[writelots]

Starting the topic that our own Indiana Jones silhouette recommended on a photo comment.

I want to vote for some Tucson contenders... I have been thoroughly enjoying the Citrus Blonde at the Barrio Brewery. Besides, I really just love hanging on the patio and getting a discount on my beer when the train goes by...

[azpride]

Oh man, what an exciting topic! Best Arizona wine should also be included!

Wine: the Kokopelli Wines, namely the "Sweet Lucy" is delicious. We usually buy the wine at Trader Joes, and the winery is in Chandler.

Beer: Oak Creek Nut Brown Ale is solid, as well as the Four Peaks Kiltlifter. I'm also a huge fan of the beers at Beaver Street. Their Bramble Berry Brew and R and R Oatmeal Stout are delicious! I visited Prescott Brewery once and got their little brew sampler. I wasn't particularly impressed with any of them, especially the one that was supposedly their best. They also didn't serve hot wings until 11:00 PM! All we wanted was tasty beer and wings!

[te-wa]

I thought Kiltlifter was good until i tried Nimbus Brewery's "Old Monkey Shine" currently my fav AZ beer. a new kid in town is "Sleepy Dog" beer with a tasting this month at Sun Devil Liquors in Mesa.

[dysfunction]

I think that this whole topic requires a proof of concept meeting at various breweries for further and detailed analysis.

[writelots]

I think that this whole topic requires a proof of concept meeting at various breweries for further and detailed analysis.

Hear Hear!

[jeffmacewen]

I've always been a Gentle Ben's advocate. They have a decent amber...

[dysfunction]

I like Ben's... We used to rotate through their beers back when we had a kegerator ... I mean.. back when I was single

[azpride]

Just checked out the Gentle Ben's website and went through the food and the brews... Looks like it's worth a trip to Tucson!

[chumley]

Currently I'm going to settle on the 4 Peaks Pumpkin Porter. You don't even have to care for thick dark beers to enjoy this one. But its only out for a limited time every year.

There are two new breweries opening in Tempe this month, so hopefully it will bring in some delicious new choices.

Papago Brewing Co is a great place to sample. While they have a few of their own brews (Orange Blossom being their most popular, girly-favorite), they maintain about 30 taps with fresh kegs from breweries across the state and other western states. The list changes daily. Go on Tuesday, and there will be 10 new beers on tap by Friday. Awesome.

[writelots]

All of Gentle Ben's brews are actually made at the Barrio Brewing Co. The owner moved his actual brewing operation there several years ago, then opened the bar/grill a while after that. So, if you like Gentle Ben's beers, but not trying to find parking on campus - then the Barrio is the place for you! However, if you prefer the...ehem...scenery at Ben's better, I guess I can respect that

And AZPride - there are MANY reasons to visit Tucson... Great beer is only the beginning!

[jeffmacewen]

There's some Mexican food and microbrewery place in Awahtukee that I stopped by once on the way back from up north. It was decent. I can't remember the name, though...

[Preston the yeti]

My favorite would be Pizza Hut's Bus Tub Brew. It had pepperoni and pizza crusts floating in it (and the occasional tip). And it was served in an attractive grey plastic bus tub.

[hikeaz]

There's some Mexican food and microbrewery place in Awahtukee that I stopped by once on the way back from up north. It was decent. I can't remember the name, though...

I hope that Joe has the bandwidth for this thread....

I don't know about the mexican food part; but could it have been 'Rock Bottom Brewery" on Ray, just west of I-10? (I like their 'Raptor Red")

I'd have to second the Old Monkey Shine as well as the Kiltlifter - those are my two Az. favorites. I recall going to Nimbus 10+ years ago and all their beers were god-awful - they have come a looong way since then. Mike, where'd you first have O.M.S.?
Total Wine & More has a nice selection of Arizona micros, with decent pricing as well.

We could start the 'activity' portion of this thread by meeting at Sun Devil Liquors in Mesa this Friday ... They are presenting SLEEPY DOG BREWERY - A brand new AZ. brewery!
All tastings run from 6-8pm with a cost of $5.

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Arizona Beer Cage Fight

This Saturday, October 17th, Pitcher of Nectar (a distributor) will participate in an AZ Beer Battle. They are putting up Prescott Brewing Co 'Liquid Amber Ale' against some other fine AZ brews. Come down, taste and vote for you favorite. This Event will be held at Whole Foods in Chandler (Ray and the 101) from 1-4 pm. Come down and try what great beers AZ has to offer!
Location: 2955 West Ray Road - Chandler, AZ 85224

[dysfunction]

Hey, is there a good brewery in the Mesa area that we can stop by on our way back from the Canyon on Monday?

[fricknaley]

hear hear to Kiltlifter

[hikeaz]

Hey, is there a good brewery in the Mesa area that we can stop by on our way back from the Canyon on Monday?

I'd suggest Four Peaks Brewery (they are on 8th Street in Tempe, near ASU).

A place that I often stop after my Canyon trips is the Roadhouse Bar & Grill adjacent to the Harley dealer in Bellemont. (I-40, 12 miles west of Flag). They have about 20 craft beers on tap. (that way you don't need to wait as long to wet your whistle). Note: I always take the I-40 to SR64 route to/from the South Rim, so this is on the way. If you take the slower (although somewhat more scenic) SR180 route through Flag this would be geographically undesirable.
Bellemont was where part of the movie “Easy Rider” was filmed when outlaw bikers played by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper stopped in front of the Pine Breeze Motel. Trying to rent a room, a door is cracked, but when the proprietor spies their motorcycles, the glowing “NO VACANCY” sign begins to blink at the motel. The riders end up continuing down Route 66 and sleeping in the woods.
The Pine Breeze is about a half-mile east on old Rt. 66 from the Roadhouse and the authentic 'No Vacancy' sign from the movie hangs in the Roadhouse.

[dysfunction]

excellent.. writing them both down.. thanks!

[Rob del Desierto]

I'm going to second Oak Creek Nut Brown. Great beer. Plus I can get it on tap up here in Page!

[te-wa]

whereveriroam (ed) gave me an OMS at the Kendrick hike.

[Randal Schulhauser]

I still stand by my original cunundrum - having great difficulty making my final decision on the best beer in Arizona;

1A. Beaver Street Brewery R&R Oatmeal Stout http://www.beaverstreetbrewery.com/beers.html
or
1B. Four Peaks Brewery Oatmeal Stout http://www.fourpeaks.com/beers.asp

Either way, you don't go wrong. Like that "hint" of chocolate...



PS. Tried some Four Peaks Pumpkin Porter today in a side-by-side comparison with their Oatmeal Stout. Oatmeal Stout remains exhibit "1B" on my list...