Craft 64 is Opened for Business! (and you really need to visit!)

You may recall, a few weeks back I wrote about my good friend James Swann's new adventure, the soon to be craft beer and wine bar "Craft 64". Well, I was lucky enough to be in the area this afternoon, so Mrs. Czar and myself paid James a visit, to see how things were going. I am so glad we did.

They had a sort of "unannounced" soft opening this past weekend. Despite virtually no press, aside from an announcement on social media, I am told it was pretty successful. Despite not being completely up and running yet (most noticeably, the 30 more taps that still need to be installed by next week (ish). (So, please note, if you do plan on going in the next few days, or week, there is a limited (albeit very good) tap selection as well as beer in cans and bottles.)

Now, before I talk at all about my impressions of Craft 64, I will admit, from the start, I was excited about the concept. A scratch kitchen, with artisanal, wood fired, hand crafted pizza, homemade breads, fine wines and most importantly (at least to me) an "All Arizona", local only tap list. That is why I was so excited when they finally opened their doors, and I got a chance to check it out. Here is what I found out....

James greeted us upon walking in (we were the first one there this day), and excitedly advised me to check the
place out, walk around, take pictures, explore whatever. Craft 64 has a small, cozy front patio, as well as a larger, equally cozy patio in the back. The day we were there, it was a beautiful, 80 something plus degree's out, the kind of weather patio seating was designed for! Despite this, we elected to sit at the bar so we could listen to James proudly boast about their kitchen, their wood burning oven, his partners, their team working for them, and especially their food. The dinning room is good size, and features quite a few tables, a large community table, and bar seating. James made sure to point out there is no high top seating. This is a restaurant, not just a bar, he is proud the food they serve here, and we soon found out why.

James went over the menu with us, consisting of about 7 different pizza's, various boards, bruschetta, and about five or so salads. Despite being a smaller menu, trying to decide what to have was still an issue, since just about everything I saw on the menu looked very appealing.

On James recommendation, we decided on the "Fico" (fig) pizza with prosciutto. This was a pizza made with fresh mozzarella (made in house, every morning by the way), buratta, parmigiano, truffle oil, and fig sauce topped with arugula. I know what you are thinking, fig, on a pizza? HELL YES! This is a very unique, savory pizza that has a sweetness to it that is just to die for.





Chef "Lachos"

While we were enjoying our own pizza, we where also enjoying watching the various items leaving the kitchen bound for the diners that had been slowly making their way in while we chatted at the bar and enjoyed our beers. From the mounds of colorful salads (one made with rainbow Kale) to the impressive, ample sized bruschetta, and out of this world pizzas, everything that left the kitchen was beyond impressive. The man behind the impressive menu at Craft 64, is Chef "Lachos", who has spent the last 17 years perfecting his craft at the famous, and renowned Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix (voted the best pizza in the country a few years back...).

OK, so say you are just out shopping in Scottsdale or something, and just want to swing in for a glass of wine and some dessert? No problem. Craft 64 has a small dessert menu as well, and by small, I mean it only has 2 items currently. However, on of those items prominently featured the words "Nuttella", so I didn't get any further then that (I am told the other item is a classic tiramisu). We got a "Nuttella Sandwich, which is more like a large calzone, stuffed with Nuttella, plantains, butter and topped roasted hazelnuts. Plenty big enough for 2 or 3 people to share (I would say, too large for just one person), this dessert is just a decadent, delicious pile of goodness.

While we were there they only had 6 beers on tap. As I previously stated, they will be installing 30 more next week (ish).
The tap list will include nothing but local craft beers all brewed here in the state of Arizona. When asked if he had any criteria as to what kind of beer he will serve there (batch, brewery size, region, style etc.) James simply stated, "if its brewed in Arizona, and its good, we will serve it". Pretty simple criteria. James told me a few of the kegs he has waiting in the wings, and, while I won't give anything away right now, I will say, its the kind of stuff people have been known to line up and wait for. You can always expect something special on tap here, as well as the local favorite "go to" beers. So there will be something for everyone, of every taste.

Its not just for beer folks either. A large portion of their menu was dedicated to wines. While it may not be the largest selection of wines you'll find (its by no means small, don't get me wrong), the ones they serve are carefully selected. If you can't decide what wine to have with your food, they even have a sommelier in house to help you out!

Fresh made bread, made in-house,
every morning.

