Roosevelt Tavern: Happy Hour Report Card

​The Spot : The Roosevelt Tavern, 816 N Third St. Phoenix, 602-254-2561. http://twitter.com/RooseveltTavern The Hours: 5 to 7 pm, M-F. All night, Sundays  The Details: During happy hour, The Roosevelt offers one beer selection for $3, a select white wine for $5, a red wine for $6, and one snack for $4…

Strong Beer Festival 2011: Rain-Soaked Impressions

In case you missed it (or you’re just awakening from a beer-induced coma and need a reminder) AZ Beer Week is in full effect. If, like Benjamin Franklin, you believe beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy, get ready to worship at your choice…

Brewed For Battle: Biere de Garde

​At what point does one elevate from merely drinking beer to being a full-on beer snob? Answer: when you feel compelled to tell other people what to drink. And the inevitable result of this peculiar ailment is the beer argument. In the spirit of all great beer-related discussions, we present…

Amber Miller’s Creamsicle

​Yesterday we met Amber Miller, the beauty pouring drinks Friday and Saturday nights at Axis/Radius. Today she shares with us the recipe for the Creamsicle, a drink that tastes exactly like it sounds. “It’s my favorite go-to drink for birthday shots or if a girl asks for a fruity or…

Amber Miller at Axis/Radius

​Amber Miller doesn’t get a lot of sleep these days. Along with being a full-time student at ASU working toward a master’s in public relations, she also works at Sachi Salon & Spa, interns at ABC 15 News, and for the past eight months has been behind the bar at…

Caffe Boa: Happy Hour Report Card

​ ​The Spot: Caffe Boa, 398 S. Mill Ave. Tempe, 480-968-9112,  http://www.cafeboa.com The Hours: 4 to 7 pm, daily. Caffe Boa gets a little extra credit for hosting Happy Hour through the weekend. The Details: Available only in the bar, Happy Hour prices include half price wine by the glass priced…

Micah Olson’s Flying Blueberry Sour

​Yesterday we met Micah Olson, the sommelier and cocktail artist behind Jade Bar. Today he shares with us the recipe for the Flying Blueberry Sour. “It’s a variation on a gin sour with blueberries and tarragon,” Olson says. “It’s going to be on our menu in the spring. Blueberries and…

Brewed For Battle: Fruit Lambics

At what point does one elevate from merely drinking beer to being a full-on beer snob? Answer: when you feel compelled to tell other people what to drink. And the inevitable result of this peculiar ailment is the beer argument. In the spirit of all great beer-related discussions, we present…

Micah Olson at Jade Bar

​Micah Olson got his start in the food industry as a cook at age 16 and eventually profited from his love for wine by earning his sommelier certification, taking over the wine program at Sanctuary on Camelback’s Jade Bar (5700 E. McDonald Drive, 480-948-2100) about three-and-a-half years ago. At the same…

Brio Tuscan Grille: Happy Hour Report Card

​The Spot: Brio Tuscan Grille, San Tan Village Mall, 2150 E. Williams Field Rd. Suite 118, Gilbert, 480-917-9177,www.brioitalian.com There is another location at 15301 N Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. The Hours: Monday through Friday 3-7 pm and then again from 9 pm to close. The Details: While we were surprised that…

Justin Bolotnik’s Ticoz Sunrise

​Yesterday we met Justin Bolotnik, the man who’s tended bar in several foreign lands, once got a $1,000 tip and spent a night with George Clooney at the titty bar. Today he shares with us the recipe for the Ticoz Sunrise, a drink that isn’t on the Ticoz menu yet,…

Brewed For Battle: Double IPA

At what point does one elevate from merely drinking beer to being a full-on beer snob? Answer: when you feel compelled to tell other people what to drink. And the inevitable result of this peculiar ailment is the beer argument. In the spirit of all great beer-related discussions, we present…

Justin Bolotnik At Ticoz Resto-Bar

​Justin Bolotnik may be a new face at Ticoz Resto-Bar (5114 N. 7th St., 602-200-0160), but he’s an old hand at bartending, having logged time at T.G.I.Friday’s (where he got his start at 17), Hard Rock Café (where he opened several international spots and helped rewrite the drink menu while…

Picazzo’s Organic Kitchen: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot : Picazzo’s Organic Kitchen, 440 W. Warner Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284. 480-831-5823 www.picazzos.com Picazzo’s has four other valley locations: The Esplanade; North Scottsdale; Paradise Valley; and Goodyear. Check each location for variations in menu and prices. Other AZ locations include: Casa Grande, Tucson, Sedona, Flagstaff, and Surprise. The…

Brewed For Battle: Winter Warmers

At what point does one elevate from merely drinking beer to being a full-on beer snob? Answer: when you feel compelled to tell other people what to drink. And the inevitable result of this peculiar ailment is the beer argument. In the spirit of all great beer-related discussions, we present…

Phil Edwards’ Philster

​Yesterday we met Phil Edwards, the man behind the phantastic dive Philthy Phil’s in Phoenix. Today he shares with us the recipe for the Philster, a drink the bar sells in great numbers even though it’s not on the menu.  Like most items on Phil’s menu (like the potent Phuck Buckets),…

Phil Edwards at Philthy Phil’s

​Philthy Phil’s (2939 N. 16th St., 602-279-4339) isn’t exactly philthy, but the place is pretty phunky. The lighting is dark, almost cave-like, while the wood-panel walls emit old aromas of beer and cigarettes. A pair shoots pool in the back while the sweet sounds of Boston play over the speakers…

Brewed For Battle: Scotch Ales

At what point does one elevate from merely drinking beer to being a full-on beer snob? Answer: when you feel compelled to tell other people what to drink. And the inevitable result of this peculiar ailment is the beer argument. In the spirit of all great beer-related discussions, we present…

Richie Moe’s Citi-Zen

​Yesterday we met Richie Moe, the bartender savant who mixes the drinks at Scottsdale’s newest spot, Citizen Public House. Today he shares with us the recipe for the Citi-Zen. “It fits into our name — it’s the Citi-Zen. It’s our Zen City martini,” Moe says. “It’s a simple cocktail but…

Richie Moe at Citizen Public House

​Past the unassuming front door and the cozy lounge area, the actual eating space of Citizen Public House (7111 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale, 480-398-4208) is vast, interspersed by tables and booths between walls decorated with aged photos of the restaurant owners’ ancestors. In the center of it all, an expansive bar accented…

Casey Moore’s Oyster House: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Casey Moore’s Oyster House, 850 S Ash Ave, Tempe, 480-968-9935, http://www.caseymoores.comThe Hours: Happy Hour runs from 3-7 Monday-Friday and from 11-4 on Saturday and Sunday.The Details: Casey Moore’s features a beer special each day. The daily beer is available for $1 off the regular priced all day. During…