Are you trying to find out about the best breweries in Las Vegas? Then look no further! Here we have assembled an all-encompassing list of the absolute best breweries in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas isn’t exactly known for being a craft brewing Mecca in the way Colorado and Oregon are. But Sin City’s craft brewing scene is growing fast and there are now dozens of breweries across southern Nevada.
For the purpose of this list, Henderson and North Las Vegas are considered part of Las Vegas. And if you’re wondering if I went to all the breweries in the city to assemble these rankings, the answer is yes. I am very dedicated to my research!
- The Las Vegas Craft Brewing Scene
- Best Brewery Ranking System
- #10) Mojave Brewing Company
- #9) Lovelady Brewing
- #8) Hop Nuts Brewing
- #7) Big Dog’s Brewing Company
- #6) Triple 7 Restaurant and Microbrewery
- #5) Crafthaus Brewery
- #4) Nevada Brew Works
- #3) HUDL Brewing Company
- #2) Las Vegas Brewing Company
- #1) Able Baker Brewing Company
- Top 10 Breweries by Beer Alone
- Best Breweries in Las Vegas – Final Word
Disclaimer: Aroundtheworldwithme.com is in no way affiliated with any of these breweries and was not influenced in any way in the creation of these rankings. This article also contains affiliate links, which means that should you purchase something or get a quote through them I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps keep the site running with up to date information. I do not represent Booking.com, Viator, or Discovercars. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy the product mentioned in this article.
The Las Vegas Craft Brewing Scene
The up and coming city of Las Vegas was a bit late to the craft brewing party, but it’s catching up fast. When I lived in Vegas in the early 2010s there were slim pickings for local beer.
We had Big Dog’s, which is still around today and makes an appearance on this list, and Sin City Brewing, which was terrible. Sin City has since closed and made way for the fantastic breweries that have appeared in the 2010s and 2020s.
Breweries have been popping up like strip clubs in Vegas in recent years, and more are opening every year. The brewery scene is mostly frequented by locals, but tourists have started flocking to Brewery Row in the Arts District south of downtown to see what the Vegas craft brewing scene has to offer.
Most of the head brewmasters are from elsewhere in the US, as Vegas is still a city of transplants. So many bring beer making knowledge from popular brewing areas like the Pacific Northwest.
Vegas beer has come a long way and these days you can easily get your fill of local craft beer. Whether you live in Las Vegas, or are just visiting, you’ll love the brewing scene in Sin City!
Best Brewery Ranking System
The rankings are based on the following scoring system. There are five categories as discussed below.
Category 1: Beer quality
Clearly the most important factor in the brewery scores is the beer. Beer quality is essentially how tasty the beer is and is derived by the average of individual beer ratings on Untapped – not just my own personal rating but the global average as well. Ratings are weighted at 50/50 personal/global. For example, if I rated a beer 4.5 and the global average on Untapped was 4.0, the final rating would be 4.25 for said beer. Brewery overall beer ratings are the average of at least 4 different beer styles. An imperfect system, but still pretty good
Category 2: Google Rating
As simple as it sounds. The average rating from Google reviews at the time of publishing.
Category 3: Food
Americans love to eat, so food is an important factor in your overall brewery experience. Most breweries in Las Vegas do not offer food, but depending on the location might have food trucks or let you BYO. Either way it’s important to eat when downing imperial stouts so overall food experience is factored into the brewery ratings.
Category 4: Location
Where a brewery is physically located can improve accessibility and increase customer satisfaction. Unfortunately for Las Vegans, the city has subpar public transportation, meaning that most people drive themselves to breweries, which is not ideal. The poor public transportation is one of the main cons of living in Las Vegas. The location category is based on where the brewery is located in relation to central Las Vegas as well as the attractiveness of the neighborhood it’s in. Location is considered to boost your beer tasting experience.
Category 5: Atmosphere and ambiance
This category rates the quality of the brewery itself, regardless of the beer, food or location. It’s based on the number of tables, outdoor space, music, live music, décor, liveliness, and service, among other things.
Weighted average
The total rating of a brewery is calculated by a weighted average of the categories above. As beer is really the most important factor here, it’s given by far the highest weight in the calculation. The weighted averages are as follows:
- Beer quality- 55%
- Food – 10%
- Location – 10%
- Atmosphere and ambiance – 15%
- Average Google Rating – 10%
So without further ado let’s unveil the list of the top 10 breweries in Las Vegas!
