While yours truly was lucky enough to make the bucket list pilgrimage to Northern California and spoil myself in Russian River Brewing Co.’s Pliny The Younger triple IPA for a weekend in late March, I enjoyed better beers here in Arizona during the month of April.
Here’s a look at some of the best pours I enjoyed in April and what I’m looking forward to in May.
THE BEST
Triple Double Spellbinder, Wren House Brewing
This triple dry-hopped double version of the award-winning flagship at Wren House seemed to have exponentially more of that classic Spellbinder aroma and citrus flavor than what I’m used to. This was part of a multi-variant release for “Spellbinder Day” and is the must-try beer from that lineup for any Wren House fan and one I hope the Phoenix brewery regularly brings back.
THE NEXT BEST
Sun Scorched Kolsch, Saddle Mountain Brewing Company
My Final Four day trip to the West Valley began with a stop at Saddle Mountain Brewing in Goodyear to load up on lunch and some to-go beers for tailgating in the State Farm Stadium parking lot. There are so many good options, but I went with the 6% ABV crushable kolsch. That decision was far more of a slam dunk than the uninteresting basketball games that took place.
WORTH A MENTION
Bourbon Barrel Aged Schwarzbier, Goldwater Brewing
Our marketing director Johann Warnholtz has worn me down over the years talking about Schwarzbier — and I’m better off for it! Goldwater aged a batch of this dark, light and roasty style of beer for 12 months in a ten-year bourbon barrel for limited draft pours and I only wish I had more than just one.
EXCITED FOR IN MAY
We’re always excited for a new brewery in town and we get one on Friday, May 3 when Pinnacle Brewing Company opens its doors in Scottsdale. Head brewmaster Wyatt Wilson, who has stints in Canada, Oregon and Colorado on his brewing resume, has a Grodziskie on the menu — a smoky style of beer you won’t find much outside of Poland.
-Matthew Johnson, Director of Digital Content
