I admit...this question was pretty low on my list of things to discuss with the bartender.
Maybe because I already knew the answer about the vegan part of it. :) Oddly enough, it is not. The reason is due to the lactose/milk sugar they add for sweetness, which is typical of a lot of darker, sweeter beers (since it is a non-fermentable sugar).
They don't actually use bacon in the beer, though. They use 'natural flavorings' (I think a form of 'liquid smoke') and smoked grain to emulate the bacony flavor.
Ah the good old liquid smoke. Confusing vegans and vegetarians everywhere!
Interesting it's not lactose friendly beer. I know Guinness wasn't vegan for ages, but I have a feeling it is now.