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

Guest Contributor: Arizona Breweries Need Your Voice Now! PLEASE HELP!

The following piece was written by my good friend and strong advocate of Arizona beer, Mr. James Swann. Please take a minute and read what James has to say, and if you agree with him (and myself on this) please take a moment and sign the attached petition, and help keep Arizona Beer growing!!!

Arizona Breweries Need Your Voice Now!  PLEASE HELP!

In recent weeks I have been asked on multiple occasions to weigh in on the proposed AZ. Beer Bill

and legislation that has captured the attention of our community, so here it is.  Although the outcome of this law making will greatly affect how local Arizona breweries will be allowed to operate in the near future, believe me when I say that the eyes of the nation are indeed upon us.  To see legislation of this type pass in such a quickly populating place as Arizona will also make a mark on how other states perceive, interpret and change their laws as well.  This is quite an important ship we are sailing!

Now that that is out of the way, how do I feel about the proposed changes?  The short answer is that I completely support the modifications as they will allow for significant growth in the industry and create jobs here in Arizona.  As a consumer of fine brew, you should support these changes as well.

What the AZ. Beer Bill does is allow Arizona breweries to lift the current forty thousand barrel (eighty thousand keg) production cap and at the same time maintain the connecting pubs and tap rooms associated with each brewery.  This is important as current law would force most local breweries to shut down these tap rooms in order to move beyond the forty thousand barrel limit.  This could potentially put many Arizonans out of work.  Do you want to put your favorite barman at SanTan, Four Peaks or Huss out of a job?  I certainly don’t.

This legislation will in fact create jobs and strengthen our local economy as each brewery would be allowed to own and operate up to seven satellite tap rooms and supply them with product without the worry or concern of production caps.  In truth beer brewing, distributing and retail in the United States supports 20,430 jobs, $606,325,300 dollars in total in wages and has a total economic contribution of over one billion.  Craft brewing had a $664 million dollar impact in Arizona in 2012 and created 3,486 jobs.  Those numbers are hard to argue with and are growing.   

Some may argue that these new alterations undermine the basic checks and balances our government’s Three Tier System put into place at the end of Prohibition all the way back in 1933.  In a nutshell that system allows for the controlled and structured sale of all alcoholic beverages while maintaining three tiers of taxation keeping each state’s coffers full money for education, roadways and all things municipal.  While I will not argue that methods for regulating the sale of alcohol will always be necessary I would contend that the proposed changes will only serve to strengthen structure, limit liability, keep more money here in Arizona and create even more tax revenue for our great state.

Sign the petition at www.azbeerbill.com

While most laws are put into place with the best of intentions we all must realize that things change.  Much of the current law governing this matter is almost a century old and is at best out dated and antiquated.  Why on earth should we penalize our local breweries for their own success?  The simple answer is we shouldn’t. 

Lastly, the forces opposing this bill are for the most part spirit producers or resellers and have an

incredible amount of money and lobbying power.  The Worst Part?  Most of these spirits aren’t even produced here in the United States!  SO WHAT DO WE HAVE?  WE HAVE YOU.  

For your state, for the love of beer, for your local brewery please go to www.azbeerbill.com and sign the petition showing your support.  This will take you less than five minutes.  They need your voice NOW!

James Swann


Again, please take a moment and sign the petition attached (find it here...) and help us keep this momentum going!!



 

Heros 19 in the Valley this weekend!

AWB's new logo

First off, let me say, hello, remember me? Yes, sorry, things in the life of the Beer Czar have been fairly  hectic, and busy this summer, and I feel I have been neglecting the blog as of late. Well, let me assure, the next few weeks, and months, things in the Arizona beer community are going to get very exciting, and I am still going to bring the latest and greatest news of it all! In the coming weeks, we have a couple of new brewery's opening their doors (Huss Brewing in Tempe, and YES, finally Arizona Wilderness Brewing in Gilbert will be opening its doors

The Perch

Sept 2nd!!!) as well as James Swann's new adventure "The Perch" will be opening in downtown Chandler in Oct. San Tan has a new seasonal coming out in Sept (Super Monk Belgian IPA, I'll have more ont hat very soon as well), and well the list seems to go on and on. These are exciting times my friends, so stay tuned for more specifics on the events I just mentioned.

