Tag: Las Vegas

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Sports & A Beer – Future NBA Cities (and countries)

With the news of Portland getting a WNBA franchise, time to turn attention to re-creating another PNW grudge match.  Blazers vs Sonics.  Ever since the Thunder came into being because of duplicitous Oklahoma ownership, basketball fans have lost a rivalry game.  With the Ducks running for the money train, the UofO – OSU game has lost its luster and we could use an old fashioned derby game.

The other near lock for a new franchise (with LeBron’s backing) is Las Vegas.  That tracks too because that city has been real vocal and supportive even with the bastard step-children franchises from their relationship with Oakland.

But I would like to see a franchise added to the Eastern Conference and it might raise some eyebrows but Puerto Rico would be someplace to look at.  There would be expat fans and it would balance out the lone Canadian franchise. More importantly it could use a boost that the NBA could bring and there is no reason why the NBA or the NFL can’t use their power to build up instead of always choosing cities with that already have a lot of sway.

For beer, get yourself a couple beers each of Oregon beers and Washington beers.  Pick one style, like pilsner of West Coast IPA or stout and get a friend to help you blind taste test and see what the rankings are.

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World Beer Cup 2024

CBC, the Craft Brewers Conference was in Las Vegas aka Land of the Sphere and that is where the World Beer Cup awards were announced yesterday.

Here is my Los Angeles centric take on who won…

  • 9,300 beers entered into the competition from 50 countries
  • took 8 categories before California announced itself by sweeping the Coffee beer category
  • Orange County picked up a brace of medals in Strong Porter and Hoppy Pilsner
  • Bend, Oregon was the big city winner
  • Speaking of Bend, 10 Barrel swept the German Style Sour Category, winning all three medals
  • weird fact that German-Style Pilsner was the 3rd biggest category
  • Good to see that Ian McCall and ISM Brewing came up big with multiple medals
  • Got to see Bianca, Jace and Guillermo streaming!
  • Also happy to see L.A. based winners Paperback repping Glendale with Silver, Ogopogo and Far Field with Gold and Cellador with Silver, Bravery with Bronze
  • La Fin du Monde from Unibroue won Gold and I have that in my fridge!
  • Great beer names: Cactus Makes Perfect, Hell Yes Helles, Irish Pre-Nup

You can see the full list of winners HERE

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What to Drink on Feb. 11th

Of course, 2/11 is the finale of the 2023/2024 NFL season….

And there are some pigskin themed beers out there to try, like the below:

I have a few picks based on the two teams in the big game, starting with the first team to advance, the Chiefs of Kansas City…

Gotta start with the obvious, Swift Cider would make an excellent first quarter drink. Since Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are Hall of Fame bound, the Heirloom Cuvée would be classy choice.

There are not a plethora of KC beers in L.A. so if you may have to get creative. Look for beers with red labels to match the uniform color (as well as the ubiquitous State Farm ads featuring Mahomes, Maauto and Coach Reid). Or load upon Red IPAs, there are more and more out there.

On to the NFC and the 49ers of San Francisco where you probably need to start and finish at 21st Amendment Brewery where you should start with the Run CMC IPA named in honor of do it all offensive threat Christian McCaffrey and then go on to the Find Your Fortune Toasted Ale. Or, find yourself a version of the California Common and toast both the team and Anchor Brewing.

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Holiday Season 2023 – Day 28 – Smoke Wagon Christmas Limited Edition Bourbon

I needed to add a bourbon to the season and have headed for the popular Smoke Wagon and their special Christmas edition….

“Embrace the holiday spirit with the Smoke Wagon Bourbon Christmas Limited Edition 2023, a special release that captures the essence of the festive season. This limited edition from the renowned distillery is a holiday delight for bourbon enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of grains and botanicals that result in a smooth, full-bodied flavor profile.”

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Las Vegas Brewery # 3 – Banger Brewing

The 3rd and final roll of the roulette wheel is at Banger Brewing. And here is the poker hand of a taster tray that I would try.

