By Bob Barnes
Pour Your Own Brew at Taps and Barrels Beerhouse
Have you ever wanted to get up and pour your own beer when you are ready for another instead of waiting for your server? Or pour a sip of several before committing to a full pour? At Taps and Barrels Beerhouse, you can.
Located in Southwest Las Vegas in the Evora community comprised of residential and commercial spaces, the beer-centric and nongaming pub’s décor features large windows allowing for natural light and a view of the mountains, a rustic red brick wall, long wood communal tables and a lounge area with couches and comfy chairs.
After running your credit card, you are given a card that allows you to pour from 36 taps. A display details the price per ounce and amount you are charged after dispensing. In 2019, UNLV Hospitality grad Ming Liu visited Tapster in Seattle, a pour-your-own pub, and the seed was planted to create his own version because, “The psychology of it is you have the power and freedom to choose and can try several without committing to a full pour.”
There are always six to eight local brews and unique beers you likely won’t find elsewhere covering a wide range of beer styles such as Firestone Walker Parabola Whiskey Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout and locally brewed Big Dog’s Belgian-Style Tripel Dog Dare. Not into beer? You’re not left out: There are also taps pouring cider, hard kombucha, hard seltzer, sake and wine.
Liu, who has experience working in the kitchens of other establishments, created an elevated bar food menu with dishes that pair well with beer, like yellowfin tuna pizza with ponzu aioli and truffle oil, summer burrata with prosciutto and berries, flatbreads and variations of upscale hot dogs.
Enticements to be a regular customer include free trivia night with prizes on Tuesdays, live music every other Friday, a monthly standup comedy show, periodic painting and cooking classes and Happy Hour Mondays-Fridays from 3-6 p.m. offering 30%-40% off drafts and $6 wings and nachos. | TapsBarrelsLV.com
Local Brewery Champion of the Month
In this recurring feature, we spotlight establishments that appreciate our local breweries enough to serve only beer made in Nevada. Fergusons Downtown is set in the vintage Fergusons Motel that was renovated to house a collection of shops, restaurants and bars dedicated to supporting local. Its F Bar is doing just that, with a 100% local selection of 13 beers brewed in The Silver State. Breweries represented include Able Baker, Astronomy, Big Dog’s, CraftHaus, HUDL, Lovelady, Revision and Tenaya Creek. To view the current lineup, visit FergusonsDowntown.com.
Silver State Summer Brewfest
Think Las Vegas is too hot for a beer festival in July? Thanks to air conditioning, an indoor event is just the ticket, and the 7th annual Silver State Summer Brewfest will be held in the climate-controlled Florentine Ballroom at Tuscany Suites & Casino on July 20 from 4-8 p.m.
Sponsored by Tuscany’s Pub 365, as the name implies, it will feature all-you-can-drink beer from nearly all Southern Nevada breweries, many of which will be one-off beers that can only be found at the festival.
Proceeds will benefit Nevada Craft Brewers Association, whose President Wyndee Forrest says, “Pub 365 has always made a commitment to showcasing Nevada beer not only at the Silver State Beer Festival but all year long. Our Nevada breweries appreciate this commitment and are excited to take part in the fest!”
Tickets are $55 for early entry at 3 p.m. and $50 for general admission entry at 4 p.m. To purchase tickets, go to TuscanyLV.com/restaurant/pub-365-craft-beers.
