The Arizona Strong Beer Festival returns to a new venue

The new Bell Bank Park in east Mesa will host the return of the 21st annual Arizona Strong Beer Festival on Saturday, February 19th. The festival will kick-off the 11th Annual Arizona Beer Week organized by the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild. Over 500 craft beers will be tapped for the festival that goes from 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. with close to 10,000 people expected to attend.

“We can’t wait to get back to beer fests!” says Rob Fullmer, Executive Director of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild. “It’s been a long two years for everyone and we are thrilled to be hosting the Arizona Strong Beer Festival at a new, state of the art location.”

More than 100 events are planned throughout Arizona during the 10 day celebration with the festival being the largest. Arizona Beer Week goes from February 17th-27th.

General Admission tickets are $60 with a limited number of VIP tickets available for $80. VIP tickets allow for early entry at 11:30 a.m., Friday wristband pick-up, Saturday express entry, a food voucher, VIP lounge access with private restrooms and a special edition SWAG bag. Super VIP tickets are available for $100 with all of the above plus commemorative glassware and a Sunday Brunch Brewers Reception. A complete list of brewers participating will be available at their website in late January and it’s also where you can purchase tickets. Bell Bank Park is at 1 Legacy Dr. Mesa 85212.

Arizona Beer Week sees new collaboration beer at SanTan Brewing Co.

Celebrating 10th years of friendship and the craft beer scene Arizona Beer Week returns February 6th, 2020. Through the 15th SanTan Brewing Co. has scheduled a week’s worth of events for beer fans. The highlight is the Brewer’s Round Table that features a new collaborative beer from SanTan and other downtown Chandler brewers. The Wee Heavy Scottish Ale “Wee Heavy, Get In My Belly” was brewed on January 16th at nearby Flix Brewhouse.

Beer fans will be able to get a first taste of Wee Heavy at the Strong Beer Festival February 8th before getting tapped at SanTan on February 13th. Tim Caggiano of SanTan Brewing, Derek “Doc” Osborne of the soon to open Pedal Haus Brewery, Marissa Bernal of Flix Brewhouse and Jake Hredzak of The Perch Pub & Brewery all collaborated on the beer.

“We chose to create a Wee Heavy Scottish Ale for this collaboration. This style plays to a strength of our host brewer, Marisa; who has made award winning Scottish Ales at Flix Brewhouse, “said Tim Caggiano, Brewer, SanTan Brewing Company, “Collaboration brews are super fun because everyone brings their own technique and I always learn something new.”Arizona Beer Week

Arizona Beer Week Brewers Round Table dinner

Wee Heavy will be on tap at each brewer’s taprooms for Arizona Beer Week and will be featured at the annual Brewers Round Table dinner on the 13th. The four- course dinner will pair beers from the downtown Chandler brewers while guests ask questions and hear from the brewers while enjoying the menu below.

Asparagus + Goat Cheese Ravioli– Spent Grain Pasta, Charred Asparagus, Chevre, Lemon Cream, Pecanwood Bacon, Chive + Garlic Micros

Venison Mini Chimi– Venison Sirlon, Hatch Chile, Oxoaca, Cilantro Rice, Chile Con Queso, Pickled Red Onion, Avocado

Lamb Chop – Herb Crusted Smoked Lamb, Mushroom + Brie Polenta, Beernaise, Charred Leek

Wee Bit Of Bread Pudding– Wee Heavy Bread Pudding, Whiskey Fudge, Bing Cherry Compote, Vanilla Meringue, Burnt Orange

“Hanging out with other brewers is always a great time. Being able to collaborate with them is even better. Doc, Tim, and Jake all brought new knowledge for me to learn and incorporate in my future brew days,” Marisa Bernal, Head Brewer, Flix Brewhouse.

Tickets for the dinner are required and are $65 per person +tax. Gratuity is included and tickets can be purchased here. SanTan Brewing Co. will have other events during Arizona Beer Week and a full list is available on at https://santanbrewing.com/events. SanTan Brewing Co. is at 8 San Marcos Pl. Chandler 85225.

