Tag: festival

Visit Mesa launches City Limitless Beers & Brews Passport

Whether you’re a coffee drinker, beer drinker or enjoy both, Visit Mesa, the city’s tourism office, has launched a digital passport offering prizes and incentives when visiting the city’s coffee shops, breweries, taprooms and sports bars. The incentive program is free and once downloaded the app users can get discounts and special offers when they check-in.

Visit Mesa created the Beers and Brews Tour to support local businesses and showcase the city’s growing and award-winning craft beer and coffee community. “Our support for small business will never wane,” said Visit Mesa President and CEO Marc Garcia. “We are developing programs like this one to strengthen pillars of our industry, such as bar and restaurant owners, as we gear up for the pre-pandemic demand that is already occurring for our destination. We know that locals and visitors from across the state will be just as interested in checking out Mesa’s burgeoning craft beverage scene. For Visit Mesa, it’s just as important to attract a visitor from the West Valley as it is from the Midwest.”

Passport users can collect prizes such as bottle openers and coasters when they check-in at 5 businesses and a Beers & Brews t-shirt with 10 check-ins. Check-ins will be verified with a 4 digit code at each location and prizes need to be redeemed within 30 days of the first check-in. Monthly sweepstakes will draw winners who visit all participating business’ with winners get a commemorative race medal showing their dedication. Prizes are subject to change and available while supplies last. A good way to get your passport stamped would be this weekend’s Tap into Mesa beer, blues and food festival.

Don’t forget to check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Festival in the Pines makes its return to Flagstaff after 10 years

It’s never to soon to plan a summer getaway out the the Phoenix heat in the summer. Flagstaff is a easy getaway for Phoenicians and the 4th of July is one of the more popular weekend. Flagstaff will be bursting this year with the return of The Festival in the Pines after a 10 year hiatus. The popular festival if formerly know as “Summerfest”.

Festival in the Pines is from supporter of the arts Andrew Maguire. “We really felt a need for the return of a family-oriented festival that presents art enthusiasts with some of the country’s finest artists along with great entertainment, food and fun for all,”. “We had been doing the festival for 23 years prior to its hiatus and we’ve received such demand for its return that we’re thrilled to make it happen.”

The festival will be held at Fort Tuthill Coconino County Fairgrounds on April 4th -6th from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Local food trucks will keep festival goers fed while enjoying over 150 artists and their collections and live music.

The festival will coincide with other 4th of July festivities in Flagstaff which was named the “#1 destination in U.S. for Independence Day festivities” by Travel & leisure magazine.

The fairgrounds are at 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop off I-17. For more information go to http://www.888artfest.com/flagstafffestivalinthepines/

Sonoita Vineyards celebrates the harvest with Harvestfest

Right around the end of July is when wineries in the northern hemisphere roll up their sleeves, wake up before the sun rises and work til the sunsets. It’s harvest time when the 2-3 month process of picking the grapes when they are just right so they can be turned into wine. Some celebrate the harvest at the end  in October or November with a festival for employees and friends but Elgin’s Sonoita Vineyards starts the harvest with their annual Harvestfest.

Harvestfest events

This years Harvestfest will take place on Saturday July 29th at 10 a.m. Throughout the day their will be winery tours given by the winemaker, food and wine pairings, vineyard tours in a  wagon and a good ol grape stomp at 1;00 p.m. which you must sign up for when you arrive.

Sonoita Vineyards
Photos courtesy of Sonoita Vineyards

Purchase tickets

No reservations are required but tickets do need to be purchased. 250 General Admission tickets are available on-line for $25 and $30 at the door. GA ticket holders get to enjoy the above events and get a souvenir glass and for the first 100 people a souvenir giveaway.

Lunch can be purchased on-site from local restaurants The Steak Out and The Daily Bread Bistro along with wines by the glass.

50 VIP tickets are available for $85 per person and in addition to all of the above will enjoy a climate controlled room with a balcony, private bar, after hours party from 4-6 p.m., a lunch voucher and more.

Tickets can be purchased at http://www.sonoitavineyards.com/

What else is going on at Sonoita Vineyards

Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual St. Martin’s Sonoita AVA New Release Festival with other Sonoita wineries on Nov. 11th  Tentatively scheduled for April 7th , 2018 is the 40th Annual Blessing of Sonoita Vineyards.

Take Hwy 83 south from I-10.  Sonoita Vineyards is located 3 miles south of Elgin at 290 Elgin-Canelo Road, Elgin, AZ 85611 520-455-5893

 

 

 

The 7th annual AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival moves to a bigger location

With 6 successful years under its belt HDE Agency and SanTan Brewing Company realized that their AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival was ready for expansion to the bigger and centrally located Margaret T. Hance Park in central Phoenix. Saturday May 13th is when over 100 local and national craft beer brewers will be pouring over 250 beers to beer enthusiasts from across the Phoenix area.

All photos courtesy of Landon Evans & Jen Pruett

The 6 hour event (12pm -6pm) will not only include canned beer tastings but live music, beer seminars, food, a beer science garden, beer Olympics and a rare beer garden. Included in 250 plus beers being poured will be beers previously not available in Arizona.

A week prior to the festival more than 40 certified beer judges will gather to taste and cast their vote for their favorite beers in 9 categories including IPA, American Pale Ale, English Pale Ale, Wheat Beers, Stouts and Porters, Ambers and Browns, Golds, Blondes, Pilsners and Light Lagers, Fruit, and Specialty Beer. Winners of gold, silver and bronze will be announced during a live streaming event on May 6th at  http://www.cannedcraftbeerfest.com/

This is a 21 and over festival and tickets can be purchased in advance for $35 General Admission(1pm entry, 4oz tasting can & 20 beer samples), $45 day of and VIP tickets(12 noon entry, 4 oz. tasting can, 20 beer samples, access to VIP beer garden, private restrooms and a meet and greet with brewers) are only available on-line while supplies last for $100 at the link above. Designated driver tickets are $20 online & day of with entry at 12 noon and include soft drinks, no beer.

