Our Top Non-List Holiday Beer Feature

A Northern Arizona Salud!

We're not into rankings or ratings here at BeerPHXation.

We like to talk about what's interesting, what we like, what we are tasting, but we're not about to give anything a 98.5 or a Top 10 of 2010. When we compare beers, we like to say, "this is maltier" or "this has a sweeter finish". This beer is a more natural pairing with ribs than that other beer. The tasting and deciding is up to you. If that's a 82 in your book, then have at it. We'll stick Stan's RULE #6.

We've been combing the intertubes for local end-of-the year lists, Holiday Beer choices and gift guides and we really haven't really found very much. We did read Zachary Fowle's The Top 10 Christmas Beers and while we agree that those are some fine beers, we wonder why there was no mention of any locally produced beers. Understandably, you'd be hard pressed to find packaged Arizona Holiday offerings.  This is something we've talked about in October. Still, we've noticed a tendency for the New Times to review unobtainable beer and all too often, over-the-top style examples. We love to hash it out with Zach over a Sun Up Nut Before Christmas (even if after Christmas).

Here is what we think you should do during the Holiday Season.

Hungry Monk Porter and Stout Festival

If you haven't been to Hungry Monk in Chandler yet, you should check it out. Started as a Buffalo Wings and Rings franchise in 2008, they went independent back in August and now provide one of the best craft beer selections in the south-east valley. With 28 taps, many of which regularly rotate, you are sure to find something unique.

First Tweet-Up 6PM Thursday, December 16

Hey isn't it about time we had a beer?

David and I will be checking out the latest pretty good beer place, the Garage Restaurant and Bar, and we'd like you to join us. We figure this is a good time for you socially connected people to tell us about your favorite places, breweries and general craft beer epiphany stories.

Code Word Double Red: Arizona Beer Week Exclusive!

We have a couple of Arizona Beer Week (AZBW) announcements that came to light yesterday after the quarterly meeting of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild. The final event for the week was announced and in typical homebrewer fashion, the homebrewers decided that they want the last word. Oh! And there's a collaboration beer that will be brewed to kick things off!

Where in the Phoenix Beer World? Inter-webs category.

Do you know where in the Phoenix Beer World, this photo was taken?
In this case it's a virtual Phoenix.  Who has this disclaimer?

Long disclaimer is loooong!

 This whole disclaimer typed out for your reading enjoyment after the jump!

What in the Phoenix Beer World? Taglines

Marketing.

It might be an ugly word to some, but if we're in a robust period of beer culture, marketing might be the only thing that differentiates one brewery from the next. Almost every brewery makes an American Pale ale, but I bet 1 out of 100 beer drinkers could actually identify the brewery if all every local pale was placed on the same table. Think I am wrong?

I won't name names, but there were a number of surprised blind judges at the last AmeriCan beerfest last spring... ones that did not pick their favorite (Modus Hoperandi) over the local winner. These are professionals, but honest blind ones.

Can you identify the brewery based upon it's tagline? Sure you could google most of them, but you won't. Breweries pay money for their taglines (or have someone in their camp who think's they are clever). If not money, then they certainly put some brainpower and resources toward coming up with them. Let them know how effective they are by answering without looking them up. If you don't know, say so in the comments.

Winner gets bragging rights and I will buy you a beer.

Hint: Some are outside the Valley, but all are from Arizona.

1. Craft Beer For Drinking.
2. Artistry and Science in one delicious beverage.
3. Proudly Serving Authenticity.
4. Making Thirst Worthwhile.
5. Arizona's finest microbrewery.
6. Beer Like Your Mom Used to Make.
7. It’s all about the “altitude".
8. Home of Tucson's Oldest and Newest MicroBrewery! (recently changed)
9. 840 Million Years in the Making.
10. Here It Is.
11. All Natural Beers Handcrafted in Traditional Southwestern Style
12. Phoenix’s newest brewery.

The Session #46: An Unexpected Discovery

Now for something completely different. As regular readers know by now, our focus is on the Phoenix beer scene. But today's Beer Blogger Friday Session topic gives us the chance to venture beyond the Valley of the Sun. While travel exposes one to new cultures, locations, and tastes, it has the added benefit of access to new beers, including beers that may never be available where you live.

Our topic this month is an unexpected discovery as described by our host, Mike Lynch at Burgers and Brews:

I recently drove out to Colorado for a concert, and realized this was a perfect opportunity to stop at as many "beer destinations" as I could. I researched, plotted routes, looked at maps, and generally planned the entire trip around beer. What I was surprised to find was that despite all the amazing stops I planned, one of the best beer experiences of the trip was completely accidental. I found great beer in the last place I thought to look for it.

This Particular Week in Beer

The title is meant to manage any expectations that this will be a weekly feature.  It won't.

This particular week has some things to talk about, we'll start with the big news, but read on. We have a Beer for Brains scoop and more Arizona crazy after the jump.