Thirsty Thursday: Ranking the Top 10 New Craft Beer Releases of the Week for Dec. 3

With the holidays quickly approaching (only 21 shopping days left until Christmas) the dark beers are coming at us even faster! Porters, stouts and beers that bring holiday cheer top our weekly Top 10 ranking of new releases from Arizona breweries. 

1. Rice Pudding Porter from Huss Brewing Co. (Tempe & Phoenix)

Huss’ famous annual holiday release taps Thursday afternoon at the Tempe and Phoenix locations. The spiced porter comes in at 5.1% ABV and is a perfect sipper on a cold December night.

2. Uncle Bear’s Limited Release Barrel-Aged Stout (Gilbert)

Talk about a solid stocking stuffer for the craft beer lover in your life! Snag a boxed two-pack of Limited Release Barrel-Aged Stout (13% ABV) and pick a pair of socks or a T-shirt to go with it for $20.

3. Holiday Stout from Walter Station Brewery (Phoenix)

Here is a trifecta of local that we love to see! Phoenix’s Walter Station Brewery used locally sourced coffee beans from Press Coffee and pecans from Green Valley Pecan to make the 9.6% ABV Holiday Stout and get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

4. Sheeps Crossing from Wren House Brewing (Phoenix)

Dark beers are all the rage in the late fall and early winter, and this new oak fermented Doppelbock from Wren House keeps the pace. Sheeps Crossing is available now in four-packs to go and keep an eye out for a Friday release of SonoraSaurus double IPA, along with T-shirts and new Wren House Christmas ornaments. Festive beer and festive cheer all in one spot!

5. Desert Distortion Hop Hash from Bone Haus Brewing (Fountain Hills)

A 6.5% ABV New England style IPA for the beer fans who can’t let summer go. It’s pouring now on tap and available in kegs for home kegerator consumption.

6. Hopsbury from Front Pourch Brewing (Phoenix)

What is love? You’ll know after one night with a Hopsbury in your hand. Front Pourch Brewing makes some of the best hoppy beers you’ll ever try and creates even better names for it! Get it on draft or in cans to go.

7. Intergalactic from Arizona Wilderness (Gilbert & Phoenix)

The creative minds at AZ Wilderness decided to experiment with sustainably grown Comet hops from Crosby Farms and created a hazy IPA they promise is out of this world. Wilderness is also releasing a Peanut Brittle Ale and Biere de Wassail Farmhouse Ale fermented on AZ Pink Lady apples.

8. Respect The Send from Dark Sky Brewing (Flagstaff)

You have to respect it when Dark Sky unleashes new beers. The Flagstaff brewery has two new releases this week: Respect the Send double IPA available on draft and in 16-ounce cans; plus the new Light To Dark barleywine on draft.

9. Order Up Breakfast Stout from Pueblo Vida Brewing (Tucson)

If ever there was a beer made for breakfast, this creamy 5.5% ABV stout made with cold brew from Presta Coffee Roasters would be it. Also pairs nicely with a chilly night around the fire pit in your backyard.

10. New Brewery Alert in Prescott

Ad Astra Brewing Co. opened its doors this week in the former spot occupied by Granite Mountain Brewing on Cortez Street in Prescott. It’s a very relaxing space just far enough away from the bustling of Whiskey Row, but still on the charming streets of Downtown Prescott.