Haze and Loathing IPA – “Loaded up with a ridiculous amount of hops including Azacca, Simcoe, Cashmere and Ekuanot, Haze & Loathing packs a huge punch of pineapple and mango.”

Coppertale Marzen – “An elegant, malty amber beer with a clean and toasty malt flavor. Restrained, bitterness and a rich, but dry finish e Courage’s another sip. Prost!”

Belphegor Belgian Golden Strong – “Complex fruity flavors quickly lead into a spicy, dry finish. “

Black Eye P.A. – “This extremely malty beer has a punch not only from its malt character, but its in your face hops presence. Black Eye P.A. has over three pounds of hops per barrel. All of you hop heads are going to love this one. Imperial Black IPA with Chocolate and Victory grains, hopped with Apollo and Cascade hops.”

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Las Vegas Brewery # 2 – Crafthaus

Stop two is Crafthaus, founded by Wyndee and Dave Forrest. They now have (2) locations in Las Vegas thanks, in part, to the pioneering of craft beer by Wyndee.

Here is what I would put in an initial taster tray:

Sparks of Joy IPL – “Beer should “Spark Joy” and we think this one does just that. Sparks of Joy is brightened by crisp fruit notes of Calypso, CTZ and Chinook hops while leaving you with a brisk finish.”

Evocation Saison – “Bright effervescent carbonation brings out the citrus and pepper notes.”

Silver State Blonde – “Silver State is a name that reflects Nevada’s pioneering spirit and one that we have and forever will wear proudly. Round notes of caramel wash over your pallet and finish clean.”

Belgard Coffee Stout – “A luscious dark chocolate malt backbone married with locally roasted cold brew coffee from Vesta coffee Roasters.”

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Las Vegas Brewery # 1 – Able Baker

Our first stop in Las Vegas is at Able Baker. Not a brewer of pastry stouts though. A and B were the names of the bombs dropped in Nevada as part of the nuclear testing and this brewery is running with the atomic theme.

Here is what I would sample first:

Fermentation Migration White IPA – “This White IPA is brewed with champagne yeast and the Belgian characteristics are brought about by perpetuating a series of uncommon stressors during fermentation. A slightly hazy golden color and noticeable Belgian phenols are traditional White IPA elements that remain. A soft, citrusy hop profile, bright effervescence, and dry finish..”

Test Site Saison – “An untraditional saison that gains flavor notes from our unique yeast blend and additional flavor from being brewed with fresh chamomile flowers and ginger. This creates a full-bodied, but crisp, fusion styled saison that’s flavor friendly and a nice summer sipper.”

Honey Dip Stout – “Honey Dip is an Imperial Stout brewed with honey and Madagascar vanilla beans then aged on American oak.”

Double Dead Duck IIPA – “..this double IPA is Hopped To Atomic Proportions to form a dank and bitter concoction that is a hop enthusiasts dream.”

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In the Tap Lines for March 2020

header_attractionsEnough of Oregon blog posts.  Well, I don’t say that but after a trip north, it is time to re-focus on what is happening here in Los Angeles, along with the following fun….

~ e-visits to (3)  Las Vegas breweries – Able Baker, Banger and Crafthaus
~ special featured reviews of beers from the Wheel O’ Styles.
~ Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads Tightrope
~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to Dead Eyes
~ Great Beer names and Best Beers of the Month
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

Here are two events to get your March started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) March 14th – Select Beer Store 8th Anniversary
2) March 21st – Common Space 2nd Anniversary

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Sin City Brewery # 3 – Big Dog’s Brewing

Our last stop in Las Vegas is BIG.  Big Dog’s Brewing.

Big-Dogs-Brewing-logo

What started with one Draft House has become a multi-location enterprise from Rancho Road to Sahara and this is what I would choose for my initial sampler tray…..

38 Special – A blend of our Gold Medal winning brews… Holy Cow! Original Pale Ale and Red Hydrant Ale.

El Perro Diablo –  A Belgian Strong Golden Ale with Raspberries

Rebel Ryesin – A Rye Ale clocking in at 5.5% ABV

Lake Mead Monster Double Red – which is coming soon