Nevada Beer Nuggets
By Bob Barnes

Great Basin Brewing Company, from Sparks (suburb of Reno), represented Nevada in the World Beer Cup, bringing home a silver medal for its Outlaw Stout, in the Sweet Stout category. Great Basin’s win cements its hold as the Silver State’s most award-winning brewery, with 12 major competition medals (8 GABF and 4 WBC).

Hildegard and Bas Van Ostaden, brewer and owners of Urthel, celebrated their win at the 2008 World Beer Cup by going to Vegas! Urthel Vlaemse Bock earned a bronze medal, impressive considering it was the first time De Leyerth Breweries (makers of Urthel) had entered beers in the WBC. While in town, they attended a beer pairing lunch featuring the full line of Urthel beers at the famous Rosemary’s Restaurant. The highlight for me was the Urthel Hop-It, a Belgian interpretation of an American IPA. Brewer Hildegard said, “It’s a huge thank you note to the US for all of the hoppy beers we’ve been enjoying over the years.”

Other Urthel beers paired included the award-winning Vlaemse Bock, Hibernus Quentum Tripel, Samaranth Quadrium Ale and brews from the Koningshoeven trappist monastery. Located in the Netherlands two miles from the Belgian border, Koningshoeven is the only trappist brewery outside of Belgium, and where Urthel beers are currently produced. Rosemary’s next beer dinner is slated for July 15. They always sell out, so don’t hesitate to reserve your spot by calling 702-869-2251.

As the mercury rises in Nevada, so does the beer festival action. First up will be the 7th Annual CasaBrewski poolside-fundraiser on June 7 from 3-6 p.m. Held at the CasaBlanca Resort in Mesquite, the event will include more than 50 vendors representing and serving craft brews and sake from around the world. A $25 donation will get you an unlimited tasting, and since the proceeds are going to charity, a portion of the cost is tax deductible. Advance tickets can be purchased through the CasaBlanca concierge, or by calling 800-459-7529. Mesquite is just west of the Arizona border, about an hour’s drive north from Las Vegas.

On Saturday, June 28, consider heading up to Northern Nevada for the 13th Annual Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews & Blues Fest, hosted by the Eldorado Casino in downtown Reno. This fest is a big draw, evidenced by the tally of over 20,000 fest-goers that turn out each year. It never fails to disappoint beer hounds with a strong line-up of micros from around the west; award-winning brews from the Eldorado’s Brew Brother’s Brewpub will be on tap, along with more than 30 others from the region. Here’s your chance to drink beer in the street; the fest is held on Virginia Street just outside the Eldorado. Throughout the day live entertainment will be on every corner of the festival, which runs all day, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Brewers are invited to submit their beer for judging with awards being given by categories. For more information, call 800-648-5966 or 775-786-5700 in Nevada, or visit the Eldorado online at <1www.eldoradoreno.com>.

Big Dog’s Brewmaster Dave Otto is doing his part to help educate future chefs on the benefits of pairing exceptional beer with gourmet fare. The Las Vegas Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts held a beer dinner featuring Big Dog’s brews, pairing Holy Cow! Pale Ale/Ruben Soup, Red Hydrant Red Ale/Shepherd’s Pie, Dirty Dog IPA/Beer Braised Short Ribs, Black Lab Stout/Potato Crusted Lamb Loin and Walnut Chocolate Tart with Moon Dog Barley Wine Ice Cream. The students gained an appreciation of how easy it is to match rich food with beer that’s brimming with flavor and variety.

I’m happy to report that one of my favorite breweries is now available in the Las Vegas market. Uinta Brewing Company, out of Salt Lake City, Utah, is now being distributed by Nevada Beverage. Uinta is a favorite of scores of other beer fans, evidenced by its bevy of major brewing awards, having earned 8 GABF, 7 WBC and 31 North American Brewers Association honors. The brewery is currently celebrating its 2008 World Beer Cup gold medal win for its Cutthroat Pale Ale, which also earned a bronze medal at the 2006 WBC. Look for Uinta brews at Lee’s Discount Liquor locations, Smith grocery stores and at the Yard House, where the Anglers Pale Ale is currently one of the top 10 selling drafts.

The latest beer nugget I’ve unearthed, just off of the Las Vegas Strip, is DJT at the new Trump International Hotel and Tower. The name is derived from The Donald’s initials, and the restaurant is a high-end fine dining establishment serving Modern American cuisine. There’s also a 50-seat lounge where you can peruse one of the best beer menus in town. The list is well-rounded, with over 60 craft beers representing 17 countries, including several that you won’t find just anywhere, such as seven varieties of Rogue, Stone Ruination IPA, Uinta Anglers Pale Ale, Unibroue La Fin Du Monde and Maudite, Rochefort 8, Deus and Triple Carmeliet.

Head Sommelier Mike Shearin is quite knowledgeable about wine as well as beer, and knows how important a quality beer list is to  satisfying the needs of his clientele. Mike said, “None of our beverage lists are the largest in town, but they are well chosen to match our cuisine and hopefully offer our guests something that they don’t see in every other restaurant. Beer is just as important to our restaurant and lounge as any other beverage. We feature it in tasting menu pairings and also plan on offering special dinners with brewmasters in the near future.” The Trump International is located on Fashion Show Drive, just behind the Fashion Show Mall. As always, good beer happens in Vegas!

DJT
2000 Fashion Show Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-476-7358

Bob Barnes is a native Las Vegan and a regional correspondent for the Celebrator Beer News. He welcomes your inquiries and is standing by to assist you in your Vegas beer quest. He can be reached via e-mail at LVBobB@juno.com.

