aces-and-ales-craft-beers
Craft beer is invading Las Vegas and we checked out one of the places where it resides. Aces & Ales opened a year ago and has been providing locals and out-of-towners a beer mecca in the middle of the desert. Run by Ryan Johnson and Keri Kelli, Aces & Ales puts a big emphasis on the big beers — ever been to a bar with six barleywines on tap? Grab a cab or limo to check out this place because you will not be driving back to the strip.

There’s Something Happening Here

With 22 taps, over 40 rare bottles, and over 100 cellared kegs, Keri and Ryan always have something special happening at Aces & Ales. Keri, a home-brewer since the early ’90s, always had a love for craft beer. After his friends opened Stone Brewing Company, Newport Beach Brewing Company and Tustin Brewing Company he knew he had to “get in the game” and have his own place with all of his favorite brews. Once he and Ryan found a location, Vegas became more delicious. Whether it’s during a fundraiser for the Ronnie James Dio Memorial Cancer Fund, an indoor beer festival, a benefit for local musicians, or a tapping event during the week, you can be sure to find special beers like Chimay, Tripel Karmeliet, and Elysian’s Delorean on tap any given day at their bar.

Once, Twice, Three Times a Desert

Selecting all the beers at Aces & Ales has been a labor of beer-love for Keri and Ryan. Distribution to Las Vegas can be tough, so both of the owners constantly visit breweries all over the place, personally tasting and selecting what to bring back to the beer-desert. But, Ryan warned, “We don’t take free beer from breweries just to put it on. To me, our reputation is more important than any free beer… Stone or Deschute’s, or any of those kinds of brewers want to give me any free beer, we’ll take it no problem. It’s gotta be killer beer. That’s our philosophy.”

They keep a constantly evolving beer list, but if you head there right now Keri can tell you which of his faves are on, including Stone 14th Anniversary, Lagunitas Sneak Release Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale, Sierra Nevada’s 30th Anniversary Charlie, Fred & Ken’s Imperial Helles Bock, Deschutes Hop In The Dark C.D.A and The Abyss, and Firestone Walker’s Cask Double Barrel Ale.” I’ll drink to that.

Be Strong

Check out their 1st Annual Strong Beer Festival August 13 – 15 with over 60 beers including brews from Dogfish Head, Stone, Deschutes, The Bruery, North Coast, Firestone, and many others. First come, first served (and served, and served…). While you’re there you can chow down on their popular Arrogant Bastard Steak Sandwich made with Stone’s popular beer that is also found in the pizza sauce at Aces & Ales. Every Sunday is Blues & Brews where you can enjoy $4 Deschutes pints, $3 well drinks and live music. If you stick around between noon and midnight, all craft drafts are $4.50 and well drinks are $3. Grab a growler for $8 if you stop in, and bring me something delicious.

Keri and Ryan recommend:
Big Dog’s Drafthouse local
Tenaya Creek Brewery local
Stone Brewing Co.
Noble Ale Works
Russian River
Bell’s
Pizza Port
3 Floyds Brewing Co.
Founders Brewing Co.
Jolly Pumpkin
Atlas Brewery


aces-and-ales-tapsaces-and-ales-bottlesaces-ales-stone-14th-imperial-ipa strong beer festivalaces-and-ales-craft-beer-revolution

Where?
Aces & Ales
3740 South Nellis Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89121

Additional information
http://www.myspace.com/acesandales