Part of the proceeds AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival will be contributed the Arizona Society of Homebrewers (ASH) which works to promote and preserve the tradition of homebrewing through education, information and dedicated practices. For more information or to become a member go to http://www.azhomebrewers.org/

Margaret T.  Hance Park is at 67 W. Culver St. Phoenix 85003.

 

 

 

The Great American Barbecue and Beer Festival returns to rock downtown Chandler

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Saturday March 19th is when Dr. A.J. Chandler Park in downtown Chandler will be rocking with barbecue as over 30 pit masters return for The Great American Barbecue and Beer Festival from 12 noon until 10 p.m. This years festival is bigger and better with an expanded stage and with new foods including Poutine from The American Poutine Company. Other foods such as fry bread, kettle corn and ice cream will also be available for purchase. Here a few of the BBQ vendors that will be in attence from around the country.
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· Elmer’s Tacos—Bean and cheese, red chili and green chili burros, quesadillas
· Hogwear DBA Hogg Dogg—Hotdogs, Louisiana andouille, polish sausage, beer brats, meatball subs, pulled pork, chocolate covered bacon, pickle on a stick, waffle dogs
· Honey Bear’s BBQ—Pork, beef, chicken, hotlinks, hot dogs, beans, coleslaw, mac n cheese, French fries
· JJ’s Louisiana BBQ—Ribs, pulled pork, brisket, rib tip, chicken, baked beans, potato salad, hot links
· Memphis Best BBQ—Briskets, ribs, pork, links, beans, coleslaw, potato salad, greens, turkey legs
· Montana BBQ —Whole hog sandwiches on Hawaiian roll with grilled onions and pineapple, filet mignon wrapped in bacon on a stick

On the stage to entertain the festival goers will be headliner Granger Smith along supporting acts Ben Miller Band, Zach Deputy and Georgia Chrome.

General admission tickets are available online for $12 at www.chandlerbbq.com and $15 at the gate. Children 12 years of age and younger are admitted for free and all valley Bashas’ locations have discounted $10 admission ticket available.

Be sure to “like” this event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bbq.beer.music and follow on Twitter and Instagram @BBQBEERFESTIVAL.

1st Annual Hops and Vines Art Festival for charity in Ahwuhtukee

Hops_and_Vines_This Saturday February 20th from 12 noon- 9 p.m. will be the inaugural Hops and Vines Art Festival with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the American Foundation for Cardiomyopathy (FFC). Taking place at Desert Foothills park in Ahwuhtukee festival goers will get to see art, taste wine, beer & food and hear live music & performance art which will give you sensory overload as heart month is celebrated.

Artists demonstrating painting, glass blowing, sculpting and more will be sharing their expertise along with local chefs doing cooking demonstrations & flavor pairings.

“In Ahwatukee there’s such a strong sense of tradition with community events,” Anthony Miller, founder and president of American FFC said. “That’s why I decided to host this inaugural event here. I want to create an environment that people of all ages can enjoy while bringing awareness to cardiomyopathy and those affected by it.”

American FFC is a charitable organization that creates awareness of and supports those affected by Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition that affects 1 in 500 student athletes every year, often without any sign or warning.

Hops and Vines Art Festival will take place at Desert Foothills Park – 1010 South Marketplace Way, Phoenix, Arizona 85048. General admission is $10 and children 12 and under are admitted for free. VIP admission is also available for patrons 21 and over for $65, which includes six drink tickets, catered food, private seats and private restrooms. For more information www.hopsvinesartfest.com.

Brat Haus to host Sausage Fest

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Scottsdale’s Brat Haus will be hosting Sausage Fest in their outdoor beer garden on Sunday April 26th from 12 noon- 8pm. The sausage themed celebration will include the Arizona longest Brat and largest pretzel along with exotic Brats and sausage themed shenanigans such as a Stein holding contest, pretzel toss, eating contests and more. Yelp will be hosting selfie zone where festival goers can post pictures for a chance to win $100 Brat Haus gift card and Yelp schwag.

Brat Haus will create & grill an 80 + foot Brat and will sell portions to patrons for $1 per 6 inches with a 6 inch minimum with 50% of the proceeds going to the ALS Association of Arizona.

Ice cold beers from SanTan Brewing, Mike Hess Brewing, Krombacher and New Belgium will be on tap and available for purchase to wash down your brats, pretzel and more.

Tickets for this all ages festival can be purchased in advance for $8 at Brat Haus or $10 on the day of the event. Tickets can also be purchased on their website www.brathausaz.com

Brat Haus is at 3622 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale 85251

Ahwatukee’s Red, White & Boom Fireworks Festival is July 3rd.

FireworksAhwatukee’s Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 39th annual Red, White and Boom Fireworks Festival on Thursday, July 3rd at the Ahwatukee Country Club. This free event will include music by Daisy Train will include food, drinks, eating competitions along with games and fireworks. The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and last until 10 p.m.

Kid friendly treats including shaved ice, cotton candy, lemonade and more will be available. Daisy Train will perform from 5p.m. – 8:45 p.m. with fireworks going off at 9 p.m.
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Vision Community Management, San Tan Ford, Coulter Cadilac and C2 Tactical are major sponsors and for only $100 you can be a “Friends of the Fireworks” and your name will be listed on the program and on the website. Friends of the Fireworks support goes to the cost of putting on the festival including the paying of the band & the fireworks. If interested please contact the Chamber at (480)753-7676 or info@ahwatukeechamber.com

The Ahwatukee Country Club is located at 12432 South 48th Street