 

 

Strong Beer Festival tickets go on sale Black Friday

Once you wake up from your turkey coma on Black Friday make your way down to Arizona Craft Brewers Guild’s Tempe office as tickets for the Strong Beer Festival go on sale. Other locations around Arizona will also offer the best prices for the February 8th festival before they increase December 3rd.

“The only gift better than tickets to the Arizona Strong Beer Festival is tickets that come with a Festival t-shirt or hat,” says Rob Fullmer, Executive Director of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild. “Locals can visit the Guild office on Black Friday for the best ticket prices in town plus Arizona Strong Beer Festival and Arizona Beer Week swag you won’t find anywhere else.”

This year’s festival marks its 20th anniversary and brewers will collaborate on special beers for the festival. The festival is part of the annual Arizona Beer Week from February 6th – 16th with over 200 events planned.

Strong Beer Festival tickets on sale

The Guild’s office at 201 E. Southern Ave. #109 will be selling tickets from 8 a.m. -1 p.m. starting at $40.  Discounted tickets, with no online fees, will be available at the following locations from Black Friday, Nov. 29 through Mon., Dec. 2: 8-bit Aleworks, 12 West Brewing Co., Arizona Wilderness, Bone Haus Brewing Co., Brewers Connections, Front Pourch Brewing Co., Growlers USA – High Street, Hungry Monk, Huss Brewing Co., Lumberyard Brewing Co., Oro Brewing Co., Tap & Bottle, and Throne Brewing Co.

General admission tickets are $40 then go up to $64.33 on Tues. Limited amounts of VIP tickets (in person only) are $70 then $85.22 next week. VIP tickets include a food voucher, access to VIP area, a private restroom and access to specialty beers. New this year is Super VIP tickets which are $90 then $106.51. Included are all the above plus Friday wristband pick up, express entry and entry to the Brewer’s reception on Sunday.

“You have to act fast if you want to score tickets to the best beer festival of the year, especially with this year’s added collaborations” says Fullmer. “Our VIP tickets typically sell out well before the new year.”

A complete line-up of brewers, entertainment and food will be available soon at http://arizonabeerweek.com/arizona-strong-beer-festival/. You can also purchase tickets at the link.

The festival will be at Steele Indian School Park at 300 E. Indian School Rd. in Phoenix from 1 – 5 p.m.

HB Hanratty’s and Old Dixie’s Food Truck Join for AZ Beer Week

The esteemed Mr. HB Hanratty knows a thing or two about Southern Comfort. Yes, there is the well-known liquor, but he prefers the fixins. In his humble opinion, there is no better match to craft beers than down-home Southern cooking. To prove his point, HB Hanratty’s Pub and Old Dixie’s food truck join up on Tuesday, February 19 from 6:

Old Dixie sandwich
Old Dixie sandwich
30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. to celebrate Arizona Beer Week with a Comfort Food + Craft Beer pairing.

For $25 guests will get a 3-course tasting menu of Old Dixie’s Southern comfort food. Think Boudin Balls – crispy fried house made sausage, rice and seasoning topped with Kiltlifter beer mustard; Chorizo Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes; and Old Dixie’s signature Buttermilk Biscuits and jam. Inside Hanratty’s guests will get 4 oz samples of four Arizona beers from breweries like Sleepy Dog, Sun Up and San Tan. After the tasting, guests will also get their choice of a full pint, bottle or can of any of Hanratty’s Arizona beers.
HB_CansDraftsPool
The evening is open to all, but seating for the tasting menu is limited. To confirm your tasting plate, RSVP on HB Hanratty’s Facebook page (facebook.com/hbhanrattys). Payment will be made at the bar the night of the event.

Also during Arizona Beer Week (Feb. 16 – 23), all of HB Hanratty’s selection of Arizona beers on draft, bottle will be available for $3.

HB Hanratty’s is at 537 E. Camelback just west of 7th Street. RSVP for this event on HB Hanratty’s Facebook page – facebook.com/hbhanrattys.

Also find Hanratty’s and Old Dixie’s on the Twitter: @hbhanrattys and @olddixies.