Traveling to Pheonix, what are the good beers?

[thekulman]

Hi all;

I'm going to be in Pheonix next Monday and Tuesday and want to bring back a good sample of local beers.

I can bring 24 beer back to Canada. Can anyone local to Pheonix let me know maybe 6 different quality beers available for sale in the city and where I could purchase them?

Kul

[sundontlie]

I lived in Tempe and went to ASU. That was from 1995 to about 2001-ish.. They had a few good brewpubs there back then. I'm not really familiar with Phoenix, but Tempe is right next door.
(trying to remember) (squinting..)

4 Peaks - was the best
Gordon Biersch - great
Uptown Brewery - good (now called "Streets of NY")
The Roadhouse - good
Bandersnatch - I think this one closed but it was very good

here's a list of AZ breweries..
looks like a lot of new ones have sprouted up.
now i'm wondering why i left?????

http://brewpubzone.com/States/Arizona.html

[sundontlie]

head north to Sedona.
great little town, amazining scenic beauty and a couple more breweries to boot. great hiking, fishing, camping, etc..
Oak Creek Brewing was awesome!

[wild]

I live in Phoenix and sundontlie is right about us having good brewpubs but unfortunately few brews are pakaged. Four Peaks has their Eighth Street Ale and Kilt Lifter. Sonoran Brewry has their Burning Bird Pale Ale and Imperial Stout. Depending on where you're visiting, stop by any AJ's Fine Foods. In Mesa, try Sun Devil Liquors at 235 North Country Club Road - Phone: (602) 834-5050. In Tempe, try Top's Liquors at 403 West University Phone: (602) 967-5643.

Wild

[thekulman]

Thanks guys, I will definately try some brewpubs down there.

I'll be near the Rock Bottom Brewery (staying and working) so will definately try that.

I'll try the local stores to see what they have bottled to bring home.

Kul

[De Hooter]

Which Rock Bottom? That will give us locals an idea as to where you are staying here in the Valley of the Sun. One brewpub not mentioned is Sonora Brewpub/The Brewers Den at 3rd street and Camelback.

The Four Peaks Kilt Lifter is very good.

[thekulman]

I'm working at the American Express Dessert Ridge Location and staying at Squaw Peaks resort or someplace names similar.

Does that narrow it down any?

[wild]

As De Hooter said, the Sonora would be a great place to stop. It was picked as "Best in Phoenix". Uwe is so proud. Also there's an AJ's Fine Foods just 2 blocks from there to pick up some packaged samples. I forgot to mention that the Oak Creek Brewery bottles a couple of their brews too. Don't forget to pick some up. It sounds like you could be somewhere between 24th Street (Squaw Peak) and Tatum (Dessert Ridge).

Wild

[De Hooter]

Wild,
If he's near a Rock Bottom, it's most likely that new one at Tatum and the 101, which puts him closer to Four Peaks or Sonoran. Admittedly four peaks is easier to find.

I'm not sure where the nearest AJ's is and while I have a soft spot for Tops Liquor in Tempe it is a little out of the way.

What about Sunflower Market just West of 3rd Street and Bell?

They have a pretty decent selection of US Craft and Microbrews.

OTOH What Ale's Ya does have those no-boil kits of Sonoran's products....

[wild]

Originally posted by De Hooter
Wild,
If he's near a Rock Bottom, it's most likely that new one at Tatum and the 101, which puts him closer to Four Peaks or Sonoran. Admittedly four peaks is easier to find.
I agree. Scott has a great place but it isn't easy to find.

Originally posted by De Hooter
I'm not sure where the nearest AJ's is and while I have a soft spot for Tops Liquor in Tempe it is a little out of the way. Dex says there's one at 7141 E Lincoln Dr. in Scottsdale.

Originally posted by De Hooter What about Sunflower Market just West of 3rd Street and Bell?

They have a pretty decent selection of US Craft and Microbrews. Never been there but then there's Magnums at 7th Street and Union Hills just in case thekulman wants a great brew and a cigar too.

