Las Vegas Brewing News: February 2025

Aces & Ales Evolve Brewing Now Open

Aces & Ales, one of Las Vegas’ first craft brewing establishments, opened in 2009. At the time, it was one of only a few craft beer bars in Southern Nevada and would pave the way for several more to follow.

For nearly six years, the pioneer craft brewing bar and restaurant has been planning to open its own brewery at The Bend. After Covid delayed much of the progress of the building of the new center, at long last, the new brewery is open at 8680 W Sunset Rd E100 and happens to be only the 4th establishment to open at The Bend.

The 9,000-square-foot brewery co-branded Aces & Ales and Evolve Brewing has an open layout with large windows throughout bringing natural light, colored lighting, a long bar with five gaming setups, several large screen TVs, a private VIP room and lounge areas equipped with couches and chairs, a pool table, large kid- and pet-friendly patios and stages that can host live music.

Head Brewer Josh Kunzli is an experienced brewer who will brew on Evolve’s 10-barrel system. He is very well equipped to be a professional brewer, having earned a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Before coming to Evolve Josh was an assistant brewer at Crystal Lake Brewing in Crystal Lake, IL where he participated in earning some major professional competition medals; Head Brewer at Finch Beer Company; and Head Brewer at Hi-Sign Brewing in Austin, TX. Josh says his specialty is hoppy beers and will have both West Coast and Hazy IPAs, a Mexican Lager, Czech Pilsner and a rotating fruited sour.

The bar’s 24 taps will eventually pour 12-14 of the brewery’s beers. Initially upon opening, as the brewery ramps up its brews, there are several collaboration beers made by local breweries pouring such as Able Baker CoCoCream Imperial Stout, CraftHaus Reign in Berries Fruited Sour, HUDL Kiss Me on the First Date Fruited Wheat Beer and Juxta Nomad Silk Torpedo Fruited Sour; and several brewed to Evolve’s specifications by Mason Ale Works, such as Friendly Beast Imperial IPA, Big Mouth American IPA, and First Call German Pils.

Above: Evolve GM Ashley Jordan, Director of Operations Adam Metcalf, and Executive Chef Krystal Meza.

Like the other two Aces & Ales, there is a gastropub with a scratch kitchen serving appetizers, sandwiches, and pizzas under the direction of Executive Chef Krystal Meza, a Las Vegas native who attended Le Cordon Bleu culinary school and worked her way up to executive chef at Bubba Gump Shrimp before deciding to try a change of pace and come over to Aces and Ales. The menu is mainly the same as the other two Aces and Ales, but at Evolve there is also USDA Choice 10 oz Ribeye Steak, Parmesan Crusted Chicken and Grilled Salmon entrees, and some upscale side options like Brussels Sprouts with bacon and sweet chili glaze, Mac N Cheese with Applewood bacon and Asparagus with herbed butter. To view the complete menu, click here.

Evolve is currently in a soft opening phase, and hours are Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Fri-Sat 10 a.m. to close. A grand opening event is tentatively planned for March. For more info, visit evolvebrew.com.   

Chris Jacobs Celebrating His Birthday in a Big Way

Beer Zombies Owner/Founder Chris Jacobs will be celebrating his 48th birthday in a big way. On Feb. 26, his actual birthday, he will receive an honor few Las Vegans get to experience, as the renowned Chinatown bar The Golden Tiki will bestow shrunken head likenesses of both Chris and the famed Beer Zombies hop cone head logo he created that launched his beer empire.

The festivities begin at 7:30 p.m., and the shrunken heads unveiling presentation will happen at 8 p.m.

Two days later, on Feb. 28 at the Beer Zombies Brewery, more birthday reveling will ensue, as a pay-as-you-go party beginning at 5 p.m. will feature live bands and several collaboration beers made with Beer Zombies and popular breweries from across the US.

Speaking of the Beer Zombies growing empire, Chris tells me that Beer Zombies beers are now distributed in 42 states and 20 countries, in 2024 they produced 5,000 barrels and expect to brew about 7,000 barrels in 2025. Furthermore, the Beer Zombies beers are now brewed completely in Las Vegas at the brewery on Bonanza Rd. Best sellers are the Hazy IPAs and Fruited Sours. This year we can look forward to four seasonal lagers: a New Zealand Pils, an Italian Pils, West Coast Pils and a Yuzu Pils; four Citrus SMASH (single malt and single hop) IPAs; and six new Tenaya Creek seasonals.      

More February Events

As mentioned in this column last month, there are two beer festivals slated for Feb. 8, the day before the Super Bowl. Here’s a brief recap of each.

CraftHaus Brewery, located within the Henderson Booze District, will host the 11th annual Comrade Day, its annual unveiling of its very potent Russian Imperial Stout and several of its variants. There will be three two-hour seatings: 12:30-2:30, 3:00-5:00, and 5:30-7:30.

Ahern Hotel at 300 West Sahara, just west of the Vegas Strip, has its aptly named SUPER BEER festival from 1-5 p.m. 

There will be all-you-can-drink beer from several local breweries, live music, a complimentary photo booth, and a chance to win prizes. 

For more details on both, click here to read my January column.

NV Craft Beverage Passport Program

The Nevada Dept. of Agriculture is promoting local Nevada craft establishments through its NV Craft Beverage Passport Program. The Passport includes descriptions, addresses, phone numbers, map locations and website URLs of the 45 participating breweries, cideries, wineries, meaderies, taphouses and distilleries throughout the state of Nevada. Simply pick up a Passport at any of the participating craft establishments or print one out and as you visit them get it stamped. At the end of the year there are various rewards for the amount of stamps (prizes start at 10 stamps) you’ve obtained which you can redeem by mailing in your stamped passport.

In addition to the rewards you can obtain by having your passport stamped, several of the venues offer excellent deals such as a free pint with food purchase at Taps and Barrels, 10% off to go purchase at CraftHaus, free sampler flight with purchase at Big Dog’s, $3 pint at BrewDog, BOGO at Vegas Valley Winery and 10% off your tab at North 5th.

To view the passport, participating craft establishments, deals offered and to print your own, click here.

What’s Pouring in February

In addition to the several collaboration brews pouring at Beer Zombies during Chris Jacobs’ birthday bash, there are a few releasing mid-month: Hazes Of Death, an 8.666% double hazy IPA brewed with Citra, Simcoe and BRU hops sporting a bold burst of juicy pineapple, stone fruit and subtle spice; and Zombie hWhip, a 4.3% fruited sour conditioned on lemonade, mango and guava.

Richard Lovelady at Lovelady Brewing has Love Struck, a West Coast IPA, releasing on draft and cans on the momentous date of February 14.

Big Dog’s will have the return of one of my all-time favorite beers on tap at the brewery, the two-time GABF medal-winner Tripel Dog Dare Belgian-style Tripel. It weighs in at 9.8% and is brewed with traditional specialty imported hops and barley to replicate this iconic Belgian beer style and brings a collection of aromas including citrus, banana and spice and a clean and floral hop character along with an assertive bitterness, a touch of perceived sweetness and a dry finish.

PHOTO CREDITS
  • Hero image © Adobe Stock – licensed for editorial and edited by A.D. Cook
  • Evolve GM Ashley Jordan, Director of Operations Adam Metcalf, and Executive Chef Krystal Meza – pic by David Canela
  • Chris Jacobs with Beer Zombies logo – pic by David Canela
  • All other photos are copyrighted by their respective owners. Used by permission.
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