I can think on better way to kick off all this great news then this, its finally here folks! The collaborative brew Heros 19, brewed by the Arizona Brewers Guild at Prescott Brewing's brewing facility in Prescott, this is the beer they brewed up with 19 types of hops, and a 19 on the color scale (SRM's for you folks that speak "beer geek") to honor the 19 fire fighters that gave their lives fighting the fire in Yarnell just over a month ago. It was tapped first at Prescott Brewing this passed week, and this weekend, makes it way to the valley.

Check out any valley brew pub this weekend (click here for a look at all the members of the Brewer's Guild). There is a special event in Downtown Chandler tomorrow, meant to honor and thank all fire fighter. Its from 11 to 2. So swing by, shake a fireman's hand, say thank you, and grab a pint of two of Hero's 19 (100% of the proceeds for this beer go to support the families of the fallen Granite Mountain Hotshots crew by the way!).

Here is what the brewery said about the brew...
"Heroes 19 is an American Brown Ale that's a little lighter in color than a regular brown ale. This beer starts with a slight malty nose with a definite hop aroma, light brown in color. Taste wise you'll notice a light toasty character followed by a hint of caramel with a pronounced hop flavor and a nice lingering hop bitterness.
 It was brewed on July 19th. It has a color of 19 SRM (geek talk...), and was brewed with 19 different hops, all donated by individual Guild members. The malt was donated by Briess Malting Co. and the distribution and warehousing is being done, gratis, by Hensley."

If you would like to grab a pint, but aren't sure where to find it, feel free to hit me up at thebeerczar@gmail.com and I will be happy to point you in the right direction!

Again, stay tuned for more upcoming events here in the east valley, lots going on! What a great way to end the summer!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

World of Beer in Tempe celebrates 1 year!!!

Can you believe it, its been a year already! World of Beer in Tempe is turning 1, and they are kicking off a celebration much like you would expect from them, with lots of beer!
There is a ton of info, and I am short of time, so I'll repost the press release I received, that has all the info you will need, check it out! (I can't wait for the 10th! 58 Arizona beers from 26 Arizona breweries!)

Check it out.....

Rare Firestone Walker tapping, fifty-eight local beers and food

trucks top celebration highlights

Tempe, AZ (July 31, 2013)—It’s been one year since World of Beer Tempe set up shop on Mill Ave and started pouring the love of craft beer for thirsty patrons to enjoy.

Since then, folks have traveled the world, one pint at a time, hopping through more than 500 different beers and over 50 taps, for a global flavor explosion, all from the comforts of bar stool.

Now, World of Beer Tempe is gearing up for a four day Arizona-versary celebration with rare beers, a local beer tribute, an exclusive SanTan brew, food trucks, chances to win tickets to the 2013 Great American Beer Festival and much more.

The fun kicks off on Wednesday, August 7, with a Firestone Walker Party featuring Union Jack, Double Jack, Wookey Jack, Pale 31, Pivo Pils and unfiltered Double Barrel Ale (DBA) on tap all day plus a few Firestone rare beers rolling out on tap from 7-9 p.m. including Parabola, Double DBA, Sucuba and Sixteen.

Then, on Thursday-Friday, August 8-9, the anniversary celebration continues with more than 50 rare and allocated beers on tap. Highlights include:

See, everyone is going to be there...

North Coast Brewing, Barrel Aged Old Rasputin XV
Sierra Nevada, Narwhal Imperial Stout
Deschutes Brewery, Black Butte XXV and The Abyss 2012
Brasserie Dieu du ciel, Rigor Mortis ABT
Odell Brewing, Wooden Sidecar and Amuste
Green Flash Brewing, Super Freak and Little Freak
Epic Brewing, Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout
Dogfish Head Brewery, 120 Minute IPA and Red & White
Nectar Ales, Black Xantus
The Bruery, White Oak
… and many more!

On Saturday, August 10, World of Beer Tempe salutes Arizona’s local breweries with a celebration dubbed, The Arizona Great Fifty-Eight. Patrons will enjoy 58 different beers from 26 Arizona breweries plus a World of Beer exclusive spiced amber beer from SanTan Brewing Company called Beer of the World. This SanTan Brewing exclusive features ingredients from across the globe with American malt, South American cacao nibs, European roasted barley, African coffee, Asian black peppercorns and Australian black licorice, 5.5% ABV, 25 IBU.

The Grilled Cheese Truck will be on site Saturday from noon – 5 p.m. serving up gooey cheese filled deliciousness and the Hungry Monk’s new food truck, the Traveling Monk will be on site from 5-10 p.m. serving pub favorites.


Stop by anytime, you can't go wrong!!!
Hope to see you there!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends!

