We like beer and so do you, which is why we're psyched to announce the list of events currently on tap for the first-ever Arizona Beer Week.
Months ago, we announced plans to organize the inaugural festival for February 19-26. Sponsored by the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, this first-ever statewide celebration of all things beer is a crazy mash-up of festivals, beer tastings, pairing dinners at restaurants, and educational events, including seminars and lessons on how to taste and make beer. As you can tell from the fancy logo above, the events have been finalized and the website's live. Go check it out.
The week kicks off with its marquee event: the Arizona Strong Beer Festival, a celebration of highly inebriating brews. Tickets go on sale at noon Jan. 13.
Later in the week, restaurants statewide will host a Kegs & Eggs Beer Breakfast on Feb. 20. As if that wasn't enough happy, drinkers across the state will unite during the Arizona Happy Hour on Feb. 26, when everyone in the state will raise a glass and offer cheers to the largest beer toast in Arizona history!
Any group or business are invited to independently create their own events as well. Click here to submit an event. Once reviewed, organizers will post it on the official website. Hell, we may even get in on this.
Organizers say they expect more than 150 events by the time the week rolls around, and there are nearly 80 already. Read on for a list of all the events currently finalized.
Saturday, Feb. 19
Brunch & Brews
Where: Four Peaks Brewery
When: 9:30 a.m.-Noon
What: Kick off the week with some gut-luggage and a beer (or two). Join Four Peaks for brunch before the Strong Beer Festival, then take the nearby light rail to the festival.
Cost: Menu prices, includes one beer
$5 Sample Board
Where: Prescott Brewing Co. (130 W. Gurley St., Prescott)
When: Noon
What: Throughout the week, Prescott Brewing will offer a collection of four-ounce samples of every beer on tap, along with the AZ Beer Week Double Red Ale.
Cost: $5
Arizona Strong Beer Festival
Where: Steele Indian School Park (3rd St. & Indian School Road, Phoenix)
When: 1-4 p.m.
What: Arizona Beer Week kicks off with the 11th Annual Arizona Strong Beer Festival, held at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix on February 19th, 2011. Although strong beers (those with high alcohol content) are the focus at the festival, a huge variety of craft beers -- as well as specialty styles and unique, just-for-this-event brews -- are made available to festival-goers, who will receive a commemorative four-ounce tasting glass and 15 tasting tickets for the price of admission.
Cost: $10-$40
Sunday, Feb. 20
Cheese and Beer Pairing
Where: Chevrount's (1326 N. Central Ave., Phoenix)
When: Noon
What: An offering of gourmet cheese paired with craft beer
Cost: TBD
Monday, Feb. 21
AZBW Double Red Tapping
Where: Four Peaks Brewery and Four Peaks Grill & Tap
When: 11 a.m.
What: We'll have our special semi-collaborative AZBW Double Red on tap
Cost: Regular pint prices
Odell Brewing Night
Where: Papago Brewing Co.
When: 6-8 p.m.
What: Special beers sent from the brewery will be on tap and owner Doug Odell will be in the house
Beer Tasting
Where: Gordon Biersch Tempe (420 S. Mill Ave., Tempe)
When: 6-8 p.m.
What: Brewers will be conducting a side-by-side comparison of some of the various imperial reds brewed specifically for AZBW, including their very own lager version.
Whiskey & Beer Tasting
Where: Lumberyard Brewery (5 S. San Francisco St., Flagstaff)
When: 6-8 p.m.
What: Come savor five different beer and whiskey pairings
Cost: $15
Mead Dinner with Redstone Meadery Co. and Owner David Meyers
What: A five-course dinner with five mead pairings as well as a special reserve mead.
Time, Location and cost TBD. Check azbeerweek.com for updates.
Tuesday, Feb. 22
2-for-1 Day
Where: Four Peaks Grill & Tap, Scottsdale location only
When: 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
What: Two-for-one pricing on pints all day long with the purchase of any Four Peaks merchandise, including pint glasses, T shirts, growler koozies, etc. Only one offer applies per purchase item.
Cost: Two-for-one pint pricing
Vertical Pilsner Tasting
Where: Gordon Biersch Glendale (6915 N 95th Ave., Glendale)
When: 5 p.m.
What: Each flight will consist of 4-5 ounces each of a Czech pilsner, imperial pilsner, barrel-aged Czech pilsner and a surprise pilsner
Cost: $5 per flight
Brewers' Collaboration
Where: Lumberyard Brewery (5 S. San Francisco St., Flagstaff)
When: 6 p.m.
What: Join the brewers of Lumberyard as they share information on developing a tasty beer recipe
Cost: $3 donation to the Food Bank
Take it in the Can Night with Big Sky and Ska
Where: Papago Brewing Co. (7107 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale)
When: 6-8 p.m.
What: Event and prizes involving canned beer from both Ska and Big Sky Brewing
Cost: Regular pint pricing
Beer Tasting
Where: Gordon Biersch San Tan (2218 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert)
When: 6-8 p.m.
What: Brewers will be conducting a side-by-side comparison of some of the various imperial reds brewed specifically for AZBW, including their very own lager version.
Cost: TBD
Arizona Society of Homebrewers Double Red Challenge
Where: Tempe Womens Club (1290 S. Mill Ave., Tempe)
When: 6-9 p.m.