So, come for the beer and wine, stay for the food. Like I mentioned before, its a scratch kitchen, there isn't even a freezer in the whole place (aside from the ice machine). As much of their ingredients they use are sourced locally and organic (whenever possible). Everything from honey, to sausage, to flour, all made here in Arizona. The bread and pizza crust, all made fresh daily, in house, as is, like I mentioned before, the mozzarella cheese, which, I will say, is just wonderful.

So, if you find yourself in Old Town Scottsdale, craving a beer, or wine, or some incredible pizza, check out Craft 64 (right next to the Old Tortilla Factory Restaurant on Main St.). It is, already a great place to do just that.

To view the entire photo album from my visit there, click here.....

Craft 64 is located on

6922 E Main St,
Scottsdale, AZ
480-297-6572

Craft 64's Website
Craft 64's Facebook Page

James Swann is back, with big news!

King James Swann

If there were to be a Mount Rushmore for Arizona Beer, you could certainly make a case that James Swann (lovingly referred to locally as King James) would be on it. James's fingerprints are all over the beer community here in Arizona, especially the east Valley. Chances are, if you have enjoyed a beer in Chandler, be it a beer bar, or brewery, James probably had a hand it getting that place started and off the ground.


Well, for that last half of 2014, James has been laying a little low (well, by James' standards anyway) working as a sales rep for a distribution company. Well, as many of you know, he gave his 2 weeks notice just about 2 weeks ago, and now he is ready to announce the next phase of his journey.


James has taken on a few partners, and is helping to get a new Scottsdale beer bar "Craft 64" off the ground and up and running. Craft 64 is a beer and wine bar that will be in downtown Scottsdale, quite literally in the shadow of the Hotel Valley Ho.             

Now, I know there are a lot of beer bars and tap rooms operating, or opening in the valley, but this one will be a little unique. Craft 64, will be serving exclusively fine Arizona craft beers!!! There will be 30 handles, all of which will be pouring beer made right here in our state. While they will have some of the local staples from the Arizona "big boys" (SanTan, Four Peaks etc) their will be a focus on the very small, lesser known breweries not in regular distribution. Of coarse they will also be serving those rare, limited release gems from the big boys as well. While talking to James about this a few weeks ago, he explained to me how he plans on visiting these smaller breweries, and grabbing kegs from them, and showcasing them in Craft 64.

While previously, you may have only been able to get those beers at their taprooms, pubs or tasting rooms, or maybe in very select places near them, Craft 64 will have a steady rotation of small breweries all the time. So you don't have to worry about stopping by and them having all the "same ol' stuff on tap. Each trip will be a unique experience for you to try beers you not only may have never had before, but there's a good chance you may even have a beer from a brewery you didn't even know existed, and THAT my friends, is awesome!

In addition to the 30 handles, they will have an extensive fine wine list (the wine will not be exclusive to Arizona, but will feature wine from the rapidly growing Arizona wine industry). There will also be a brick pizza oven, so there will be some amazing, artisanal, brick oven pizza's on the menu, as well as other appetizers and menu items.

Looking to be opened in just a month or so (no exact date yet, but rest assured, I will be keeping you all well informed of any and all information)

Craft 64 will be located at 6299 E Main St, Scottsdale AZ (major cross streets will be Goldwater and Indian School).

You can follow their progress here at The Beer Czar, or check out their Facebook page here, or website here.....

Again, check back here for more news and updates about James, and Craft 64. As soon as I get an opening date, I will be sure to pass it along, but it won't be long!!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

The Perch, coming soon to downtown Chandler

***Update: I spoke with James Swann a few days ago. As of 10/16, they are a little over a month out from opening. 35 to 45 days. Due to the government stalemate, um, I mean "shutdown", the opening of the brewery will most likely be pushed back a bit, but no date was given for that. When I get more info, I'll pass it along. Thank you,      

The Beer Czar

*********************************************************************************

Most of you that follow this blog have at least heard the name, James Swann, the former beer guy at the
Watering Hole in Whole Foods Chandler. Well just recently, James vacated his post there, to help start up a new nano brewery and beer bar called "The Perch" in the southern end of Chandler's historic downtown district. If you know Chandler, The Perch is on Wall Street, directly west of Planet Sub, if that makes sense. Tucked away in a hidden, shaded section of town, in an area known as "The Shops on Wall Street", the site is unassuming, and for now, easy to miss. In fact, my parents have lived a mile from there for almost 20 years, and I never knew anything was back there.

