Thirsty Thursday July 30: New Craft Beers from AZ Breweries

As I picked up a few fresh four-packs from my nearby local haunt – Goldwater Brewing Co.’s Longbow location – the familiar face behind the walk-up and order window thanked me for continuing to support his place. Prolonged government lockdowns due to coronavirus have put so many of our favorite Arizona craft breweries through rough times in the past five months. The least we could do is stop by and grab something to go and enjoy at home. It’s how I roll and if you’re like me, you want to know what’s new in the Arizona craft beer scene this week.

Goldwater Brewing (Scottsdale & Mesa)

Lagerita, 4.7% Margarita inspired pilsner lager. This new beer is conditioned on Valencia orange peel, lime, lemon zest and a hint of pink sea salt. Releases on Friday, July 31.

Pro tip: Goldwater’s online ordering system is super easy and the best way to ensure you get any of their new releases.

Simple Machine Brewing (Phoenix)

Return of the Electric Man, 5.5% ABV cream ale.

Striped Fedora, 6.1% ABV milkshake IPA with strawberry and kiwi.

Pro tip: if you’re not near Simple Machine in north Phoenix, look to your local bottle shop. Its cans are starting to populate shelves at beer stores such as Arcadia Premium.

Desert Monks Brewing (Gilbert)

Blood Orange IPA, 6% ABV west coast IPA brewed with blood oranges. Available in cans, crowlers and growler fills.

12 West Brewing (Gilbert & Mesa)

• Mango Frontside, 7.5% ABV west coast IPA. Online ordering available for four-pack cans to go.
• New Paletero Series: Ponche de Frutas, 6.5% ABV fruit punch IPA. Brewed with guava, cherry, apricot, and passion fruit, this one is a must-have for poolside sipping this summer Available in 4-pack cans for $18.

Fate Brewing (3 Valley locations)

Double Oat IPA, 9% ABV golden IPA brewed with golden naked oats, citra and mosaic hops. Brewer’s notes: The finish is bitter and dry, not over the top. Enjoy a superbly clean finish, which makes this beer super easy to drink. Available in four-pack 16-oz. cans.

Pro tip: Pick up the newly canned Fatality IPA while you’re there. One of the biggest IBU beers in all of Arizona, Fatality is a hop head’s dream.

Wren House Brewing (Phoenix)

SUN TAN, 4.5% ABV wheat summer session IPA. This collaboration with Wandering Tortoise is all Arizona grown ingredients for a hot Arizona summer day. Available in four-pack cans.

Bird Bird, imperial tiki stout collaboration with Horus Aged Ales and UnderTow. This is the last keg of this delectable pastry stout and its only available in crowler fills.

Pro-tip: Check out Wren House’s online ordering for curbside pickup or delivery. They have a refrigerated truck to keep your beer chilled all the way to your house!

The Shop Beer Co. (Tempe)

Fun, 7.1% ABV American IPA available in four-packs to go.

Sedona Beer Co. (Sedona)

Brunchable, 7.8% ABV double dry-hopped solera pale ale. Brewer’s notes: Juicy and floral. If breakfast were a dessert wine but really a beer.

Wanderlust Brewing (Flagstaff)

Pine Flat IPA, 6.6% ABV west coast IPA. Available in four-packs and growlers to go. Online ordering is available for curbside pickup.

Pro tip: Wanderlust opens at 4 p.m., so pack some patience for this much-anticipated release.

Dark Sky Brewing (Flagstaff)

• Neowise, 5% ABV dry-hopped sour aged in barrels for 12 months.
• Munich Helles, 5% ABV lager. Made to enjoy on walks in the park or while camping, this is a beer meant to drink while hanging out with man’s best friend.

Pueblo Vida Brewing (Tucson)

Lavender Lemonade Moderne IPA. The new weekly Infusion IPA is a refreshing drink brewed with lemonade and lavender tea. Available for crowler and growler fills to go. Check out their online ordering site in the link above.

North Mountain Brewing (Phoenix)

Time of Saison, 8.2% ABV farmhouse ale. Brewer’s note:  A light-summer, farmhouse yeast, inspired ale. It stands at an 8.2% which sneaks up on you since it is so light and refreshing.

Throne Brewing (Glendale & Peoria)

Helles Lager, 4.5% ABV German style lager now available in 4-pack 16oz cans for $12.

Helluva Brewing (Chandler)

The brewery tells me there’s a good chance their Oktoberfest brew is ready sometime next week. These keep showing up earlier each year.

Harbottle Brewing (Tucson)

A new sour saison is expected to finish soon and be ready next week. The new Irish red ale named County Kerry is also likely coming next week.

Borderlands in Tucson reopened in full this week after being closed since March. The restaurant will have 40 percent seating capacity with no bar seating.

Throne Brewing’s second location in Peoria (former site of Freak N’ Brewing) is set to open on Thursday at 3 p.m. This location has been shut down since July 1.