Little league baseball tournaments got in the way of tracking my beer consumption in June but I made up for it in July, enjoying delights from several local breweries. These were the best.
FAVORITE
She’ll Be Right Double Hazy IPA
Roses by the Stairs Brewing
Not many breweries bat 1.000 with new releases, but Roses by the Stairs comes close. They have not released a single beer I’ve disliked, including my favorite beer from last month: She’ll Be Right. This hazy double IPA is a creamy ride from tongue to belly with a brilliant mouthfeel and a great mix of hops. It’s everything I hope for in a hazy and I remember craving this one for awhile.
RUNNER-UP
Flightless Bird New Zealand Pilsner
Phantom Fox Beer Co.
Lately, I’ve been more and more impressed with the beers at Phantom Fox since it opened in October. The New Zealand pilsner named Flightless Bird is a fun and fruity experience, giving off a fantastic aroma of lemon followed by a quenching burst of lemon zest on the taste. Admittedly, I’ve become a big fan of beers with New Zealand hops during the summer, because of its refreshing taste and light body. Other local favorites include Dark Sky Brewing’s Exploration Without Limits NZIPA and Goldwater Brewing’s “Cool As” cold IPA.
EXCITED FOR IN AUGUST
We get to sample the award-winning beers from Oro Brewing Company, Catalyst Crafted Ales, O.H.S.O. and Simple Machine Brewing at PHOENIX magazine’s 3rd annual Best Fest on Saturday, August 17. Get tickets at tickets.phoenixmag.com
