Opening of Two Local Breweries Delayed Due to Government Shutdown

One of the unforeseen effects of the recent government shutdown was the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and Small Business Administration divisions being idle and therefore being unable to approve any new brewery equipment or government loans. As a result, both Beer District Brewing (situated Downtown at 914 S Main St) and Scenic Brewing Co. (taking over the former Old School Brewing space at Desert Inn and Durango) have had to further delay their openings. At press time it looks like both are a few months out from opening. Stay tuned for further updates in the upcoming months.

Mabel’s BBQ Featuring a Bevy of Beer Choices

When a restaurant with one side of its menu devoted to its beer selection opens, I take notice. Such is the case of Michael Symon’s Mabel’s BBQ at the Palms Casino Resort, which debuted in late December. What’s even better, is the selection features 15 brews from Nevada breweries, which during my recent visit included Able Baker, Banger, Big Dog’s, CraftHaus, Hop Nuts, Imbib, Joseph James, Revision and Tenaya Creek. The total list has more than 100 choices grouped in categories of Lawnmower Lager, Sours, Malt Driven, Hop Driven, Not Your Average Joe and Lights Out (dark beer). Whisk(e)y fans will have even more to celebrate, with a book of about 250 bourbon, rye and single malt from the US, Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, Canada and Japan.

You may come for the libations, but will want to stay for the cuisine. Michael Symon built a name for himself appearing on TV shows such as Iron Chef on the Food Network, hosting Burgers, Brew & ‘Que on Cooking Channel and formerly co-hosting ABC’s The Chew; and has won countless awards including The James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes. Now his Cleveland restaurant of the same name has been replicated in Las Vegas, but on a much larger scale. Three smokers are utilized to create authentic BBQ with options of beef brisket, the aptly named giant beef rib, pork belly, chicken, turkey and kielbasa. But don’t just chow down on the meat alone, I found the pork belly tacos with radish and cotija, spiced mac and cheese with mascarpone and cheddar and hot greens with pork to be quite worth the splurge; and the three BBQ sauces—Carolina-style, Hatch Chili and Sweet & Sour—(all made in-house) are so good I would happily drink them from the bottle. 

Mabel’s BBQ is open 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Thur. and 11:30 a.m.-midnight Sat.-Sun. mabelsbbqlv.com

Lovelady Brewing Celebrating 3rd Anniversary

Brewmaster/Co-owner Richard Lovelady is gearing up for the 3rd anniversary of his Lovelady Brewing Company, located on Water Street in Downtown Henderson. The celebration is set for March 23, during which beers will go for a scant $4. Some of his brews he’s brewed recently include Double Trouble Doppelbock (8.3%, 35 IBU), Brut-L-Bock (Brut bock, 11.4%, 5 IBU), Sex on the Beach Sour (with cranberry, peach and blood orange) and Mojito Sour (with key lime and mint). In addition, the Pink Boots Society beer will be brewed at Lovelady Brewing this year (in March); plans are to make a Pink Guava Milkshake IPA. 

Upcoming Beer Festivals

Spring is just around the corner and so are two of Southern Nevada’s largest beer festivals, so time to mark your calendars. 

On March 30 from 3-7 p.m. (VIP entry at 1) the 7th Annual Boulder City Beerfest will again be held at Wilbur Square Park in the heart of the historic city. The park is located just two blocks from Boulder Dam Brewing, which is where you can buy tickets in advance (they are also being sold at Khoury’s). The only beerfest currently held in Boulder City, it will have more than 30 brewery tents pouring close to 100 beers, live music, food for purchase from eight food trucks, “beer centric” specialty vendors, homebrewing demonstrations and the brewers games hosted by the Nevada Beer Lovers. For more info, a list of breweries or to purchase tickets, visit bouldercitybeerfest.com.

The 9th annual Motley Brews Great Vegas Festival of Beer for the first time will be held at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center at 200 S 3rd St on April 5 and 6. It is expected to draw 10,000 attendees over the two days and is Nevada’s largest craft beer festival in terms of amount of beers poured, offering tastings of more than 500 craft beers from more than 100 breweries. The Friday night event, the Mad Craft Experience from 7-10 p.m., will feature beer paired with culinary creations from some of the top establishments in the local culinary scene.  The next day, The Great Vegas Grand Tasting will be held from 3-7 p.m. with early entry at 2 p.m. For more info and to purchase tickets visit greatvegasbeer.com. Buy your tickets early, as prices increase closer to the festival dates.