Sunday 2nd of August 2009 07:23:15 PM

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August 2, 2009. Big Dogs Draft House is my local, great beers, great food, good service, and the atmosphere suits me fine: around the bar is dark, cool, juke box, smoking allowed; and the dining area is bright and fairly quiet with booths and tables. It is a Wisconsin bar with Packers and Badgers paraphernalia, and typical Midwest food-burgers, brats, pizza, walleye, and a changing variety of full dinners. When I first visited I thought the "Holy Cow" stuff was strange, but soon found the beer was great. Excellent seasonals/specials include doplebock, dopleweisenbock, bourbon barrel aged stout, double IPA, Pumpkin ale, and lately a great saison; there is always beers to look forward to and they are marked on the board in the brewery. Much of the staff has been at the Draft House for years, frequently you will find David behind the bar providing knowledgeable friendly service, and the Manager, Mike talking to customers. Occasionally you will find the brewers, Dave and Sam, drinking their brew while chatting with friends and customers. Smoker friendly, including cigars, at the bar area and family friendly especially in the dining area. Usually a relaxed place, but gets very loud and rowdy during Packers games and other special events, check the web site (and sign up to be notified) for free food and one free beer when they roll out a new beer. Lots of promotions and coupons in the local paper. Ask about guest taps. Plenty of parking. Located on Rancho just North of Craig Rd on the West side (south of Santa Fe Station).

Sunday 25th of January 2009 12:18:20 PM

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Good brews and cheese curds in Vegas! What more needs to be said? Big Dog has deep Midwest ties that are apparent in their menu and decor. Located well north of both the strip and downtown casino areas, I would have stopped in more often if not for the drive. The brewery is visible through large glass windows from outside and in the front entry. There is a large central bar area surrounded by additional table seating as well as a separate dining room toward the back. Nearly a dozen house brews were on tap when we visited and I enjoyed the War Dog Imperial IPA and the 38 Special (a blend of their red and pale ales). The menu includes lots of comfort food with a Wisconsin flare (cheese, brats and walleye) plus a nice breakfast menu with some selections served all day long. There is plenty of parking in their lot out front.

Tuesday 8th of April 2008 01:50:14 PM

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Best beer in Vegas.


Brew Dog's has been a favorite of mine since the mid nineties when they had the Holy Cow at the top of the strip. I really missed that place after the fire. But from the ashes they rebuilt a better place outside of town.

This place will have a dozen beers available. Lots of standards and seasonals. And the seasonals can be anything from double IPA, to an imperial stout, to a barley wine (once they put on a year old BW), to one of the best scotch ales I've ever had. This is the only place in Vegas that gets into the Pizza Port Strong Ale festival every year.

This is otherwise a fairly typical Vegas bar. Machines are built into the bar and you get free beer (any beer) while playing the machines. Sound is off or very low so that it sounds like a bar rather than a casino.

Food is typical bar food, well prepared. They are famous for their steak sliders. These are small pieces of steak done on a bun similar to a White castle or Krystals but a much better execution.

To get to Big Dogs, take the 106 bus from the downtown terminal (about a block from Main Street Station). The bus will let you off right across the street from Big Dogs (it is almost at the end of the line). To get back, hang a right outside the door and walk down to the end of the block. The bus stand is across the street. Stop by the Lee's Liquor store on the way and pick up stuff to take home of consume during your stay.

Don't forget to pick up a Big Dogs growler to take back and enjoy with the lack of open container laws in Vegas. Feel free to walk around the streets and casinos chugging on your growler moonshine style. But beware that a growler of the weizen bock will kick your ass and drain your wallet, leaving you with nothing but pain the next afternoon.