Justin Cross is a great episode to the podcast. We are following him on his journey to opening up his own brewery here in Arizona in a mini-series called "Somethings Brewing" (listen to part 1 and part 2 so far). As much as Justin is passionate about beer he is possibly equally as passionate about fitness. So Justin did what many before him did. He thought "Hmmm. Fitness and beer. They go together like.....well, fitness and beer". When he first presented his theory to me I thought "This poor fellas needs to tighten up his technique on skull crushers and not take it so literally". But then he explained it. And it made sense. You don't have to choose one or the other. You can really have both. Its all about balance. Another guy with the same idea and Justin's good friend Elliott aka Apartment Bartender together came up with the idea of Earn Your Booze, a philosophy about having that balance and making sure you earn those drinks by kicking butt by getting some sort of exercise in.
This concept has caught fire and finds the guys shipping t-shirts across the world. And now, they have their first event coming up this Saturday November 4th at Scottsdale Beer Company. The event is going to be a prime example of earning your booze. Rush Club is going to be putting on an awesome workout and competitions while The Viking from Peak Nutrition is going to be laying down some knowledge on how to make good choices while still enjoying yourself when out for some drinks. And you can even get a tour of the brewery and enjoy one of their many awesome beers. And we will be there as well. Aaron will be shooting video and Eric will be participating in the workout. For about 4 minutes. Before throwing up and passing out. It's gonna be awesome.
Click HERE for full event details
Intro/Outro music is "La Negra Tomasa" by the awesome local Arizona band called Fayuca
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When Rob from North Mountain Brewing Company toured Europe as a young man it showed how that beer can be really good. That trip and his desire to do something different has inspired him to create certain styles that not many breweries try to tackle such as Belgian Strong Ales, Belgian Quads, and Saisons. And he nails them. And their food is awesome so so that never hurts. The food is deliberately made with the beer in mind.
Official Tap That AZ Recommendations:
North Mountain Brewing Company: 22 E Dunlap Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85020
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Intro/Outro music is "La Negra Tomasa" by the awesome local Arizona band Fayuca
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In this episode I sit down with Steve McFate, owner of McFate Brewing Company. We talk about how a leap of faith propelled him into a career in craft beer and we talk about how every neighborhood should have its own brewery. Since starting this podcast I have wanted Steve to be a guest and really enjoyed our conversation. Enjoy the show!
South Location/Brewery - 1312 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
North Location/Tap & Barrel - 7337 E Shea Blvd #105, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Intro/Outro music is "La Negra Tomasa" by the awesome local Arizona band Fayuca
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Since it opened its doors in 2015 Goldwater Brewing Company has hit the ground running. Spawned from their dads passion for brewing Dillon and Chad McClelland have turned this Scottsdale brewery into the place to be in Old Town Scottsdale. Above ground there is a beautiful taproom and brewery that pumps out more beer than you could ever imagine from the space given. But the real gem is The Goldmine: a former underground shooting range that houses barrels currently aging some future awesomeness ad well as a few Brite Tanks laying horizontally in some of the 75 deep wholes previously used as the firing areas of the shooting range. Yeah, you heard that right. This place is unlike anything you've ever seen and these guys maximize its uniqueness.
These guys are killing it and a recent Bronze metal at the Great American Beer Festival for their Machine Gun Teddy Brown Ale proves it. In this episode I sit down with Dillon, Chad, and assistant brewer Jordan to talk about how their dad influenced their beer styles, how Chad made them better, and how they are able to pump out such great beer in a limited space. Enjoy the show!
AZ Food and Beer - all about Arizona Beer - Official Website
Intro/Outro music is "La Negra Tomasa" by the awesome local Arizona band Fayuca
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Arizona is a food lovers paradise. Everything from authentic Mexican food to some of the best pizza in the country we are so lucky to have so many choices. But sometimes that can be the program. How do you decide when give so many options? Do you want to rely on the opinions of many unqualified people who mainly just use the platform to feel more important than they really are? Yes, I'm talking about Yelp. I think South Park summed that whole thing up pretty well. Enter Valley of the Sun Foodies, a small yet passionate group of people who love supporting the local Arizona foodie scene. They use their Facebook page to promote positive support of the local scene.
