Tag: local business

Earn Your Booze & Grand Canyon Brewing team up for new beer

Come January just as we’re hoping to maintain our New Year’s resolutions two locally and veteran owned business are encouraging us to do that. And it includes drinking a new beer from Grand Canyon Brewing & Distillery. The Williams brewery is teaming up with Earn Your Booze combining beer and fitness to release Dead Hanger Pale Ale.

“Our collaboration with Earn Your Booze is a great opportunity for us to share our common core values and elevate two local businesses through physical fitness and enjoying great craft beer. We have a lot of fun events and activation’s planned this year and encourage our friends to join us as we spread the good word about living adventurously and earning it all,” says Alexander Phillips, Director of Sales, Marketing and National Accounts, Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery.

Dead Hanger is a hazy pale ale with a delicious mouthful of hop flavors and tropical & stone fruit characteristics and a bold grapefruit taste. It will be sold in 4-packs in Albertsons and Safeway and by the pint in bars and restaurants around Arizona.

How to Earn Your Booze

The new beer is named after the physical fitness test “Dead Hang”; where one hangs from a pull up bar using all your strength to hang on. It’s considered the ultimate test of one’s physical ability. “I believe that the best things in life are earned, including great beer, so we have teamed up with the great people at Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery to create this amazing beer that tastes like hard work and sweet rewards,” Justin Cross, CEO & Founder, Earn Your Booze.

Cross founded Earn Your Booze after his time in in the Navy, where he worked hard and played hard. After working in a brewery he realized the alcohol industry isn’t focused on health and fitness so he started the business. He didn’t want to discourage beer drinking and playing hard but to “Earn Your Booze” through prepping the mind and body. Today he offers monthly coaching and 90 day Total Recreation to transform your mind and body.

Grand Canyon Brewing and Earn Your Booze aren’t stopping at beer, their planning two outdoor fitness festivals in Flagstaff and Phoenix and other events in 2023. Hear Alexander Phillips speak about Grand Canyon Brewing & Distillery and more on my podcast.

Cider, coffee & pizza deals under one roof for Spring Training

Your ticket to any Spring Training game is worth more than the outcome of the game for cider, coffee and pizza in downtown Mesa. Under one roof at Cider Corps fans can save $2 on a pint of cider when you order a flight and show your server your game ticket. The crisp refreshing cider is made a few feet away and there are 12-15 rotating taps with five 4oz flights only $12. One order per customer. The cidery will be open 11 AM – close Mondays – Saturdays and 10 AM close on Sundays.

Before the game head to nano-roastery Pair Specialty Coffee & Tea inside Cider Corps for a pre-game boost. Show your ticket to your barista and save $1 on any drink. Pour-over small batch coffee, artisanal teas, cold brew & cold brew mocktails are $3-$8. One order per customer. Pair Specialty Coffee & Tea is open 6:30 AM – 2PM Wednesdays – Friday and 7 AM – 2 PM Saturday – Sunday. For updates on roasts and cold brew specials follow Pair Cupworks on Instagram @pair.cupworks.

Once there you won’t be able to avoid the aromas of Myke’s Pizza so stay for a pie. The award-winning pizza has become a permanent resident at Cider Corps and offers guests $2 off a Margherita pizza with any game ticket. Add pepperoni to any pizza for only $2.50 more. Myke’s Pizza is open Tuesday – Thursdays from 5 – 9 PM and Friday – Saturday from 4 – 9:30 PM.

Cider Corps is at 31 S. Robson. #103, Mesa

Roastery of Cave Creek celebrates 20 years with expansion plans.

The Roastery of Cave Creek (ROC2) has roasted a lot of coffee for Arizona restaurants, resorts and their customers in there 20 years of business. Celebrating their 20th anniversary in late 2017 owners David & Alison Anderson entered 2018 expanding the roastery by 40% of their estate grown and organic coffee.

As Arizona’s premier coffee roaster that supplies local restaurants Rancho Pinot Grill, Tarbell’s,  Richardson’s and Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn with their one of their 20 proprietary blends David reflects on the last 20 years.

Coffee Whisperer David Anderson of Roastery of Cave Creek

“It’s a milestone to be at 20 years and among the leading Arizona coffee producers,” said Anderson. “We’re honored to be working with some of the best chefs and establishments in the ever-expanding Arizona culinary scene, and we have some exciting plans ahead as we continue to grow.”  

Expansion plans

The Anderson’s are all in with their well-rounded business that also consults with cafes & restaurants to help with their coffee programs, menu design and more.

In November Roastery of Cave Creek acquired one of only 5 Kirsch & Mauser 25-kilo UG Retro coffer roaster in the country. The German-made roaster will allow them to roast up to 40% more coffee as they expand their footprint around Arizona.

When David and his staff aren’t in Cave Creek roasting there coffee or getting it to their customers their traveling to countries around the world to source their beans with direct relationships with plantation owners.

