HikeArizona.COM

As some of you may know, HAZ member jonnybackpack has opened Gilbert's first brewery, the Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company.

The decor features a rustic outdoor theme, and the walls are lined with awesome nature photography. Beers and menu items are named after wilderness areas in Arizona.

In the hallway leading to the restrooms, the pub has begun to allow visitors to post photos of themselves visiting Wilderness Areas.

Do you want to be famous?! I will donate the 19¢ to print a 4x6 if you send me a link (if it's on HAZ or elsewhere online) or PM me your photo file and give me permission to tack it to their wall! (There are already 15-20 photos up and some feature HAZzers!)

Of course, the preferred option would be for you to bring in your own photo, put it on the wall yourself, and then enjoy a pint or two over a tasty burger.

Photos should include hikers (preferably you) in front of a sign designating a wilderness area. (Example: http://hikearizona.com/photo=303286).

If you have photos of out-of-state wilderness signs, that's ok too. I think there are 3-4 in AZ that will be very well represented. The less-frequently visited ones will be nice to see too. So while a sign without people in it is not preferred, if you have one that says Aleutian Islands Wilderness or something similar, I don't think there would be many complaints even if it is just a sign with no hikers in it.

For the record, there are 88 Wilderness Areas in Arizona. It would be neat if eventually there were photos from all of them!

@mazatzal
You must have a fan (stalker?) who wanted it for their own enjoyment because I don't see it on the wall.

@chumley Are you sure:

@mazatzal
I was looking at my photo, but it's not clear enough to recognize you. I was about to ask if that was your photo. But despite the rumors rampant on HAZ, I am not perfect and have been known to make mistakes.

In fact, there is at least one duplicate of Randy on the wall now. (Edit: Blanco is there 2x too! Makes you wonder if beer is ever involved during this :whistle: ) I'll have to fix that next time I'm there.

Strangely, I think Joe might have the most photos on the wall. Funny for a guy that's never set foot in the place!

While I'm sure AZW would prefer folks to stop by and see for themselves ... here's how it currently appears. Anyone is free to bring in their own photos to add to the collection. As always, I will gladly print and add any photo forwarded to me or posted on HAZ (when given permission to do so).

I'm rolling to Phoenix next week, and this is one place that I'm going to hit. My little brother works down the street, and he tells me the duck-fat fries are just as good and bad as they sound. Sold!

Hipster Mazzies with expired film

skatchkins wrote:Hipster Mazzies with expired film

I dunno about that one. Seems some Yelp reviews say AZW is too hipster. Wouldn't want to encourage that kind of misconception. ;)

chumley wrote:AZW is too hipster

Hipsters can take our flannel... but they'll never take our beards!!!

The people avoiding the "hipster" scene at AZW are probably hipsters themselves. That's cool!

Can't wait to go there. Just waiting to drag my anti-outdoorsy city-clicker wife out for a hike for the sake of everyone who'd have to look at the photo I post on the wall!

chumley wrote:Yelp reviews say AZW is too hipster.

I quess ... I'm a "hipster" than because I found the atmosphere to be prefect(and I have a beard)! The wait staff are as good, if not better than many HIGH END eateries I've been to and the restaurant itself (although small)is very inviting.

Now, the majority of the guests... I find to be a bit on the YUPPY side I'm not trying to hate on anyone (DO WHAT YOU DO) but women wearing 6"heals and skin tight mini skirt and men in skinny jeans and shiny silk shirts seem ... I don't know "out of place?" in a "Wilderness Brewery" ;) Hipster, Yuppy, bearded or bald I don't care who's there, I like the place and I'll be there when ever I'm on that side of the valley.

I like that people from all walks of life can come together and appreciate beer (even people who wear high heels and might have just gotten off work ;) ) and not have to worry about if they fit in with what a particular crowd "should" look like. Just like when I go to Postino (or similar) right after a hike/climb in my grubby clothes and am not made to feel less or different because of the way I dress (or smell?). I just want some good eats, some good drinks, and to have a good time. I like any place that gets that and doesn't give a rat's pumpkin how that beer-/wine-/food-loving person is clothed.

I tend to assume that anyone that calls a place "too hipster" either doesn't know what a hipster is or is an idiot. ;)

Attention seekers!

You may be on TV tomorrow!

I spy a few recognizable faces in this preview video!

@chumleyI think I saw Tibbeer in there about six times

@chumley
I saw the show. Good pr. They did mention the long wait but didn't let that deter them. cool.

I saw some familiar faces on the wall....

Going to pickup my boy Rowdy