December Beer Events
The Nevada Craft Brewers Association (NCBA) will provide an opportunity to taste more than 30 beers from more than 20 Nevada breweries at its annual Brew Festivus Beer Fest. Held on December 7 from noon-4 p.m. at Cornerstone Park in Henderson, the unlimited sampling will include rare, collaborations, specialties, one-offs and holiday-inspired beers; and hard cider. Bring your four-legged beer buddy in festive gear to enjoy the fun and photo opportunity provided by Michael’s Angel Paws.
The pet- and family-friendly event will also include a live DJ, food trucks and several vendors selling crafts such as gourmet cookies, craft beer candles, custom animal treats and animal apparel.
General admission tickets are $40 for admission at 1 p.m. and unlimited beer sampling; and VIP are $65 for early admission at noon, a custom logo tasting glass, admittance to a VIP lounge and a food ticket for choice of a Backyard Classic Burger or 50/50 Bacon Stuffed & Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog from VIP Sponsor Slater’s 50/50. Proceeds benefit the NCBA and Michael’s Angel Paws, a local non-profit that provides dog training programs for service and therapy dogs.
There will also be a 50/50 raffle (half of the ticket sales go to the prize “pot” and half the ticket sales benefit the non-profit NCBA).
For a list of breweries pouring beer and to purchase tickets, click here. To purchase raffle tickets, visit NCBA Raffle Tickets.
On December 9 the five Southern Nevada BJ’s Brewhouse locations will host a five-course Prime rib beer dinner featuring winter warmers and holiday beers from some of the world’s best craft brewers.
The dinner will include welcome beer of BJ’s 25th Annual Grand Cru; Sierra Nevada Celebration IPA with Sriracha Queso Dip; Shiner Holiday Cheer paired with House Salad with Balsamic Dressing; palate cleanser of N’ice Chouffe; Deschutes Jubelale matched with Prime Rib with white cheddar mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus; and Delirium Noël paired with Mini Salted Caramel Pizookie.
The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the cost is $45 in advance and $50 (plus tax and tip) the day of the event. Designated driver tickets (food only) are $30. To purchase tickets, click here.
Big Dog’s Brewing and Happy Ending Chocolates are partnering to present the Hoppy Holidays Beer, Chocolate & Cheese Pairing. Held at the Draft House/Big Dog’s Brewing on December 11 from 6-8 p.m., the event will include four Big Dog’s specialty beers from the past year, four Happy Ending Chocolates, four artisanal cheeses, and presentations from Chef Sergio Meza and Big Dog’s Head Brewer Dave Pascual.
The cost is $44.95 (plus tax). To purchase tickets, click here.
North 5th Brewing Company will celebrate its 3rd anniversary on December 14 from 5-10 p.m. at the brewery at 60 West Mayflower Ave. in North Las Vegas.
There will be several North 5th beers pouring, including a handful of exclusive anniversary beer releases. There will also be a variety of food options from local food trucks selling menu items for purchase and raffles.
General admission for admission at 6 and unlimited pours is $45 and VIP for early admission at 5 and an anniversary glass is $65. To purchase tickets, click here.
What’s Pouring in December
Big Dog’s Brewing has released “Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout” in a limited release special edition bottle. The limited release bottles are hand numbered and wax dipped. This big and bold beer is an 11.3% bourbon barrel aged Imperial Stout infused with cinnamon, habanero, cacao nibs (provided by Happy Ending Chocolate) and marshmallow with notes of chocolate, roast, coffee and a touch of heat from both the cinnamon and slight use of habanero and the additional chocolate from the cacao and creaminess of the marshmallow. It’s available for sale on Black Friday for $15.99 with a limit of two per person and is only available at the brewery.
This month Able Baker Brewing has a handful of taproom releases and one for distribution. Draft only at the taproom are Class A Detonator, a 12% bourbon barrel aged Doppelbock; Zombie Slayer Stout, a 17% bourbon barrel aged Imperial Pastry Stout with chocolate, almond and marshmallow; and on draft and in single 16 oz cans Radioactive Duck, a 6.9% IPA dry hopped with grapefruit and orange peel and rested on serrano peppers. Released both on draft and in 4-packs available around town is Of Balloons & Unicorns #11, a 6.5% Hazy IPA.
- Hero image © Adobe Stock – licensed for editorial and edited by A.D. Cook.
- All other graphics and photos are copyrighted by their respective owners and used with permission.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
- More info
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.