Originally posted by De Hooter OTOH What Ale's Ya does have those no-boil kits of Sonoran's products....
And there's an AJ's just down the street from Chuck's.

Wild

[thekulman]

Just checked my itinerary. Staying around E Glendave Ave. and N 16th St.

What would be a close retail store near there?

Kul

p.s. - thanks for all your help guys!

[wild]

Ok that puts you right down the road from my office. My Command Center has a perfect view of Squaw Peak. From that area, your two best bets are The Sonora Brewery at 3rd Streat and Camelback Road and AJs Fine Foods at Central and Camelback Road..

Wild

[thekulman]

Long shot, but you wouldn't happen to work for Amex would you?

Kul

[wild]

Originally posted by thekulman
Long shot, but you wouldn't happen to work for Amex would you?

Kul
That's what he says in post #7.

Wild

[thekulman]

Actually that's what I said in post # 7, Lol!

[thekulman]

Well, I'm back from Phoenix, didn't have the opportunity I thought I'd have to explore the local beers - work kept us busy, but I did have a couple of really good beers.

Stayed at the Hilton Squaw Peak so Moday night just went there for dinner at the "Hole in the Wall". I asked which local beers they had and they said they had Alaskan Amber Alt beer, sounded good - but the keg was dry! So we tried to order the Dos Eqois Amber - but the server returned with the light lager version. Hmmm - any ways had several. Your basic Mexican cervasa style light lager.

Tuesday night went to Aunt Chelatas' where I asked for "local beers from Phoenix to Denver and/or Chico CA". They suggested Fat Tire, so I had some and LOVED it. An awesome beer.

Wednesday before I flew out I had a chance to enjoy the water park at the resort and had a chance to try the Alaskan Amber Alt. Again, a wonderful rich and flavorful beer - my first Alt if you can believe that. Let me know if that beer is indicitive of the style.

At the airport my flights were delayed and cancelled and cancelled. Was supposed to leave 3 PM Wednesday afternoon - got out at midnight on a fight to Chicago then off to Toronto. It was storming from Chicago to Toronto so more delays. It ended up taking me 23 hours from when I arrived at Sky Harbor until I reached Pearson in Toronto!

But - got to drink a heck of a lot more Fat Tire at the terminal bar.

So I didn't bring back any but those two I tried I thought were very good. A heck of a lot better than the MGD my boss was drinking! Lol!!!


Kul

[BrewDog]

(At least Dos Equis Amber is a step up from Corona.....)

Too bad you didn't get much variety. Alaskan Amber and Fat Tire, while both decent, are far from the best craft brews available out in the western US.

[wild]

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't get a chance to taste any of our local brews or even any regionals. Any chance for a return engagement? If so, maybe we can get some of the local members to help give you a beer tour.

Wild

[bigbeersrule]

I can't believe that no one mentioned Papago Brewing in Scottsdale. Their 30 tap selection is fantastic and their bottle cooler has more bottles than anywhere on the West Coast. Also, they have some pretty good beers of their own.

[wild]

Originally posted by bigbeersrule
I can't believe that no one mentioned Papago Brewing in Scottsdale.
Papago wasn't overlooked by any means. The attempt was to find brews close to E Glendave Ave. and N 16th St. for thekulman. Also thekulman was looking to take 2 cases home on the plane.

Wild

[thekulman]

Hi all;

I'm back in Pheonix for the week staying 17 and Dunlap. Any suggestions on brewpub's nearby or area breweries that I can tour in the evening?
Love local beers!

TheKulman

[wild]

Welcome back. If your at I-17 and Dunlap then your two closest choices are:

Four Points by Sheraton Phoenix Metrocenter Copper Creek Bar & Grill
10220 North Metro Parkway East • (602) 997-5900

Sonora Tap House & Brewer’s Den
322 E. Camelback Rd. (602) 279-8909

Enjoy,
Wild