Triple-digit temps mean Summer Beer Fest and Reggae Party at Big Dog’s. This year’s event is highlighted by the release of Dank Dog, an approachable West Coast-style IPA weighing in at 6.7% ABV, along with a variant brewed with peaches. Another pour from the host brewery is the Tailwagger hefeweizen, brewed with cherry and vanilla.
Big Dog’s will also be releasing a quartet of fruited goses—a light, easy-drinking style of beer just right for a Vegas summer night. These wittily named brews include What Gose Around Cucumbs Around, refreshingly tinged with cucumber and lime; What’s Sop?, made with a medley of tropical fruits including the rarely-seen-in-beer soursop; and Cherry Gose on Top, made with sweet cherries. If you’re unfamiliar with—or aren’t typically a fan of sour beers—goses are a good gateway to the style.
With 50 beers on tap, there will also be a number of guest handles, including a swath of Nevada beers. Highlights include Astronomy Aleworks’ Helios habanero hefeweizen; Bad Beat’s A Gose Has No Name brewed with blood orange and vanilla; and Joseph James Salted Caramel Rauchbier, delivering the holy trinity of smoke, salt and sweet. And from outside the Silver State, don’t miss Abita’s Strawberry Lager. It sits at the pinnacle of fruit beers without being overwhelmingly cloying.
If the many choices—and the allure of live reggae—aren’t enough to get you down on a Saturday night, consider that $1 from each token package purchase goes to Three Square Food Bank.
BIG DOG'S SUMMER BEER FEST & REGGAE PARTY 4543 N. Rancho Drive, 702-940-2739. July 20, 5-11 p.m., $34-$60.
