Beer may be the brand-new wine. Have you heard this 1 lately? While northern Arizona’s wine culture has received countless press lately, our seven microbreweries have actually flown relatively under the radar unless you are among breweries’ devotees. In other areas associated with the country, sophisticated beer-and-food pairings, alcohol festivals and microbrewery trips are typical the rage. Attend Sedona Monthly as we tour all seven brewhouses for which you will meet the master brewers and test some of the best beers when you look at the condition. We’ll in addition expose you to a nearby beer enthusiast just who made a decision to simply take their enthusiasm one step further and try his hand at home brewing. He’ll additionally give you a rundown of their preferred beer at each of north Arizona’s microbreweries. (Note: Residence brewing is appropriate in the condition of Arizona; however, the sale of home brew remains illegal.) Bottoms up!
Beaver Street Brewery and Lumberjack Brewing Co.
The 20-barrel brewhouse at Lumberyard Brewing Co. in downtown Flagstaff is pristine – the stainless barrels sparkle beneath the lights and also the kegs and cans tend to be piled neatly against one wall. That’s never surprising considering the brewery only unsealed its doors in-may of the year, but Lumberyard’s owners and head brewer are not any strangers to Flagstaff or even the microbrew business. Evan Hanseth along with his partner, Winnie, unsealed Beaver Street Brewery in March 1994. Within their previous life, Evan ended up being a mechanical professional and Winnie a pc programmer; the Southern California family wished to are now living in Flagstaff to be nearer to Winnie’s moms and dads. Winnie’s mother struck upon the notion of a brewery in Flagstaff after reading about brewpubs. Whilst the story goes, seven days later on Evan went to a microbrew summit in brand new Orleans and place his household available on the market.
Evan states he dabbled in residence brewing and took classes on brewing at University of California, Davis. He worked as Beaver Street’s mind brewer for pretty much a decade. After that, about eight years back, Gene Almquist, the original owner of Homebrewers Outpost in Flagstaff, thought brewing duties. “Now i recently block off the road, ” claims Evan, laughing.
The 10-barrel brewhouse at Beaver Street Brewery is tiny and found behind the club. During summer, the brewery’s busiest period, it’s hard to match the interest in the brewery’s four mainstays and two seasonal beers, so five years ago Evan and Gene started dealing with development. They were in addition interested in dispersing their award-winning beers outside of the brewery, nevertheless they needed a bigger space. Then a historic lumberyard building coming from Beaver Street became available. Winnie enjoyed the idea of rebuilding a historic building, and Evan and Gene saw the possibility in warehouse’s large ceilings.
The 2 breweries both have restaurants connected and share a few of the same beers, but that’s where the similarities end. Beaver road features a cozy, turn-of-the-century experience having its wood-burning stoves, wingback seats in waiting location, stamped tin roof and an open home. On a cold cold weather afternoon, it is the ideal spot for creamy fondue and wood-fired pizzas. (next to the club and restaurant and beneath the same ownership, you’ll discover Brews & Cues, a more conventional bar complete with – you guessed it – pool tables.) The Lumberyard, having said that, is large and contemporary featuring its concrete-and-recycled-glass bar top, subjected stone wall space and large glass house windows appear on the brewhouse. Both areas have actually outdoor sitting, but Beaver Street’s is full of picnic tables enclosed by a hop garden while Lumberyard’s patio features a view of Route 66 and downtown Flagstaff.
Beaver Street and Lumberyard share two beers: At Beaver Street, you’ll purchase the Railhead Red or even the Hopshot IPA (both winners on 2009 Great American Beer Festival) at Lumberyard the same beers would be the Lumberyard Red therefore the Lumberyard IPA. Beaver Street’s other staple brews feature Bramble Berry Brew and R&R Oatmeal Stout. At this time, you will be able to partake in just one of Beaver Street’s regular favorites – the Marzen Lager, the brewery’s authoritative Oktoberfest lager. Over at Lumberyard, you’ll additionally always discover the Lumberyard Gold Ale and Apricot Ale on faucet. If you are actually seeking to have a blast, decide to try the brewery’s regular Belgian Trippel Ale, that is 10.8 per cent liquor by amount.
“We’ll have beers that exist at both areas as well as others which can be just offered at one location, ” states Gene. “The breweries will enhance each other. Lumberyard is the foundation of your circulation, as well as Beaver Street we are going to make small batches in-house.”
Beaver Street Brewery, 11 S. Beaver St. in Flagstaff (928-779-0079); www.beaverstreetbrewery.com.
Lumberyard Brewing Co., 5 S. san francisco bay area St. in Flagstaff (928-779-2739); www.lumberyardbrewingcompany.com
Home brewer’s Pick: At Beaver Street Brewery, Hopshot IPA at Lumberyard Brewing Co., Lumberyard Porter
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