Westmalle Dubbel Is As Close to Perfect As Beer Can Be

The Beer: Westmalle Dubbel The Brewery: Trappist Abbey of Westmalle The Stats: 7.0% ABV; Bottle Conditioned The History: In the year 1098, due to disagreements with the religious status quo, a new abbey was founded in France known as Citeaux (the Latin term was Cistercium). The monks of the abbey became known…

Il Vinaio in Mesa: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Il Vinaio  270 West Main Street, Mesa www.ilvinaio.net The Hours: Il Vinaio’s happy hour is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day  Perfect for: A long, leisurely happy hour over wine or a quick cheap bite before an event at the Mesa Arts Center The Interior: Inside,…

What It’s Like To Be The Prettiest Cocktail in The Room

There’s a new cocktail at the Clever Koi that’s so pretty, so ornamental, and so aromatic, you’d have to second-guess the statement that we live in “sour times,” even if the drink takes its name from the 1994 Portishead song of the same title.  The Sour Times cocktail is a vibrant…

Sip Coffee & Beer Garage in Arcadia: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Sip Coffee & Beer Garage 3620 East Indian School Road, Phoenix www.sipcoffeeandbeerhouse.com The Hours: Happy hour at Sip is Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Perfect for: A beer and a snack when you need to get some work done.  The Interior: Sip has a…

Stone Brewing Comany’s Pataskala Red X IPA Is A Standard Setter

The Beer: Pataskala Red X IPA The Brewery: Stone Brewing Company, San Diego, Calif. The Stats: 7.3% ABV | 75 IBU What’s a Pataskala, you ask? Well, it’s a small town in central Ohio, almost 30 miles east of Columbus, that happens to be the hometown of Stone Brewing Company co-founder…

Brewery Review: North Mountain Brewing Company in Phoenix

Nothing works up more of a thirst than a good hike, and we may have found the perfect place to rejuvenate after an climb at northwest Phoenix’s North Mountain.  At North Mountain Brewery, located at 522 East Dunlap Avenue, you’ll find a cool, inviting space with a high ceiling-ed main…

Smokehaus in Old Town Scottsdale: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Smokehaus 3636 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale smokehausaz.com The Hours: Happy hour runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Perfect for: A big space with big portions fit for a hungry crowd — or aspiring Food Network…

Brewery Review: Mother Bunch Brewery in Downtown Phoenix

Since opening in fall 2014, Mother Bunch Brewery has become a downtown destination for hand crafted beers and elevated bar fare. Thanks to its location at 825 North 7th Street, just south of the I-10, it’s a convenient pit stop on the way home from work, on the way to…

Welcome Back to Childhood: The Brickyard’s Boozy ‘Root Beer Flip’

Keeping with the theme of bartenders turning childhood drinks into adult beverages, The Brickyard in Chandler has not a root-beer float on its menu but, rather, a Root Beer Flip. “I really love root-beer floats,” says Bar Manager Bobby Kramer, formerly of Scottsdale’s Virtú and Downtown Phoenix’s Blue Hound Kitchen and Cocktails…

Bliss/reBAR in Downtown Phoenix: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Bliss/reBAR  905 N 4th St, Phoenix The Hours: Happy hour at Bliss runs Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with reverse happy hour Sunday through Thursday from 10 p.m. to close, according to the restaurant’s website. Perfect for: Simple well drinks or beers on a…

Salut Kitchen Bar in Tempe: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Salut Kitchen Bar 1435 East University Drive, Tempe www.salutkitchenbar.com The Hours: Happy hour runs seven days a week from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Perfect for: Trendy cocktails and discount bottles of wine on a breezy, dog-friendly patio.  The Interior: Salut has a massive covered patio and a…

Brewery Review: Saddle Mountain Brewing Company in Goodyear

The next time you find yourself in Goodyear and in the mood for a cold craft beer, head to Saddle Mountain Brewing Company, located at 15651 West Roosevelt Street. The brewery serves a line of its own hand-crafted ales, known as Taildragger Beers, a term that refers to airplanes first…