By Bob Barnes
Welcome to the first installment of Vegas Prime Magazine Brewing News. The title of this column is representative of the prime, most important news about our local breweries and the vigor of our burgeoning Las Vegas craft beer scene. In these regular features, I will shine a light on new brewery openings, upcoming beer events and venues worth knowing about that offer a quality craft beer selection.
After a year of development and remodel- ing, Cin Cin Brewhouse & Seafood Bar is now open. Situated in the former space of Neon Brewing (which has relocated to the Henderson Booze District) in the Down- town Arts District at 914 S. Main (across from the English Hotel), the décor has been completely revamped. The new look brings a warm and classy feel with a gray, black and dark brown motif, crystal chan- deliers, communal table, large windows, a sushi bar and renditions of the word cheers in several languages imprinted on the entrance door.
Cin cin means cheers in Italian, which is apropos, as Executive Chef Virakone Vongphachanh is offering a range of seafood combining Japanese with an Italian-influenced flair. Chef has more than 30 years culinary experience, and his initial menu features a limited menu of sushi rolls, tartare and a raw bar with five varieties of oysters. Plans are in the coming months to add pastas and pan roasts and to cook with the beers being brewed in the brewery.
Brewmaster Cisco Talley (pictured here), who has 12 years brewing experience, is handling the brewing duties. Stepping into the head brewing role was seamless for Talley, as he was the assistant brewer for Neon Desert and is brewing on the same 10-barrel system he used for 1 1/2 years. The taproom has 20 taps, which will eventually all pour Cin Cin beers, but for now 10 are offered. All are designed to pair well with the food being served. Talley’s suggestions include the 7.3% Dry Stout with oyster shooters and 5% Red Rice Lager, 5% Citrus Blonde and 5.6% Orange Wheat with any fish and sushi. Two extra-hoppy beers, the 6.9% IPL (India Pale Lager) and 7.2% IPA (India Pale Ale) are intended especially for craft beer fans.
Plans are to soon offer more international styles but with no gimmicks. Talley explained: “A brewer is like a chef, and I want to make good, clean, solid beer with no gimmicks or weird ingredients, keep my game elevated and never stop learning.”
LOCAL BREWERY CHAMPION OF THE MONTH
In this recurring feature, we will spotlight establishments that appreciate our local breweries enough to tap only beer made in Nevada. Since day one of its opening in 2015, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar at The Venetian has devoted 100% of its taps to Nevada breweries.
Beers flowing from the 12 taps currently include Able Baker Chis Kael Impale’d Ale, Atomic Duck and Yardbird’s Unfor’grit’able Pale Ale (made exclusively for Yardbird); Big Dog’s Dirty Dog IPA and Dog Days Hazy IPA; CraftHaus UNLV Rebel Spirit Golden Ale, Coffee Stout and Evocation Saison; and Tenaya Creek El Charro Mexican-Style Lager, Bonanza Brown Ale, Czech Pilsner and Hefeweizen Wheat Ale.
While you may come for the beer, do yourself a favor and stay for the Southern-inspired grub, such as Lewellyn’s Fine Fried Chicken, extremely tender thanks to being brined and seasoned for 27 hours and accompanied with honey hot sauce. 3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. (702) 297-6541; RunChickenRun.com.
NEON DESERT BREWING CAN MAKE YOU FAMOUS
Have you ever wanted a touch of fame and notori- ety, such as having your picture on a billboard or maybe even a beer can? One local brewery, Neon Desert Brewing in the Henderson Booze District, can make that happen for you. The brewery has the technology to produce labels from a digital photo, which are then affixed to cans filled with a beer of your choosing. The minimum is a four-pack for $30, and a case is $100. This promotion is proving to be popular for wedding gifts, parties and restau- rant openings. To upload your image and place your order, visit mylabel.beer. 7380 Eastgate Road, #110, Henderson. (702) 281-3735; NeonDesertBrewing.com.
