CraftHaus Brewery Kick Starts Its Way to a New Distillery

A new artisanal craft brewery could be headed to Henderson if Wyndee and Dave Forrest have their way. The couple launched CraftHaus Brewery and are using Kickstarter to raise $20,000 for the pilot brewing system and licensing. As of Sunday, the brewery raised $11,775.

When it opens, CraftHaus plans to be in the same business park as Las Vegas Distillery and Grape Expectations.

Grid View

• Wyndee and Dave Forrest
• CraftHaus beer
• The CraftHaus lineup

Donation levels start as low as $5 and go up to $5,000. Rewards for helping out the cause include merchandise, loyalty program membership and the opportunity to design and name a beer. The couple also plans to donate 5 percent of proceeds to the newly formed Nevada Craft Brewers Association. Once opened, CraftHaus will be honoring its supporters by giving back a portion of proceeds from a designated tap handle to local non-profit organizations.

The Forrests love of craft beers started during a trip through Europe, where they "were immersed in a beer culture where people take their time to enjoy quality beer just as much as they enjoy talking to one another." Dave Forrest took up home brewing and won the first Sierra Nevada Beer Camp competition in 2010.

The space plans to include the Pallet Lounge, a tap room for guests to sample locally brewed beer not only from CraftHaus, but also other craft breweries.

The Forrests describe their beers at "traditional with a tweak. The beers might have an unexpected herb or an interesting yeast strain. For example, CraftHaus' India Pale Ale has a clean malt character while bright, citrusy hops resinate from within. Evocation is a Saison brewed with ginger, coriander and orange peel and named after the first time the couple had an "a-ha" moment in Amsterdam. Charlie's Mantra is a Pale Ale and get its name from Dave's brewing inspiration Charlie Papazian, credited with starting the homebrewing movement and established the National Homebrewer's Association and The Brewer's Association. Comrade is an Imperial Russian Stout that uses whiskey from the Las Vegas Distillery and is aged on oak.

The couple plans to raise $6,000 for business licenses, $7,000 for the pilot brewing system, $4,000 for a walk-in cooler and $3,000 for marketing. If they raise an additional $5,000, they plans to buy wood barrels that once held Scotch, whiskey, red wine or white wine.
· All Coming Attractions [~ELV~]