vegas, you will have many great NEIPAs to choose from.

    Love hitting Marz pre/post White Sox baseball. Marz hits many beer styles well. A bit pricey at the store, but really love their free pinball room, and proximity to White Sox Park. Finally hit Noon Whistle in August, good pours, but they mostly focus on NEIPAs which are not in my wheelhouse. Chicago breweries took the Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal for NEIPAs (top category for number of entrants) with Le Jus by Alarmist (near my house, an excellent balanced NEIPA) and Old Iriving's Beezer (near my house, too sweet for me).

    Revolution is my go to brewery here, Half Acre, Spiteful, Alarmist, Une Annee / Hubbards Cave are my next favorites. Still go to GI occasionally.
     
  9. The Ost

    The Ost Low-Roller

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    This is a really helpful thread. Haven't been in town for a couple of years, so looking forward checking out CraftHause and Able Baker. I usually get a bunch of good bear at the liquor store on the way in. Would be nice to have something tasty to drink when strolling around Downtown.
     
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  10. julia

    julia VIP Whale

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    What a great thread! Bookmarking it for future reference. I have yet to find the BHB at MSS...will do on the next trip. the Hola Hola at the Cal had a sad selection of drafts the last time I was in. Draft>can>bottle imho.

    In the Pacific NW, we are almost overflowing with breweries; I can no longer keep track of them all.
     
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  11. SAll11

    SAll11 High-Roller

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    I hit up Hop Nuts, Cracthaus, and Able Baker on Thursday night. Hop Nuts and able both had some solid IPA options. crafthaus had a few good sours but their IPA was baddddddd.

    Overall I like the vibe of Hop Nuts and Able Baker more then Crafthaus. Also if your in the Arts District you have to eat at Esthers Kitchen. It had some good beers on tap but most importantly some of the best Homemade Italian food I’ve had in a long time. I had the Carbonara and my wife had a pizza with blue cheese panna bacon pickle dates that was to die for. Probably the best pizza I’ve ever tasted
     
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  12. bull1029

    bull1029 Mr. Vegas

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    Excellent report. I would add that at Filament at Fremont, their sports bar, they have some interesting tap choices, including a Japanese slection (Ichabon, i think) that was very satisfying. And at Banger, my all timer there is their Jefe, a jalapeno Hefenweizen. Really enjoy that, but I could not drink more than a couple at a time.
     
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  13. zignerlv

    zignerlv VIP Whale

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    Just to add more info on the Golden Nugget bars. There is one bar in particular for beer selection, it is called the "International Beer Bar", although there are no signs that identify it. The other GN bars do not have this amount of selection. The IBB is located just off Fremont Street, with one end being near the Starbucks. They used to promote this a lot more, but supposedly it has over 40 varieties of bottled beer. They don't even mention this bar on their website any longer!

    I would make a guess than not all of the varieties are comp-able for play there. The formerly good 8/5 Bonus Poker VP machines at the bar, from 25c up, became 7/5, and now are cringe-worthy 6/5. The do have a limited tap selection too.

    They have a comp light system on the back of the machines that tells the bartender if your play qualifies for a comp drink. If you play about 10 hands of $1.25 VP at a moderate pace, that typically turns the light green. You can relax and drink, and then play another 10 or so hands to turn it green again when you are ready for a second drink.

    I have no doubts that it is probably about the least desirable place on the list, as far as value and tap selection. But I would imagine they have a few bottle varieties that other places do not carry.
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2020
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  14. 98green

    98green Tourist

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    My 2 cents on the downtown brewery scene, roughly radiating from central downtown. This isn't a detailed review, just my observations of the pros and cons of each place

    Triple 7 - Beer is fine but unremarkable. 6 always-on and 2 seasonal rotations. Price is very cheap (unbelievably so during happy hour). Very large and well lit room, mostly solid service at the bar, solid and cheap full menu (mostly pub/bar food), lots of TVs with sports. I go here multiple times every trip. I wouldn't make a special trip just for the beer, but the overall aspect always has me coming back