The Beer Czar

THE AMERICAN DREAM IN A PINT GLASS - PART 1 OF 2

Exciting! Part 1 of the documentary "American Dream in a Pint Glass (part 1 of 2) was released just moments ago. The film follows my friends at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. as they push through the struggles of trying to open a brew pub. Check out part 1!

Can't wait for them to open! Stay tuned for more info on their grand opening. Until then, enjoy the documentary!

Until next time

Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

The Wolfpack Cometh......

The Group...

Aug 1st is almost here. What does that mean? Its National IPA Day, but more importantly, its the
date of the release of a truly remarkable collaboration brew from almost all the valley beer bars!
A while back, a group of valley beer bars met to discuss the brewing of a special beer. It was decided they would brew a double IPA, with Agave nectar. Since its an IPA, they decided to release it on National IPA. The beer will be fairly light in color, and somewhat high in IBU's (about 75 to 80). To reflect the collaborative effort, and as a nod to support Sleepy Dog Brewing has given to the project (they were the ones that brewed it) they decided to call it "Wolfpack Double IPA".
A few weeks after their initial meeting, the group met at Sleepy Dog's brewing facility in Tempe to take part in the creation of the beer.
This is a REAL collaboration. Members of the group took part in all aspects of this beer, from coming up with the recipe, to brewing it, and come next week, the tapping of it!
7pm sharp, Aug 1st get yourself to one of the following beer bars for a glass or two of this beer;

Flanny's

Adding the Agave

Hungry Monk
Spokes on Southern
World of Beer, Tempe
Ground Control
Cabarello
Boulders on Broadway
Lucky Break
Fox Cigar Bar
Sleepy Dog (both Gilbert and Tampe locations)
Watering Hole, Whole Foods Chandler

So, you have plenty of options, and no excuses to not have this beer! Head out to one of these bars, and toast the Wolfpack, and celebrate our growing, wonderful craft beer community here in Arizona!

I hope to see you there!!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends!

The Beer Czar

"HEROS 19".....A Tribute

Just over a week ago, Arizona, and this country, suffered a great loss. The small town of Yarnell was suddenly trust into the nations spot light, when we got news of the loss of 19 fire fighters that were fighting to protect the town from a wildfire. The 19 men, were part of the Granite Mountain Hotshots crew, out of Prescott, Arizona. This is a loss felt all over the country, especially here in Arizona, and most greatly in the towns around Prescott, where these men were such a large part of community.
Now, as they so often does, the Arizona beer community is pulling together to do what it can to help the families of those brave men. The Arizona Craft Brewers Guild is organizing the brewing of a commemorative beer, to be named "HEROS 19". All ingredients, including 19 verities of hops,  have been donating by members of the Guild. The beer will be an American Brown Ale. It will be a one time only, 60 bbl batch, containing 19 verities of hops. The beer will be brewed at Prescott Brewing Company's facility in Prescott.

The beer should be available in a few weeks at all Guild member facilities. For a complete list of members, you can find it here. I will post more specific info as I get it, so check back.
They hope to raise at least $70k in this effort, so lets do what we can to make sure that hit that mark, and then some.

For more info, you can read an interview John from Prescott Brewing Company did with KTAR here. 

Again, I will be posting more information as I get it. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions at all, and I will make sure I get some answers for you.

If you want to volunteer, give more, or other ways to help, you can go to Yarnell fallen fire fighters.

Cheers
The Beer Czar

#HEROS19

Roadzoda......they need to make more....

James and Andrew, outside of Mudshark

Just wanted to drop a quick note, and give a hat time to James Swann, Andrew Bauman and the fine folks at Mudshark Brewing.
Tonight, they tapped the much anticipated RoadZoda, Mudshark, James and Andrew's tangerine, horchata Wit. Yes, I said horchata, in a beer (for you folks that are not aware, horchata is a drink brought to us by our neighbors to the south. It's flavor can vary greatly, but normally consists of ground almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley, or tigernut).

James, and Mitch, from Mudshark

The beer they made, used mainly cinnamon and vanilla to get a horchata flavor, as well as unmalted barley, to give it a sort of creamy mouthfeel. Ad to that a generous helping of citrus (in this case, tangerine) and, well, you have yourself one hell of a refreshing, albeit very interesting summer beer! Almost like a hoppy orange creamsicle! It poured a VERY cloudy golden color, with decent head. It smelled just so fresh, and citrusy, with a bit of spice to it. It was creamy, sweet (but not overly so) and fruity.

