50 States of Beer
Thought I'd start a thread for the guys based on their latest show.
For my home state of Arizona, don't miss:
Four Peaks Brewery (Tempe, and the best imho)
Oak Creek Brewing Company (Sedona)
Prescott Brewing Company (Prescott)
Nimbus Brewing Company (Tuscon)
Also, they threw out Utah as a "What kind of beer is there???" state.
Don't miss: Wasatch Brewpub and Brewery (Salt Lake Brewing Company maybe?)
Polygamy Porter (You've honestly never heard of it? Advertising such as "Why have just one?" and their billboards that they had to take down thanks to the Mormon Church: "Bring one home to the wives.")
Evolution Amber Ale
1st Amendment Lager
Wasatch Apricot Hefeweizen & normal hefe
The Devastator Doppelbock
Everyone throw there favorite state brews out there for Jeff and Greg, even if you can't send them out :-/. If nothing else, it'll be cool to see some of the awesome breweries around the US.
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oh...
Az: I have loved me a few beers from (correct me if I'm wrong) Sonoran Brewing - which I think is in Phoenix. I'm in Phoenix every month for work, there's some really good beer down there.
Utah: Best Utah brewer in my mind has to be Uinta. These guys make one of the most impressive American Barleywines in the US. Incredible. What's funny is Utah isn't too bad for beer - and they're the state that ratified the 21st Amendment, so we have to love them a bit. Right?
Try Arkansas! James Spencer says there's only two brewers in the whole state! That could be a pre-show state.
Well I'll be a monkey's
Well I'll be a monkey's uncle Rick. I've never heard of or seen the Sonoran Brewery, but sure enough there they are off of Bell Rd. it looks like. They must not bottle or something... I'll have to take a trip up there some time. See? I got to learn something cool about my own state beerwise lol :)
Thanks Rick,
-JDZJ
Tempe, AZ
My AZ Watering Hole
Whenever I'm in Phoenix, Papago's Brewing is my first choice. Their staff is knowledgeable, their guest beers are amazing and their bottle shop kicks ass: Lost Abbey, Pizza Port, Cantillon, Ale Smith and more. Just throwing that out there in case it's also new to you... I'm sure it's not.
Yeah, I went to their
Yeah, I went to their taproom once and really enjoyed it. I didn't get a chance to go into the bottle shop, though, and after investigating further I'm really regretting that I didn't! I went there back when I was first getting into beer and was visiting friends in Scottsdale, and haven't been back or thought about it since. Not really in my neck of the woods, but there's no such thing as "too far" for great beer. Thanks for reminding me!
My latest vendetta has been to try and find another carrier of Ommegang out here. Cost Plus used to carry their beers for $3.99 per 750mL and I wish I'd realized then what a great deal it was (or that I was cellaring then like I am now). They took them away and now I'm sad :-/
-JDZJ
Tempe, AZ
AJ's
Try AJ's grocery store. The Camelback/44th location is walking distance to my office, the place amazes me. I believe they had a bulky Ommegang lineup. I'm also pretty sure Papago carried Ommegang stuff, including Ommegedon.
Oh, Papago's is a bar/bottle shop. You can choose to open the bottle there, or take it home. Hundreds of beers to choose from, from everywhere good beer is made.
I've been to three different
I've been to three different AJ's here. No Ommegang. I've been to the camelback one too. They definitely have the best beer selection of the three. I got one of those awesome Chimay sampler pack and glass combos there for $12. I'll be heading to Papago again once life settles down a little. I already have a closet/minifridge/fridge full of beer though lol :)...but the collection never stops. Lately I've been frequenting Bevmo. Their prices in general are much better than AJ's and so far I've only had one skunked bottle (which I deserved because I took it off the front). They just put a new one into the Tempe marketplace, which is about 1/4 mile down the street from my condo, not to mention on the way home from both work and school.
-JDZJ
Tempe, AZ
PS-This is just me and Rick waxing nostalgic about great Arizona beer so far...where are the other states?
Updates
Rick-
Found Ommegang. Twice. Cost Plus started carrying their Dubbel again, and I found an AJ's that carries all of them (yep, bought them all too).
Second-I was actually all gassed up to go try Papago, but my (small) brewing club heavily warned me against them, saying many horrible things. So...they talked me out of it for now but I'll definitely have to go see for myself before making my own judgement.
-JDZJ
Tempe, AZ
Odd...
I have places in Sacramento I like to go to that some beer clubs shy away from, or actively tell folks to avoid. What's funny here is we have two homebrew shops and people that go to one are essentially their own clique, while those who go to the other are another. Here it all stems to an event that happened 8 years ago that neither side will ever forget or get over. Me? I try to ignore that the best I can. It seems that typically boils down to something personal. I don't live in Phoenix, but Papago is hands-down the bar I go to first and most frequently.
