Tag: beer

Rift Tap and Wine Bar opening in south Scottsdale

If all goes as planned with the expiration of the current Covid-19 lock down on Monday July 27th south Scottsdale could have a new beer and wine bar in early August. Regardless of the lock down Rift Tap and Wine Bar opens for curbside pick-up and delivery that same Monday. Rift is the brainchild of owners Damien Kanser, a wine industry veteran and friend Jon Coppins, the winemaker at Su Vino Winery.

Named after a Phish album that inspired Kanser since his childhood, Rift converted a spot that was a convenience store at Fillmore and Scottsdale Rd.. With little or nothing for craft beer and wine between old town Scottsdale and Tempe they felt this would be the perfect location for their neighborhood bar. The neighborhood is home to many service industry people and young professionals who have had nowhere to gather since Papago Brewing Co. closed a few years ago.

Rift will feature affordable wines and beers from local brewers and wineries and from across the country and the world. 25 beers on tap will be poured along with wines by the glass as guests gather at the 23 seat bar, high top tables or couches. Food trucks will be scheduled for guests to enjoy a bite to eat with their beer and wine. Coolers will house cold beers to go along with a few racks of retail wines. Kanser envisions Rift’s retail component as a quick grab n go for people to purchase on a regular basis to enjoy with dinner or by the pool. They’re sourcing limited production small batch beers directly from brewers giving the shop a unique selection by the bottle and tap.

Rift owners Damien Kanser and Jon Coppins

The wine club at Rift Tap and Wine Bar

This fall Rift will house a studio for their “Spilling the Truth” podcast they started in late 2018. Windows to the studio will allow guests to view podcasts live with brewers and winemakers joining the podcast.

Two wine clubs will be offered featuring local wines and wines to a national audience based on wineries visiting the podcast.

Rift is at 431 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale 85257. For updates check out their Facebook page.

Growly Delivers is today’s milkman for local beer brewers

If you were born after the 1980s chances are you’ve never seen a milkman deliver quarts of milk to your door. Dropping off fresh milk in glass bottles and picking up empty bottles for re-use was affordable and convenient for previous generations. Growly Delivers is the milkman of the 21st century delivering growlers of beer instead of milk.

The local delivery service started with PHX Beer Co. to get fresh beer to customers through their weekly subscription service. Plans are to add other local breweries in the future as demand grows. Deliveries are made every Thursday and those wanting to take delivery can subscribe at their website and choose what beer you’d like to be delivered. It couldn’t be any easier than that for beer drinkers. The eco-friendly Growly Delivers takes the empty growlers back to the brewery to be cleaned, sanitized and re-filled.

Beer drinkers that don’t drink as quickly as others can have a specially made high tech growler filled with beer. A compressor with a C02 cartridge allows for the beer to stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. The local startup has successfully sign up almost 50 subscriptions in the Phoenix area in its first two weeks.

Celebrating 4th of July around the Phoenix restaurant scene

We’re half way through 2020 (let it be over already) and that means the 4th of July is a few days away. Celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States around Phoenix at restaurants with specials for the holiday.

North central Phoenix

Aioli Gourmet Burgers – Is open for take-out or dining on their patio with these 2 specials and online ordering is available.
$6 Independence Day Celebration Shake– Brownie & Chocolate Chip Cookie Crumbles, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, topped with Fresh Whipped Cream, Chocolate Sauce, M&M’s, Mini Cookie and Sprinkles.

$12 Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich- Spicy Fried Chicken Breast, Pickles, Iceberg Lettuce, Green Chili Aioli, Cayenne Pepper, Smoked Paprika.

Aioli is at 10652 N 32nd Street, 85028.

Original Breakfast House – has American favorites and a special Italian sweet treat for breakfast & lunch until 2 p.m. Beef Tenderloin Eggs Benedict, $16.50, Crab and Avocado Omelette topped with hollandaise, $16.50 and Tiramisu Pancakes, $12.00. 13623 N. 32nd St. 85032 (602) 482-2328.

Central Phoenix

Miracle Mile Deli – The deli will be closed on the 4th but customers can call in orders for pick-up by 6 p.m. on Friday July 3rd. Family meals and sandwich kits from $55 – $95 and $25 growlers of local craft beer. Find details on each of the platters at website. 4433 N. 16th St. Phoenix 85016. 

