This is the fourth post in this weekly series in which I intend to introduce some new craft beers from the home of the San Diego Chargers' opponents throughout the season. Just like any preseason, I am using these first few "preseason" posts to iron out some kinks. I also intend to throw some new wrinkles in as the season goes on like head-to-head matchups involving some S.D. brews and I'm thinking of some possible ways to tie in some more football related stuff. Suggestions are welcome.
In a somewhat strange scheduling move, the Chargers play the Arizona Cardinals at the Q this week, before traveling to play the Arizona Cardinals again next week to kick off the regular season. Since this is the most meaningless preseason week and we play the same team again next week, I'm just going to cover a couple of smaller breweries and keep it short this week. I have a larger brewery in mind for next week. Arizona is not exactly what I would call "beer rich", but they have a few decent breweries/brewpubs (mostly around the Phoenix area) that will get the job done if you're ever in that area.
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co
This brewery was funded through a Kickstarter only about one year ago, and has already made waves in the Phoenix craft beer scene. They might just be making the best beers in Arizona. They've been pumping out a variety of different beers and have received strong praise in many different styles (which is generally hard to do, especially for a new brewery). In full disclosure, I have not yet had a beer from them, but plan on going there later this year. Unfortunately their beers are currently only available on tap in pints and growlers at their brewery for now.
Their most well known beer to date is the DC Mountain Double IPA (formerly known as Dos Cabezas) and this might very well be the best beer brewed in the state of Arizona. Other beers in which have been highly rated are their Refuge IPA, American Presidential Stout, Superstition Coffee Stout, Denmark in the Desert Imperial Peach Porter and their Bear Wallow Berliner Weiss. They are also already producing some highly rated barrel aged versions of their stouts and sours which typically take a longer time to produce and get right.
SanTan Brewing Company
SanTan beers are ok. Some good, but nothing great. I'm mostly covering them because they actually sell their beers in stores and bars, so you can get a hold of them without going to the brewery like most of the others that might be worth mentioning (Papago, Fate, Sun Up, etc.). However, their distribution is still limited to Arizona only.
I've had their most popular beer, the HopShock IPA and it was solid, but nothing to go nuts for. It has a nice hop profile with notes of pine and citrus, balanced by a solid malt backbone. It's worth a try and I'll probably have one again next time I'm in AZ. I also tried their Devil's Ale which was pretty average. Locals also seem to like their hefeweizens, but again, nothing special in my opinion.
Season Disclaimer #1: I would like to state that I do not proclaim to be any sort of "expert". I am just a lover of good beer, and I try to sample as many new beers as I can get my hands on. I will be talking about what I know from my own tastings and discussions with other beer lovers. Please feel free to comment on any other good beer from these areas as we go through the season. I hope at least a few people read these posts and we all learn a thing or two.
Season Disclaimer #2: I do not, I repeat, DO NOT support drinking any beers from an enemy city (or even the whole state in some cases) on game day. I stick firmly to S.D. beers during games and hope that you all do the same!