WOOHOO!! AZ (and more) Beer List!

[Kiltlifter]

I spent three weeks down in Tucson on a work assignment recently (going back for another three weeks at the end of the month). I sampled as many AZ beer as I could find. If you have a suggestion for places to frequent in Tucson, shout them out please.

Here's a running list and quickie impressions of the beers I tried.

Mogollon Apache Trout Stout (Flagstaff) - YUM! Great tasting stout. Right up there with my favorite Bell's Expedition Stout out of Kalamazoo, MI.
Mogollon Wapati Amber (Flagstaff) - Nice addition of hop bite to the amber. Good brew.
Shiner Bock (Texas) - OK ... it ain't from AZ but I've been meaning to try this for some time. Not bad. A little "thin" but a pretty good brew. Sure beats drinking Lone Star.
Four Peaks 8th St. Ale (Tempe) - Really good English style Pale Ale. Must try their Kiltlifter!
Oak Creek Nut Brown Ale (Sedona) - nice warm tasting brown ale. Very good.
Nimbus No Evil Strong Ale (Tucson) - also known as "No Monkeyshines". BeUtiful! Awesome beer, stong malty taste and pretty hefty on the alcohol too. Going to have to get a growler of this on my return. :p
Nimbus Pale Ale (Tucson) - Nice and hoppy!
Nimbus Oatmeal Stout (Tucson) - OK but no at "creamy" as I would have thought.
Sonora Desert Amber (Phoenix) - good hop flavor to the amber. I prefer the Mogollon Wapati.
Bear Republic Hop Rocket Ale (California) - WOW!! YAHOOTY! 18% Rye added to the grain bill according to the label. Hope they still have some of this in the grocery store when I return.
Bear Republic IPA (California) - an OK IPA but nothing special. I was a little disappointed after the Hop Rocket.

Lots more to sample too! Any suggestions on brews I missed? If the brewery has good mountain biking nearby let me know, PLEASE!

[sierraman]

Kiltlifter,

Surprised you haven't tried your namesake yet! In my opinion it's the finest beer brewed in this state.

Sierraman,
Scottsdale AZ

[Kiltlifter]

I really should take a bottle of Pike Kiltlifter down with me this time to do a comparison test between the Pike and the Four Peaks. :p

[Shaun Goeckner]

What is it you do on the road that taks you to AZ? I live in FL and have been working in Vegas for the last 6 months (i'm in Telecom).....also trying many of the local clubs wares, but generally for my own education and finding what suites my taste. 6 weeks in Scotland earlier in the year sold me on Scotish Ales( got a family recipe from some folks there for a wee heavy that will stand you on your head....uses both a mild hop and Heather addition) That stuff will lift your Kilt for you, no extra charge!!

Trying a Cream Ale recipe now, going to bottle when I get back on the 1st of Nov, a month in the bucket can't do any harm!

[shaken]

Did you get to try Gentle Bens on University Boulevard?
they had some good beers there.....As for the biking, try Sabino Canyon, awesome viewing, not too hilly, just good viewing. I suppose if you get off the beaten path it would be good.
Head to Mt. Lemmon for the more serious stuff....I've never biked it, I always see lots and lots of bikers heading up there...Large hills....

[hops99]

My brother lives in Tucson, so I usually make it out there once a year. IMO, the best beer in town is hands-down Nimbus. The Pale is terrific, and the Brown is one of their signature beers (very rich, delicious). I'd try and stop by the brewery if you get a chance. It's very laid-back, although my bro just told me that they've been remodeling it these last few weeks - nicer tables, a little more upscale feel than it was in the past. Of course, everything's relative, because the tasting room used to be a hole in the wall, which was part of the charm.

Also, I've found that the Old Chicago in Tucson is a step above some others in the chain that I've frequented. They feature a great selection of fresh taps from around the area. Good stuff.

As for Mount Lemmon...beware. A massive forest fire destroyed many many acres of forest, and wiped out most of the town of Summerhaven, so I'm not sure how accessible/enjoyable the hiking and biking trails would be right now. Sabino Canyon, as mentioned, would probably be your best bet.

[Kiltlifter]

Surprised you haven't tried your namesake yet! In my opinion it's the finest beer brewed in this state. Tried a six pack of the 4 Peaks Kiltlifter and am a little underwhelmed by the bottled version at least. Going on just this one sample, I would rate the Seattle Kiltlifter (Pike Brewery) over the Tempe Kiltlifter. I recently tried a bottle of Belhaven Wee Heavy scottish ale and that I would rate even higher than the Pike.

For some reason I wasn't getting much of a flavor profile as I was hoping for on the 4 Peaks. I wish I was closer to Tempe so I could get some draft to try out.

[beerguy101]

The best place to buy beer in Tucson is Plazza Liquor son Campbell near Glenn. Ther have about 400 different beer in stock

[laneto]

You should check out Rio Salado Brewery's Tap Room in Tempe. They always have an assortment of brew's and you can bike at South Mountain which is nearby. Also check out Papago Brewery in Scottsdale. They have a few of there own brews and approx 30 others on tap. They also have a great bottle selection in their coolers. You can bike at Papago park which is very close.

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by laneto
You should check out Rio Salado Brewery's Tap Room in Tempe. They always have an assortment of brew's and you can bike at South Mountain which is nearby. Also check out Papago Brewery in Scottsdale. They have a few of there own brews and approx 30 others on tap. They also have a great bottle selection in their coolers. You can bike at Papago park which is very close.


Good info to know, as I'll be down in Scottsdale March 10th thru the 14th. I've been to Four Peaks a number of times. They have some mighty fine beers. Can't wait to get back down there.

[wild]

Unfortunately Bandersnatch has closed its doors. Joe Bob hasn't found a new location as of yet. But the Sonora Brewhouse has a just tapped a Wee-Wobbley that many find tastey. Most go for their Inebriator Stout or the Burning Bird Pale Ale.