Normally, beloved local brewery CraftHaus would mark its anniversaries with some boozy live entertainment. Amid a global pandemic, CraftHaus will still celebrate its sixth birthday with a party. This one is just at your house.
The virtual Rocks the Haus Beer Fest (September 19, 4-6 p.m., $30) comes complete with everything you’d expect from a regular beer fest: music by The Dirty Hooks; guided beer tastings by the CraftHaus brewers; fun swag; and entertaining hosts (X 107.5 FM’s Dave and Mahoney).
“We wanted to give guests a higher-end experience than just … a Zoom call,” says co-owner Wyndee Forrest. “We wanted some production value. … I know a lot of us are really missing going to concerts. So we thought that this could be the next best thing.”
The five festival beers include three new brews—HausFest, All the Grapefruit and Hop Shredder—along with two favorites, the lager Cuckoo and Electro-Lite, a low-cal IPA.
CraftHaus is also celebrating the one-year anniversary of its Arts District location with a beer-pairing three-course dinner (September 29, $65) in partnership with its future neighbor, Main St. Provisions.
Crafthaus has two taprooms (in Henderson’s beer district and in Downtown’s Arts District). Because they both serve food, they’re permitted to be open, with COVID-19 safety protocols. Still, the pandemic has created challenges for the brewery, like a decrease in demand from restaurants and hotels.
The family-owned business has risen to the challenge. “We've had to be creative and come up with different channels of distribution and reach out to meet new partners and pivot and rethink our business model,” Forrest says. In addition to adding virtual events, new distribution partners include Costco and Walmart. Additionally, Crafthaus has instituted optional touchless curbside pickup at both taprooms.
“As much as we’re not able to do right now, we’re just really grateful,” Forrest says. “We’re just grateful that we’re here and we’re able to celebrate with everybody.”
CraftHaus 197 E. California Ave. #130, 702-888-1026, crafthausbrewery.com.
