American trip

[Mark]

Hi all,

I'm going to America soon, San Fransisco and Las Vagas for a few days, anyone been round these parts and have some good beer experiences they'd care to impart? Or any must try beers I should have while there?

[Reviled]

I just got back from there, San Francisco has Rogue taphouse which is near union square and its truely awesome!! Try their cheese burger and hazelnut brown ale bread with mozorella, best feed I had when I was in the states!!!

Las Vegas, if youre just gonna be around all the casino's sadly most of em just have budweiser or sam adams lager, but google Yardhouse I think it is cos they have about 100 craft beers on tap! Theres also a micro brewery near the super 8 motel which is one block off the strip, but their beers werent overly impressive - nice brewery tho!

Youll have a great time, and if youre stuck for a beer in the middle of nowhere you can generally get SNPA at petrol stations :o)

[Mark]

Sounds awesome, the place certainly isn't short of decent looking beer bars. We're also going to UK and Germany (among other places), but I really can't wait to try the American scene. I hate to think how much I'll be spending on beer!

[Reviled]

"I hate to think how much I'll be spending on beer!"

Not that much cos its all at pretty good prices! You can buy a 6 pack of most stuff for around $12, or single pint bottles for $6 of things like Stone, Green flash etc...

Man, I wanna go back :o( lol

[Mark]

haha can't wait to go, am getting really excited about going

[Michael]

SNPA is all over the place in California and Las Vegas.

There used to be a brew house in Vegas, and they served in the Monte Carlo, but I think it closed. Nevertheless, in the Planet Hollywood shopping centre that is connected to the casino, you can find a local brewed Las Vegas beer. They only have about 4 beers on tap, and all are brewed locally. Also in Vegas is the Hofbrauhaus. They have a few Bavarian styled brews on tap, and they are served in 1 liter steins. They are at 4510 Paradise Road. http://www.hofbrauhauslasvegas.com/

If you can make it to Chico, California, you can visit Sierra Nevada. They have a nice restaurant, and a great selection of beers, and tours of the brewery. Other than that though, there is little to do in Chico. Otherwise, there are a number of small breweries all around San Francisco. (Anchor steam, etc...) Speaking of Anchor Steam, they do tours there...http://www.anchorbrewing.com/about_us/tourinfo.htm

When are you going to SFO? There is a brewfest on July 17 for breast cancer fund raising. I suspect some excellent beers will be there.

There is an awful lot of good beer in California. I will call my brother, he may remember some of the pub names that are must visits. (I lived near SFO for a little while, and travel to Las Vegas yearly for the past 12 years for work.)

BTW...Make sure you give Fat Tire a taste whilst you are there. I enjoy that beer, and sometimes you can even find it in the petrol stations or 7-11. (in Vegas)

[Mark]

Thanks Michael, that would be a great help. We are there 23rd April to the 26th, then Las Vagas for a couple of nights. Google throws up loads of brewpubs etc around SFO, it would appear there is no shortage of good beer there!

[Michael]

On Las Vegas...the place I was talking about is Sin City Brewing Co. Evidently, they are in a few hotel/shopping centres now. The beer is not the best, but it sure beats the Budweiser. http://www.sincitybeer.com/sincity/lasvegasbrewery.html

The casinos generally have Blue Moon on tap, which is not bad, but typical of a mass brewed beer. (although it is a heff) Watch out...hearing your accent, they may think you want to drink Fosters or NewCastle. Generally most of us Americans are not good at picking out accents from abroad unless we lived abroad for a bit.

[Beer_ledgend]

If you can Head North to Healdsburg, home of Bear Repblic, and their Speedway Stount :). Also on the way is Marin County Brewing.

Have fun, wish I could go back.

Ah just remembered, there is a great bottle store in Sanoma, a big range of imports and local beers.

[Beer_ledgend]

opps should be Stout, :)

[Reviled]

And here I was thinking youd discovered a new style beer ledgend ;o) lol

[Dominic Kelly]

Toronado in SF has a pretty amazing range. Note the comments on ratebeer about the service.

[Soren]

in vegas, the bellagio has SNPA, pyramid hefe and a couple of other macro crafts on tap. I also just remember that monte carlo was advertising a brewpub on site, kinda doubt it though...
I'm going to the westcoast in june and I imagine having to fight my way through hordes of truly great beer with a machete! haven't been this excited since xmas 1987:)