The 18b Las Vegas Arts District was formed in 1998 to promote artistic endeavors of all mediums. In the past five years, the 18-block initiative has welcomed a new art form—the craft of brewing beer—which has blossomed into what can rightly be called a beer district, with five breweries, two brewery taprooms and a handful of beer-centric pubs.

Hop Nuts (1120 S. Main St., 702.816.5371) was the first to launch the beer renaissance in the district, opening in 2015. One of the more popular beers is The Golden Knight, a light-bodied, 7.5 percent ABV Belgian Golden Strong Ale brewed with pilsner and wheat malt and European hops. Since opening, the brewery’s popularity warranted adding more brewing equipment to double its capacity, and also led to the opening of a taproom in Tivoli Village in 2019.

Able Baker (1510 S. Main St., 702.907.1676) opened in 2019. Its name refers to the state’s atomic history, as the first two atomic bombs detonated at the Nevada Test Site were named “Able” and “Baker.” The Atomic Duck IPA is one of its most popular beers, both at the brewery and around town. The onsite Arts District Kitchen offers an array of banh mi sandwiches and burgers.

Beer District Brewing (914 S. Main St., 702.830.3207) opened in early 2020. One of its recent creations was Drippin’ Syrup Dreamy’s, a take on a complete breakfast combining a Blonde Milk Stout with coffee, blueberries and maple syrup.

CraftHaus Brewery started in Henderson in 2014, and in fall of 2019 opened a secondary taproom downtown (197 E. California Ave., #130, 702.888.1026). The taproom pours several beers brewed at the brewery, including Evocation, a Belgian-style Saison with citrus and pepper notes. A menu of European sausages, cheese and charcuterie boards is offered, as well as the full menu from Esther’s Kitchen across the street.

The Mad Fermentist (1115 S. Casino Center Blvd.) opened in early 2020 on the second level of the Three Sheets Craft Beer Bar on Casino Center. The beers, contract brewed at Mojave Brewing in Henderson, include Dissonance, a 6 percent ABV Bavarian Hefeweisse Bier with blueberry, blackberry and raspberry purées.

One of the signature brews at Nevada Brew Works (1327 S. Main St., #160, 702.664.1500) is Ariana Rye, a lightly hopped rye pale ale (a portion of its proceeds are donated to a local charity providing medical equipment for disabled children). A kitchen churns out fresh-baked pizzas, burgers, wings, cheese curds and pretzels.

Also newly opened, just two doors down, is HUDL (1327 S. Main St., #100, 702.445.7100). One of its most impressive brews is the 8.2 percent ABV 115° Imperial Stout with additions of brown sugar and dark chocolate aged in a bourbon barrel. HUDL and Nevada Brew Works share a sizeable outdoor patio.

The aforementioned brewing facilities are providing more reasons to visit the Arts District. Also worth checking out are beer-centric pubs including Three Sheets Craft Beer Bar (1115 Casino Center Blvd., 702.912.0590), the newly-opened Servehzah Bottle Shop and Tap Room (1301 S. Commerce St., #130, 702.779.3176), and the soon-to-open The Silver Stamp, all of which feature an ample selection of local beer.

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