Seriously, this picture NEEDS a beer, a RoadZoda!!!

To me, this was a great, refreshing, very flavorful beer, that is perfect beer for Arizona, when the mercury
outside is hitting the 100 and teens. I would love a can of this while sitting in a tub, floating down the Salt River, sitting in the middle of the Superstition Mountains, taking a well earn break from a long hike, or just people watching on a hot summer day on Mill Ave, this beer fits Arizona like a glove.

Unfortanatly, they tapped the keg at 4 pm, and the most recent update I saw on Facebook, it was killed by 8 pm, so sadly, if you didn't get to try it this go round, you missed it. I think this beer is good enough, I think we need to bug Mudshark to make more!

Again, I want to give a shout out to James, Andrew and the folks at Mudshark, for making yet one more beer that we beer folks can be proud of, thank you!

Cheers to Arizona beer!!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends!

The Beer Czar

Drink local, its SO worth it!

OK, I know lately I've been on my proverbial soap box shouting the merits of drinking local beer. A response I get, from time to time (admittedly, and thankfully less and less these days), is that Arizona beer just isn't up to par with the likes of California, Oregon, or Michigan beers. OK, fair enough, we might not be "the best" beer state in the country (yet), does that mean we can't, or shouldn't love our local beers? My beloved Red Sox don't win the World Series every year, nor do my Patriots win the Super Bowl year after year (at least not anymore.....) yet, I still love them, even if they aren't "the best" team that particular year. Same goes with beer. We might not be the best, doesn't mean we don't have some great local beers at our disposal.

James, Greg, and Pat

There was no finer example of this recently  then at the weekly Whole Foods "Friday Night Beer Class" this passed week. James Swann had put together a line up of 4 "local" breweries. Not local as in the valley, but rather from "3 corners" of the state as they put it. Two brewery's from spring break capital of Arizona, Lake Havasu City, College Street Brewhouse, and Mudshark Brewery. Flagstaff's Mother Road Brewing Company, and Tucson's own Dragoon Brewing Company. Each Brewery bringing with them between 1 to 3 beers with them for us to sample.

 First up, Keith from College Street  had 3 beers for us to try. First, Big Blue Van, an unfiltered Wheat Beer, with Vanilla and Blueberry. A refreshing, sweet and smooth beer, that should be a favorite of fans of good fruit beers. Next, he had their Spring Fling IPA. This was probably the closest thing I've had to a "session IPA" from Arizona, It was a crisp, refreshing IPA that has a light 5.5% abv. This would be a great IPA to have with dinner! Next was a very special beer, normally only available at the brew pub in Havasu. Keith brought a growler of Lamba Lamba Lambic! A wonderful, flavorful sour beer! I've said Arizona needs a good sour beer! Well, we have one!

The Czar, and Brandon from Mudshark

Next up, Brandon from Mudshark had just one beer for us. If you are only offering up one beer, better make it a good one! Well, he did! He had a barrel aged version of their Desert Magic. Their popular IPA, that has spent the last 6 months sleeping in a barrel. Awesome beer! A very smooth, balanced IPA, with a wonderful aroma! Very nice beer!

Pat pouring some samples

OK, I will admit, the one brewery I was most excited about trying was up next. I've been hearing a ton about Tucson's Dragoon Brewing Company. Hearing it called "Arizona's best new brewery" by more then a few folks who's opinion I trust. Pat was there from Dragoon, and brought with him a few great brews. First up, was their "Daisy", Dragoons take on a Berliner-weiss. This sort of hay-strew colored, tart, refreshing beer was very enjoyable, and one I could see myself enjoying about 3 or 4 more of! A low 4% abv, this is a beer that could be taken in large amounts! OK, I guess Arizona has at least 2 great sour beers!
Next up, Sarcosuchus, their double IPA. OK, for those of you that don't love cheesy Sci-Fi original movies like I do, this beer gets its name from the "supercroc" that prowled the swamps of the early Cretaceous Period, some 112 million years ago (give or take). Like the croc, this beer is an ass kicker! 6 different hops give this beer a huge flavor, and the 10.5% abv, well, that gives it the kick! They also brew this with local honey, I guess to try and soften up this powerful, reptilian beer. Very solid beer, I will seek this out again!

Love their logo!