Glendale

Padre Murphy’s – Specials include 1/2 rack of pork ribs, fries & cole slaw for $11.99. Watermelon Mojito and Frozen Blue Margarita for $4, Fireball shots $3.00 and drafts of Bud $2.50. Dine- in or take-out. 4338 W. Bell Rd. 85308

Paradise Valley

Salty Sow – It’s the return of the restaurants annual “Dinner on Us” meal deal. Buy 1 Get 1 Free when you order one of their signature dinners including Pork ribs, Smoked Brisket and more. Dinner starts at 4 p.m. 4801 E. Cactus Rd. 85032.

Scottsdale

The Roaring Fork – Like their sister restaurant Salty Sow, the popular Roaring Fork is offering a Buy 1 Get 1 free “Dinner on Us”. Starting at 4 p.m. choose from wood fired favorites such as the Big Ass Burger, Rainbow Trout or Spit Fired Rotisserie Chicken. 4800 N. Scottsdale Rd. 85251.

Phx Beer Co. – is offering The Bird City Beer Brat for $11. The brat is cooked in Bird City Lager with onions and green peppers, served on a hoagie roll with Iron Horse Porter mustard. Choose from seasoned fries, house-made coleslaw or Cowboy Caviar on the side.

Also the Red, White and Bleu burger is available for $15. 8 oz. of AZ grass fed Angus burger is topped with bleu cheese and bleu cheese dressing, served on a challah roll with sliced tomato, onion. Choose a side from above to accompany your burger. 8300 N. Hayden Rd.

Kasai Japanese Steakhouse– Get 10% off your entire bill when you wear red, white & blue or the American flag on Sat. or Sun. 14344 N. Scottsdale Road.

The Americano – is offering a Bourbon & Family Style Barbecue meal to celebrate. Start with Salted Watermelon Sour, then share a variety of appetizers including Ligurian Onion Focaccia, Waygu meatballs and Caesar salad. For the main course enjoy Americano Smokehouse Barbeque Mary’s Chicken, house salsiccia, Linz Beef “Long Island cut” steak, Cavatappi alla Cacio e Pepe with garlic crumble, corn on the cob and Italian potato salad. Save room for the Tiramisu Cheesecake for dessert.

$55 per person, for reservations, call 480-573-0001. 17797 N. Scottsdale Rd.

Multiple locations

Fired Pie – Get 20% off your order when you dine-in or take out. Not valid on 3rd party deliveries. Use promo USA to redeem.

Pedal Haus Brewery – The Tempe and Chandler brew pubs are offering a Independence Party Pack all weekend long. For $44 you get two American Flag wristbands, two pairs of Pedal Haus sunglasses and an 8-Pack (or two growlers) of Pedal Haus Day Drinker Light Lager. Add two brats with all the fixings and German potato salad for $15. Pick up Fri, Sat or Sun in Tempe at 720 S. Mill Ave #102 or in downtown Chandler at 95 W. Boston St.

Thirsty Lion Gastropub – All day happy hour on cocktails beer & wine. $1 off draft pints and $5.95 for well drinks, house wine & margaritas.

U.S. Egg – Save $3 off Mimosa flights all through the month of July. Enjoy the 4th with Stars & Stripes Waffle ($10.99) featuring U.S. Egg’s classic, fresh-made fluffy waffle topped with strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream to create a vision of the American flag.

Tempe

Ghost Ranch – is offering a special brisket dish for the holiday. 1006 E. Warner Rd. Suite 102-103.

VooDoo Daddy’s Steam Kitchen – will have live music all day from Cheryl Thurston Dixie Land Jazz Band. $5 for 4th of July Hurricanes and other drink specials will be available. 1325 W. Elliot Rd., Suite 106.

Tortilla Flat

Spend the day visiting the historic western town east of Phoenix in Superstition Mountains. Plenty of room for social distancing and cooler temperatures at the towns restaurant, saloon, museum and country store.

