Tailgating on Two Wheels at the San Tan Brews Cruise Rivalry Ride

Not all Phoenix fun comes with dim lighting and fancy cocktails. Sometimes, there's nothing better than endorphins, sunshine, and sweat. Lover of all things outdoors, The Outsider explores the more natural side of Phoenix. There's nothing classy about drinking cheap beer in a parking lot while scarfing down room-temperature hot dogs. Bring...

By Kelsey Havens

November 15, 2011

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Not all Phoenix fun comes with dim lighting and fancy cocktails. Sometimes, there's nothing better than endorphins, sunshine, and sweat. Lover of all things outdoors, The Outsider explores the more natural side of Phoenix.

There's nothing classy about drinking cheap beer in a parking lot while scarfing down room-temperature hot dogs. Bring out a few lawn chairs and shirtless men and we have ourselves a bona fide white trash hoedown.

We don't mean to say tailgating is actually trashy -- of course it IS an American right of passage. But isn't it time for a little makeover? Thank goodness San Tan Brewery heard our plea.

Find out the new way to tailgate after the jump.

This Saturday, San Tan Brewery is hosting The San Tan Brews Cruise Rivalry Ride: a two-wheeled alternative to the typical curbside tailgate. The occasion? The annual epic battle between ASU's Sun Devils and the U of A Wildcats. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, and tailgating is a coveted tradition.

Participants in the Brews Cruise will be honoring the tradition a bit differently. The cruise is a boisterous bike ride that makes four stops at four Tempe bars. The ride rolls out of Mellow Mushroom after participants fuel up with pizza and some friendly football smack talk.

While spreading some football love around town, riders stop and guzzle up more brew at Boulders on Broadway, The Devil's Advocate, and the Tavern on Mill. Cyclists are encouraged to wear their favorite team colors and muster up some team spirit.

The ride starts four hours before the game so riders have plenty of time to change destinations before kick-off, but why bother? The cruise ends at the Tavern on Mill with big screen TVs, $2 beer specials, and a raucous party.

T.B.A.G. (Tempe Bicycle Action Group) will provide a few experienced riders to lead the group through the streets of Tempe. Tickets are $20 and include four beers at four bars and food at Mellow Mushroom. RSVP on Facebook, buy your tickets here, and show up at Mellow Mushroom in your team colors at 3 p.m..

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