Dining

Our first look at Tenaya Creek Brewery’s new Downtown digs

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Sean Feely, SMF Creative Group

“We’ve had a lot of new faces and a lot of regulars,” Tenaya Creek bartender Jeff Tewes says of the clientele visiting the brewery’s new digs on Bonanza Road. After 16 years in its northwest location, the veteran operation opened its 13,000-square-foot Downtown space on November 23. And while Tewes concedes some reliable patrons weren't thrilled about the near-7-mile added trip, he adds: “I’ve seen every one of those faces.”

It’s easy to see why. With aesthetics and a vibe akin to hoppy hangouts in big beer cities like Denver and San Diego (the space reminded this beer geek of Epic Brewing’s Mile High City location), the casual and cozy hangout boasts some serious upgrades from its predecessor—and, of course, the same suds that have been a hit among local imbibers for so long.

Tenaya opened anew with its stable of six year-round beers and three solid seasonals (a boozy barleywine, a rich, semisweet Belgian tripel and a citrusy double IPA), though what’s fresh at the new brewpub are the guest taps. Tewes says Tenaya went from offering one or two pours from other breweries to the current lineup of 17. At press time, Tenaya was serving suds from locals like Joseph James and CraftHaus and regional varieties from popular breweries including Deschutes, Angel City and 21st Amendment.

With a sparkling, 10,000-square-foot brewing area (the entire former location was only 9,000), though, it’s likely some of those taps might revert back to in-house creations. “We’ll probably be able to brew three times more beer,” says Tewes, showing off the space that can be seen through floor-to-ceiling windows in the backroom. Sales manager Alex Graham says the brewpub is set up for 28 total beers, and Tenaya is aiming for half to be taken over by its own brews.

The ample brewing space also has allowed Tenaya to branch out into canned beers. The crew was trained on the canning machinery this week, so expect cans of Bonanza Brown to show up on local shelves soon, with the Tenaya Creek Pilsner shortly thereafter.

Even if you have more options from the operation at the corner store, the brewpub is definitely worth a visit. Tenaya stripped out the gaming machines anchoring the bar at its former location, and now offers a collection of board games, four flat-screens and a Wednesday Pub Quiz for entertainment. And even though it’s a bit chilly for the patio (space heaters help that situation out), the al-fresco space, which Tewes says doubled in size from the former location, should be a hit hangout when the weather turns.

Tenaya Creek Brewery Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight, Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-midnight, 831 W. Bonanza Rd., 702-362-7335.

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