“I have respect for beer!” Russell Crowe shouts, thrusting his arms skyward, in his portrayal of mathematician John Nash in 2001’s A Beautiful Mind.
I can relate. While beer has never been my thing, I have interviewed many talented, thoughtful brewers and written quite a bit about local breweries. Beermaking is a beautiful mix of art and science that never ceases to amaze me. The craft beer community has my utmost respect, especially in how it has pivoted during the pandemic to reach customers in new and innovative ways.
Not being a beer drinker myself, I was grateful my colleague, Maddie, shared with me her spring beer wish list. In the spirit of the beer community’s famed generosity, we now share it with you so you can pick some up for a safe happy hour at home.
Sour
Boysenberry Sour from Helton Brewing Company
A sweet-tart sour ale with puckery yet lush fruit notes comes from one of Arcadia Lite’s best breweries.
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Pineapple Mango Kettle Sour from North Mountain Brewing
This tiki-tinged charmer brewed in North Phoenix may convince your Mai Tai-swilling friends to give beer a try.
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Ranier Wolfcastle Sour Ale from Scottsdale Beer Company
Ultra tart and aged in red wine barrels, this Scottsdale sour was fermented with French Saison yeast.
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Fruity
Blueberry Ale from State 48 Brewery
Fresh blueberry purée is added to the Valleywide brewery’s Lost Dutchman Golden Ale for a fruity, lightly purple tipple.
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Pomegranate Wheat from Desert Eagle Brewing Company
Beer doesn’t often evoke Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, but this juicy Hefe from Mesa’s Desert Eagle does.
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Mandarin Wheat from Uncle Bear’s Brewery
East Valley mega-brewer Uncle Bear’s turns out a crisp, citrusy and aromatic mandarin sipper.
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Papago Orange Blossom from Huss Brewing Co.
The Valley’s signature summer beer comes in beautiful new packaging this year.
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Hoppy
O.H.S.O. Hoppy from O.H.S.O. Brewery + Distillery
The omnipresent Valley brewery is offering beer and spirits to go only at its Arcadia and Gilbert locations. Order a growler of this floral brew redolent with pine and grapefruit.
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Hop Particle from PHX Beer Co.
Pick up this limited–release paean to hops at the brewery’s Scottsdale outpost, its sole open location at the moment.
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Hop Shock from San Tan Brewery + Distillery + Eatery
It’s a Valley classic for a reason, and hops heads just can’t get enough.
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Fatality IPA from Fate Brewing Co.
The name is unfortunate given our national moment, but the flavor is anything but with its “irresponsible number of hops.”
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Not Beer
Mage Hand from Scale & Feather Meadery
Avondale’s ace meadery’s magical inspiration leads to magical flavors, like this semisweet, smoky mesquite and mango number.
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Grapefruit Grenade Cider Corps
Spice it up with saucy cider infused with habanero, morita chile and grapefruit at Arizona’s first craft cider brewery in Mesa.
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Lex Lumen at Superstition Meadery
Prescott’s premier mead makers plan on expanding to Downtown Phoenix this year. Until then, enjoy 20 percent off online orders (maybe a bottle of this bright lemon and raspberry melomel, aka mead fermented with fruit) and free shipping using the code NEED4MEAD at checkout. Follow Superstition on social media for updates on other Valley purveyors.
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