REVIEW (posted May 16)

I DON’T MEAN to rub it in, but if you missed Barley’s Brewfest last last Saturday, the 7th, you should kick yourself a little – you missed one heck of a day. It started with great weather, sunny, warm and not too much wind. And the beers were pretty darned good. Oh yeah, there was food and live music, too, but so what? It’s all about the beer, right?

Yep, blue beer...gotta love Brewfest!

My coworker Rob conned his wife into driving us, so we were free to attempt a comprehensive tasting — if you know what I mean. And I think you do. Let’s just say things got a little hazy. But never fear, I remember the brews that really stood out for me.

My favorite was Barley’s IPA (not because I’m a company stooge). Unlike a lot of IPAs, it’s not stupidly hoppy. My buddies agreed it had a great fruity taste, without any added fruit. Fantastic on a sunny day. My next fave was Tenaya Creek Brewing’s Nut Brown Ale. It was rich and smooth with just the right touch of bitterness. As usual, Widmer’s Hefeweizen stood out — hey it was a hot day. And both Sin City’s & Barley’s stouts went down really well.

I’m going to finish the most unexpected beer — Kona Brewing’s Wild Blue Blueberry Lager. Yep, blue beer! Some of my buddies thought it was just too weird. I agree, it was weird. But at least they tried something new. And you should too. Get down to Barley’s and try one of their hand-crafted brews that you’ve never had before.

Good or bad, what “weird” beers have you tried?

Cheers, and see you there next year!

Jeff Perry
Sr Ad Writer
Station Casinos

PREVIEW (posted April 28)

CONGRATULATIONS, FELLOW NEVADANS! (Sorry if that seems too much, considering I was a Californian, a bit over two years ago.) Anyway, according to a big beer research group, we are the leading beer drinkers in the whole of the United States of America! Our 44 gallons, per person, per year, just beats out some state on the East Coast. I forget which one, but who cares? We’re No. 1, people! Numero Uno! Even California can’t touch us.

You want more good news? An exciting opportunity to consume some of your 44 gallons for 2011 is just a bit more than couple of weeks away. (After all, you wouldn’t want those snow-bound Easterners to pass us, would you?) I’m talking Barley’s Brewfest — at Barley’s, off Sunset Road in Henderson there, on Saturday, May 7!

Brewfest $5 menu. Brats!

Lots of great breweries will be there, including, but not limited to:

• Sin City Brewery
• Stone Brewing
• Boulder Damn
• Tenaya Creek Brewing
• Triple 7 Brewpub
• Widmer and more

Oh yeah, Barley’s will be pouring, too. But there’s more than just beer, as if that wasn’t enough. There’s gonna be BBQ & live music, too. I went last year, and it was great!

You don’t have to buy tickets in advance, you can just show up, from 3 to 9pm, and pay at the door. I’ll be there, and you should be, too. You probably can’t (and shouldn’t) get down all 44 gallons for the year. But you might just discover a few new favorite brews that will make doing your part for Nevada much more enjoyable.

Cheers!
Jeff

Link Ups

• Barley’s website
• More jeffstations