 

 

 

 

The Dash Inn re-opens in Scottsdale after 27 years

If you attended ASU from 1967 – 1994 you probably spent some of your parent’s money on beer and food at The Dash Inn. Closed in 1994 by the fourth set of owners the popular dive bar was an institution at Apache & Rural Rd. has re-opened as part of Brat Haus in Scottsdale. The Dash Inn Tribute Room’s owner Dave Andrea is also the owner of Brat Haus and was one of the last owners at the original location. I visited the new location with a very excited ASU alum on the 2nd night it was opened and many local alumni have been strolling down memory lane as the stopped by to remember their college years. Rumor has it when it was billed to a credit card it read “the library”.

“The Dash Inn was a hip joint, and you could see that just by walking in,” said former employee Tom Cole. “Management never gave long-haired waiters a hard time when they applied for work, which gave the personnel and restaurant a look that attracted the counter-culture while its traditional Mexican feel attracted everyone else.”

Andrea uses one of the dining rooms at Brat Haus for The Dash Inn as guests prefer the outdoor beer garden. Guests will find nostalgia and 500 MTV music videos on a rear projection TV and a limited menu of Mexican food. The menu includes the popular secret recipe margarita and cheese crisp with all menu items costing $8 or less.

“Luckily, I had kept all of the old recipes and plenty of pictures to help replicate the details of design, smallware and furniture,” Andrea said. “The Dash played an important role in thousands of people’s happy memories of a simpler time and college life in the ‘70s and ‘80s. It’s been so much fun listening to all their stories as we bring it back.”

The Dash Inn Tribute Room is located at 3622 N. Scottsdale Road 85251. Hours are Wednesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to close and Saturday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to close. For more information and updates check out their Facebook page.

Phoenix area restaurants have Mother’s Day meals for takeout

Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday, May 10th and Phoenix area restaurants are preparing for takeout meals. Prie-fixe meals, family style meals and a la carte options are be available but hurry up as time is running out to place your order.

Phoenix area restaurants celebrating mom

Tommy V’s Urban Kitchen is offering a 3-course, prie-fixe meals are available for $35 per person. Add a bottle or 2 of pre-selected wines for $15-$30 a bottle. Pre-order by calling 480-427-2264 for pick up Sunday between 2 – 7 p.m. 7303 E Indian School Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.

The Roaring Fork gives mom the choice to choose from signature items with entrees, sides & dessert for up to 4 people. A la carte items are available too. Meals are $65- $75 and can be picked up Sunday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. To order head to their website or call 480-947-0795. 4800 N Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251.

Fired Pie is giving discounts at all 21 of their Phoenix area locations.  $5 off orders of $20 or more and $10 off $40 orders. Only available with online ordering and not available on 3rd party deliveries.

Hearth ’61 at Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley has created a special Mother’s Day menu from executive chef Chuck Wiley. A stuffed Roasted Chicken comes with salad, sides and dessert for $39 per person. Add a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label for $45 or a bottle of Prosecco & a bouquet of flowers for $55. Orders are being taken until Thurs. May 7th at 4 p.m. and can be made by emailing or calling the restaurant at 480-624-5431. Pick up between 11a. m. – 4 p.m. 5445 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley 85253.

PHX Beer Co. celebrates mom on Sat & Sun. with $20 crowlers filled with Bloody Mary’s, Margaritas and Mimosa kits with oj & champagne. $10 of will be donated to Homeward Bound.

VooDoo Daddy’s Steam Kitchen has a “Beignets & Bubbly” family style meal that feeds 4. Orders can be place by calling 480-659-6145 or by heading to their website. Not available with 3rd party deliveries. 1325 W. Elliot Rd., Suite 106, in Tempe.

Chase’s Dinner is giving mom half off her entree all day long from its full menu. Pick up or have it delivered by Postmates and GrubHub. Call your order in at 480-855-3663. 2040 N. Alma School Rd. Chandler 85224.

Padre Murphy’s in Glendale has 3 course family meals of Chicken Marsala ($84.99) or Grilled Salmon ($99.99). Each can be had a la carte too along with beers and cocktails available for purchase. 24 hour notice is required and orders can be called in at (602) 547-9406. 4338 W Bell Rd Glendale 85308.

