The Main Ingredient Ale House: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: The Main Ingredient Ale House, 2337 N 7th Street, Phoenix, 602-843-6246 http://www.tmialehouse.com/ The Hours: Almost every day of the week (closed Sunday) The Main Ingredient opens its doors at 11 am and offers happy hour pricing until 6 pm, and in case somebody’s got a case of the…

Brewed For Battle: Thanksgiving Picks

There are a select few times that even the most hardened warriors lay down their weapons and forgo the rigors of battle to enjoy a little time off. So is it for our “Brewed For Battle” regulars. We’ve skipped the normal beer throw down this holiday week. Instead we’re presenting…

Brewed For Battle: Doppelbock

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…

Monte Fuller’s Ginger Limonada

​Yesterday we met Monte Fuller, the scuba diver/pilot/fireman who also happens to work behind the bar at Iruna. Today he shares with us the recipe for the Ginger Limonada, a cocktail Iruna’s owner calls “too easy to drink.” We have to agree — it’s a subtly tart, smooth drink that’s…

Monte Fuller at Iruna

​Monte Fuller may just be the ultimate man. Not only is the svelte, deep-voiced bartender a former scuba instructor, licensed pilot and on his way to becoming a firefighter; he also makes a damn good drink. The former general manager of Martini Ranch, he now exhibits his skills at Iruna…

La Bocca: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: La Bocca, 699 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-967-5244 http://www.laboccapizzeria.com/ The Hours: La Bocca relaxes their pricing from open until 6:30 pm, every day of the week. The Details: Half-priced glasses of wine, draft beer and mixed drinks. Unfortunately, there are no discounts on food during happy hour, but…

Brewed For Battle: Saisons

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…

Casey Petty’s Maple Manhattan

​Yesterday we met Casey Petty, the man behind the bar at Metro Brasserie. Today he shares with us the recipe for his Maple Manhattan, a drink he crafted to capture the essence of fall. “It’s not really a manhattan,” Petty says. “I just want people to know there’s whiskey in…

Casey Petty At Metro Brasserie

​Casey Petty of Metro Brasserie (7114 E. Stetson Dr., 480-994-3663) says that 99 percent of the people who come to the French eatery in Scottsdale once end up coming back again. We’re willing to bet he has more than a little influence on those numbers. The young, outgoing guy has been…

RnR: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: RnR, 3737 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-945-3353 http://rnrscottsdale.com/ The Hours: Enjoy a little rest and relaxed prices Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 pm. The Details: RnR offers generous half-priced draft beer, wine, wells, and margaritas, with a handful of appetizers priced at 5 bucks each. (the…

Alicia Jorgensen’s Miss Katie’s Pimms Cup

​Last week  we met Alicia Jorgensen, the woman behind the bar at the new Beckett’s Table. Today she shares with us the recipe for Miss Katie’s Pimms Cup, a drink crafted by owner Scott Stevens and named for his wife, Katie. The cocktail’s made with Pimms No. 1, a gin-based drink…

Brewed For Battle: Pumpkin Ale

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…

Alicia Jorgensen at Beckett’s Table

​Veterans of the food industry will attest that while it’s one thing to begin working in an established restaurant, it’s another thing entirely to be part of the crew that opens a new one. The experience can be stressful, especially at an eatery as hyped-up as Beckett’s Table (3717 E. Indian…

Philly’s Sports Bar & Grill: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Philly’s Sports Bar & Grill, 1826 N. Scottsdale Rd., Tempe, 480-946-6666 http://phillyssportsgrill.com/ The Hours: Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 pm, with reverse happy hour deals Sunday through Thursday from 11 pm to close. Some pretty killer drink deals are available all day, every…

Brewed for Battle: Russian Imperial Stout

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…

Nate Kolasa’s Mango Deck

​Yesterday we met Nate Kolasa, who keeps the tequila flowing and the smiles showing at Scottsdale’s Loco Patron. Today he shares with us the recipe for the Mango Deck, a drink he crafted after a trip to Mexico that’s earned its place on the bar’s drink menu. “I was in…

Nate Kolasa at Loco Patron

​For fans or tacos, tequila and all things Mexico, the knowledge that Cinco de Mayo comes but once a year is depressing. Luckily all the joy of the annual fiesta can be found year-round at Loco Patron (4228 N. Scottsdale Road, 480-874-0033), the popular cantina tucked in the heart of Old…

DiVerti Bar & Grill: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: DiVerti Bar & Grill, 4 E. University Dr., Tempe, 480-284-5972 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tempe-AZ/Diverti-Bar-and-Grill/147317605296799 The Hours: Every day of the week from 3 to 7 pm and reverse happy hour from 10 pm to midnight (but the reverse happy hour deals are just Monday through Friday–sorry late night weekend boozers). The…

Brewed For Battle: Witbier

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…

Jason Jereb’s Applesauce

​Yesterday we met Jason Jereb, the man behind the bar and in front of the daiquiri machines at Mill Ave.’s Fat Tuesday. Today he shares with us the recipe for Applesauce, which is every bit as simple and tasty as it sounds and goes great with pork chops. Just don’t…

Jason Jereb at Fat Tuesday

​On Mill Ave. in Tempe, there’s a bar for every personality. Rula Bula’s the place to be for Irish music; Pool sharks can hit the Cue Club. But for those looking for the taste of New Orleans and the flair of Mardi Gras, there’s Fat Tuesday (680 S. Mill Ave., 480-967-3917)…

Dave’s Electric Brewpub: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Dave’s Electric Brewpub, 502 S. College Ave, Tempe, 480-967-5353 http://www.daveselectricbrewpub.com The Hours: Monday through Saturday from 4-7 pm, and then again from 10:30- close. Happy hour deals are good all day long Sundays. The Details: Dave’s offers a buck off all appetizers, and to wash it down, $3…