Sin City Brewery # 2 – Tenaya Creek

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Tenaya Creek Brewery has gone in a different direction than others in the industry.  They started as a brewery and restaurant but once they grew they jettisoned the restaurant half to focus on beer and when you see the lovely brewhouse on their website you can see why.

Now on to what I would put in my taster tray if I found myself bellied up to the bar….

God of Thunder Baltic Porter

“The God of Thunder requires but one sacrifice before granting access to its dark and malty depths. All thou needs to do is sacrifice one bottle cap into the rubbish bin. As the lager pours, clouds of darkness fold into the glass void, awakening a light-body and crisp finish. Thank you for your sacrifice.”

Gold Medal Pilsner

“Tenaya Creek Pilsner (draft only) year round. Golden lager, perfectly balanced malt and hop characteristics. Won the Gold Medal at the 2002 Great American Beer Festival for “European-Style Pilsner””

and the cheekily named

Haulin Oats Oatmeal Stout

“Hauling oats is hard work.

Donkeys are motivated by carrots. Here at Tenaya Creek we are motivated by beer. Especially when it has the subtle aroma of chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.

It is easy to forget about the long journey ahead when a dark ale with a golden tan head is in hand. So drop the reins, pry open the lid and enjoy the rounded, smooth pull. Take a breath and savor the notes of semi-sweet chocolate and hearty oats.”

(You can find some Tenaya Creek beers in LA if you look so try them out.)

Sin City brewery # 1 – Banger Brewing

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I don’t know what a Neonopolis is but I am pretty sure that is involves bright lights and slot machines. But now it also has craft beer courtesy of Banger Brewery.

A gang of 5 who worked at the Bellagio in food and beverage have teamed up to create this brewery that calls Fremont Street in Las Vegas home.  With that background in a glitzy world of food behind them, they should have a leg up in running a brewery.

That said, there line-up seemed pretty safe.  But hopefully they can straddle the tourist world of Las Vegas as well as creating a home for beer geeks like us.

Here is what I would first put in my taster tray…

SESSION (Blonde)– ABV 4.9%

Our most approachable ale. Base malt with a touch of crystal 10 and low IBUs makes this beer as approachable as they come. It’s a great intro into craft beer with a clean crisp finish.

DTB (Brown Ale)–ABV 6.0%

Our brown ale is a malty beer complimented with crystal 120 and a touch of chocolate malt and black patent to give it a toasted aroma with a crisp clean finish and subtle sweetness.

 

Review – Tenaya Creek Hop Ride IPA

To some Las Vegas means only Sin City, but to those in the know, the glittering city also has some beer spots. Maybe not rivaling the beer soaked Portlands and Denvers of the world, yet,but they are moving in the right direction.

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That is the semi-ling preamble to my review of Tenaya Creek’s Hop Ride IPA.

Spooky rattler on the label. Pours an orange/yellow color. Fluffy head on this one. Spicy and floral aroma. Bitterness is medium to me and it sticks around on the roof of the mouth. Little bite at the beginning of each sip. A little caramel taste around too.

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