The decade: the ’80s. The place: California, just off the campus of San Jose State University. The goal: beer. Rich Johnson and his college buddies “would sit around and think of ways to get free beer for life,” Johnson said with a smile. Johnson studied art and humanities by day, and began home brewing with his friends by night. Trips to Europe exposed them to different varieties, bringing that knowledge back to the U.S. and, “we just started making beer,” he said.
Fast-forward to present day and Johnson is now a big player in the craft beer industry, brewing and distributing through Sin City Brewing Co. “Me and two buddies sat around for years talking about what a Las Vegas brewery would be, what it would look like. In 2002, we finally made that leap,” Johnson said. “We spent 2003 pitching it, two years of selling draft beers and setting up accounts all over the valley.” By 2005, Sin City had opened its first bar at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort. A second location at The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian & The Palazzo followed. Most recently, he opened a bar Stripside on Harmon Corner. Last year, they created an exclusive extra pale ale for Aria.
Sin City Stout
“I don’t want to be seen as a leader or pioneer of a movement. I just came here and saw an opportunity,” Johnson said. “And now, here I am years later.” A long way from those college days, but his love for the craft—beer and process—remains as strong as ever.
Sin City Stout
The Sin City Stout is a full, richly flavored beer with 6.1 percent alcohol. “Put your hands around the glass for a little bit; it will warm the beer and the flavors will open up,” Johnson said. Not an overly complicated stout, it contains hints of roasted coffee and a slight sweetness, capped off by a dry finish. “It’s one of my favorites,” Johnson said. The Sin City Brewing Co. collection also includes amber, light, IPA, weisse and seasonal.