Glad you found Ommegang though.
Another State
Georgia has some great beer, most of it's focused in Atlanta, though.
Distributing breweries:
Sweetwater always does good beer with a kinky name: Dubbel D's Belgian Dubbel, Donkey Punch Barleywine, 420 Extra Pale Ale, Hummer Witbier.
Atlanta Brewing makes solid beer that's getting better, just not very innovative. Red Brick Ale, Red Brick Blonde (Gold Medal winner at GABF this year), Summer Hefe, Numbers Ale.
Terrapin has been around for a while, but they are finally brewing in the state (Athens, GA, where they've always laid claim). Great beer: Rye Pale Ale, Imperial Pilsner, Big Hoppy Monster, Wake n' Bake.
Brewpubs:
5 Seasons Brewing is getting ready to open their 3rd location in/around Atlanta. Always superior beer. They make a Flanders that's just lip-smackin' good. They use local, organic, and season foods when they can and their Oktoberfest is always a great time. All you can eat and drink for $55 with liters of Fiestbier.
Twain's is a little more blue collar, but still solid. The brewmaster used to be at Dogwood Brewing (My favorite local beer for a long time).
Copper Creek in Athens, GA. Never been there, but it's on the list.
Moon River in Savannah, GA. Never been there either. My wife has and she liked it pretty well.
The best place to go in the entire state is Brick Store Pub in Decatur. Beer Advocate named it the 3rd best beer bar in the U.S. And it is well deserved. Dedicated Belgian beer bar upstairs and they always seem to get the new beers when the come to GA. Absolutely NO macros from anywhere. Great owners, great service, great beer.
Utah...
Hey guys. Long time listener, first time et cetera...
Jeff and Greg: if you're interested in trying out a variety of "session" beers, I can send a few of our 4.0% ABV Utah specials.
Love the show; keep up the good work.
Texas has a few too
I have yet to try many of these brews, but there are some good spots to explore.
-Spoetzl Brewery, Shiner-make Shiner Bock, which is more of a vienna lager than a bock, and my introduction to non-piss-water-macros. Not great but holds a warm spot in my heart. I like their Black Lager and the anniversary beers are better than the year round lineup.
-St. Arnolds, Houston- I like everything I’ve had from them. Their high alcohol beers outshine the lower gravity brews and I really like the Lawnmower and Amber as summer session beers. The Elissa is a nice IPA as well.
-Real Ale Brewing, Blanco- The 6-pack sampler offers a hop forward Brown Ale, an APA, and a nice Rye. The Fireman’s 4 Blond not so good and the Sisyphus Barleywine is in the cellar.
-Live Oak, Austin- I hear great things about their Beers but haven’t been out to see them yet. Their Hefe is a metal winner.
-Rhar and Sons, Fort Worth- The red lager isn’t that good and I’ve never had anything else.
-Independence Brewing, Austin- They brew for Alamo Drafthouse (Best Movie Theater I’ve ever seen) the previews and an amber ale are worth the trip.
-Blue Star, San Antonio- Good porter and stout. It’s somewhat close to home so I’m biased, but there are plans for a Baltic Porter so I’ll be back.
-Fredericksburg Brewing Company, Fredericksburg- A buddy of mine grabbed a growler of the porter and I must say it was roasted HEAVEN, or just really good for you stubborn unbelievers.
-North by Northwest, Austin- Never been, but they are at the top of my weekend road trip list for their Flanders Red. I need another sour beer. Texas has a hard time getting good imports and the TABC’s label laws hurt American Craft Beer just as much.
-Dodging Duck Brewhaus, Boerne. Their selection is always changing but the Old Speckled Duck ESB is outstanding. The food is good and the porch on a sunny day can’t be beat.
I know I missed a few but that’s my Texas Beer Tour. Austin is the place to be even if Celis shut down and is no longer brewing their Wit.
-Drew in the TX hills
I take it back
I take it back, purposely miss Nimbus brewery. I've had 4 different beers of theirs and have hated all of them. I guess I shouldn't say purposely avoid....drink with caution?
-JDZJ
Tempe, AZ
Countries?
Along these same lines, have you ever considered contacting an importer to see about securing/procuring beers from relatively small countries, like Italy? Also, a horizontal show with Hitachino could be interesting, they're making some pretty good beer there, nothing at all like what I think of with Japanese beer.
Great Idea, only if this was
Great Idea, only if this was my day job. Then I'd have tons of time to persue things like that... Hey, maybe a certain bi-monthly beer appreciation magazine should hire me to do a podcast for them.