Tenaya Creek brews join downtown Las Vegas scene

Finally, the craft beer is flowing at the new Tenaya Creek Brewery site on the edge of downtown Las Vegas.

After 16 years of producing and serving craft beer at a northwest valley suburban spot, the company has opened its new location at 831 W. Bonanza Road.

Saturday was a day for the craft brewery's family and friends to belly up to a gorgeous bar and savor Tenaya Creek's beers, breaking in the tasting room with glasses filled with beers such as its award-winning Bonanza Brown and a tasty pilsner. The first official beer drawn was a craft pilsner.

Owner Tim Etter invested $1 million in the top-of-the-line brewing equipment that is housed in a former plumbing supply business building. The 14,000-square-foot building dates back to 1952.

Everything is new because the company left its former brewing equipment at its old location at 3101 N. Tenaya Way.

There are no gambling machines or smoking at the new place. Beer lovers will enjoy craft beers from 14 Tenaya Creek and 14 guest beer taps without cigarette smoke or gaming. Local artists crafted the wooden tables. A staff of 10 will operate the new brewery.

"When people come to a craft brewery, they expect this type of atmosphere," said Anthony Gibson, Tenaya Creek's veteran brewer. "There are no gaming machines in front of them in a smoke-filled room."

The new brewing equipment such as fermentation tanks and canning lines can crank out 6,000 barrels of beer a year, which would triple the 2,000-barrel-a-year production at the old location, Gibson said.

The brewery and tasting room officially opens to the public Monday. Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and Sunday.

Tenaya Creek is one of the household names in Las Vegas craft beer breweries, as the local craft industry grows with more breweries and beer festivals.

Tenaya Creek fans will also enjoy drinking the Bonanza Brown beer on Allegiant Air flights out of Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Oakland, Calif.; Mesa, Ariz.; and Bellingham, Wash., starting Jan. 1.

PT's bought Tenaya Creek's old site, where Etter was busy loading up last-minute items Saturday.

"After 16 years, a lot of the regulars have come here today," said Katy Bozoian, a bartender. "This place is beautiful."

Contact Alan Snel at asnel@reviewjournal.com. Find him on Twitter: @BicycleManSnel.