Grabbing Great Beer Downtown

I know its not DTLV but, RIP Tag Bar @ the Linq.. they had quite the selection, and they comp'd em @ the VP bar and the nearby games. Pizza Port, Joseph James, Craft Haus, Oskar Blues... Nothing beat sunday football drinking comp'd crafts all day watching the games @ Tag Bar.

 

I'm back in Vegas for a few weeks and can do some updating.

The seasonals at triple seven at MSS are a dark IPA and a Stone collaboration which was described as a double red. I'm not a dark IPA fan in general. I paired the double red with a quesadilla and liked it.

QQQQ's Chicago Brewing has a Belgium Trippel. It isn't advertised and you'll have to ask for it. I'm drinking it pared with a Magnolias cookie.

The Hop Nut's tap list is currently a little light. They are going to fill them this Saturday for their anniversary celebration. They open at 11:00. HH is 4 to 7:00.

Three Sheets is a craft beer bar with 30 taps. They have a HH from 4 to 6 Tues, Weds, and Thurs. It is a short walk from Hop Nuts and Craft House.

 

Just an update on the Arts District brewery scene:

A new brewpub, Beer District opened Weds. It is on Main Street a little north of Charleston and less than a 100 yards south of The Gambler's Book Store. They only had 2 of their own beers on tap. I liked the IPA. Their were also several guest beers. They are planning a grand opening around mid March after more of their beers are ready. The brewer is talked about with mad respect by others in the area, so I'm hopeful. I realize that the beer details are sparse here, but I only ran across it as I was walking home from a high octane tour of the area's other places.

Able Baker continues to be my favorite spot. The line up includes fewer huge beers than my November visit. I'm sure this fits with patrons' drinking preferences. My new favorite in Infamy 2403, a 12.7% Imperial Porter nectar of the gods. A 5.5oz pour runs $5.50 so its a bit pricier. I was already drunk when I tasted this and will have to return for it.

Hop Nuts has a full tap list, 15 of theirs and 5 guests. Several of the beers are new. I had a 5 6oz sampler flight and it was one of the best flights I've ever had.
I started with a 6% Japanese Lager. It was dry as expected, but was also a tad spicy, subtle and clean.
Next was the 7.5% Papa's Imperial Amber. It was full bodied and pleasantly malty. Instead of the sweet after taste of an Alaskan Amber, this was more balanced and complex with a hint of spice running from my nose and into my throat before dissipating.
Then came Galactical Present, a 8%, 80 IBU DIPA. By now I was talking a lot and fell down on my note taking. All I wrote was "crisp." I recall it being a good, but not outstanding example of the style.
Their Nitro Imperial Stout at 8.1%, 69 IBUs was really good. Smooth, creamy, but still slightly drier than your average big stout. They don't normally serve it in a 6oz pour though.
Best for last was their DBA Imperial Stout. This 10%, 69 IBU barrel aged stout is chocolatey delicious. An outstanding beer that I'm returning for a full pour of.
Cost for the flight was $13.80 that included a industry discount.

Craft House is still good and has a similar, not identical, selection from November. Unfortunately my beer list from the place didn't make it home last night,

 

How far is the new brewery in relation to hop nuts and able baker

 

Hop Nuts is close. Probably a bit over 5 minutes walk. I never walk directly to Able Baker so I'll guestimate 10 minutes more. All 3 are on Main.

 

I’ve walked from Hop Nuts to craft haus to able baker and it was a pretty short walk so sounds like I can add a 4th brewery to that trip

 

Does Chicago Brewing have a good 25c JOB or BP VP game?

 

There are a lot of members DT for the WE. I'm bumping this in the hopes that some of them may make updates. I won't be able to get to the brewpubs this trip, but will update some casino offerings later.

 

I'm sorry that I had missed your question. The most popular quarter game they have is 9/6 DDB with fast moving progressives. There are a game or two that pay two for 2 pair. They're short pay though. I'll be back there tomorrow and will check the pay tables for you. With the distancing requirements there are only 4 machines. There hours are also reduced to 11:30 to 11:00.

 

So i'll be there in less than 2 weeks. I've skimmed through some of these comments but with the shut downs i was hoping to get some more up to date info. I'm interested in the best comped beers as well as the better breweries that are very close to the strip or downtown. I'll be starting my stay at The D so The D and GG will be where i do most of my gambling to get comped brews. I thought Chicago Brewery was ok and MMS was pretty good but they are still closed i believe. I liked Banger Brewing better than i expected to so i will probably hit that again. I'll also be staying at Caesars so i will drink there and probably at the other Caesars properties on the strip. Also the every trip stop at Ellis Island will happen.

What do you guys have for me?

 

CBC is now open 11:30 to 11:00 daily. GG has Stone Delicious IPA, Bells Two Hearted, Founders Breakfast Stout, and a Pale Ale that I'm unfamiliar with. Generally, I'm finding that the beer that was here when I left in March is still here. The D still has Alaska Amber and Stone IPA. The Front Yard at Ellis had some good beers, superior to their old offerings. It is also a mostly enclosed outdoor place.

 

Check the Beer Advocate website. They have a places listings for bars, breweries, bottle strores, etc.

 

Did you run into mike and Kimmie up at Chicago brewing? I hope they made it through this ongoing mess.

 

They're alive and kicking. Hours and seating are both reduced, so I'm sure that they are both poorer. They've only brought back about half the staff. Many times the BT is solo.

 

1. Thanks for the update, I'm looking forward to a day at these places soon.
2. I cannot find any evidence that the Downtown Loop is in or out of service, did you see any evidence of this free shuttle being in operation? It would be the best way between downtown and The Arts District for the thrifty.
3. The Velveteen Rabbit does have some craft beers on tap and in bottle as well, but if you drop in definitely try some of their mixology.

 

I have no info on the DT Loop's operational status, I used to finish off my brew tour at Able Baker and would stagger to the SDX to get back to Fremont. Lack of reliable transport kept me on Fremont this time out.

 

From the downtown loop's website: "The Downtown Loop service is currently suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak."

 

For those of you concerned about breathing recirculated air, hop nuts, Tenaya creek, banger, able baker, and the beer bar, 3 sheets all have outdoor seating. Can't speak to their current hours of operation.

 

Yeah I know but I'm looking for more current info especially with the limited hours of a lot of places due to the virus. Able Maker does look tasty with a diverse taplist as well as Tenaya Creek.

 

Sorry. I forgot to check. I know there is nothing good. I just can't tell you how bad they are. anybody know?