#10) Mojave Brewing Company
We will start out the top 10 breweries in Las Vegas countdown with Mojave Brewing Company. Named after the desert Las Vegas is located in, the brewery in Henderson was founded by experienced brewers John Griffith and Nathan Carney. The duo knows how to make a quality brew, and as they often work the bar themselves, they’ll be happy to tell you all about their beers.
The brewery is small and cozy, but has some bar games like pinball and shares a building with a southern home cooking restaurant who will be happy to take your order to you as you sit at the Mojave brewery.
Total score: 3.75/5
Beer Quality: 3.87/5
Mojave makes a lot of interesting beers as well as some common beers. Everything is good, even if nothing completely blows you away. They make some really unique beers, like the Cinnamon Toast Crunch ale, which is literally made with flavors from the sugary cereal.
Be sure to try: Cinnamon Toast Crunch ale
Google rating: 4.7/5
Food: 3/5
Mojave doesn’t offer any food other than packaged pretzels as snacks, but they share a building with Biscuits and Bourbon, a home cooking and barbecue restaurant that will bring your food to you if you’re sitting in the brewery. It’s basically like having a restaurant in the brewery.
Location: 3/5
The brewery is on South Water St in Henderson, which is basically the suburb’s main drag. There are quite a few restaurants around, and the street is walkable, even if not overly beautiful.
Atmosphere/Ambiance: 3/5
Mojave has a simple, yet effective setup, which includes some comfortable couches as well as an L-shaped bar. There is also a back room that is setup like a living room you’d have in your home for when you really want to chill.
#9) Lovelady Brewing
Lovelady Brewing in Henderson is the perfect place to stop for a beer after a long hike in Lake Mead National Recreation Area or one of the many other beautiful natural sites around Las Vegas. The brewery is small with no outdoor patio, but packs a big punch when it comes to its beer.
Total score: 3.75/5
Beer Quality: 4.21/5
With an average beer rating of well over 4.0, Lovelady wins the award for best beers in Las Vegas based on average beer rating. Loveland’s beers are seriously delicious and they make a ton of different varieties.
Beer to be sure to try: Paleo Porter
Google reviews: 4.8/5
Food: 2/5
Lovelady does not offer any food except basic packaged snacks like pretzels. But you can bring your own food. There are no food trucks outside either and you’ll need to walk a few minutes to find a nearby restaurant.
Location: 3/5
The brewery and brewpub is located in downtown Henderson, Las Vegas’s largest suburban city. The brewery is on the main road and easily accessible with adequate parking. They also have a small tap room in the Green Valley Ranch area of Henderson in a strip mall.
Atmosphere/Ambiance: 2/5
Lovelady looks pretty unassuming from the outside. The building clearly used to be an old Vegas dive bar and they haven’t redone its façade. Inside, however, it’s quite nice and decorated well. There are a couple televisions and some quiet sitting areas. It’s nothing special, but it’s nice.
The ambiance score was dropped to 2 out of 5, though, since of all the breweries I went to in Las Vegas the Lovelady bartender was by far the least friendly and seemed to be bothered that I wanted to order some beers. Maybe he was just having a bad day, but a welcoming environment from the staff is an important part of any brewery experience.
#8) Hop Nuts Brewing
Hop Nuts Brewing is one of the most hopping breweries in the city (pun intended). It’s a popular place for locals and tourists alike, and you can often find it busy at all hours of the day.
The brewery has a great location in the up and coming Arts District and is mostly frequented by locals. But you will find tourists who found their way off the Strip on occasion.
Total score: 3.83/5
Beer Quality: 3.60/5
Hop Nuts makes good beer and offers numerous options for the seasoned beer drinker. Nothing will totally blow you away, but the overall quality of the brews is high. Like most breweries in Vegas, they have rotating taps, so something you try in the summer might not be available in the winter.
Beer to be sure to try: 18b Pale Ale
Google rating: 4.5/5
Food: 2/5
Hop Nuts doesn’t offer food, though it does have a full range of liquors for the non-beer drinker in your group of friends. While it’s in the Arts District, it’s about a block north of where the concentration of restaurants starts. There’s a café next door, but it closes at 4:00.
Location: 5/5
The brewery is in the Las Vegas Arts District, which is in between the Strip and Downtown Las Vegas. The Arts District is the premier hangout for locals in Vegas. Full of cocktail bars, breweries, and excellent restaurants, it has really taken off in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Hop Nuts has a great spot in the Arts District and has become a popular hangout spot for locals at all hours of the day and night.
