| The
Quest for the Holy Grain - Best Brew Pubs |
| Nevada |
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The Depot Craft Brewery Distillery Do not go to Reno for the beer, but if you end up in Reno and want a beer head to 4 th Street. You could do worse, I know I did. The Depot is a grand example of an old train depot building, even though it was cordoned off for street construction on our visit. The outside is classic depot. The inside is something else, what? I am not sure. It is part classic, part post-modern with a few styles in between. It is bright and airy; is that befitting or unbefitting a one-time train depot? I was stoked for this trip, a rise through beautiful country, a hotel within stumbling distance. They had an impressive array of beers, about 20 of their own on tap in a wide variety of styles. So what was the problem? The place was nearly empty, most of the wait staff looked like bikini models, a gleaming copper brew works stands behind the bar sheltered by a large transparent glass window. The place was empty on a Saturday late afternoon/early evening. Beer drinking is a social event. But not here. A brief conversation with our tatted barmaid produced a recommendation that we go elsewhere on 4 th Street and she was clearly trying to do us a favor, not just getting rid of us. The second beer was unremarkable and a look at the menu's beer apps (that would be food not electronics)-brussel sprouts, kimchi, shrimp ceviche, artichoke, kale—where are the nachos and calamari, clog my arteries, please! Isn't every pub required by law to serve them? I have the inaleineable right to eat unhealthy food in a bar. "Give me a bold beer and some Brussel sprouts" are words I never hope to speak. The beers largely left us feeling...eh. So we took the barmaid's advice and headed for Under the Rose. Maybe on another day with the chatter of beer drinkers and busy, not bored, staff the beers would have zinged.
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The Brewer's Cabinet The Brewers Cabinet is a brewpub in the Midtown district of Reno. |
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Brasserie Saint James Brasserie Saint James is a restaurant/brewery in the Midtown area of Reno. |
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Great Basin Brewing Company The Reno location of Nevada's oldest operating brewery is at one end of a shopping center. |
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Boulder Dam Brewing Co. The Boulder Dam Brewery is a brewpub in downtown Boulder City. Fairly small, it has seats for perhaps 30. It appears bright and friendly; large windows overlook an expansive outdoor seating area in the front. Although the beer is served directly from 8 bright tanks located behind the length of the bar, the brewing operation is not visible. Four year-round beers are on tap as well as several seasonals. The beers are quite good and they seem to experiment with their styles. This is a wonderful oasis for desert tourists. |
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Triple 7 Brewpub The Triple 7 Brewpub is located in the Main Street Station hotel in downtown Las Vegas. The brewpub itself is in an extremely large room with a long bar on either side, and pehaps 50 tables in the center. The bigger-than-average brewing operation is glassed in at the rear. They serve 5 year-round beers as well as two seasonals. The beers are tasty and true to style. A pint costs $3.25, but wait...one can go to the casino bar and get one for a buck and a half. |
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Chicago Brewing Co. The Chicago Brewing Company is a brewpub in a large stand-alone building near a strip mall in the Las Vegas suburbs. There is a separate entrance for the modest dining area. The brewing operation is behind glass in the center of the building. The bar area is quite large and there is a smaller lounge upstairs. They have six year-round beers on tap as well as two seasonals. The beers seem true to style and are quite good. They have a second outlet downtown in the Four Queens Casino. It's small and cozy, sitting about 20, and has the same beers as at the brewpub. |
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Tenaya Creek Restaurant and Brewery Tenaya Creek is a brewpub in a stand-alone building across from a hospital center in Las Vegas. Small and cozy, the bar and it's three tables sit maybe 30. The brewing operation is behind glass at the end of a long, dark lounge that has three pool tables. Tenaya Creek serves four year-round beers and two seasonals, as well as several premium guest beers. Although the bar doesn't seem busy, they brew the house beers for several large casinos and will be expanding their brewery soon. Oh, and the beers happen to be very good. |
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Big Dog's Brewing Co. Big Dog's Brewing Company is a brewpub in the Las Vegas suburbs. There is a large bar area containing several alcoves with tables. |
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Barley's Casino & Brewing Company Barley's Casino and Brewery is a neighborhood casino with a brewpub, far from the tourist area of Las Vegas. |
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