The patio to the left of the walkway. 

The entrance....

To say this site is unique, is a huge
understatement. The building looks as if it grew out of the ground around it 100 years ago. Like the olive tree covered patio out front, the building is just a natural, well placed gem, that will prove to be one of the most comfortable, relaxing places to enjoy a beer or two. A great date place too I can imagine!

The roof top patio, wave to the Mayor!

One of the unique aspects of the new place, is going to be the rooftop patio. Covering the entire top of the bar/dining area, the roof top patio is going to have a bar (just wine and beer), pergola, comfortable seating, great views, and best of all, will be cigar friendly!!! You can even wave to the mayor (his office is visible from there) while you sip your beer, and puff your cigar atop the perch.

From what James has told me, the food, in a word is going to be, fresh. Salads, sandwiches, hand made pizzas, most everything made on site, with generous helpings. It was described to me as big, fresh, southwestern gastropub fare.
There will be an onsite brewery (I was told by Andrew Bauman, the brewmaster, its going to be the most beautiful brewery in the state of Arizona, and I think he might be right!), with 5 of the 25 tap handles dedicated to their own in house brew, while the remaining 20 will be guest taps, some static, others routing, with a fair mix of local brews offered up as well.

The newly topped bar and beer cooler behind it.

All in all, this place is going to be just so cool, unique, and comfortable. Even with all the construction mess going on right now, you can totally see the potential this place has, and will soon become.
They will be opening "softly" sometime around the end of Oct, with a grand opening celebration sometime in Nov. The brewery will not be brewing up their own brews till about January, with their beers available to the public sometime in Feb.

This will be the brewing area, behind the restaurant

Check back on regularly, I will make sure I am keeping you all updated with the most up to date information I can get you regarding this new and exciting venture.

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

Get ready for IPA Day in Arizona, its going to be AWESOME!

James Swann starts the discussion

There are a few commemorative "days" in the craft beer community that have become pretty popular lately. In recent years "Stout Day" and "IPA Day" have given us just a couple of reasons to celebrate our love of craft beer, and in turn, have become the most popular. Well, this year, IPA Day in Arizona, is going to be, in a word, spectacular!
This year, IPA Day is August 1st, and to commemorate the day for 2013, the valley beer bars are working up an epic collaboration to be released!

Why can't my meetings at work look like this?

                                                                         

A total of 16 bars are taking part in the this collaboration, the first step of which took place yesterday, Memorial Day, at Sleepy Dog Pub and Bistro in Gilbert. With representatives from World of Beer, Spokes on Southern, Ground Control,  Lucky Break and Whole Foods present, (the others were unable to make it, but are committed to the project), meeting at the Pub. To go ever the recipe with Rob and Matt from Sleepy Dog, who will be brewing the beer.

Rob, Sleepy Dogs Brewmaster, takling hops

The discussion, over a few beers (of coarse), went on for about an hour and half, on what they wanted to beer to look like, taste like, what aroma it would have, what hops would be used etc. I will tell you, for someone with (admittedly) limited experience in home brewing, and no experience brewing on a large scale, this was not only a fascinating discussion, but a hell of an education for me as well. I was very glad (and honored) that I was there!

I won't get into all the details of the beer just yet, but I will tell you, its going to be an Imperial IPA, light in color, fairly high in IBU's (around 80), with a decent amount of alcohol (about 8.5% is the target). The brew will be called "Wolf Pack Imperial IPA". They felt this best represents not only the collaborative effort of the beer, but also pays a bit of homage to Sleepy Dog's involvement as well.

The beer will be brewed on June 17th, at Sleepy Dogs brewing facility in Tempe. Art work will be done in the coming weeks as well. All this culminating in one massive, simultaneous release at all the valley beer bars on IPA Day, Aug 1st (specific times to come).
Stay tune, and keep an ear out for more news, as you will certainly be hearing a TON more about this beer in the days and weeks to come. To keep track of this beer, you can check it out not only here on The Beer Czar, but on Brew Bros, Chow Bella and Mouth by Southwest as well.

A hat tip to James Swann, as well as Rob and Matt from Sleepy Dog for their efforts in getting this project off the ground, and my thanks for including me in it as well!

Again, stay tunes, I will keep you all up to speed on this project.

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar