Tap That AZ - The Arizona Craft Beer Podcast

Episode 122: Lovecraft

A tad bit west of 32nd Street, off of Cactus, you will find a bar that at least from the outside may not strike you as…well…a bar. But make no mistake, Lovecraft is not only a bar, but one where you will find a delicious selection of beers on draft and in the fridge. Rebecca Golden, you might remember from the popular 32 Shea, told TapThatAZ that after a little less than 7 years there, she realized it was time to move on. “I literally gave it all that I had to give, and it was a good t...

Episode 121: Campin' N Coolshippin' with Arizona Wilderness Brewing Pt. 1

This is the first of a two-part series recorded at Camp Coolship 2019 from Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company. In this episode, I get to chat with the people behind this amazing project and why it means so much to them. In a couple of weeks, part two will be released which features the guest breweries on this project. Enjoy the show!

Episode 120: Earning Our Booze with Grand Canyon Distillery

In this episode, we travel up to Williams to hang out with the crew from Grand Canyon Brewing + Distilling along with longtime friend of the show Justin from Earn Your Booze and Brian from Baptiste Power Yoga. We talk about the epic EYB event (which involves a gameshow-style bartending event) going down this Sunday, April 28th at Copper Blues Phoenix as well as catch up on all the awesome things our friends up north at GCBC are up to. Enjoy the show!

Episode 119: Town Under Black Distillery

In this episode, guest hosts Tamara Stanger and Sean Traynor from Cotton & Copper join in to hang out with Vlad and Rebecca, owners of Town Under Black Distillery in Tucson. A focus on native ingredients and traditional techniques they are setting the table for wait it going to be the game-changing distillery in the Southwest. Enjoy the show!

News & Reviews – 4/15/2019

This week's events: 4/20 - Old School Spring Farm To Table Picnic at Rhiba Farms 4/20 - Arizona Craft Beer Festival at Westgate 4/25 - Elevated Beer Dinner at Ten55 4/27 - Goldwater Brewing Co. Four Year Anniversary 4/28 - Earn Your Grand Canyon | Copper Blues PHX This week's beer review: Deep In The Green DIPA by Grand Canyon Brewing Company Reviewed by Marcus Pina (@brewery602 on Instagram) and follow his page on YouTube Extra special thanks to Chris Dodson for his awes...

Episode 118: Justin Evans - Taproom Guru

If you are a part of the Arizona craft beer scene, you know Justin Evans. And if you somehow don’t know Justin, you know his bar, The Wandering Tortoise. Oh, and if you don’t know the Tortoise, you may have heard of The Sleepy Whale, which Justin and some others are opening in Chandler in April. If none of that rings a bell, then Hops on Birch, a craft beer institution in the pines of Flagstaff, should. Recently, Justin and his group purchased that spot, too. Not bad for a guy who at on...

Episode 117: Borderlands Brewing Company

Recently named one of the fastest growing breweries in America (9th to be exact) Borderlands Brewing Company in Tucson is at the core of a booming craft beer scene in Arizona. In this episode, The Classy Alcoholic and I sit down with owner Mike Mallozzi to talk about how Borderlands is utilizing its position in the beer community to help bring attention to bigger picture topics. Enjoy the show!

News & Reviews – 4/1/2019

This week's events: 4/1 - Tombstone Beer Guy IPA Release 4/6 - We Won't Be Hazed Release 4/6 - Baja Beer Festival 2019 Click HERE for tickets This week's beer review: Snozzberry Berliner by Tombstone Brewing Co.  Reviewed by Marcus Pina (@brewery602 on Instagram) and follow his page on YouTube Extra special thanks to Chris Dodson for his awesome production/editing work to help put the audio side of the episodes together Intro/Outro music is “La Veganza” by the awesome loc...

Episode 116: Event Conversations at Blue Pint Society Beer School 8

In this episode host Liz Limberg talks with a wide range of guests (at different levels of intoxication) attending Blue Pint Society's Beer School 8 at OHSO-Gilbert. Enjoy! Extra special thanks to Chris Dodson for his awesome production/editing work to help put the audio side of the episodes together Intro/Outro music is "La Negra Tomasa" by the awesome local Arizona band Fayuca Want to show your support and help this show grow? Simply click here, give the show a rating and share some ...

Episode 115: Dillinger Brewing Company

In this episode, The Classy Alcoholic sits down with Dillinger Brewing Company co-owner Aaron to discuss the story behind this hidden gem in Tucson. Enjoy!

