The 14th Arizona Beer Week happens Feb. 15-25.
“We wanted to differentiate Flagstaff from Phoenix [for the state-wide beer fest], so we chose to celebrate the weather difference with a style that is seasonal for this time of year,” explained Mother Road Brewing Company General Manager of Hospitality Dylan Praeter.
Beer lovers can use the Flagstaff Brewery Trail app to navigate breweries and compare the tastes of the different Maibocks, which can range in color from deep gold to light amber. Watch for bready, slightly toasted, malty tastes balanced with subtle but spicy hops.
“Arizona has a really good beer culture,” said Lumberyard Brewery Marketing Manager Kelly Hanseth. Lumberyard’s sister brewery, Beaver Street Brewing Company, has been involved with Arizona Beer Week since its inception 15 years ago.
“Arizona Beer Week is a time for brewers to showcase their beer and be proud,” added Winnie Hanseth of Lumberyard and Beaver Street Brewing Companies. The 14th Arizona Beer Week happens Feb. 15-25.
“The city [Discover Flagstaff] is really pushing AZ Beer Week, and that’s good for us, as they help me get organized, which I do appreciate,” said Kelly. The objectives of Discover Flagstaff, the city’s tourism and convention bureau, in backing the week-long event, are to boost recognition and interaction with the Flagstaff Brewery Trail, reinforce former Governor Ducey’s praise of Flagstaff as “A Leading Craft Beer City,” and increase demand for the entire destination.
“Arizona Beer Week is a time for tap rooms and breweries to get involved and host Beer Week activities,” said Grand Canyon Brewing Company Director of Events Liz Rosevear. “The cherry on top of all that is our Maibock.” The proceeds from the sale of the Flagstaff Maibock go to support The Arizona Trail Association, a 501(c)(3) corporation, she said.
In past years, some breweries collaborated on one brew, but that caused complications for distributors. By having each brewery craft its own Maibock, beermakers can brew at their own pace, choose the quantity to brew and decide on the grains, hops and possible adjunct ingredients. Beyond that, patrons will enjoy the experience of sampling and contrasting the distinct stamp each brewer has put on their version of the Maibock.
“Those taking part in the Flagstaff Brewery Trail can try the same beer, allowing them to sample the distinct attributes and style of each brewery,” said Praeter.
“We’re all brewing at our own pace and brewing small batches because we’ll be pouring the Maibock primarily at our breweries and local pubs,” said Rosevear. “Different brewers may use a little different hop or do a little tweak with an adjunct ingredient when they knock it out.”
“Brewers collectively chose Maibock because it is an approachable, easy drinker that has something for everyone,” said Rosevear. “And the crowd-pleaser’s lower alcohol level helps you navigate the trail even further!”
Arizona Beer Week kicks off with a pub crawl in historic downtown Flagstaff on Thursday, Feb. 15. Local breweries from Flagstaff will be present at various pubs to pour their beers and provide additional details about them. The crawl features several pubs, including Hops on Birch, Pay ‘N Take, Yucca North, Mountain Top Tap Room, Uptown Pub House and Cornish Pasty Co. Cornish Pastry plans to offer pub crawl food specials.
On Friday, Feb. 16, the Pluto Pub Crawl celebrates Flagstaff and Lowell Observatory’s role in discovering Pluto. Starting at 6 p.m., participating restaurants and breweries will offer Pluto-themed drinks and specials. Lowell Observatory educators will give science talks and engage participants in trivia games along the route.
Historic Brewing Company will co-host a happy hour with the Museum of Northern Arizona, 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22, at the Eastside Taproom (4366 E Huntington Dr.) The event will include discounts on draft pours and free tours of the brewery. Retail proceeds will be donated to MNA.
Saturday, Feb. 24, the annual Arizona Brewers and Veterans (ABV) dinner benefits veteran services in Arizona. Tickets to the nine-course craft beer dinner can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com/e/abv-dinner-tickets-90021738443.
DOzens of arizona beer week events in flagstaff
Other special events include whiskey and beer pairing at Brews and Cues, a special Beer Week menu at Flagstaff Brewery, a “Boots on the Ground” shoe drive at Dark Sky Brewing, and a collaborative chocolate and beer pairing with Lumberyard and Beaver Street Brewing companies. Arizona Beer Week events in Flagstaff can be found at www.flagstaffarizona.org/events/festivals/arizona-beer-week.
Although it is a bit after Arizona Beer Week, Beaver Street Brewery is celebrating its 30th anniversary on March 1 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Flagstaff. The “Beers & Cheers & 30 Years” event will feature a happy hour, raffle and additional activities from 6-7 p.m. Afterward, a series of films from the Flagstaff Mountain Film Fest will be screened. The night culminates with a live performance by the James Brown Band. Proceeds from this event will be donated to American Rivers.
Find more Arizona Beer Week details at Discover Flagstaff: www.flagstaffarizona.org/events/festivals/arizona-beer-week.
Lowell Observatory educators will give science talks and engage crawlers in trivia games along the route. FBN
By Stacey Wittig, FBN