Real, Wild & Woody Beer Festival; Free French Toast; and More This Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Real, Wild & Woody Beer Festival 
Saturday, July 23

This Saturday's Real, Wild & Woody Beer Festival is all about specialty-made beer. More than 50 of the Southwest’s best craft brewers will pour seasonal brews, specialty casks, and never-tasted-before beers including Dark Sky Brewing Co.'s Saison de Waffles, a Belgian Saison fermented in a chardonnay bottle, and Mudshark Brewery's Barrel-Aged Mole Stout made with vanilla bean, ancho chile, coffee beans, and cocoa nibs. Peoria Artisan Brewery will serve samples of its Hunnyhal pepper beer made with fresh jalapenos and Arizona honey, and restaurants will serve snacks for festival-goers, too. General admission tickets cost $57 and include 20 beer sampling tickets and small bites from local restaurants and breweries. The event takes place at the Phoenix Convention Center from 2 to 6 p.m. You can view the complete beer lineup here, or for more information, visit the Real, Wild & Woody Beer Festival website. 

Free French Toast at Kneaders Bakery & Café 
Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23

Kneaders Bakery & Café has locations all over the Valley, and the chain is finally coming to Phoenix proper — specifically to the intersection of 44th Street and Indian School Road on Friday. To celebrate the opening, Kneaders is giving the first 100 guests through the door its famous Chunky Cinnamon French toast on Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23. The dish is made fresh daily using Kneaders Chunky Cinnamon bread and is served with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and caramel syrup. Kneaders Bakery & Café is located at 4126 East Indian School Road and opens at 7 a.m. For more information, visit Kneaders' website. 

Short Leash Hot Dog's Wurst Festival Ever 
Saturday, July 23

On Saturday, you can head to Short Leash Hot Dog's "Wurst" Festival Ever to enjoy brews from Two Brothers Artisan Brewing and Short Leash's famed dogs, of course. At the event, which runs from 5 to 10 p.m. at the restaurant's Roosevelt location, you can participate in a pun content (yes, this is serious), meet local chefs, and enjoy some comedy from the Torch Theater. Admission is free. Food and beer samples cost $3. Short Leash also will serve its full food and bar menu. For more information, visit the event's Facebook page or Short Leash's website. 

Bar Brawl at Jade Bar 
Sunday, July 24

Watch as two of the Valley's leading mixologists face off against each other in a drink-making competition this Sunday at the Jade Bar at the Sanctuary at Camelback. Counter Intuitive's Keifer Gilbert will compete against The Ostrich's Maxton Kennedy during Season 2 of Jade Bar's "Bar Brawl" series. The three-round competition kicks off at 8:30 p.m. and focuses on specific spirits and ingredients. Sanctuary’s executive chef, Beau MacMillan, will emcee, and Jade Bar's lead mixologist Eddie Aces will referee the match-ups. Cocktails will be judged by a panel of local celebrities. Each brawl will feature DJ entertainment from 8 to 11 p.m. in addition to drink specials and small bites. For more information, visit the Bar Brawl Facebook event page. 


Dogs Days of Summer at Miracle Mile Deli
All weekend

The entire month of July is National Hot Dog Month, and Miracle Mile Deli is offering up a Dog Days of Summer special to celebrate. You can purchase a Hebrew National hot dog, french fries, and a small soft drink from now through Sunday, July 24, for $5. The special deal will be available for lunch and dinner, but not before 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to ask for the “hot dog special.” For more information, visit Miracle Mile Deli's website.