Local Brewer Spotlight: Andy Kohon
In this new monthly feature, we spotlight one of our local head brewers. First up is Andy Kohon, head brewer at Mojave Brewing.
Andy’s path to becoming a professional brewer is unlike most. He did not start out as a homebrewer, but rather seven years ago was hired to assist Brewers Eddie Leal and Michael Keys with brewing duties at Ellis Island Brewing, where he learned on the job. After two years he moved over to Bad Beat Brewing and worked with Amanda Koeller for another two years before taking the head brewer position at Mojave two and a half years ago.
When asked how he comes up with his recipes he cites market research, tasting other’s beers to pull out flavor profiles he likes, and then researching and reading up on beer styles. His favorite beers to drink are Italian Pilsners for their crispness and nice hop profile, and he particularly likes brewing his Mojave Sunrise for its uniqueness, as it is made with 100% dehydrated blood oranges sourced from Dress the Drink. One of the next beers he plans on brewing is a low ABV English Mild, which will be served on cask at room temperature, a nod to the English tradition.
BEER EVENTS
Cin-Cin Brewhouse (914 S Main) is turning one, and to celebrate its first anniversary, on Friday, April 4 starting at 5 p.m. there will be a few new beers, some specials and a live band and DJ performing in the parking lot. Brewmaster Cisco Talley will be unveiling a dry hopped German Pilsner and a Citrus Blonde Ale. This is also First Friday and parking may be tight, so plan accordingly.
On April 18 Beer Zombies will host a Wrestle Mania event at the brewery (931 W Bonanza Rd) starting at 7 p.m. and a meet and greet with Chavo Guerrero Jr. for the release of the collaboration called Los Guerreros. The 5% Mexican Lager is made with flaked maize, Mexican lager yeast, Hallertau hops and Yucatan sea salt.
The Big Dog’s Brewing annual Peace, Love & Hoppiness Festival will be held in the outdoor area of the Big Dog’s Draft House (4543 N Rancho Dr) on April 26 from 4-9 p.m. This pay-as-you-go event offers free admission, live Classic Rock and Island Reggae music, BBQ sandwiches (Tangerine Cascabel Glazed Chicken Torta and Big Dog’s Tri-Tip), raffles and giveaways and at least 48 brews on tap, more than half of which will be brewed-in-Nevada beers. For more info and to purchase a tasting package (priced with additional savings built in and eligible for Big Dog’s Rewards Card program points) click here.
Local Brewery Champion of the Month
In this recurring feature we spotlight establishments that appreciate our local breweries enough to devote the majority of their beer lists to beers made in Nevada.
Eureka! in the Emergency Arts Building (520 E Fremont) across the street from the El Cortez offers a range of gourmet burgers, and since beer goes great with burgers, it’s not surprising that there is a very refined beer list with a lot of love shown to our local breweries. A recent check of the list found Able Baker Double Barrel Honey Dip Stout, Beer Zombies rotating Hazy IPA, Big Dog’s Las Vegas Lager, CraftHaus Silver State Blonde, rotating ciders from Mojave Brewing, Neon Desert Early Out IPA and North 5th Fierro Mexican Lager.
Whiskey lovers also have reason to rejoice, as there is a gargantuan list. In addition to more than 30 choices (all reasonably priced at $20 or less) there are more than 60 more on the rotating list priced from $12-$150, which can be viewed by scanning a QR code on the menu.
Those in Henderson should be happy to learn a new Eureka! location is opening on St. Rose east of Maryland Pkwy on April 28.
Rebellion Pizza Food Truck at CraftHaus on Thursdays
Rebellion Pizza, known for its excellence in creating NY and Sicilian-style pizzas, recently added a second location in the Tenaya Village Center in Centennial Hills, joining its original location in the Anthem Village Center in Henderson. Now it’s on the move again with the launch of its food truck.
The food truck has a regular weekly slot at CraftHaus Brewery on Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. Show up and you can get a whole pie and a pitcher of Silver State Blond for $12.
The Rebellion Pizza truck has filled slots at Servehzah with more to come, and will be debuting at the new West Henderson Hospital on April 8 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. It can also be booked for special events. For more info, to book special events and to view the menu, call 702-268-8268 or visit rebellionpizzalv.com.
- Hero image © Adobe Stock – licensed for editorial and edited by A.D. Cook
- Cin Cin Brewmaster Cisco Talley pic by David Canela
- Andy Kohon Mojave head brewer pic courtesy of Andy Kohon
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Bob Barnes began his food and beverage writing career in 1998 as Regional Correspondent for Celebrator Beer News and wrote the Nevada Beer Nuggets column from 1998-2019. He was Editorial Director of The Las Vegas Food & Beverage Professional from 2012-2021 and has covered Las Vegas for Gayot since 2010. He continues to contribute to Gayot, writing the Gayot Las Vegas Restaurant News, features on new restaurants, and beer and spirit reviews. He also writes regularly for Off The Strip, The Vegas Voice, Neon Feast, and Las Vegas Magazine.