News & Reviews – 3/18/2019

This week's events: Borderlands Turns 7! 2nd Annual Sour Fest at Wandering Tortoise Farmboy and The Beer Research Institute - Pop-Up Dinner Click HERE for tickets This week's beer review: Fayuca Rizing Xtra Pale Ale - a collaboration between local band Fayuca and Helio Basin Brewing Co. Reviewed by Marcus Pina (@brewery602 on Instagram) and follow his page on YouTube Extra special thanks to Chris Dodson for his awesome production/editing work to help put the audio side of the epi...

Episode 114: Starting a Brewery with Drew Pool

As co-founder of Wren House Brewing Co. Drew Pool knows a thing or two about opening and operating a successful brewery. In this episode, I sit down with Drew to get an idea of what it has been like to be one of the driving forces behind arguably one of the top breweries in the country. However, this is more than just a story. This episode will be a great resource for anyone who is considering opening a brewery or is just curious to know what all goes into operating a brewery. Enjoy!

Bonus Episode: Barn Town Brewing

In this episode, I sit down with Pete from Barn Town Brewing out of Iowa. These guys are doing a collab with Wren House, so be on the lookout for that, as well as doing a tap takeover at Wandering Tortoise on March 7th. Get there ASAP to grab some of their fantastic beers. Enjoy the show!

Episode 113: Helluva Brewing Company

In this episode, we head down to Chandler to hang out with owners Shawn Shepard and Steve Stone from Helluva Brewing Company. These guys laid out the red carpet for us with an awesome selection of their beers and the perfect foods to go with each. For being such a new place they have hit the ground running. Look out for great things from them. Enjoy the show! Extra special thanks to Chris Dodson for his awesome production/editing work to help put the audio side of the episodes together I...

News & Reviews – 3/4/2019

This week's events:I've Got the Hops For You at Helton Brewing Company Click HERE for tickets Roars & Pours Click HERE for tickets Black Canyon Beer Company Grand Opening Downtown Mesa Brew Fest This week's beer review:Huss Brewing Co Collaboration with King's Convenience, Cinnamon Kölsch Brunch Reviewed by Marcus Pina (@brewery602 on Instagram) This week's Beer 101:Yeast by Doc Osborne from Pedal Haus Brewery Extra special thanks to Chris Dodsonfor his awesome production/editing wo...

Certified Beer Server Episode 1 - The Plan

In the episode, Liz, Luke and I sit down with Brandon and AJ from the Inkeldeux podcast to discuss our plan to record a miniseries about us all preparing for and obtaining our Certified Beer Server credential from Cicerone. Well, as you will hear Liz already has hers so she’ll be guiding us as well as preparing herself for the Certified Cicerone credential. Stay tuned for more info in the coming months for the miniseries which will also hopefully help you with your beer knowledge or even you...

Episode 112: Becoming a Certified Beer Server

In the episode, Liz, Luke and I sit down with Brandon and AJ from the Inkeldeux podcast to discuss our plan to record a miniseries about us all preparing for and obtaining our Certified Beer Server credential from Cicerone. Well, as you will hear Liz already has hers so she’ll be guiding us as well as preparing herself for the Certified Cicerone credential. Stay tuned for more info in the coming months for the miniseries which will also hopefully help you with your beer knowledge or even you...

News & Reviews – 2/25/2019

This week's events: Beer School 8 (click HERE for tickets) Mudshark Brewing Co. Public House OpeningMcDowell Mt Music Festival(click HERE for tickets) This week's beer review: Mother Road Brewing Co. Lost Highway Double Black IPA Reviewed by Marcus Pina (@brewery602 on Instagram) This week's Beer 101: Tap Lines by Doc from Pedal Haus Brewery Extra special thanks to Chris Dodson for his awesome production/editing work to help put the audio side of the episodes together Intro/Outro ...

Episode 111: Arizona Society of Homebrewers

This episode was recorded at the Arizona Society of Homebrewers Brew Out where a group of homebrewers got together to brew a bunch of beers. As you've probably heard many times on this show most professional brewers start off homebrewing. However, some people just dig this as a hobby and still make amazing beer. Either way, ASH is a great organization supporting the Arizona beer scene. Enjoy the show!

Episode 110: 19th Arizona Strong Beer Festival Conversations

This episode was recorded live at Strong Beer Fest and you get to hear some of the conversations the team and I had throughout the day. The episode is sponsored by the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild (AZCBG) the nonprofit group behind Strong Beer Festival as well as many other festivals including Baja Beer Festival in Tucson going down April 6th and many other great events through the Arizona beer scene all year long. The AZCBG was established in 1998. Beyond putting on awesome events they also ...