“I take great pride in the product we’re putting out there,” said Anderson. “My trips to origin over the last 10+ years inspired me to send my entire staff to see first-hand the people, processes and procedures to take coffee from seed to cup. It gives our team a greater level of appreciation for coffee and a real passion for their work.” 

“The Box” at the Roastery of Cave Creek

With only Whole Foods selling their beans to the public, ROC2 keeps a steel cabinet outside the roastery stocked with bags of coffee beans where people can stop by “The Box”, pick up a bag and leave money in the slot on the honor system. Staring at you from above the “The Box” is a “Karma” sign if you’re thinking of pulling a fast one.

Locals love it and people travel from all over the valley up to Cave Creek to get their beans and bring out of towners by.

ROC2 is at 7003 E. Cave Creek Rd. Cave Creek 85331. Visit https://roc2.coffee/

 

 

 

 

The butcher returns as Arcadia Meat Market set to open in January

Years ago people would purchase their cheese from a cheese shop, fish from a fish market and meats from a butcher, today you can find the one stop shopping  with few peddling their product knowing only basic information. With that in mind the Arcadia Meat Market is set to open on January 11th 2018.

Partners Nick Addante and Luigi Paroli plan to bring back the old school butcher shop offering Arizona raised beef, pork, chicken and lamb and will source all natural products from Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and California.

Need for the Arcadia Meat Market

Addante is a partner in Arizona’s only grass-fed beef producer who realized that the mass marketed meat industry lacked what consumers want including transparency, product knowledge and the treatment of animals.

“All our meats are free range and pasture raised, never had any antibiotics or hormones, and the animals we sell have always eaten healthy food resulting in the best quality meats.” Addante says.

“We believe that healthy animals raised in open pastures make for a healthier planet and healthy happy customers. We work with producers that care about our planet and the animals they raise. Our ranchers practice sustainable farming methods so their business may continue to thrive for generations to come.”

The Butcher

Addante also wanted a skilled neighborhood butcher who cared about the meats they are butchering for their customers and the customers themselves.

Enter Paroli, a 2nd generation butcher from New Zealand who’s worked across the country and will hand cut all meats in-house.

“It’s all about bringing back trust and transparency, because I was raised on that, including 8,000 hours of training under a master butcher in Wellington, New Zealand,” Paroli says. “I’ve run butcher shops from Alaska to Manhattan and it all comes back to good, healthy, grass-fed, pasture raised, organic proteins. Plus, you can come and get something specially cut for you and feel good about providing for your family.”

Arcadia Meat Market will be open daily Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Also offered will be ready-to- cook meals, grab & go items and more. In the future they plan to sell wine, cheese, charcuterie and cold pressed juices.

Arcadia Meat Market will be 3950 E. Indian School Rd. #150 Phoenix 85018.

 

 

The who, what, where & when for the 2018 Devour Culinary Classic

Details are starting to emerge about one of the highly anticipated food festivals of the southwest as the 2018 Devour Culinary Classic is less than 7 months away.

This 2 day food event takes place on Saturday and Sunday March 3rd & 4th 2018 and moves this year to the Desert Botanical Garden on the Phoenix/Scottsdale border. Skip breakfast as this annual event opens its doors each day at 10:30 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.

“Just like all the participants in the Devour Culinary Classic, the Garden is proud to fly the ‘locally grown’ flag,” says Desert Botanical Garden Executive Director Ken Schutz. “We look forward to hosting the event in 2018.”

Local First Arizona started Devour Culinary Classic almost 10 years ago and has become a model food event around the country for supporting locally owned restaurants, wineries, brewers and more.

“Our main objective is to support the development and promotion of the culinary and extended local food community and culture in Arizona, bringing deserved local and national attention to our state’s food scene,” said Kimber Lanning, founder of the event and Executive Director of Local First Arizona. “We believe we’ll be even better suited to showcase Arizona’s one-of-a-kind culinary culture with Desert Botanical Garden as our host.”

Devour Culinary Classic chef talent

As of the end of August, over 30 chefs from around Arizona are confirmed to strut their stuff with the list continuing to grow. A few of the names you can expect to see are…..

Bernie Kantak The Gladly & Citizen Public House, Danielle Leoni The Breadfruit & Rum Bar, Kat and Brad Moore Short Leash Hot Dog, Jeff Smedstad Elote Cafe, Tamara Stanger Helio Basin Brewing Co. (Winner of last year’s Devour Excellence Award)

Ticket packages, Week of Experiences and more.

Before the Classic goes off there are two events leading up to the festive weekend. The Devour Classic Bartending Competition shakes things up on Fri. February 25th from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. and the Seven Chefs Singh Along prepare a meal under the stars on Wed. February 28th from 5:30- 8:30 p.m. More details can be found on event links.

