This past week friend Al Mancini wrote a piece about the “dine around” culture here in Vegas. He interviewed me and quoted me for it. Needless to say I was flattered. Just as that hit the web, I realized we were getting ready to attend a similar but different kind of event. This one involved beer. Instead of DINING around, you DRINK around.
Twice a year, here in Vegas, Motley Brews hosts a beer drinkers’ heaven event. The spring event was in Tivoli Village and the fall event was at the Government Center and boy did we have a good time! The idea is to introduce beer lovers to new, hard to find, or up and coming breweries and/or beers. Of course there are perennial favorites mixed in along with the unknown. All told there were over 100 different beers and if you had VIP tix like we did, there was a selection of mead and a couple of distinctive beers available in the VIP tent.
All the food in the VIP tent was from Todd English and was basically good, but not outstanding. I think the biggest problem is that they sell too many VIP tix (they are only $10 more) so there is always a queue for anything in that area and the staff managing the food was unprepared for the onslaught. Still, I was glad it was there. You simply CANNOT enjoy that much beer with no food. Also on site were Haulin’ Balls (one of my faves – Moment of Truth – I managed to sneak in one of their lamb meatball sandwiches while John was gallivanting with friends) and a couple of other food vendors offering freshly fried potato curls, pretzels, BBQ, dogs and burgers for an additional fee. While I always enjoy this type of event, I think my snobbery got the best of me on Saturday. What exactly is the point of offering a VIP ticket and selling so many of them? We did receive early admission to the venue, we did have snacks, but to my point of view, there should have been fewer tickets sold at a higher dollar value. I hate to line up for ANYTHING, especially food and drinks, and because there were so many VIP’s I waited for everything in the VIP tent. Also, there were no goodie bags. Charge me more, give me a goodie bag and have me not wait in line…that would make me happy. But, if I had to be perfectly honest about it, the extra ten bucks was well spent. I’d still have been happier to pay more and have less people crowded into the VIP area, but that’s just me.
But let’s get back to the beer…when you arrive at these events you are given a little 3 oz. plastic cup that you take to the various stations and they partially fill it for you. At first you are thinking to yourself, “Gee, I am a grown ass woman, I need a bigger cup, or they need to fill this puppy up!” After several samples, you understand the small cup size and the partial fill. Like a wine tasting, there are rinsing stations to clean out your cup so as not to mingle flavors. That’s especially important when moving from a stout to an IPA or a cider.
New favorite that I tried that day? Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer. Absolutely refreshing and I can’t wait to try it in a Moscow Mule! Ya hear that Ma? I should have it ready when you get here! Also loved Moylan’s Hopsickle Imperial IPA and I think I may have to visit their brewery restaurant if I can find Larkspur, CA – Thanks Tracy! I was so busy having a good time that I didn’t take too many pics…
Food Memories this week include John and Friend Dani getting into a little water fight while waiting to be seated at a sushi joint (I thought they would toss us out), working on a food map of the Fremont Street area, and dining on leftovers.
Until next week, go out and make your OWN Food Memories!