*This article is published in the Celebrator Beer News - June / July ‘08 Issue

What’s Brewing
By Bob Barnes

Gordon Biersch Restaurant and Brewery hosted a three-course Maibock Brewers Dinner featuring the brewery’s fine-crafted brews. Brewmaster Richard Lovelady and Chef Miguel Live prefaced each course with details about each dish and the brew that it was paired and prepared with.

For the salad course, Maibock Chilled Shrimp Salad, with mixed greens with tomatoes, onions and orange segments tossed in misso vinaigrette, was served with Golden Export. Richard explained that the Export is their lightest and most popular beer at their Las Vegas branch, and was selected because a lighter beer would accentuate the tanginess of the vinaigrette.

The main course was a choice of Maibock Grilled Chicken or Pepper Grilled Pork Chops. The Grilled Chicken featured two chicken breasts topped with Maibock Cream over Orzo Pasta with tomatoes, peppers, onion, squash and parmesan cheese. The Pepper Grilled Pork Chops were served with an Apple Potato Gratin, Caramelized Onion Green Beans and Tarragon Mustard Butter. Both selections were paired with Richard’s seasonal Maibock, a robust, malty lager logging in at a hefty alcohol strength of 7.5%. Richard shared that the maibock style originated in the 1200’s-1300’s and was the only beer that Martin Luther drank.

The finale was Apple Pie made with Granny Smith Apples baked in a sour cream custard and served with vanilla ice cream. The dessert was matched with Marzen, the top selling beer in the entire Gordon Biersch chain.

Participants were given a tour of the brewery and a parting gift of a Maibock half-liter glass. Go to <www.gordonbiersch.com> and sign up for GB Online to receive emails about future events, or call 702-312-5247 for scheduling info.

The return of the Barley’s Brewfest after a two year hiatus was a welcome gift to local beer lovers. The amount of beer was just right, allowing one to sample nearly all of the brews without requiring a ride home. Stand-outs for me were: Salt Lake City’s Uinta Brewing Company Orange Wheat (refreshing subtle orange flavor) and its Anniversary XVI Barley Wine (full-strength and powerful, exploding the myth that Utah beers are wimpy); Lake Havasu City’s Barley Brothers Triple Berry Hefe (a berry blowout), West Coast IPA (plenty of hop flavor) and Imperial Stout (9.5% alcohol); SNAFU homebrew club’s Jon Griffin’s Helles (smooth and refreshing); Main Street Station’s Triple 7 Brewpub Java Porter (wake up and smell the coffee) and Raspberry Tart (a real crowd pleaser).

Steiner’s has long been one of the best watering holes in Vegas. I’ve always appreciated its beer menu listing  over 70 beers with 24 taps. In celebration of the 5th anniversary of its Buffalo location, it will host an outdoor party with live music and special prizes on Friday August 15th, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Here’s a chance to go back in time, with food and drink specials at the same prices they were in 2003 when the pub first opened. Steiner’s is on Buffalo at Vegas Drive in the Albertson’s Shopping Center, about a mile north of the Summerlin Parkway.

Vital beer research has been conducted in Las Vegas. Adam Carmer, owner of Freakin’ Frog, has opened Adam’s Ribs, a family-friendly BBQ restaurant located just steps from the Frog. After exhaustive experimentation Adam has selected 35 craft beers that pair best with the flavors in BBQ. I recently enjoyed a sampling of his ribs and let Adam choose the beer for me, based on his research. Deschutes Black Butte Porter was matched with beef ribs while Pyramid Apricot Wheat paired with baby back ribs; both accentuated the BBQ flavors, proof that Adam had done his homework. It’s the best of both worlds. Freakin’ Frog has 925 different beers, reputed to be the largest selection in the West; now after enjoying your favorite beers, you can exit the Frog and walk across the parking lot to get your fill of BBQ.

Adam’s Ribs is on Maryland Pkwy., across the street from UNLV. It’s in the same building that formerly housed Moose McGillicuddy’s, but after a complete renovation you would never guess it’s the same place. Windows allow natural light and panels of natural knotty pine on the walls and ceiling have transformed the space into a bright and cheery atmosphere. Show up with this article in your hand and you’ll get a pint of the rotating seasonal brew for free.

Local brewers are hard at work producing great beer to satisfy our never ending thirst during the long hot summer. Dave Otto at Big Dog’s Brewing offers up a pilsner, brewed with 100% German Hallertau hops, and his thirst-quenching Belgian White Ale. Matt Marino at Main Street Station’s Triple 7 Brewpub will refresh us with a Mango Cream Ale made with real mango. Matt says the Mango is the most requested special after the Hefeweisen and Black Cherry Stout. Speaking of the stout, this multi-award winning beer will be returning near the end of the summer. He also will satisfy the hop heads among us with his highly requested Belgian IPA featuring noble hops and a Saison yeast. As always, good beer happens in Vegas!

Steiner’s - A Nevada Style Pub
1750 N. Buffalo Dr. Suite 115
Las Vegas, NV 89128
702-304-8084

Adam’s Ribs
4770 S. Maryland Pkwy.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
702-242-8227

Bob Barnes is a native Las Vegan and an associate editor of Food & Beverage News of Las Vegas. He welcomes your inquiries and is standing by to assist you in your Vegas beer quest. He can be reached via e-mail at LvBobB@juno.com.

*This article is published in the Food & Beverage News - July ‘08 Issue