Artisanal Spirit and Cocktail Market Today
Don't get us wrong, we love regular farmers markets, too. But when we have the chance to hit up a market full of artisan spirits and other cocktail-related products, you can bet a bottle of 30-year-old scotch we're going to go. The Artisan Spirit and Cocktail Market, a part of Arizona Cocktail Week, will bring together dozens of boutique spirits, craft spirits, and micro-distillers for an afternoon of tastings, mini demos, and opportunities to see newest cocktail trends. The event will takes place at Hotel Valley Ho's Ballroom 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. and is free with an Arizona Cocktail Week wristband, which can be purchased at the hotel for $10. For a list of participating vendors, check out the list of artisan Cocktail Week sponsors.
See also: Guide to Arizona Cocktail Week, February 14 Through 21
Handlebar Tempe Tuesday, February 18
Fans of Chico, California-based Sierra Nevada Brewing won't want to miss the Arizona Beer Week Sierra Nevada Tap Takeover at The Handlebar in Tempe this week. At the event, which will begin at 6 p.m., all 24 of the bar's taps will be pouring Sierra Nevada beers including: Side Car Amber, Ovila Barrel Aged Quad, 2014 Bigfoot, 2013 Narwhal, and Northern Hemisphere Harvest. The brewery's own cicerone-certified Ben VanderMeer will also be around with Sierra Nevada swag and answers to your beer-related questions.
SunUp Brewery Wednesday, February 19
You'll have to act fast to get in on this sweet situation. On Wednesday, SunUp Brewing Company is hosting a Sweet Tooth Beer Tasting, during which four mini-cupcakes made by Urban Cookies will get paired with four 9-ounce SunUp beers. There will only be 36 dessert samplers available and the event starts at 4 p.m. For more information (or to check out more Arizona Beer Week events), visit the Arizona Beer Week website.
Kazimierz World Wine Bar Thursday, February 20
Esquire "Bartender of the Year" winner Jason Asher will be up against Kazimierz World Wine Bar owner Peter Kasperski in a Cocktail Duel Dinner. The event will include five courses and 10 drinks -- that's one from each mixologist per course -- and attendees will get to choose who paired his drinks better. The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs $55 per person, or $45 with an Arizona Cocktail Week wristband. Call 480-946-3004 for reservations.
Rico's American Grill Thursday, February 20 This week, Deschutes Brewery Founder Gary Fish will head to Rico's American Grill at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort in Phoenix for a fundraising event: the third annual Beer For Brains Dinner. The dinner will allow guests to meet -- and have a beer with -- Fish, before enjoying a four-course dinner paired with both Deschutes Beers and Arizona wines. Diners will then get to vote for their choice pairing, either beer or wine. The event will benefit the Beer for Brains Foundation, a locally based nonprofit that raises awareness about brain cancer. Reservations are required. The dinner costs $59 per person and the dinner is limited to 50 guests.