Downtown Chandler restaurants offering takeout

Crown Plaza San Marcos Resort in the heart of downtown Chandler has a 5 course family meal with main dishes, quiche and more. $125 plus tax and you can add a Mimosa drink pack for $15. Orders need to be placed by May 6th by calling 480-812-0900. One San Marcos Place, Chandler 85225.

Mingle & Graze offers a Mother’s Day Mingle Box charcuterie board, chocolates and more for $50 for four or dinner for 4 at $90. Orders are being taken until May 7th by calling 480-726-2264 or on their website. Pick up Sunday between 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 48 S San Marcos Pl. Chandler 85225.

SanTan Brewery has Prime Rib, Honey Glazed Ham and more by the pound on its special Mother’s Day menu. Call 480-917-8700 or head to their website to place an order. Pick up or delivery is on Sunday. 8 S. San Marcos Pl. Chandler 85225.

Serranos Mexican Restaurant will satisfy mom’s sweet tooth with churro donuts topped with cinnamon and powdered sugar. 2 for $3.99 or 6 for $12. order on line or by calling 480-899-3318. 141 S. Arizona Ave. Chandler 85225.

The Hidden House offers  a al carte brunch with bagels $14, Mixed Berry French toast $14 and more from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. wanting more a celebratory dinner several family meals are available from 3 – 8 p.m. The Filet Family Pack ($150), Duck Breast Family Pack ($90), Chicken Breast Family Pack ($70) or a combination Family Pack ($115). Each family meal comes with two sides and a dessert. Call 480-275-5525 or order online. 159 W. Commonwealth Ave. Chandler 85225.

Peixoto Coffee has boxed pastry for her morning coffee. Call ahead of time for curbside pick-up at 480-275-2843. 11 West Boston Street, Suite 6 Chandler 85225.

“Feed the Heroes” provides healthcare workers free meals from Brat Haus

Old town Scottsdale’s Brat Haus has delivered over 1,500 meals to healthcare workers at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center in the last 2 weeks. “Feed the Heroes” was launched by owner Dave Andrea to relieve stress of healthcare workers treating patients with Covid 19. The hospital is only a short walk from the popular beer garden and scratch kitchen and each day employees bring 150 meals to the hospital.

“These incredible people are risking their lives daily in order to help others,” said Andrea. “It’s been really gratifying to make even the smallest difference for them. Now is the time to make sure that they are being taken care of too.”

To help support the “Feed the Heroes” Brat Haus re-opened with limited hours on Tuesday – Thursday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 – 5 p.m. The limited menu offers their signature brats, burgers and pretzels. You’ll probably want some beers so help “Drain the Taps” by having your 64 oz. growler filled for only $10. Beer sales also go towards feeding the healthcare workers.

Several of Brat Haus’s vendors have contributed products and money to the “Feed the Heroes” program. Vendors include Denmark Food, Capistrano Bakery, Waterloo Sparkling Water and Crescent Crown Distributing. “As long as the community continues to visit our curbside pick-up and take advantage of the great beer special, we’ll keep feeding the first responders and health care workers that we’re counting on to get us through this pandemic,” said Andrea.

Brat Haus is at 3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 85251. 480-947-4006

“Keep Arizona Brewing” virtual beer festival to benefit Arizona brewers

Are you doing too much social distancing and looking for socialize with others? One way is Arizona Craft Brewers Guild’s “Keep Arizona Brewing” virtual beer festival. From the comfort of your own home on Saturday April 18th grab some Arizona beers and join craft beer enthusiasts. The festival will benefit breweries and their employees affected by the coronavirus.

Starting at 2 p.m. the festival will be hosted on Zoom, Facebook Live and YouTube Live. “Keep Arizona Brewing” includes brewery tours, chatting with brewers, a Best Pretzel Necklace contest and a live music stream called “Couchella”.

“Beer enthusiasts are some of the most friendly and social people you will meet. It’s been tough on all of us not to be able to connect at beer bars, brewery taprooms or festivals,” says Rob Fullmer, Executive Director of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild. “But, even when we’re apart, we can still spend time together celebrating craft beer and showing our support for Arizona’s craft brewers. Help us keep Arizona brewing!”

Tickets start at $5 with a limited amount of VIP tickets available for $50. VIP tickets let you participate in festival programming on the webcast with brewers, ask questions and chat between segments. T-shirts are for sale and offers the best value with free admission if purchased before April 15th. For more information and to purchase tickets and t-shirts head to their website.