News & Reviews – 2/11/2019

Grand Canyon/12 West Collab Monday, February 11 6:00 – 9:00pm BottleShop 48 We're hosting a launch party for our friends at Grand Canyon and 12 West for their new collab brew: "You’re Blackberry, Violet!" We can't wait to try this blackberry hazy IPA! Come hang out with the gang and support local AZ craft at it's best. Plus, we'll be watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory :) https://www.facebook.com/events/625169984600119/   When Good Beer Goes Bad: Off-Flavor Education TICKETS HERE ...

Old Ellsworth Brewing Co.

In this episode, I travel down to Queen Creek to hang out with Old Ellsworth Brewing Company. Believe me, these guys are cranking out some top-notch beers. And "Pick Your Own Poutine"? I'm in! In this episode, I hang out with owners Brian, Ryan, and Chris to talk about the process of opening a brewery in a city that actually sought out a brewery as well as the challenges of keeping up with demand when you make awesome beer. Enjoy the show! Extra special thanks to Chris Dodson for his aweso...

*Special News & Reviews* Beer Week 2019

Arizona Beer Week is finally here everyone! All year us fans of Arizona craft beer chomp at the bit to see what amazing events our favorite breweries and beer spots are going to get themselves into for our consumption pleasure. Everything from women's arm wrestling tournaments to the crown jewel of them all, Arizona Strong Beer Festival, the quantity and quality of events is sure to please even the pickiest of beer snobs. In this episode, I hang out and talk Beer Week with Nick and Doc fro...

Episode 108: Arizona Brewery Tours

When it comes to pretty much anything cool you have people who come out of the woodwork claiming they'd been with it since the beginning. Well, John Alvarado, known to the Arizona beer community (and his mother in law) as Hoppymoto, has been part of this budding beer scene since the genesis of it. On top of that, he has played a major role in the development of the community with his top-notch beer tour company, aptly named Arizona Brewery Tours.   In this episode, we sit down with Hoppyom...

News & Reviews – 1/28/2019

Tacos, Beers, & Baos Tuesday’s with B.R.I. Tuesday, January 29 - 5:00 – 11:55pm Yucca Tap Room 29 West Southern Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85282 Description:Another killer installment of of Tacos, Beers, & Baos Tuesday’s with our local homies B.R.I.! We’ll be tapping 4 delicious beers from from our east valley brethren. We’ll have a special taco just for the event! Also we’ll have $1.50 tacos & $2.50 Baos! McFate Tap Takeover Wednesday, January 30 - 6:00 – 8:00pm Richter Aleworks 8279 ...

Episode 107: 2019 Arizona Womens Brew

This episode was recorded live at the 2019 Arizona Women's Brew at the San Tan brewing facility. Every year the amazing women of the Arizona craft beer community get together leading up to Arizona Beer Week to create an awesome new beer.  This year the ladies created Persistence Pale Ale, an oaked pale ale. The creation of this beer even included a blow torch. Enough said. It's always a great time hanging out with these ladies and Arizona beer is very lucky to have such an awesome female p...

News & Reviews – 1/21/2019

This weeks Arizona beer events and a beer review from Chris Dodson

Episode 106: The Brewbecue

Beer and barbecue: it's a taste match made in heaven. Seriously, have you ever barbecued and NOT had at least 1 beer? Well, the fine folks at The Brewbecue have taken that killer combo to another level. By utilizing the beauty of barbecue and beer they have created a non-profit with the goal of helping to raise money for those in need in the state of Arizona. From the obviously amazing pork belly nachos to the vegan-friendly “Not Pork”. Smoked Caramelized Jackfruit these guys crush the barbe...

News & Reviews – 1/14/2019

Meat and Cheese and Beer Pairing PURCHASE TICKETS HERE Thursday, January 17th, 2019 at 6 PM – 10 PM The Beer Research Institute1641 S Stapley Dr, Ste 104, Mesa, Arizona 85204 If you think you can handle the Meat Sweats… Join us for an EPIC Meat and Cheese Beer Pairing. 4 different cured meats and 4 different cheeses paired perfectly with 4 distinct B.R.I. Beers. Meats will all be 1 oz servings Cheese will all be 1 oz servings Beers will be 8 oz servings Ticket Price is $25 15% gratuity is ...

