Great American brew is a tradition dating to the dawn of the American colonies. The story of beer and breweries in the American colonies is the legacy that the modern craft beer industry is built upon. Beer, the beloved beverage that has quenched the thirst of millions for centuries, played a pivotal role in the daily life of Colonial America. From the earliest settlers to the spirited revolutionaries, beer was more than just a drink; it was a staple of economic survival and a symbol of community. When the English colonists set foot on the North American continent, they brought with them a tra ..read more

The American craft beer renaissance is a tale of passion, entrepreneurs, innovation, visionaries, and beer connoisseurs. That is also the sotry of Mudshark Brewery and Public House in Lake Havasu City, a pioneer in the Arizona micorbrewery renaissance. The story of modern American craft beer is a fascinating one. It’s a narrative that spans several decades, beginning in the late 1960s and 1970s. This was the biggest period of regional brewery consolidation and closure since the years braketing Prohibition. This challenging environment set the stage for a brewing revolution that would eventuall ..read more

Gold rush! From the mid 19th century into the early 20th century rugged, weathered prospectors wandered the western wilderness in search of gold. They endured countless hardships and privations, and seldom profited from their suffering. But often their discoveries sparked a cry of gold rush that spread around the world. In an instant a remote desert wilderness valley or forested canyon would be transformed into a boom town. Many were rough and tumble tent camps. Others such as Rhyolite in Nevada became modern bustling cities with modern amenities in the proverbial blink of an eye. The history ..read more

An American classic is actually an import. I am not talking about Chevrolet (Louis Chevrolet was born in Switzerland). I am talking about the American nut brown ale that was popular after repeal of Prohibition. The history of the American version of nut brown ale is cloudy. One of the earliest references to this brew is an 1853 advertisement for a “pale, brown and amber ale and porter” from John McKnight’s brewery in Albany, New York. And in the early 1860s a New York City directory of breweries lists four brewers that offered Burton Ale as well as “pale, golden and amber ales, porter and brow ..read more

Hard times lead to innovation, improvisation and a few surprises. This blog could have been titled as Weird Brews. Today, I’m going to tell you about how a lack of traditional ingredients led to the brewing of strange beers on the western frontier. As you may know, beer is made from four basic ingredients: water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. But what if you don’t have access to these ingredients? Well, that’s what happened to many settlers and pioneers who ventured into the wild west in the 19th century. They had to improvise with whatever they could find or grow in their new environment. O ..read more

A proud tradition lives on at Mudshark Brewery and Public House in Lake Havsu City, Arizona. We are not just an award winning microbrewery known for unique craft beers and an expansive dinner menu. We are a tangible link to centuries of American history, and a bridge between the past, present and future. If you are a fan of beers such as our Scorpion Amber, Havablue, and Liquid Haze, you are in good company. Did you know that President James Madison and an array of famous Americans were passionate about beer? Here are some amazing beer trivia facts that will make you appreciate the delicious b ..read more

An all American tradition is alive and well at Mudshark Brewery and Public House in picturesque Lake Havasu City, Arizona. From our award winning Buzz Honey Lager to Full Moon and Scorpion Amber each of our craft beers is a direct link to a tradition that dates to Colonial America. Beer was not only a popular beverage, in many instances it was also also viewed as a healthy alternative for the early colonists. They had learned from their Native American neighbors that drinking water could be dangerous. And so beer could be a safer and healthier alternative. The boiling process of making beer ki ..read more

Beer trivia can be a fun way to pass some time when gathering with friends and enjoying an evening at Mudshark Brewery and Public House. So, how well do you know craft beer and traditional brewing? Ready to test your skills? Grab a pint of our award winning Buzz Honey Lager and let’s go! What beer brand had a series of commercials featuring a man known as “The Most Interesting Man in the World”? Answer: Dos Equis. This Mexican beer brand launched a campaign in 2006 that featured an actor named Jonathan Goldsmith as a suave and adventurous character who always had a Dos Equis in his hand. The ..read more

No gimmicks, just beer. From its inception in 1998, Mudshark Brewery and Public House, the premier microbrewery in Lake Havasu City, Arizona has focused on the brewing of quality beer, good food, and offering people a great place to make memories with friends and family. Some microbreweries go another direction. They offer craft beer with a twist, a gimmick. Something catchy. And that can result in the brewing of beer that is, shall we say, different when experiments with new and unusual ingredients create unique flavors and aromas. But some of these ingredients are a bit weird. Mustard seeds ..read more

There is a record to beat but it will be ahwile before Mudshark Brewery and Public House in Lake Havasu City, Arizona can break it. Our doors opened in 1998, and so we are one of the oldest craft microbreweries in Arizona. But in comparison to Weihenstephan Brewery in Bavaria, Germany, we are a newcomer. Recent conversations about the modern history of microbreweries sparked by our Buzz Honey Lager taking second place in a national competition raised an interesting question. What is the oldest craft brewery in the world? Well, I wasn’t surprised to learn that this distinction belongs to a ..read more