SanTanitizer now being made at SanTan Brewing Co.

Restaurants haven’t been the only businesses to change the way they operate business in the world of coronavirus. Breweries and distilleries are doing their part trying to keep the at home public refreshed with cold beer and cocktails. Many are trying to keep us healthy and safe by using their breweries and distilleries to make hand sanitizer. SanTan Brewing Co. has decided to not sell 16,000 gallons of beer and turn it to SanTanitizer.

The medical grade hand SanTanitizer will make 400 gallons to be donated to HonorHealth and the City of Chandler. The public can purchase bottles for home use when they order takeout from SanTan’s brewpubs. Last week the brewery had their distributor return mostly IPA for making the SanTanitizer that for retail and restaurants.

“SanTan beers are best served fresh, we insist on serving each beer within 90 days of brewing. So, this idea struck me as a great way to repurpose and give back to our Arizona community. We want to do our part to help flatten the curve, save lives and get Arizona back to work,” said Anthony Canecchia, founder + brewmaster, SanTan Brewing Company.

Making the SanTanitizer

The distilling and kegging process happens this week and expects the SanTanitizer to have a pleasant tropical aroma.

“With local bars and restaurants closed to dine in business, we have an abundance of keg beer that is going past the “best before” date. Under normal circumstances at Crescent Crown we would simply destroy the out of date beer. However, once Anthony from SanTan found out about this process he asked us to send his beer back to him so that he could distill it and turn it into medical grade hand sanitizer,” Said Joe Cotroneo, EVP General Manager, Crescent Crown Distributing.

Visit http://www.santanbrewing.com/ and social media to see when the SanTanitizer is available for purchase.

Epicuriad 2020 has 15 chefs cooking for children’s brain tumor research

Billed as where “Top Chefs Vie for Food-Pairing Glory”, Epicuriad 2020 will have more than 15 local chefs competing to win the coveted Epicurean chefs jacket while raising money for the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation. Harley Davidson of Scottsdale will host the 8th annual event on Saturday May 2nd at 6 p.m.

Each chef will be tasked with creating a dish that will pair well with a specific beer and wine. Attendees will vote for ” Best Plate” and “Best Pairing” crowning a winner. Money raised will benefit research and programs for brain tumor and patients put on by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation.

Tickets for Epicuriad 2020 are limited and can be purchased at their website. General Admission tickets are $85 and VIP is $100. Harley Davidson of Scottsdale is at 15656 N. Hayden Rd. Scottsdale 85260.

 

The largest BBQ event west of Texas moves to Tumbleweed Park

Update: Postponed, no new date set!

When the 11th annual KNIX BBQ & Beer Festival opens the gates at 12 noon on Saturday March 28th it will be at new location. The BBQ event has moved to the larger Tumbleweed Park in Chandler with 50,000 people expected to attend.

The festival is attracting pit-masters from around Arizona and the country for what’s been awarded “outstanding event of the year”. Over 12 cocktails and beers will be showcased to wash down your spicy, sweet & tangy smoked meats and more. Local BBQ joints include Bobby Q’s, Can’t Stop Smokin’ BBQ, Farm Boy Foods and Tom’s BBQ.BBQ event

Lee Brice and Craig Morgan will co-headline the event presented by iHeart Media and 102.5 KNIX. Country music fans will enjoy non-stop music from multiple stages throughout the 10 hour event. Country superstars Locash and Caylee Hammack will perform along with local talent Jim Bachman & the Day Drinkers, Blaine Long, Drew Cooper and Jacob Morris. Festival goers can enjoy the “For the Love of BBQ” Lounge, VIP tent, Kid Kick Back Zone or other areas.

“This is an incredible musical line-up,” said Landon Evans, owner of HDE Agency. “We are thrilled to partner with iHeart and KNIX to be able to bring this star-studded festival to Chandler for one of our largest events of the year.”

Tickets are on sale now and range in price from $15 for General Admission up to $150 for VIP. To purchase tickets or get more information for the largest BBQ event west of Texas head to their website. Tumbleweed Park is 745 E. Germann Rd. in Chandler.