Last, but certainly not least, Greg was there to offer up a few beers from Flagstaff's Mother Road Brewery. Greg brought 3 beers with him.and up first, was Euro-trash, their Belgian Pale brew. Very nice beer, with oddly, a hint of cinnamon?? Was that what I tasted?? Next up was a Rosemary infused brown ale (I didn't get the name of this one, I apologize). An interesting beer, that upon the very first sip, I though this would be a GREAT beer to marinade a steak it. Sort of a liquid post roast almost.
Last beer of the evening, was their 66 Chutes, a collaboration between Deschutes, and Mother Road. A bourbon barrel aged stout. Very nice, very drinkable stout, with nice hints of smokey wood.




All an all, a great showcase of some of just a few of the great beers Arizona now has to offer! I strongly

James, Keith and Brandon

recommend you seek out a few of these brews, or brewery's. Stop in, order a sampler of their stuff, and see what they have. I have no doubt, you will have some great beers, maybe even a new favorite. And don't forget, tell them The Beer Czar sent you!

And next time someone says to you "Arizona doesn't have any "great" beers" just reply to them;
"Really? Have you tried them all?" my guess is, no, not even close.

For more information on the breweries mentioned in this post check out below the post.

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

College Street Brewhouse and Pub's website

Pat, from Dragoon

1940 College Dr,
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403

Phone: (928) 854-2739

Mudshark Brewing's website
210 Swanson Ave,
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403

Phone: (928) 453-2981

Dragoon Brewing Company's website
1859 W Grant Rd #111,
Tucson, AZ 85745

Phone:(520) 329-3606

Mother Road Brewing Company's website

7 Mikes Pike,
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Phone:(928) 774-9139

Arizona Wilderness Brewing....coming VERY soon!

*** YET ONE MORE UPDATE***
Grand Opening, SEPTEMBER 2nd!!!!!!!


***ANOTHER UPDATE***
According to their Facebook page (like it here...). They have set a date for an opening!!! They have yet to announce it, but believe, as soon as I know something, I will pass it along!


***UPDATE***

For those of you looking for recent news on the opening of Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. They look to be shooting for a late July opening. Looks like one more major hurdle to jump (gas line inspection) and they will be able to start brewing.
For more info, Mouth by Southwest just did an update on them, you can check that out here....

No, below you can read about my visit to AWB last month, thank you.

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

OK, I may be beating a dead horse here I know, I keep talking about how the Arizona beer community seems to be growing and improving all the time. It seems a new brewery, or beer bar opens almost every month or so. Well, soon, we will have one more opening, right here in my lovely little town of Gilbert!!

Again, there have been a lot of brewery's opened in the last year here in the valley, but I have to say, I don't recall so much excitement and anticipation over a brewery in that time. I wasn't sure what it was at first, why was this little upstart brewery generating so much chatter and excitement, while others seem to just pop up with little fan fare surrounding them. Well, after meeting Jon (their Yeast Therapist) and Brett (aka Papa Brett) (and a little later, Patrick, aka "The Beardmaster") it is very easy to see why everyone seems to be so excited for them to open, and this is without ever having had a drop of their beer (yet)! These guys are excited, and passionate about their craft, and I bet

Barrels!!!

Barrels, in the dining area

they will get you excited about it as well. They are already planning on doing a lot of things we don't see a lot of here, if at all, in Arizona. Jon was throwing around words like sours, barrel aged, Belgians, and a few others that got my attention. You get the impression that this isn't just a few guys that just decided to start a brewery one day, because its not. These guys have done their homework, and seem to be going about it in all the right ways (not that they haven't had a few road blocks along the way, anyone that follows their blog will know otherwise).

Growlers!

Hoping for a mid to late June start, it will be a "very soft opening" as Jon put it. Starting off with just beer, and maybe some limited kitchen offerings, working up to a full menu, and maybe even some additional bar offerings down the road a bit, as well as a pretty decent size patio area, which, seeing as they are opening in June, are not in a real hurry to get it ready just yet (if you've ever tried to sit out on a patio, in Arizona, in July, you would understand why).




The decor is, from what I could see, sort of a rustic, industrial. Dark hard woods, with rusted corrugated

The front door is just out of frame, to the right.

roofing make up the bar (complete with purse hooks ladies!). I really love the fact that the fermenting tanks are opened to the dining area, not in a fish bowl like just about every other place. Set just to the right of the main doors, just a little pony wall separates the tanks from you as you walk in, something I've never seen before, but really like! Also, there is a "window" (about to be) cut in behind the bar to reveal the serving tanks. Another touch I really like, they plan on keeping the aging barrels in one corner of the dining area, along with some bags of grains as well, thus adding to the sort of rustic, industrial, yet very comfortable feel to the place.

