I am an Arizona native that has been in Brazil for the last year. Next week, I will return to AZ for a vacation. I need your help... What beers have come out in the last year that I should be on the lookout for? Any special releases lately? I'm a lover of any and all craft. The only thing I have been able to get my hands on are $12 cans of Guinness. Please Help. I don't want to miss out on a great beer because I didn't know what to look for. Thank you.
Where in Arizona? Lots of really great stuff out right now including Firestone Walker XVII Anniversary Ale, Deschutes Abyss, Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin, and many many more. If you're looking for good locals, check out Fate Brewing, AZ Wilderness, Dragoon Brewing, Boarderlands Brewing - I'm sure I'm missing some as well. It all really depends on what you like. The Fate Brewing Candy Bar Stout is amazing. Tucson, at least as of this afternoon, still had a few 4 packs of Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Barley Wine.
It might help to list some styles you want to get as there are hundreds of good beers out there. Good luck finding special releases, the really good ones sell out in a day or two. Not knowing where you will be at I would suggest you go to any of these places as you can try beers from the multi taps they all have and also get beer to go. Whole Foods in Chandler, North Scottsdale or the Biltmore area, Tops in Tempe, Papago in Scottsdale or Sun Devil in Mesa.
I agree with bigbelcher, find a place with a bunch of taps and go to town. I guarantee you'll find plenty of beers better than Devassa ; )
