The Governor of Arizona has proclaimed Beer Week in Arizona, and it unfolds on February 12th and runs for 9 days through February 21st. Hmmm, a week that runs for 9 days? Our only explanation is that we like to do things right in Arizona and there’s a two day trial run on Thursday and Friday to make sure the brew masters and beer lovers are in place for the week-end kickoff that starts this Saturday.
Today’s beers come in all shapes, forms and sizes with craft beer taking center stage. And the statistics seem to be showing craft beer is on the front lines and competing for cross-drinkers. (A cross-drinker is someone who mixes it up and drinks beer, wine and spirits.)
In 2014, data showed the money spent on alcoholic beverages is largely from consumers who purchase beer (85%) but only 10% of this figure represents beer-only drinkers. With the recent trending in craft beers, it is believed that these artisan beers may just be what it will take to turn some of these cross-drinkers into beer aficionados.
You can now get craft beers by the gallon when doing your grocery shopping. Check out Safeway and AJ’s Fine Foods if you don’t believe us. More surprising, you can get fueled in more ways than one when you drive into a Valero gas station in Scottsdale and fill up on craft beers in the brown gallon glass containers they provide. You can find craft beers in restaurants throughout Scottsdale and Phoenix.
Back to Beer Week. For a very unique experience head out to the Four Peaks Tasting Room in Tempe on Friday the thirteenth where they will be pairing beer with…Girl Scout Cookies; admission is $15 and you get to keep the souvenir glass.
Or head down to Phoenix for The Strong Beer Festival at Steele Indian Park. General admission $45 but designated drivers get in for $10. You get 40 two-ounce tastings and get to take home the commemorative tasting mug when you leave.
Why not kick off beer week on February 12th from 5:00 - 7:00 pm in North Scottsdale where 21 Degree’s Cigar’s will be pairing beer with, you guessed it, cigars.
Just search the internet because there will be beer brunches, beer breakfasts, beer specials and pub crawls all across the Valley.
It seems that beer is not going away anytime soon and may just be giving the wine industry a run for its money. Cheers!
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