Episode 105: Mezcal Carreno US

I thought I had never had mezcal. But according to Abel and Ivan from Mezcal Carreno US, I have indeed had it in the form of tequila. As you'll hear all tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas. It'll make more sense once you listen. The story behind this brand that these 2 best friends are creating is great and they tell the story very well. My friend Chris Malloy joined in as my co-host and I am so glad he did. Chris really knows what he's talking about when it comes to food ...

News & Reviews – 1/7/2019

Sentinel Peak's 5th Anniversary Party Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11 AM – 10 PM Sentinel Peak Brewing Company4746 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712 Celebrate Sentinel Peak's 5th Anniversary with the crew at Tucson's ONLY Midtown Brewpub! Special BBQ menu and beer releases all day in a family-friendly environment. The Shop Beer Co. - Desert Dolphins Release Friday, January 11, 2019 The Shop Beer Co. 922 W. 1st Street, Tempe, AZ 85281 This Friday we’ll be releasing our killer collab “Dese...

Granite Mountain Brewing Company

News & Reviews – 12/24/2018

Christmas at Craft 64 Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at 5 PM – 10 PM 6922 E Main St, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 In fine HOLIDAY TRADITION, CRAFT 64 will once again be OPEN on CHRISTMAS DAY for the fourth year!!!!! 5-10pm BAR ONLY....but lot's free snacks, sandwiches, and goodies provided free of charge. SWEET LOVIN', our new Winter Brew will be on tap so when you are DEAD SICK of your extended families, COME JOIN James & Susana for a small celebration! Wren Day Wren House Brewing Co. 2...

THAT Brewery

News & Reviews - 12/17/2018

Welcome to another News & Reviews episode. In this episode, I cover 3 events including a new brewery opening, talk an all-new beer guide (I have 3 to giveaway) and a collab beer with Grand Canyon Brewing and Beer Research Institute gets reviewed. Enjoy!

Resilience IPA - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

California Wildfire Devastation On the morning of November 8th, 2018, a brush fire broke out in Butte County, California. High winds and dry air created a recipe for rapid growth and this small fire quickly escalated to a point where firefighters abandoned attempts to put the fire out in favor of evacuating people.  When the fire was finally contained 17 days later there were over 100 people killed, injured or missing with countless others having their lives impacted forever. Property dama...

News & Reviews - 12/10/2018

Desert Monks Brewing Co Public Opening Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 12 PM – 11 PM 1094 S Gilbert Rd, Ste 101, Gilbert, Az We are finally ready to open our Taproom doors! On tap we plan to have: craft beer, craft soda, cold press coffee, and Rock Stacker Kombucha. Come help us celebrate our journey with some great craft beverages. Goldwater Brewing Co.'s - Resilience IPA Beer Garden Fundraiser Friday, December 14, 2018 at 12 PM – 10 PM 3608 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 We ar...

Episode 101 - Live at Irene's: "Big Beer & Independent Beer"

Owners Bonnie Jackson and Aaron at Irene's Taproom in Phoenix have set up their place to fully experience sound. With a continual list of local Arizona bands as well as bands traveling across the country, they want to make sure their guests get the full audio experience. When Bonnie and Product Manager Paul Rosevear threw out the idea of doing a podcast live in front of their patrons it was a no-brainer for me.  We landed on the polarizing topic of "big beer and independent beer" as a dis...

News & Reviews - 12/3/2018

Dark Sky Brewing  Lunar Legacy Fundraiser  The entire month of December For this month’s #LunarLegacy fundraiser beer, we have “Don’t Forget Your Roots” field beer. A savory treat brewed with three types of root vegetables. 10% of the proceeds from this beer will go to Lowell Observatory for their educational programs! Come drink a pint and support our amazing Dark Sky City!   Borderlands Brewing Company Baskets & Brews Putting League EVERY MONDAY! Until Feb 4, 2019 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm Join us...

Episode 100 - Mother Road Brewing Company

When Mother Road Brewing Company opened in November of 2011 I was just a casual participant in quality craft beer. However, that all changed with my first visit to their Mikes Pike brewery in November of 2011. With my very first sip of Lost Highway Double Black IPA, Mother Road helped me see that there is a whole new world of beer beyond Natural Light and Bud Ice. Not only did the beer speak to me but every aspect of this community quickly grew on me.  In mid-2016 I decided to start a podcas...

