Sorry for the delay there – I was away on other side of country and didn’t have as much access to blogging as I expected. I was in Phoenix, Arizona for a week or so – one of my favorite places in the country to visit.
I keep tying in the topic of climate change on this beer blog - not sure why, but check this out. The day I depart for Phoenix, Arizona it’s 67 bloody degrees in Portland, Maine. That’s nuts in January. I land in PHX and it’s about 55 degrees (which isn’t that out of line for this time of year for them, but Portland, Maine being 12 degrees warmer is way out of line). The day I leave AZ to head home, they are having the coldest temperatures recorded in decades. It was 29 degrees the early morning that I left. 29 degrees in the Valley of the Sun. 67 degrees in Maine in January (cue Twilight Zone music here).

And by the way, accoring to the nightly news out there, and due to the same temps in California last week - it's going to cost us all 3X more to buy an orange this year. Just giving you a heads up so you can budget accordingly, and hopefully still afford to fend off scurvy.

I did stay true to one of my side missions while there, however, which was seeking out and trying some tasty craft brews from the other side of the country. It’s kind of a stronger market in the southwest for the domestic, mass-produced expletive – but if you machete your way through the barley and look around – there are some great craft brews out there. Some were my old favorites from travels past, and others I’ve never seen or heard of before. Here’s a run-down in no particular order. Actually, as I reflect, they are in the order of when I tried them. Pretty meticulous, eh? What I better not do however, is record any “repeats”. That might get me in trouble. Although it might show which ones I liked the best. Hmmm - too many factors to consider.

Full Sail Brewing Co. – Hood River, Oregon.
I tried their Rip Curl Ale, which was an English Style Pale – smooth, malty pale ale - very good stuff. I’m a huge Full Sail fan, great beers across the board. You cannot go wrong with Full Sail.

Four Peaks Brewing – Tempe, Arizona.
Kilt Lifter Scottish-Style Ale. Extremely good, with that hint of sweet malt and smokiness that typifies the great strong ales of Scotland. I’m tempted to run this up against the hometown Gritty McDuff’s – but I gotta give the slight edge to Gritty’s. I’m just getting back into town, any Gritty’s Scottish sightings yet? Is it out?
Reminds me of the great SNL line delivered by Christopher Walken - “I’ve got a fever….and the only prescription is more cowbell”
Gritty’s Scottish Ale = cowbell. ‘Nuff said.

Deschutes Brewing Co – Bend, Oregon.
I tried Mirror Pond Pale Ale and Inversion IPA. These guys brew great beer, plain and simple. You cannot go wrong here either.

New Belgium Brewing Co. – Fort Collins, Colorado
Great Belgian Style Beer. You’ve likely seen their Fat Tire Amber on any travels westward. It’s pretty widely distributed – you can even enjoy a couple of them while at a Diamondbacks game (thank goodness).
I also found a heavenly little number (no pun intended) called 1554 Brussels Style Black Ale. Named for a 16th century Belgian style of beer. Oh my. This was one of the most delightful new (to me) brews that I have tried in some time. Here’s a blurb from their website www.newbelgium.com – “other than being dark in color, 1554 has little in common with Porters or Stouts. The beer is fermented at relatively high temperatures using a European lager yeast that imparts a refreshing, zesty acidity. Chocolate and coffee tones in the nose give way to a surprisingly clean finish.”
This was a dark beer that gave you the hearty, substantive nose and mouth feel of a really good porter (although different), but was so tasty, smooth and drinkable. It finished so much lighter. In layman’s terms, you could enjoy twice as many.......

Rounding out the list –

Stone Brewing Co – San Diego, CA.
Arrogant Bastard Ale and Stone IPA. Arrogant Bastard was awesome.

Oak Creek Brewing Co. – Sedona, Arizona
Tried their Amber. Good. Anything from Sedona, AZ is going to be good. One of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Alaskan Brewing Co. – Juneau, Alaska.
Had their Amber. It was tasty. They have great graphics and packaging – if it’s got a killer whale on the label – I’m drinking it. I would love to try more of their styles.

Green Flash Brewing Co. – San Diego, CA
Had the Extra Pale Ale. Yummy.

Any of these ring a bell for anyone? Any transplants from that side of the continent that used to enjoy them regularly? Talk amongst yourselves.

Gom bui,

Scott Dutton

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