If you’re like me, you’re getting ready to settle into the couch to watch the NFL Playoffs this weekend with some good friends and great beer. As always, we drink local and we have plenty of new craft beer options for our pigskin plans. Here’s a sampling of the new releases around the Valley. Enjoy responsibly!
Congrats to Marshall Norris and the team behind Simple Machine for two years of brewing great beers at their north Phoenix taproom. To celebrate the second anniversary, the brewery is releasing four new collaboration beers with events across the Valley.
These four pair well with anniversaries and parties.
If you feel like giving the coffee pot a day off, perhaps a coffee-loaded breakfast stout can step up in its place. Packed with Peixoto coffee, maple syrup, lactose and vanilla beans, this one will sell quickly. Pairs well with a fireplace and a chilly evening (or morning if you’re into that sort of thing).
Goldwater is back with two new batches of some old favorites. How Are Ya? Hazy Rye IPA features a smooth blend of Galaxy, Mandarina Bavaria and Idaho 7 hops combined with enough rye to give it a spicy finish.
Uncharted is a Baltic Porter that has been cold fermented and lagered for four weeks to give it a crisp yet roasted and chocolate taste. Look for both of these on draft or in cans.
These beers pair well with a Friday night and playing song quiz on Alexa or Google Home.
I’m not sure if I get more excited to smell or taste a new double dry-hopped double IPA from Wren House. That tells you how good these styles always turn out. Sonorasaurus DIPA should be no different with its use of Strata, Mosaic and Nelson hops. Pairs well with a Jurassic Park/World movie marathon night.
Waste away again like Jimmy Buffett with a pour of this sour ale loaded with mango, strawberry, passionfruit and apricot. Added vanilla and lactose make this one as smooth as a tropical sunset. Pairs well with sitting under palm trees and asking the boss for vacation time.
The Arizona Cardinals playoff bandwagon might not be as robust as the Phoenix Suns’, but local football fans can still drink local while supporting the Bird Gang. PHX Beer Co. is getting into the playoff spirit by temporarily rebranding its Bird City Lager with this festive football motif available in 32-ounce crowlers starting at noon on Monday, January 17.
Anniversary Beers from Simple Machine Brewing
Superstition Breakfast Stout from Arizona Wilderness Brewing
Uncharted and How Are Ya? from Goldwater Brewing Co.
Sonorasaurus at Wren House Brewing
Island Smoothie from Tombstone Brewing Co.
Bird Gang Beer at PHX Beer Co.