When I recorded my very first episode at Mother Road Brewing Company in Flagstaff I met a gentleman by the name of Brian Roper. He was super excited about what I was doing and let me know that he also loves supporting the local scene and told me about a group her just started called Valley of the Sun Foodies. Since then Brian has been an awesome supporter of the podcast and has done a lot to help me make many great connections. It took a little convincing to get him behind the mic but I finally did it! Fellow Valley of the Sun Foodie Tracey joined in as well along with The Classy Alcoholic.
Keep in mind this was the 5th episode I had recorded that day at Mesquite River Brewing Company so it is possible that I was slightly buzzed at this point. Either way, we had a great time. Enjoy the show!
Intro/Outro music is "La Negra Tomasa" by the awesome local Arizona band Fayuca
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Big thanks to my man Stefan Canchola, aka AZ Beer Jedi for joining me in this episode, providing the pics and for the following write-up.
In beautiful and luxurious Scottsdale Arizona you will find a wonderful playground of attractions and delights to satisfy any taste or craving, from world class restaurants, resorts, shopping and entertainment, but did you know you will also find the best craft beer in all the state, literally.
Tucked safely in the heart of what is known as "Old Town" you will find the 2nd oldest house in the area. Built in 1937, 6922 E Main St had only been home to a few businesses but for the most part had been neglected and abandoned and anyone wanting to use the location definitely had their work cut out for them.
Opening it's doors on Saturday March 7, 2015, Craft 64 hit the ground running as a force to be reckoned with not just in the craft beer community but as a destination spot for locals and tourists looking for a great place for a quality drink, out of this world pizza and a great atmosphere with a sole focus on what is arguably one of the most important thing to foodies and beverage seekers, local first and locally sourced.
The Beer:
All Arizona, All the time!
Featuring 31 handles, here you will find beer from all over Arizona, and especially from places you didn't realize had a brewery, Yuma? Kingman? If it's in Arizona they probably will get a keg of it.
This is the perfect place for locals because if driving to Lochiel Brewing in the far east valley or 8-Bit on the far Westside is too much of a chore, Craft 64 is conveniently located right in the middle.
House Beers:
Yes they brew their own beer but not on site. In a partnership that's been extremely successful Craft 64 has been contract brewing with SunUp Brewing of Phoenix and has collaborated with Dubina Brewing of Glendale on their incredible Mango Sour to which I'll say is basically a perfect beer. In regards to the house beers it's something I've said every time I've tried one of them for the first time, they know what their doing, who they're brewing for and they do it very well!
The food:
No Freezers, no fryers, no microwaves and no gas, see where I'm going with this? Just say no to no quality. Ingredients from pizza dough, mozzarella, pizza sauce, salad dressing are all made fresh daily. Tomatoes and that amazing crack bacon are all locally sourced and the marriage of these treasures are brought together in a pizza oven that comes straight from Italy powered by pecan wood
On most days when you visit you will find behind the bar working like a general to keep things smooth and flowing, local craft beer hero James Swann, a self described beer enthusiast and recovering beer snob. Swann has a storied and accomplished history in helping grow the love for craft beer in the Phoenix area. When asked about his experience and contribution to the scene he remains extremely humble and grateful to those whom he's credited learning from and allowed him to run with his ideas.
You owe it to yourself to check out what is being celebrated on a regular basis by the likes of Phoenix Magazine, USA Today, local news networks and social media as one of if not the best restaurants and beer bars in Arizona.
ENJOY!!! ~ AZ Beer Jedi
Craft 64 Website
Follow AZ Beer Jedi on his Facebook page
Follow the AZ Food & Beer Facebook page...full website coming in October!
Intro/Outro music is "La Negra Tomasa" by the awesome local Arizona band Fayuca
Want to show your support and help this show grow? Simply click here, give the show a rating and share some feedback!