News & Reviews - November 26th, 2018

News & Reviews - November 26th, 2018

Wanderlust Brewing Company

Through my beer adventures and conversations, I have concluded that Belgium sits directly in the middle of the worlds largest beer vortex. Based on my extensive research, it seems as though no one can visit Belgium and not be infected by what is known as Beericus Obsessivus (not a real word, FYI). THANK GOD! Belgian styles are some of my favorites and Wanderlust Brewing Company in Flagstaff makes some of the best.  In this episode, I sit down with owner Nathan Friedman to talk about how hi...

News & Reviews - November 19th, 2018

12 West Two Year Anniversary At: 12 West Tap Room at Barnone 3000 East Ray Road Barnone, Building 6, Suite 110, Gilbert, Arizona 85296 Friday, November 23rd 11 am - 11 pm It's hard to believe it's been 2 years already! Join us for one amazing anniversary party.  Stay tuned for: -Can Releases -Special Tappings -Live Music -New Merch 12 West Beach Cruiser Raffle! Huge thanks to our friends at Image One Sign Company and SOUL Beach Cruisers for putting this together for us. Raffle tick...

Conservation Kolsch

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Phillips from Grand Canyon Brewing and Nathan Reese from Trout Unlimited. Along with the Arizona Wildlife Foundation and the Arizona Society of Homebrewers contest winner Jeff Skaggs they created a beer called Conservation Kolsch. The goal of this brew is to bring attention to the damage that uranium mining is causing to the Grand Canyon and the surrounding national forest. This is why I love Arizona beer: seeing the bigger picture about what is going on...

News & Reviews - November 11th, 2018

Beer Research Institute 4th Anniversary Beer Pairing Dinner  Thursday 11/15, 7-9  We've specially prepared 4 courses to pair perfectly with our 4-year anniversary beers! If you want to try all 4 Anniversary beers before they go on sale on the 17th, you don't want to miss this. Reception Beer- 480G IPA 1st Course (Appetizer)- Crispy Pork Belly. Chili Garlic Almonds. Sweet and Sour Glaze. Vinegar Slaw. Paired with- Samurai IPA 2nd Course (Salad)- Romaine. Pickled Red Onion. Grilled Peaches. Hop...

Ground Control

In this episode, I made my way over to Litchfield Park to hang out with Ian and Tara from Ground Control, an Arizona craft food and drink bar. This place has it all: great food, artisan coffee, an amazing craft beer selection both on the retail side and on tap as well as wine, cocktails and Arizona Meade. Can you really beat a place that has amazing craft beer on tap AND makes their own gelato? Yeah, I don’t think so. Stay tuned after the show to see how you can win a $25 gift card for Groun...

News & Reviews - November 3rd, 2018

11/9 Esprit De Core Cider Dinner 11/10 Inaugural Tap & Bottle Invitational Beer Festival Tickets Here Mesquite River Brewing Co 2nd Anniversary Party Inaugural Southwest Cider Fest 11/9-11/12 Pueblo Vida 4th Anniversary Weekend Joel Flowers from AZ Beer Me reviews the Black Caddis an American Style Porter from Wren House Brewing

Irene's Tap Room

In this episode, I sit down with Bonnie Jackson, co-owner of Irene's Tap Room on 12th Street and Northern in Phoenix along with one of her top team members Paul Rosevear. Opening a new business is never easy and Bonnie and her partner Aaron Taylor were no exception to this. One thing after another fell onto the path of opening this place but they never gave up and 2 months ago Irene's Tap Room opened its door. And what an awesome place this is. With their strongly held belief in supporting i...

News & Reviews - October 28th, 2018

This weeks events: 10/28 - Day of the Dogs at the Gilbert OHSO 11/2 - Grand opening of Uncle Bear's Brewery, Taproom and Yard in Phoenix on Ray Road 11/3 - AZ Barrels, Bottles & Brews at Salt River Fields 11/3 - Scottsdale Beer Company & The oDDity Wine CollectiVe Dinner 11/3 & 11/4 - Crooked Tooth 2 Year Anniversary Celebration This weeks beer review is from Marcus Pina. He reviews Bloody Basin Brute IPA from Arizona Wilderness Brewing.  

Sunup Brewing Company

Uwe Boer from Sunup Brewing Company has been making beer for a long time. And good beer at that. In fact he’s responsible for the highest rated Russian Imperial Stout in Arizona. Uwe has been a staple in the Arizona craft beer scene longer than some legal beer drinks have been alive! He’s a great guy with a great story to tell. Enjoy the show!