The Brew House, in the back, behind the kitchen

The dining room is washed in natural lighting as well. As three of the four walls in the dining area are pretty much all glass. Jon even made mention of wishing he hadn't spend so much on lighting after seeing the natural light of the dining room. Natural green and a sort of rusty orange color paint covers the walls, as will some Arizona photography come opening time, and a few artistic accents are found as well.

Serving tanks, behind the bar

I have been looking forward to their opening for some
time now, but like I said, since meeting them, I am really excited for it! Not just excited for them to open, I am excited for them, period. These guys are friendly, welcoming, very casual and relaxed, yet passionate about what they are undertaking, and I can't wait for them to be able to share that passion with all of us. If you get a chance, stop by, and take a look inside. I will let you all know when they annouce an opening date, so we can all head down there, and share a few pints!

Thanks again to Jon Buford, Brett Dettler, and Patrick Ware, for their time and hospitality, I look forward to having a pint with you guys very soon! Best of luck to you, cheers!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar


Arizona Wilderness Brewing is located on
721 N Arizona Ave, Gilbert, AZ
that is on the south East Corner of Arizona and Guadalupe Rd, behind the Bruegger's Beagles.

Visit them on Facebook here...
Check out their blog here...

Phoenix breaks the top 10 for Beer City USA!

OK, I've said it many times before, the beer scene here in Arizona is growing. We are still a young community (relatively), but like any youngster, we are growing, and growing rapidly.  When I first moved to the valley of the sun some 20 years ago, our choice in local beer was, well, limited, almost none existent. Now, just withing a dozen miles of my house, there are half a dozen brew pubs (one more opening very soon!), and dozens more options of Arizona beer at our local bottle shops.



While I still don't think we are "the best" beer city (yet), we are taking the proper steps! We may have a bit of growing to do before we can compete with say San Diego, or Portland OR, but we are a whole hell of a lot closer now then we were even just 5 years ago.

The taps at Hop Cat, Grand Rapids, MI

Proof? It may not be rock solid prof, but there is some proof none the less. Every year, The Examiner does a poll for the title of "Beer City USA" (most recently dominated by Grand Rapids MI, and Ashville NC). And the Phoenix Metro area came in 9th this year! (we actually beat Denver, quite possibly the "original" Beer City USA).

Check out the complete list here.....

OK, I know these polls don't "prove" what beer cities are good, better or best. Trust me, I've been to Grand Rapids, and I've been to San Diego, I would put SD as a much better beer city then Grand Rapids as a whole any day. What this does prove is this, that pride in our beer community is growing. Years ago, it was not uncommon to hear local beer folks bemoaning the (lack of) merits of our local beer, and longing for the "quality" beers from San Diego, or the NW, or Michigan. Now, the good news, there is a growing number of folks standing on their soap boxes, and preaching and praising the merits and quality of our local beer scene, and it seems to be working!

While you will still find those more excited about a Stone IPA then a San Tan Hop Shock, the number of us choosing local beers is growing. As with every young movement, it takes time, and patience, and there will be frustrations  and feelings hurt, but that is all part of growing. I for one, and happy to play my part (whatever part I can)  in spreading the good word and encourage everyone to take pride in our local beer, embrace it, share it, and be proud of it (I recently sent a 6 pack of Mr Pineapple to a friend in Vermont! Probably not a lot of Mr Pineapple at Vermont beaches (come to think of it, not a lot of Vermont beaches for that matter)). No, its not bad to enjoy a beer from out of state, or country. I still do, and will continue to, and I love it, and not feel guilty about it. I just think I need to spend less time tracking down the crazy hop bombs, or rare gems we all crave and drool over, and more time enjoying the great beers that are brewed just miles from my home, by people that live in my neighborhood. This is what we should be looking for.



Recently, the Arizona Beer Sommelier wrote a piece related to the voting of this very poll, talking about local pride in our beer, and beer community, and I couldn't agree with him more. These polls are not scientific, or do they have any real baring on the actual beer community aside from bragging rights, but after all, if you are truly proud of your community, don't you want the right to brag about it? So lets take pride in our local beer, and celebrate it, and next year, lets break into the top 5!

Let me just add this as well, if you are reading this from Grand Rapids, MI, or Portland Maine, or where
ever, the same holds true for you, you don't have to hold the rank of #1 beer city in the country. Be proud of what you have, and drink what you have. You can't complain of about not having any good local beer, if you don't drink local beer.

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends!

The Beer Czar