Italian Pilsner/5.1% ABV A fairly recent addition to the world beer stage, the Italian pilsner is trending tempo grande with U.S. craft brewers. But what is it, exactly? Think of it this way: Invented by Czech brewers, the pilsner is basically a more hoppy, spicier lager, while the Italian pilsner is essentially a more aromatic version of a traditional pilsner, by virtue of dry hopping (read: adding hops after the boil, so you get the aroma but not the bitterness). Started by the fellows behind now-defunct Ad Astra Brewing Company in Prescott, Tempe-based Catalyst uses tropical Hallertau ..read more

Huss Brewing Co.’s latest release is tailor-made for triple digits. By Craig Outhier | Photo: Angelina Aragon The pineapple has a heroic track record of hot-weather refreshment – witness the piña colada, the Dole Whip, the five-cup fruit salad, need we go on? But every hero needs a sidekick, and in the case of Huss Brewing Co.’s new Pink Pineapple Haze IPA, that sidekick happens to be a hot-pink cactus fruit that’s ubiquitous ‘round these parts. The idea for the beer came from owner Jeff Huss’s daughter, Lola, who asked her dad one day, “What about a fruit-forward IPA that’ll make every ..read more

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 ..read more

An Arizona delegation accepts an award on stage at the World Beer Cup 2024. Screen grab from YouTube. The East Valley recently proved it’s among the best in the world when it comes to beer. Scottsdale’s Goldwater Brewing, O.H.S.O. Brewery-Gilbert, Chandler’s Pedal Haus Brewery and Mesa’s 12 West Brewing each won a medal Wednesday night at the 2024 World Beer Cup in Las Vegas. 12 West Brewing was Arizona’s lone gold medalist, winning the top prize in the Contemporary American-Style Lager category for Zona pilsner. O.H.S.O. Brewery-Gilbert won a silver in the Herb and Spice Beer category for Su ..read more

Need some suds to sip after taking swings? Craving a cold, post-ace ale? Keep the long drives on the par fives and make your post-round travel your short game specialty with our list of the closest crafty drinks after a day on the links.  CLOSEST TO THE PIN Local craft breweries located less than a mile from the nearest golf course, according to Google Maps.  Longbow Golf Club & Goldwater Longbow Taproom (Mesa) Distance: 0.6 miles (2 minutes) Even if your round isn’t dynamite, your IPA can be! Goldwater’s pilsners and lagers hit the spot after a toasty summer round in ..read more

New England IPA/6.8% ABV/30 IBU What’s a foolproof way to put some pizzazz back into a relationship? Maybe a little hop oil? For the latest iteration of its tried-and-true house hazy, Flagstaff’s Dark Sky mixed up the hop card a bit, using a “unique Citra hop oil” in the whirlpool, followed by dry-hoppings of Citra, El Dorado and Simcoe. The result: aromas of “Fruit Loops, peach ring gummies and tropical fruit” in the estimation of the brewer, with a “snappy pine bitterness” at the end. What got into you tonight, dear? Available at Trevor’s Liquors and other fine beer stores. darkskybrewing ..read more

Marzen 5.8% ABV 24 IBU Pumpkin beers tend to be a divisive topic within the brewing intelligentsia – some tolerate them, some would rather drink sun-warmed clam juice – but there’s very little argument that this perennial offering from rising Gilbert brewer Desert Monks is one of the finest versions in America. Winner of the silver medal in the pumpkin beer category at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival – one of only three Arizona breweries to medal that year – the spicy, medium-bodied sipper also pulled gold and bronze at the 2022 and 2023 Arizona Craft Beer Awards, respectively, in th ..read more

Come celebrate the best of Arizona beer at the AZ Craft Beer Awards Festival! Get tickets online at tickets.phoenixmag.com PHOENIX magazine, in partnership with the Arizona Craft Brewer’s Guild, is proud to present the 2nd Annual AZ Craft Beer Awards, recognizing the best in Arizona brewing! The Festival, held on October 21, 2023, will be the celebration of these awards, bringing the beer community together so we can all enjoy the best Arizona has to offer! Get tickets online at tickets.phoenixmag.com PARTICIPATING BREWERIES (beer samples at the festival) Pedal Haus Brewery ..read more

Come celebrate the best of Arizona beer at the AZ Craft Beer Awards Festival! Get tickets online at tickets.phoenixmag.com PHOENIX magazine, in partnership with the Arizona Craft Brewer’s Guild, is proud to present the 2nd Annual AZ Craft Beer Awards, recognizing the best in Arizona brewing! The Festival, held on October 21, 2023, will be the celebration of these awards, bringing the beer community together so we can all enjoy the best Arizona has to offer! Get tickets online at tickets.phoenixmag.com PARTICIPATING BREWERIES (beer samples at the festival) Wren House (Hooks ..read more

Congrats to the winners at the 2023 Arizona Craft Beer Awards! Enjoy these photos from a fun night celebrating at the Arizona Heritage Center in Tempe. All photos by Angelina Aragon, PHOENIX magazine. Tickets to the Arizona Craft Beer Awards Festival on Saturday, October 21 can be purchased here ..read more