Wicked smaht: Brew-it-yourself workshop this weekend

By Xania Woodman

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 | 9 a.m.

For craft-brew culture, Las Vegas has come to count on the Buckbean Brewing Company and Nevada Breweries Guild's semi-annual Brews Best Village Beer Fest — say that five times fast after throwing down a few! — held at Lake Las Vegas' MonteLago Village.

But Brewmasters Steve MacMillan and Jon Christensen want you to know more about what goes into your glass than just "dünkel," "triple-bock," "noddy" or "porter."

Guests that purchase an overnight stay package at the MonteLago Village, or who pre-purchase their tickets to the Beer Fest on Saturday, March 13, are invited to a two-hour workshop and hands-on demonstration of the basic brewing techniques and procedures behind brewing craft beers. Teaching the seminar will be former UNLV brewing science instructor Steve MacMillan (now brewmaster of Ely's White Pine Brewing Company) and Jon Christensen, a graduate from the world-famous Siebel Institute of Brewing and brewmaster for the local Joseph James Brewing Company.

Saturday's workshop begins at 11 a.m. in MonteLago Village Resort's Riva di Lago Events Center and concludes at 1 p.m. with a beer sampling. The Brews Best Village Beer Fest main event begins in the Village at 2 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m.

To purchase the Beer Fest package (starts at $129 and includes an overnight stay and two Beer Fest passes), call 1-888-600-2688 or visit montelagovillage.com. Pre-purchase Beer Fest tickets at newvistacommunity.org.