Since I sling drinks for a living, I get to hear quite a bit about people planning soirées at their houses. These descriptions of upcoming cocktail parties always come with an implication that they are looking for feedback on how to better throw their party. So, since many of you…
The Spot: Cafe Bink, 36889 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Carefree. (480) 488-9796. www.cafebink.com The Hours: 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday The Details: They’ve made it easy: All well drinks, beer (draft and bottle), and wine is 50% off. That brings a glass of the San Tan Sex Panther…
Beer: DeliveranceBrewery: The Lost AbbeyStyle: American Strong AleABV: 12.5 percent We’re all seeking deliverance from something. Maybe evil, if you’re the religious type. Taxes. In-laws. Me, I seek deliverance from bad beer, from the desolate landscape populated by bland, cheaply-made lagers and ales crafted by a lazy hand. This week,…
It’s that time of year when my thoughts turn away from warm, comforting Irish Coffees and Hot Buttered Rums. Balmy days like these call for a light, refreshing tipple. Few drinks can match the refreshing power of a personal favorite, the Mojito. Problem is, it’s next to impossible to find…
The Spot: Cafe ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251. (480) 421-7997. The Hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday The Details: Labeled “Cool Redux” and printed on pretty cyan paper, the Cafe ZuZu happy hour features five appetizers for $5 (including Spinach Artichoke…
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…
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…
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 -…
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…
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…
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 –…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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. Thing is, we only got a few minutes with each one. These guys are busy! Watch…