Tickets go on sale for members of Local First Arizona localist program, Desert Botanical Garden and Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance to all events of November 1st, 2017 and to the public on November 13th, 2017. Tickets are limited to all events and non-members should consider membership to above groups for pre-sale tickets.

3 ticket packages are available for those that want to experience much of what the event has to offer. Early entry, Cooking demonstrations, access to wine and spirits tents, meet and greet with chefs and more are available. The single day packages are The Tasting Package $105,  The Connoisseur Package $165 and The VIP Package $205. See ticket link above for individual package perks.

As details continue to become available be sure to check the website for updates.

 

 

 

Independents Week returns July 1st -9th along with the Golden Ticket

With Independence Day weekend here what better way to celebrate locally owned independent restaurants and food business’ than with Independents Week. Local First Arizona is helping to co-ordinate it in Arizona along with the American Independent Business Alliance that is coordinating National Independent Week a.k.a Indie Week Saturday July 1st- Sunday July 9th.

“Independence Day is a time for us to reflect on what makes our state and country great,” says Kimber Lanning, Director of Local First Arizona.

“Arizona’s independent business community is the backbone of our local economy and the driving force behind what makes us proud to call Arizona home. Up to four times more money stays in the local economy when consumers choose an independent business over a national chain. Independents Week is our way of drawing attention to the important role independent businesses play in our daily lives.”

Independents Week Golden Coupon

The Golden Coupon returns giving users 20% off at hundreds of locally owned business’s around Arizona. Coupons can be printed from the Local First Arizona website or downloaded from their app. on your smart phone. Business such as auto repair shops, boutiques, florists, yoga studios and more will be participating. Individual business have certain restrictions so make sure you ask.

Restaurants and Food related products

Here is a partial list of restaurants and food related products from around Arizona for Independents Week. For a full list refer to Local First Arizona’s website above.

  • The dhaba India plaza
  • TEXAZ Grill
  • Fluff It Marshmallows
  • Caketini
  • Colados Coffee Inc.
  • Southern Rail
  • Huss Brewing
  • Smooth Brew
  • Smitholator Cookie Shop
  • Souvia Teas
  • Iconic Cocktail Co.
  • Fluffy Vegans
  • Witnessing Nature
  • GWIN Wine and Beer
  • Candyman’s Grill
  • NOnna URban Eatery
  • Bite Magazine
  • Queen Creek Olive Mill
  • Arizona Salsa & Spice Company
  • Kettle Heroes Artisan Popcorn
  • Cake Pops by Sal
  • Tammie Coe Cakes
  • TeaRoyalty
  • Desert Rock Winery/Arizona Hard Cider

 

Arizona Straight Bourbon from Elgin Distillery wins gold

An Arizona distillery is making a name for themselves on the spirits and distillery map. As repeat winners of the Arizona Distillery of the Year,  Arizona Craft Beverage also is celebrating their gold medal winning Arizona Straight Bourbon from Elgin Distillery.

It was the second Distillery of the Year awarded from the New York Spirits Competition to Arizona Craft Beverage, Arizona’s first licensed distillery. The award was announced in May.

Their Arizona Straight Bourbon started collecting gold medals across the country, first at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition then in New York where the Distillery of the Year was also awarded.  Then back west to the Los Angeles International Spirits competition for their 3 gold medal.

In limited distribution around Arizona, the bourbon retails for $65 (375 ml) the bourbon and can be found at the distillery, as well as Total Wine, Old Town Ale House in Casa Grande, Lucidi in Peoria and Hacienda Del Sol in Tucson.

Starting in August you can have it shipped directly to you. http://www.azcraftbev.com/

 

 

 

 

Super Chunk Sweets & Treats owners to open New Wave Market

With the success and national recognition of their Super Chunk Sweets & Treats store owners Sergio & Country Velador figured now would be the right time to take 1,100 square feet next door to open their mom & pop New Wave Market in May. Still under construction the new store front will offer breads and baked goods, a lunch menu, house made ice cream and locally roasted coffee.

The old town Scottsdale location will have room to sell unique & quirky retail items and space for classes where they will teach how to make baked goods and crafts. “We want to take back the tradition of making things,” said Country. “There’s a new wave of interest in craft – in the actual ‘how-to’ of creating something yourself. New Wave Market is our way of celebrating that.”

The Velador’s focus will be baked goods with savory breads, take away lunches, specialty ice cream cones and cup and an espresso bar. Unique retail items from small batch producers such as American Spoon, COOP’s Microcreamery, and Curio Spice Co. and items for around the house and gifts from Funko, Fishs Eddy & Imm Living.

“We want to show off businesses that focus on creating high quality products in small batches,” Country said. “The goal is to have a unique, food-centric selection that will appeal to kids and adults alike.”

New Wave Market will be at 7120 E. 6th Ave. #20 Scottsdale 85251 and an exact date of opening is not yet scheduled. You can follow the progress & get an opening by checking out their social media @NewWaveMarket or website https://www.newwavemarket.com/