    Chicago Brewing - Beer is fine but unremarkable. 6 (I think) always-on, no seasonals or one-offs. Pricing is good, not great. Room is small, bar area especially, but there is video poker and smoking at the bar if you want (I've only sat at a table in the restaurant area). Food is pizza-focused with bar apps. Service in restaurant is often spotty/slow, with the servers disappearing for long stretches. They have a couple TVs for sports. I go once in a while, mostly for a pizza (and a beer of course), but never just for the beer. I wouldn't make a trip here for the beer.

    Banger Brewing - Beer is above average with a few unique standouts. Around 10 of their own on (a few year round, a few rotational, and a couple one-offs), plus 5 or so guest taps. El Hefe is a unique jalapeno hefe, and Morning Joe is an excellent hazelnut coffee kolsch. Price is medium. No full-time food. Room is bright and well lit, not very big. Service is excellent, with attentive and knowledgeable bartenders. Being right on Fremont, they get a lot of walk-ups, non-craft people, and one-and-dones, so it can be fun to sit at the bar and watch the traffic flow through. They have a couple TVs for sports, but they have allegiances to a couple college teams, so from time to time they won't change the channel to another event. I used to go here every trip in the past, when they were the only game in town. I've found myself going here less frequently because the offerings don't vary enough trip to trip. I think it is worth a trip.

    Tenaya Creek - Beer is mostly fine, with some rotational standouts. They have ~12 of their own on tap (about half year round stuff they distro, the other have seasonals and/or variants of the base beers) and ~8 guest taps. Prices for their own are good, the guest taps can be very unique stuff but also expensive. The room is clean but unremarkable, with a long bar and a few tables behind. Mostly locals and/or beer-seeking tourists given its slightly off the path location. No food but they have food trucks many evenings. Service is excellent, attentive and knowledgeable bartenders. They have several TVs for sports. I've been here a few times, but not a must-go. These days I only make a trip if there is an intriguing one-off or guest tap I want to try. Not sure I'd make a special trip for the beer.

    Hop Nuts - Beer varies from average to very good, the better stuff (for me) being their various IPA offerings. They have ~15 of their own on tap (75% year-round, 25% rotational), with a focus on IPAs (both west coast and hazy/NE), ~5 guest taps. Pricing is very good, especially at happy hour with $2 off everything. Room has a dive bar feel, very dark and old-school decor. Most times I've gone there it has been mostly empty (early evenings on Sat/Sun), but maybe it is busy other times. I kind of like a quiet place myself, but don't come here looking for a raucous atmosphere. No food. Service is fine, bartenders knowledgeable, but they usually only have one bartender, so it can get spotty if they get busy. There are a couple TVs for sports. I tend to go here every trip, partially because I know it won't be busy and partially to see what new IPAs they have. Not sure I'd send someone here, but certainly seek it out if you like IPAs.

    CraftHaus - Note this is based on just one trip due to the newness of the location. Beer is above average, bonus points for variety. They have ~20 or so on tap, 25% year-rounds and 75% one-offs. Tons of style varieties. Pricing is fair. Room is bright and modern, atmosphere low-key. Not very busy when I visited. Minimal food, just cheese plates and warm pretzels. Service is solid, bartenders attentive. Only two TVs, not showing sports when I got there, but they will tune them to sports. May be too early to tell, but this seems like a place worth the trip. Time will tell if the beers rotate enough to keep me coming back.

