A little help: Las Vegas edition

munrets · Post by **munrets** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:34 pm

So me and some friends are going to Vegas tomorrow for a "conference" and I was hoping to do some beer shopping. I've read the BA guide to Vegas and have some ideas, but has anyone here done this first hand?

Any and all insight is greatly appreciated

icemachine · Post by **icemachine** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:11 pm

Was about to start looking for this thread anyhow since I'm heading down next month. Be sure to update it with any new findings

http://www.bartowel.com/board/viewtopic ... highlight=

munrets · Post by **munrets** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:17 pm

Great! Thanks for the heads-up.

Tapsucker · Post by **Tapsucker** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:20 pm

I just got back this weekend. Vegas is more of a sugary cocktail town, so there are not that many outstanding beer bars. The Freakin' Frog is the only one I can think of.

However, there is an attempt to start appeasing the craft beer crowd. More and more places have Stone IPA or Fat Tire on tap, so it's not totally bad.

Gordon Biersch has their Maibock on seasonal tap right now and it was very good. They are also a rare place with a patio for us Canadians who are not addicted to AC.

liamt07 · Post by **liamt07** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 7:37 pm

If you're on the Strip (or around there), Whole Foods on S Las Vegas Blvd is a good stop.

Also, don't bother with Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay. Overpriced and overhyped - beer selection is good, but nothing to go out of your way for.

TheBeeraholic · Post by **TheBeeraholic** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 7:44 pm

Was down in Vegas a year ago for my 21st. I didn't visit any beer bars. But Lee's Discount Liquor is where I picked up my haul. I have a video on my YouTube channel of the haul. Three suitcases and a Tom of bubble wrap worth and zero duty. Load up if you can!

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:21 am

As I said in the other tread, Total Wine in Boca Park is the place, but it's WAY out of the way. The Big Dog Casino isn't a bad stop for a pint though.

Second choice would be Lee's Discount on EAST sunset and then Whole Foods on south las vegas.

Yeah, I really like the beer, patio and atmosphere of the Gordon Biersch just off the strip. It was like an Oasis in the middle of all the seedy bars.

If you've never been to a Hofbrau Haus, it's a decent copy of the original. It's pricie, but I'd recommend stopping in for a Maß. The original helles lager is fairly hoppy vom fass.

Also, I tried looking for this place (not far from Whole Foods), but it's in sort of an outdoor shopping centre. It was getting late and I couldn't do a drive by to find it, so I ended up just grabbing some fast food and heading to another pub. It looks pretty good though:
http://www.yardhouse.com/menus/beer.aspx
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16883/view=beerfly

kafercrazy · Post by **kafercrazy** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:23 am

I was there in October.

I visited Khoury's Fine Wine & Spirits.

It's mostly a wine store, but do have a good cooler with beers.

Very well rated on BA http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16 ... ew=beerfly

edit: ... oh, and they have a couple taps! you can drink while you shop!

spinrsx · Post by **spinrsx** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:09 pm

I just got back from vegas a few weeks ago. You'll find more than enough great beers at Whole Foods near the strip - and they sell singles. I actually walked there from my hotel, took about an hour.

munrets · Post by **munrets** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:13 pm

A little update: connecting through Cleveland and was happily welcomed by a Great Lakes brew pub here at the airport. Currently enjoying a great pint of Commodore Perry IPA.

Going to hit the Whole Foods before checking in to the Wynn.

Stay tuned...

cratez · Post by **cratez** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:46 pm

munrets wrote: A little update: connecting through Cleveland and was happily welcomed by a Great Lakes brew pub here at the airport. Currently enjoying a great pint of Commodore Perry IPA.

LOL. Even in the rustbelt cities that most Canadians frown upon, they're 20 years ahead of us when it comes to craft beer. Homicide prevention not so much, but certainly craft beer.

Tapsucker · Post by **Tapsucker** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:10 am

munrets wrote:A little update: connecting through Cleveland and was happily welcomed by a Great Lakes brew pub here at the airport. Currently enjoying a great pint of Commodore Perry IPA.

Going to hit the Whole Foods before checking in to the Wynn.

Stay tuned...

Yeah I did that once. How many times did they card you? I never thought Cincinnati was the social conservative freak zone until I was carded again by the same bartender when I ordered my second pint. Apparently the Feds who run the airports think school kids buy discount plane fare so they can sneak in and get drunk before the prom.

Tapsucker · Post by **Tapsucker** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:12 am

munrets wrote:A little update: connecting through Cleveland and was happily welcomed by a Great Lakes brew pub here at the airport. Currently enjoying a great pint of Commodore Perry IPA.

Going to hit the Whole Foods before checking in to the Wynn.

Stay tuned...

Oh, and at the Wynn, make sure you ask for a room that faces the back or you will be listening to their outdoor disco all night.

munrets · Post by **munrets** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:42 pm

And so: the Whole Foods is pretty great. Picked up DFH 75 Minute and Sah'Tea, Arrogant Bastard, Stone 15th Anniversary Black IPA, Beer Geek Brunch Weasel, and, despite what I've read, Rogue's Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple. And others.

And on the issue of carding: got carded at Whole Foods. I'm just shy of 38. I took it as a complement.

Will definitely visit on the way to the airport on the way home.

spinrsx · Post by **spinrsx** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 9:30 am

the beer guy at whole foods "chris" is pretty awesome. Ask if he's in when you stop in next time. He hooked me up with some free glassware and a few beers that were only kept 'in the back'