Thirsty Thursday Top 10: Ranking the Arizona Craft Beer Releases for the First Week of October

A legend of the local craft beer scene is leaving Arizona, but not before a celebratory send-off. That tops our rankings of the top 10 craft beer releases from Arizona breweries this week. Find and drink responsibly!

1. DIPA Collab from Kings Beer & Wine (Phoenix) and Goldwater Brewing (Scottsdale/Mesa)

You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello is not only a song you should know, it’s also a beer you should seek out this weekend. This collaboration between Goldwater Brewing and Phoenix craft beer superstore Kings is an 8% ABV double dry-hopped hazy double IPA. Earlier this week, Kings owner Mickey Salem announced he sold the business to a Gilbert family and will move back to the east coast where he is originally from. Mickey has meant a lot to the Arizona craft beer world and he’ll be missed.

2. Pumpkin Mocha Latte Imperial Stout from 8-Bit Aleworks (Avondale)

October is synonymous with pumpkins and fall flavors – and these are both at the forefront of Ichabod Crane’s Nightmare Pumpkin Mocha Latte Imperial Stout from 8-Bit Aleworks. The West Valley brewer used fresh roasted coffee beans from neighboring 3 Brothers Coffee and threw it into this decadent 10.9% ABV imperial stout. With notes of pumpkin spice, dark chocolate, vanilla and rich coffee, this one figures to be a must-try to sip on this weekend. It’s on tap right now with bottles coming in the next few weeks.

3. Double Dry-Hopped Spellbinder from Wren House (Phoenix)

The Spellbinder New England-style IPA from Wren House is already a fantastic beer, but they’re going bigger and bolder on it with the release of Double Dry-Hopped Spellbinder! That means double the Citra and double the Mosaic dry hops and you get even more fruity flavor and tropical smells, coming in at a very manageable 6.5% ABV.

4. Triple can release from Arizona Wilderness (Gilbert & Phoenix)

Three’s company this week with the release of Wilderblack dark lager, Camp Light low-calorie lager and The Roosevelts double IPA. Arizona Wilderness covers a lot of bases with these three, offering something for an Oktoberfest gathering, an easy drinker for exploring the outdoors and something for the hopheads. Win win win! All three are on tap Thursday and releasing in cans on Friday.

5. Double Oatmeal IPA from Fate Brewing (Scottsdale & Tempe)

This west coast double IPA brewed with oats, Citra and Mosaic hops is available in four-pack cans to-go for $20. For the designated driver in your group, sip on the new Fateless Tiny IPA, a 0.5% ABV / 30 IBU hopped-up IPA without the alcohol.

6. Unholy Mole from Dark Sky Brewing (Flagstaff)

Tap into your wilder side and embrace the rich, boozy thickness of this imperial stout from the mad scientists at Dark Sky. Aged for 18 months in Elijah Craig and Weller Boubon barrels – and then conditioned on chilies, vanilla beans, cinnamon and cocoa nibs – this is a 12% ABV dessert in a glass to enjoy under the stars in the high country. Get it on tap or snag one to-go in a 16-oz. can.

7. Void double IPA from Pueblo Vida (Tucson)

The Void DIPA release is the culmination of a series of beers brewed with Citra and Mosaic hops. This beer will have notes of orange and huckleberry. Available for $19 for a six-pack.

8. Mescalito Stout from 1912 Brewing (Tucson)

It’s a big weekend for different events at 1912, including extended hours of operation, the launch of a new Copper Tankard Society Happy Hour and the release of a dark new stout. Mescalito has notes of chocolate, coffee and a hint of Bourbon, which makes the weekend even better!

9. Coyote Thief Mesquite Brown Ale from Bone Haus (Fountain Hills)

Coyote Thief is back on tap with a mild Bourbon undertone, coming in at 5.5% ABV. The beer is a malty brown ale brewed with Bourbon-soaked mesquite wood chips.

10. Cali Mist from North Mountain (Phoenix)

This hazy IPA released late last week and just missed out on our Top 10 ranking then, but not this week. Slip into the Sunnyslope neighborhood and try out Cali Mist. While you’re there, make sure to check out North Mountain’s special deals for Great American Beer Festival Virtual Passport holders.

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