Atmosphere/Ambiance: 4/5
Hop Nuts is a lively place that is sort of setup more like a bar than a brewery, meaning it’s long and narrow. There’s a shuffleboard table in the back and it can get quite busy on Friday and Saturday nights. But there is a nice little outdoor patio as well for when you want a little peace and quiet.
#7) Big Dog’s Brewing Company
One of Las Vegas’s original breweries, Big Dog’s was founded in 1993 and has been in its current location in northwest Las Vegas since 2003, making it a wise old man in Vegas’s young brewing scene.
Big Dog’s is more than just a microbrewery. Consisting of a full service restaurant with a Midwest tavern vibe, the brewery – known as the draft house – is home to the local Green Bay Packers fanclub. So don’t show up on a Sunday afternoon unless you’re ready to cheer on the Packers!
Total score: 3.87/5
Beer Quality: 3.59/5
Big Dog’s has expanded their beer selection from their modest early days to include imperial IPAs, sours, Belgian triples, and all sorts of other beer varieties that you find in today’s microbrewing scene. They’ve certainly kept up with the latest beer trends, and you won’t have any trouble finding something to suit your taste buds on their tap menu.
Beer to be sure to try: War Dog Imperial IPA
Food: 5/5
Big Dog’s features extensive food options. They have a huge menu with tons of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, burgers, and main courses like pot roast, meatloaf, and baby back ribs. It’s contemporary American cuisine with a touch of down home cooking. For a brewery, it’s hard to find better food than Big Dog’s. They even have a full catering service, something very few brewpubs offer.
Location: 2/5
Big Dog’s is located on N Rancho Drive in northwest Las Vegas. It’s not an ideal location and it’s definitely a hassle to get to if you live in the south or in Henderson. The neighborhood itself is also not too great either. The brewery is on a main road, so while that can be convenient for getting to, it sure makes it loud if you’re sitting outside in the beer garden.
Atmosphere/Ambiance: 5/5
Big Dog’s is definitely one of the more badass breweries to hang out at in the city. The draft house is large, featuring a sizable outdoor beer garden and a 360 degree indoor bar. They have live music every Saturday night, live music and football on Sundays, karaoke on Tuesdays, and trivia night on Wednesdays. There’s literally always something going on at Big Dog’s!
#6) Triple 7 Restaurant and Microbrewery
The Triple 7 Restaurant and Microbrewery is located in the Main Street Station casino in Downtown Las Vegas. Main Street Station is one of the oldest casinos in Las Vegas. This is “old Vegas.” The restaurant is more than just beer, and features a full food menu of typical American pub fare.
The downside of Triple 7 is that it has very limited operating hours and offers less beer options than other breweries. It’s only open Thursday to Monday from 5-10 (with an extra hour on Fridays and Saturdays), making it the brewery with its doors closed the most hours in Las Vegas.
Total score: 4.02/5
Beer Quality: 3.54/5
Triple 7 makes some good beer. Nothing really stands out as amazing, and it fails to live up to some of the newer breweries in town when it comes to beer quality. But they have good beer at a good price.
It’s hard to find a craft beer for $6 anymore, but you can do just that at Triple 7. Their beer menu is also more limited than most other breweries in town, and they tend to stick with what they know. No crazy sours or imperial porters here.
Beer to be sure to try: Thirteen Rye IPA
Google rating: 4.2/5
Food: 5/5
Triple 7 is a full service restaurant that happens to brew their own beer. Their menu includes all sorts of typical American fare, including burgers, pizzas, salads, and steaks. The food is excellent, and with so many options you’re bound to find something you like.
Location: 4/5
Triple 7 is centrally located in Downtown Las Vegas in the Main Street Station Casino Brewery Hotel. Yes, that’s right. It’s called the “casino brewery hotel.” This is the original casino area of Las Vegas, where the city got its start.
Being located in a casino, however, just makes it a bit trickier to get there as a local, as you have to park across the street and enter the casino first. Free parking, at least, though!
Atmosphere/Ambiance: 5/5
Triple 7 will fool you into thinking that you’re not in an old school Vegas casino. The large, open dining area features views of the brewery’s fermentation tanks. It really is a fantastic place to sit down and have dinner or sit at the bar and enjoy a beer.
