Boulder Dam Brewing Company

On Wednesday afternoon, the children and I spent time with our friend, Fannessa. She is a fellow member of the Pagan and Witches Community Circle. Fannessa is great around my children, and they hit it off almost instantly. She is a close friend, who is fast becoming family.

I wanted to show her the natural gifts store in Boulder City, Nevada. Boulder City is about 35 minutes southeast of Las Vegas, and only place in the state that doesn't allow casino gaming within its limits. All the shops on main street remind of my youth in new england towns.

We also wandered into a jem of a place, The Boulder Dam Brewing Company!!

Below is the brewery's offerings:

POWDER MONKEY PILSNER -Named for the dam workers who packed all the explosives, this beer is flavorful and refreshing, yet not filling. Made with a combination of fresh Liberty hops from Yakima, Washington and the prized East Kent Goldings hops from England. Two-row brewers malt is used with a small amount of roasted barley to give this brew a well-rounded malty character and its light golden color.

HELL’S HOLE HEFEWEIZEN -We figured the workers living in Williamsville, nicknamed Hell’s Hole, would have appreciated a few of these refreshing brews. A thirst-quenching wheat beer, made with two-row brewers malt and heaps of white wheat malt. It is hopped with Liberty and the acclaimed Oregon Chinook aroma hops. If you haven’t tried this one, you haven’t tried the most popular beer brewed in Boulder City.

HOP CRISIS IPA - Three years of poor harvests have wreaked havoc on the hops availability worldwide. First, hop prices doubled, then tripled and finally, most are simply unavailable. Cascade, the hop we use with careless abandon in our boldest brew, High Scaler IPA, is one of those that is no more. Our brewer has been hoarding some since last October. To this end, we introduce Hop Crisis IPA. Loads of two-row brewers malt, white wheat and roasted barley are finished with our stash of Oregon Chinook and Cascade.

LAKE MEAD LIGHT - Have you ever had a light beer? Sure you have. Did it suck? Sure it did. A light beer need not be fizzy, yellow water. We combine roasted barley and Minnesota two-row brewers malt in just the right amounts for a crisp malt flavor. We then use four varieties of hops for bittering and flavoring - East Kent Goldings, U.K. Goldings, Liberty and Hersbrucker Hallertau. At 35% less calories than our next lightest beer, you can have 35 times as many pints, right?

BLACK CANYON STOUT - Named after the canyon in which the dam is built, this rich, dark beer is made with four varieties of malt. Minnesota two-row brewers, English chocolate, black malt and roasted barley give a pleasant coffee-like character to the finish. This ruby-black brew is perfectly balanced with East Kent Goldings and Liberty hops.

SEASONALS - like Raspberry Vice, Block 16 Honey Brown, Blueberry Bock, Blackberry Wheat, Cincuenta Cerveza!!, Smashin' Pumpkin, Ragtown Red, Reclamation Amber, just to name a few.

I enjoy a few pints of the powder monkey pilsner. it is so good! We ordered chips and salsa, and popcorn to share.

They have a full menu of common pub food as well as just the munchies. I can't wait to have a full meal as well. I want to try the brewer's bratwurst, the feltman, and a Ploughman’s

I look forward to many more visits in the future. This a place I can bring family and friends on a day trip away from Las Vegas, and the valley.

For more infomation you can visit their website at : http://www.boulderdambrewing.com/

The Brew Pub at The Monte Carlo

My Dad and I loves beer and wine. When dad was younger, he made wine in the garage. He even brewed a few batches of beer. Dad got a kit from a brother-in-law doing research for a book in England.

My dad didn't seem to care much for national brands of beer. He tend to like the imports, and micro brews. He found great joy in finding these local bars or side of the road places that brewed there own stuff. When I became old enough to legally drink, I followed his lead, and for most part tastes.

I'm lucky that living here in Las Vegas, that they have so many breweries. One such place is The Brew Pub within The Monte Carlo Resort & Casino. This property is on the world famous, Vegas Strip.

Here is what's on the official website,"Monte Carlo Brew Pub is a great place to enjoy a draft beer while catching a good game! The Brew Pub also serves an array of tasty items from its extensive menu including such favorites as brick-oven pizzas, salads and sandwiches. For those with a hearty appetite, our steak and stein special includes a tasty T-bone served with a 16-ounce draft. Without a doubt, the Brew Pub is the best party on the Strip."

The Monte Carlo has lot of free parking and valet, but I think I found a faster way. Park next door at The Bellagio, and take the tram way across. Go down the stars or escalator, and you'll be right at the pub.

The Brew Pub has 5 signature premium micro brews. They are as follows:

Las Vegas Lites (Premium Lager) - Las Vegas Lites is our lightest offering in color and body. It's a light lager that delivers smooth flavor with a crisp, clean, and dry finish.

High Roller Red (Amber Ale) - High Roller Red is a full-bodied amber ale with carmel and toffee notes. It's created through a blend of domestic and imported malted barley, and balanced by the fruity tones of our house yeast.


Winner's Wheat (Wheat Ale) - Winner's Wheat is an unfiltered, American-style wheat ale. It contains a mixture of malted wheat and barley which creates a quenching beer that's as crisp as it is refreshing.

Jackpot Pale (India Pale Ale) - Jackpot Pale is a copper colored ale with a pleasing hop aroma and flavor. The hearty "recipe" was traditionally created to survive long journeys from the United Kingdom to India.

Silver State Stout (Irish Stout) - Silver State Stout is a surprisingly smooth version of a traditional Irish stout. It's made of a complex blend of imported and domestic barley, which creates a rich, dry flavor.

My favorite is the High Roller Red. I tend to like most ales and lagers. The stout is just to dark and strong for my liking.

Another great thing about the Brew Pub is it has a built in Cigar Shop. Cigars are other one of my vices. I love high end, hand rolled cigars. I also getting into the newer flavored cigars as well.

When I first move here, I was on the strip most weekends, if not during the week. Things change a bit as you live here longer, and you even try to aviod the strip and the tourists. The exception to that is when family and friends are in town for a visit

Now that I'm a single dad, my ex-father-in-law come over every saturday to watch my children, and give a break. This has let me hang out more with friends, and to have a night on the town. The Brew Pub is alway in the front of my mind for places to go.

If you love Micro brews or beer in general then The Brew Pub at Monte Carlo Resort & Casino is a key place of interest on your next Las Vegas vacation.

For more infomation on The Monte Carlo please visit their website at www.montecarlo.com