Tenaya Creek Brewery Hop Ride

​Beer: Hop RideBrewery: Tenaya Creek BreweryStyle: IPAABV: 7.2 percent “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” is clever marketing, but it’s far from true. Arizona benefits from several Sin City exports — a liberal approach to strippers and gambling is one; yours truly is another (I grew up in the…

Should There Be Last Call on Calling “Last Call”?

I find it kind of ironic that I decided to call this column “Last Call”. I do like the sound of it for a column title; last call is the literal last word of authority for bartenders across the country. It’s a definite sign that the night’s revelry is drawing…

Cheuvront: Happy Hour Report Card

​The Spot: Cheuvront Restaurant & Wine Bar, 1326 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, (602) 307-0022. cheuvronts.com The Hours: 4 to 6 p.m. every day; Reverse Happy Hour is 9 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. to Midnight Friday and Saturday The Details: A wide selection of martinis -…

Sleepy Dog Red Rover

​Beer: Red Rover Brewery: Sleepy Dog Saloon and Brewery (1920 E. University Drive, 480-967-5476) Style: Irish Red Ale ABV: 6.5 percent Red Rover, Red Rover, send Sleepy Dog right over. Thanks to Four Peaks, most beer drinkers in Phoenix are familiar with the Scottish ale style. Kilt Lifter is everywhere…

Sipping Rums: Beyond Bacardi

After working at Trader Vic’s for its entire five-year run at the beautiful Hotel Valley Ho, I developed quite an appreciation for rum. Most people’s familiarity with rum is limited to a mere two brands: Bacardi and Captain Morgan. Sometimes people are also familiar with Sailor Jerry. It’s a crying…

Odell Footprint RegionAle

​Beer: Footprint RegionAleBrewery: Odell Brewing Co.Style: American Strong AleABV: 9.5 percentPeople like to say it’s not about where you’re from, but rather where you’re going. Weird thing about beer is, where you’re going in a way becomes where you’re from. Choices of where to distribute are not made lightly –…

Coronado Cafe: Happy Hour Report Card

​The Spot: Coronado Cafe, 2201 N. 7th St., Phoenix, (602) 258-5149. coronadocafe.com The Hours: 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday The Details: Beers, Mimosas, and Bloody Marys are all down to $3, while the Cocktail of the Day is a steal at $4. House wines are down to $5…

Uwe Boer of SunUp Brewing Co., the Jolliest Man in Brewing

Who hasn’t wanted to chat up the guys who make their favorite brews? The Chow Bella team, lucky dogs that we are, recently got the opportunity to do just that. Thing is, we only got a few minutes with each one. These guys are busy! Watch the short video below…

Brewing Down South with Barrio Brewing Co.

Who hasn’t wanted to chat up the guys who make their favorite brews? The Chow Bella team, lucky dogs that we are, recently got the opportunity to do just that. Thing is, we only got a few minutes with each one. These guys are busy! Watch the short video below…

Grenadine: It’s Better Than You Think

A short while ago, a letter scripted in brilliant ruby-red ink landed on my desk. It read: Dear Bartender, A friend just presented me with a bottle of homemade grenadine for my birthday. What do you recommend I do with it? -Joe J. of the Eastern Hinterlands I’m sure that…

Chow Bella Rides With Mother Road Brewing Co.

Who hasn’t wanted to chat up the guys who make their favorite brews? The Chow Bella team, lucky dogs that we are, recently got the opportunity to do just that. Thing is, we only got a few minutes with each one. These guys are busy! Watch the short video below…

Chow Bella Hates on Fruit Beers With Lumberyard Brewing Co.

Who hasn’t wanted to chat up the guys who make their favorite brews? The Chow Bella team, lucky dogs that we are, recently got the opportunity to do just that. Thing is, we only got a few minutes with each one. These guys are busy! Watch the short video below…

Skeptical Chymist: Happy Hour Report Card

​The Spot: Skeptical Chymist Irish Pub & Restaurant, 15688 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, (480) 609-8677. skepticalchymist.com The Hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Every Day The Details: Wine and beer are $2 off, bringing Irish favorites like Guinness down to $4 and local favorites like Four Peaks Kiltlifter down to $3.25…

Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro

​Beer: Milk Stout NitroBrewery: Left Hand Brewing Co. Style: Milk StoutABV: 6 percent Greetings, fellow scientists! Beer may seem simple on the surface, but there’s a fair amount of chemistry, physics and other magical disciplines involved in both the creation and serving of our favorite drink. The devoted scientists at…

Chow Bella Chills Out in the Fridge at Papago Brewing Company

Who hasn’t wanted to spend a few minutes chatting up the guys who make their favorite brews? The Chow Bella team, lucky dogs that we are, recently got the opportunity to do just that. The catch? We only got about three minutes with each one. These guys are busy! Watch…

Gin: How to Drink It, and Like It

In my years of bartending, one of the things I’ve heard the most is this: “I don’t like gin.” When I press for details, the story is always the same: They had a bad experience with it years ago (inevitably in college) and haven’t been able to touch the stuff…

Mimi’s Cafe: Happy Hour Report Card

​The Spot: Mimi’s Cafe, 4901 E. Ray Road, Phoenix, AZ 85044, (480) 705-4811. Other valley locations include Scottsdale, Glendale, and Mesa. mimiscafe.com The Hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 4 to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday The Details: Domestic drafts and bottles are down to $3, with well…

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

​Beer: BigfootBrewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Style: American BarleywineABV: 9.6 percent They called me crazy. You’re wasting your time, they said. You’ll never find it, they said. But I always believed, and my desperate search finally paid off. I found Bigfoot. Though, to be honest, it wasn’t really all that…

Hillside Spot: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Hillside Spot Café & Market, 4740 E. Warner Road, Phoenix, (480) 705-7768. hillsidespot.com  The Hours: 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday The Details: Both draft beers – including Arizona favorites like the Oak Creek Heifeweizen and Four Peaks Hop Knot – and bottles are down to $3…