As it’s in a casino, Triple 7 is mostly frequented by tourists. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a great place for locals to hang out and have a beer as well. You’ll surely meet a lot of interesting people having a drink at Triple 7.
#5) Crafthaus Brewery
Crafthaus is one of the older craft breweries in Las Vegas. With two locations, one in the Arts District and one in Henderson, Crafthaus has been pouring delicious craft beers since 2014.
It’s one of the only breweries in the city with multiple locations. The original brewery is Henderson, and the Arts District location was opened more recently.
Total score: 4.08/5
Beer Quality: 4.09/5
Crafthaus is one of the top ranked breweries when it comes to beer quality. Every beer I tried came in at 4.0 or higher on Untapped for me, which is super rare. They make very high quality brews that will leave you wanting more.
Be sure to try: Cake Face Imperial Double Oatmeal Stout
Google rating: 4.8/5
Location: 5/5
Crafthaus is a unique brewery in Las Vegas in that it has two locations, one in Henderson and the other in the Arts District. The Henderson location is an industrial area but the Arts District location is in a vibrant area that is popular with locals and tourists alike.
Food: 4/5
Crafthaus has a small German beer snack menu of pretzels and bratwursts. The food is excellent and makes a great accompaniment to their delicious beers.
Atmosphere/Ambiance: 3/5
For Brewery Row, Crafthaus is pretty chill and laid back. It’s a small brewery with minimal seating areas. There are a few outdoor tables that offer a nice view of sunset over the mountains though. The Henderson location is larger, but a less attentive building and neighborhood.
#4) Nevada Brew Works
Nevada Brew Works is a popular spot for locals to go and get a tasty IPA with a fresh pizza. The brewery makes great beer and serves awesome food, making it one of the only breweries in the Arts District with a full food menu. They also have a fully stocked bar, so your non-beer-drinking friend will have a great time there too.
Total score: 4.10/5
Beer Quality: 3.92/5
Nevada Brew Works has a less eclectic beer list as many of the other breweries on this list, but nothing they make fails to live up to the hype. Everything they make is really good, even if they don’t have a true standout beer.
Beer to be sure to try: Go Ugly New England IPA
Google Rating: 4.4/5
Food: 4/5
At Nevada Brew Works you’ll find a large pizza menu as well as burgers and other typical pub fare. The pizza is some of the best in town. There is no table service so you have to order at the food counter and pick it up when it’s ready. If you’re gonna eat at Nevada Brew Works, I suggest going for the pizza.
Location: 5/5
The brewery is in the Arts District on Brewery Row. It’s within walking distance of five other breweries, and if you don’t feel like pizza there’s a barbecue restaurant next door.
Atmosphere/Ambiance: 4/5
The setup is pretty cool at Nevada Brew Works and it’s mostly an outdoor venue, as there is more outdoor seating than indoor seating. The front patio is sort of like a beer garden with picnic-style tables. Inside, there is a long bar and some high top tables surrounded by televisions on all sides.
#3) HUDL Brewing Company
HUDL Brewing Company opened in 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. But the brewers at HUDL didn’t let a global pandemic slow them down. HUDL has since grown into a popular place for locals to gather and drink some fine beer.
The brewery has a great location on the main street through the Arts District and features a sizable outdoor beer garden. And when it comes to beer quality, HUDL simply can’t be beat.
Total score: 4.16/5
Beer Quality: 4.16/5
HUDL comes in second on this list on beer alone, which helps it propel to near the top of these rankings. HUDL’s beer is legitimately amazing. If you ask local’s where to go get the best beer in Vegas, there’s a good chance they will say HUDL.
Beer to be sure to try: Vegas Golden Stout
Google rating: 4.7/5
Food: 3/5
HUDL doesn’t serve food, but since it’s located in the heart of the Arts District with restaurants everywhere – and literally right nextdoor to a barbecue joint, it gets a 3 in this category. Order something to bring with you while you enjoy their fantastic beers.
Location: 5/5
HUDL has a great location in the Arts District. Right on the main road where it’s all happening, you can’t beat their location when it comes to Las Vegas breweries.
Atmosphere/Ambiance: 4/5
The seating area is mostly outdoors, which is nice in Vegas for most of the year. Inside is chill, with a long bar and a few high top tables. It’s simple, yet effective. HUDL can also be rented out for private events, which is pretty popular amongst local companies.