What: A public event showcasing homebrewed versions of the AZ Beer Week Double Red against commercial versions as well as a homebrewing demonstration
Cost: Free
Beer-centric Beer Dinner
Where: Four Peaks Brewery (1340 E. 8th St., Tempe)
When: 7 p.m.
What: Join Four Peaks for a four-course dinner by Chef Arthur Craft focused on beer as an ingredient and pairing
Cost: TBD
Mead Event with Redstone Meadery Co. Owner David Meyers
A mead and beer blending event
Time, Location and cost TBD. Check azbeerweek.com for updates.
Wednesday, Feb. 23
From the Wood Barrel Tasting
Where: Four Peaks Brewery and Four Peaks Grill & Tap
When: 4 p.m.
What: Come taste a very special ale: Four Peaks' two-year-old, barrel-aged Belgian black ale stored in a combination of raw oak, chardonnay and merlot barrels and blended to perfection.
Cost: $6 per snifter
New Belgium Specialty Beer Night
Papago Brewing Co. (7107 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale)
When: 6-9 p.m.
What: Special release beers and schwag from New Belgium Brewing
Cost: Regular pint pricing
Atlas Bistro/Papago Vegetarian Beer Dinner
Where: Atlas Bistro (2515 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale)
When: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
What: Anyone can do a beer dinner, but only Atlas Bistro is daring enough to make it a one-of-a-kind vegetarian beer dinner featuring Papago beers. Reservations will be taken by Atlas.
Cost: TBD
Keep the Logo Pint Night
Where: Lumberyard Brewery (5 S. San Francisco St., Flagstaff)
When: 7 p.m.
What: Order a pint at Lumberyard and you get to keep the glass (premium beers exluded)
Cost: $4.50 per pint, one per customer
Thursday, Feb. 24
Beer, Cheese & Chocolate
Where: Four Peaks Grill & Tap (15730 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale)
When: 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
What: Four six-ounce samples of Four Peaks beers paired with a chef's assortment of cheese and chocolate. Make it a palatable night!
Cost: $15
Anderson Valley Promo
Where: Papago Brewing Co. (7107 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale)
When: 6-8 p.m.
What: New beers from Anderson Valley
Cost: Free to attend, regular pint pricing
Beer Tasting Tour
Where: Rock Bottom Ahwatukee (14205 S. 50th St., Phoenix)
When: 6:30 p.m.
What: Tours on Tap will take guests on a beer/culinary journey starting at Rock Bottom and finishing up at Gordon Biersch in Tempe. This is a great opportunity for guests to compare and contrast ales and lagers.
Cost: TBD
Strong Ale Dinner
Where: Taggia (4925 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale)
What: A five-course fine dining event with 10-percent ABV and up beers. All proceed go to the Barrow Brain Cancer Research Center.
Time and cost TBD. Check azbeerweek.com for updates
Friday, Feb. 25
Craft Beer-Inspired Menu
Where: Four Peaks Grill & Tap (15730 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale)
When: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
What: An all-day offering of beer-inspired chef specials. Look for dishes like Oatmeal Stout-braised lamb chops with apricot-brandy chutney, Peach Ale-infused shrimp ceviche, beer-inspired desserts and more.
Cost: $11-$20
Flanny's Beer Blending Extravaganza
Where: Flanny's Bar & Grill (1805 E. Elliott Rd., Tempe)
When: 6 p.m.
What: Join Left Hand Brewing, SanTan Brewing and Four Peaks Brewing as Flanny's showcases one of the hottest trends in the beer world. Try some suggestions from the brewers in attendance or take a crack at your own. This is so much more than a Black & Tan!
Cost: Regular menu pricing
Roll Out the Barrel Night
Where: Papago Brewing Co. (7107 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale)
When: 6-9 p.m.
What: Multiple barrel-aged beers on tap from breweries around the country, including Papago's own Rye Barleywine aged in whiskey barrels from High West Distillery. Extremely limited amounts of some rare beers.
Cost: Regular pint pricing
Brewers' Dinner
Where: Lumberyard Brewery (5 S. San Francisco St., Flagstaff)
When: 6:30 p.m.
What: A five-course dinner with Lumberyard beer pairings
Cost: TBD
The Epicuriad: AZ Beer vs. AZ Wine
Where: Firesky Resort (4925 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale)
When: 7-10 p.m.
What: Food Network chefs and top Arizona chefs go head to head in a pairing competition. Guests vote whether they prefer the beer or the wine with the chef's pairing. Meet the brewers, wine makers and chefs as you taste 8-10 beers and wines. All proceeds go to the Barrow Brain Cancer Research Center.
Cost: $75
Saturday, Feb. 26
Sweet Republic Ice Cream, Beer and Root Beer!
Where: Papago Brewing Co. (7107 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale)
When: 3-6 p.m.
What: Papago is teaming up with Sweet Republic Ice Cream to create some unique ice cream made from Papago beers you can try by themselves or in a beer or root beer float. Satisfy your sweet tooth with great, beery ice cream.
Cost: Varies per scoop
Open Mic Comedy Night
Where: Lumberyard Brewery (5 S. San Francisco St., Flagstaff)
When: 9 p.m.
What: A night filled with laughter and beer
Cost: Free to attend, regular pint pricing