    Able Baker - Beer varies from above average to world class. They have ~20 of their own on tap (seems like 50/50 between staples and one-offs) and ~5 guest taps. Pricing is on the high side, but the highest price stuff seemed to be the best offerings. The double-barrel Honey Dip (limited seasonal release) is probably the best BBA stout in the state. Solid variety of styles as well. Room is on the small side, 10 person bar and communal tables behind. It has been packed both times I've gone (possibly due to the newness), reminiscent of a beer hall with the communal tables and loud conversation. Small food menu with asian-influenced bar food. Service is attentive. They have a few TVs for sports. I've only been here twice, but I was impressed and will probably continue to return. It may be depend on one-off offerings because I did like them a lot more than the year-round offerings. I would certainly recommend a trip (especially if they have any BBA beers on tap).
     
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  15. Eric1285

    Eric1285 Low-Roller

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    I got to try the Hefeweizen at Chicago Brewing this past weekend and I really liked it. I normally try not to drink before early evening, but it was good enough for me to break that rule and go back for a second one at lunch the next day.
     
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  16. Bowser

    Bowser Low-Roller

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    This is a great list for when I am downtown. Is there anything similar for the strip? I tend to just order Lagunitas IPA or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (or Saint Archer IPA at Cromwell), are there any standouts on the strip and where do you get them comped?
     
  17. cg123

    cg123 High-Roller

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    Chicago Brewing usually does have a seasonal on tap. They just do not advertise it or even list in on the menu. You have to ask and even then they might not know what the beer is. I asked last week and was told it was a California Common. When tasted it was obviously not a California Common and the bartender went and looked at the keg and they had switched to a new seasonal without, apparently, telling anyone.
     
  18. 98green

    98green Tourist

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    I will maybe half-answer your question. I don't do much machine/table play for drinks, so I can't opine on who-comps-what. But here is my short take on the Strip scene, south to north, beer offerings only. Only mentioning places I've been. There are certainly be other restaurants with decent draft taplists, but I don't think any other beer-centric places:


    Burger Bar (Mandalay Place) - not a brewery, but a decent set of drafts on tap, with a few moderately unique (i.e. not widely distro'ed) offerings

    Tom's Urban (NYNY) - not a brewery, surprising number drafts on tap, but most of them are the year-round offerings of the larger craft brewers; half off everything for Happy Hour

    BeerHaus (Park outside NYNY) - not a brewery, solid number of drafts on tap, including a lot of NV-based brewers; I think they still do $4 pints on 4 handles for Happy Hour, but not sure (and it is only 2-4 on days without an event at T-Mobile)

    P.U.B. (Crystals/Aria) - not a brewery, decent set of drafts, including several non-US drafts. I haven't been here since they dropped Todd English (not for that reason, just haven't felt the need to return), but I assume it is mostly the same

    Beer Park (Paris) - not a brewery; this is a Budweiser branded place, so obviously lots of macro, but they have a few craft offerings from the craft brewers owned by AB-Inbev; for example, you can get bottles of GI BCBS for exorbitant prices if you so desire; full disclosure I haven't actually visited here

    Ellis Island - actually a brewery; in the past, beer was mediocre IMO; re-visited recently with the opening of the Front Yard and the offerings seem to be better (at least the newer stuff that I tired); I think they have ~10 of their own on draft, solid variety of styles

    Yardhouse (Linq promenade) - not a brewery, and yes a chain, but ~100 beers on tap; most of it is known offerings from big name craft brewers, but they do have several rotational handles and get unique stuff from time to time (ask for the Chalkboard beers, which are not on the menu)

    Trustworthy Brewing (Palazzo Shops) - brewery out of California (not sure if they brew on site or not); only been once; ~12 of their own on tap, decent variety of styles; I wasn't impressed by the beer, and the service was very slow, but maybe it was just growing pains (they are newly opened); I will probably return if only because this is the only actual brewery on the Strip (I don't count the Sin City kiosks, of which I have never patronized)
     
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  19. Harvey

    Harvey Tourist

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    I don't think The Plaza has been mentioned? Does anyone have any insight on their beer offerings?
     
  20. Vegas Todd

    Vegas Todd MIA

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    Best beer I had Downtown was this one time I was thirsty....:beer:
     
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