#2) Las Vegas Brewing Company
Las Vegas Brewing Company opened its doors in early 2022 and has been serving up quality brews and delicious food ever since. Located a ways from the city center, it’s popular with locals who enjoy a good meal with their beer.
The brewery has a restaurant as well as a lively bar area and outdoor patio. Happy hour runs on weekdays from 3:00-6:00 and includes $2 off draft beers as well as some food specials. There is never a bad time for stopping by Las Vegas Brewing Company!
Total score: 4.18/5
Beer Quality: 3.93/5
Las Vegas Brewing makes a wide variety of beers. There’s something on the menu that everyone will like. There are probably also funky beers on the menu that you won’t like, so be sure to study the beer list carefully before ordering.
They have a lot of sour beers and many different styles of IPA. If you’re confused about what to order, the bartender or server will be more than happy to help. They love talking about their beer!
Beer to be sure to try: Blue Suede Sour
Google rating: 4.7/5
Food: 5/5
Las Vegas Brewing Company has a full service restaurant, which is rare among new breweries in Vegas. The menu items range from soups and salads to entrees like jambalaya and fish and chips. They also offer burgers and sandwiches and typical American food.
The food is excellent and many people come to the brewery just to have dinner. You’ll find something on the menu that you’ll love.
Location: 3/5
The brewery is a bit of a ways from downtown Las Vegas in the northwest part of town. It’s not an ideal location unless you live in that part of town. But it has a large parking lot and it’s not hard to get to. Just a lot of stop lights to go through.
Atmosphere/Ambiance: 5/5
Las Vegas Brewing Company is a gaming brewery, in typical Vegas style. So you can gamble while you enjoy their fine beers. There is a separate restaurant and bar area as well as a large outdoor patio area. It’s just a great place to enjoy a beer on a beautiful Vegas day.
#1) Able Baker Brewing Company
Named after the nuclear bombs that were tested in Nevada in the 1950s, Able Baker has been pouring delicious beers in the Arts District since its early days in the mid 2010s. The brewery earns the coveted #1 spot on the list of the best breweries in Las Vegas, and one visit will have you convinced on its top ranking.
The brewery operates a restaurant, though it’s named Arts District Kitchen, which makes you think it’s not associated with the brewery. But it is. The brewery is open 7 days a week from 11:30 AM to 11 PM, with a 1 AM close on Friday and Saturday nights, making it one of the most available breweries in Las Vegas.
A visit to Able Baker is an all around good time for all at any time!
Total score: 4.26/5
Beer Quality: 3.88/5
Able Baker has more beer options than you’ll be able to try. Study the menu carefully before ordering. Everything they make is good and you’ll be hard pressed to find a beer that isn’t up to par.
Beer to be sure to try: Shiver Giver IPA
Google rating: 4.8/5
Food: 4/5
The Arts District Kitchen inside Able Baker features a vast collection of burgers, sandwiches, tacos, wings, and loaded fries. Super healthy stuff… All incredibly tasty though.
Location: 5/5
The brewery is located in the Arts District on Brewery Row between the Strip and Downtown Las Vegas. Its central location means it’s easy to get to for just about everyone in the city, as well as tourists staying on the Strip. Street parking is available at $2/hour but can be difficult to find on a Friday or Saturday night.
Atmosphere/Ambiance: 5/5
Able Baker is a very happening place. It’s popular with beer drinkers of all ages. On weekend nights it goes from a quiet watering hole to a lively bar. There are beer-garden style wooden tables in the bar area with views of the brewing floor as well as a decent sized outdoor patio. If you’re looking for a quiet place to have a beer on a Friday night this is not it!
Top 10 Breweries by Beer Alone
While beer quality was by far the most important factor in the beer rankings, it wasn’t the only factor. Taking everything away and just focusing on beer quality alone, we get the following results.
Top 10 Las Vegas Breweries by Beer Quality:
- Lovelady Brewing
- HUDL Brewing Company
- Crafthuis Brewery
- Las Vegas Brewing Company
- Nevada Brew Works
- Able Baker Brewing
- Mojave Brewing Company
- Bad Beat Brewing
- Astronomy Aleworks
- North 5th Brewing Company
Best Breweries in Las Vegas – Final Word
We’ve now gone through the top 10 best breweries in Las Vegas. If you’re a tourist, you now have a pretty good idea of where you want to visit if you need a break from the Las Vegas Strip. And if you’re a local, even better. You get to visit these awesome places any time you want!
