Taking a trip to AZ

Hi,

Forget Hopslam, that ship has sailed. There is a Total Wine over there and is your best chance for 120 Min but no idea if they have it or not. All the "Rare" stuff gets taken pretty quick but we have good distribution so we get a lot of breweries that CA doesn't (including Bell's).

There is a bar called Ground Control that is cool.

 

May I suggest supporting our local booze stores first and then going to Total Wine/Bevmo afterwards to pick up anything they don't have. Plaza is the best local store we have. Magee Road Liquors is also excellent. I just went shopping today and didn't see any 120 out yet. And I have no idea when Hopslam is released, but I know it isn't on shelves.

My suggestion is to pick up some stuff by Odell's while you're here. There isn't much that makes it to Arizona that doesn't also make it to California. And Bell's obviously, quite a bit of their winter stouts are on shelves now. You should totally bring me some Pliny the Elder when you come out this way !

*EDIT* And no, we don't get Founders or Three Floyds. We recently started getting Magic Hat, but they don't have anything super exceptional (based on reviews.) I haven't tried any of their stuff yet.

*ANOTHER EDIT* Also apparently Epic Brewing doesn't distribute to Cali, so maybe pick some of their stuff up. Big Bad Baptist is on shelves now, and is a super delicious stout!

 

What part of town are you staying in? I have some 120 if you want to trade?

 

Magee and Plaza are both in the Tucson area. Plaza as well does "make your own 6 pack" so that's pretty cool. Heady Topper is worth finding somebody to trade with, as I'm sure you already know. It is absolutely delicious. And you should have plenty of tradeable stuff from Cali to get one easily. Right now Odell has The Meddler out, which is a delicious sour. Not overwhelmingly sour, but delicious! Friek should be coming out in a week or so. But you are spoiled by Russian River on sours (feel free to bring me any of those too) Right now Total Wine has I believe the last three of Odell's "Woodcut" series in stock if those interest you. I don't know of much else really coming out soon that you couldn't also get there. I'm just pacing back and forth waiting for Deschutes Abyss . Any other questions, feel free to ask!

 

On your way from/to Marana I would head to Tops in Tempe, they are locally owned and carry all the good stuff and aren't to far out of the way. Some other good non-Cali beers might be from Ska, Uinta, Squatters, Four Peaks, Lumberyard, San Tan, Big Sky, Great Divide and Marble. Also, bring along some growlers and you will find some good beers on tap that you can take with you.

 

And to post one more time...You can also pick up Clown Shoes beer here !

 

Sun Devil Liquors in Mesa has about two case sof 120 right now. two bottle limit per person

click on the Sund Devil tab:

http://topsliquors.com/Contact_Us.html

i'd call ahead before you go as well.

 

Total Wine locations have the 120 minute & 75 also. Limits vary by location. Don't worry, they're not stale or anything - just less $ for the identical product.

 

120 is still in stock at my Total Wines and at Plaza. At Total Wine you have to go to customer service and ask for it. They have a limit of "one per person." You could probably call and place a phone order to pick up when you're in town.

 

I still suggest you go to Sun Devil in Mesa if you can ..the good stuff sits on the shelves there longer than almost anywhere else. So if the 120 is lingering somewhere that's where i'd bet on it. they still have Firestone Walker 16th Anniversary and they will have Deschutes The Abyss. Last time i was there they had Lost Abbey Angel's Share and Serpent Stout and lots of Bruery, Clown Shoes and Odell there. Plus you can go downstairs and have a beer after you finish shopping if you have time. They have a nice cellar bar.

I'd also try to hit the Whole Foods ... any one of them you can. Lots of times the good stuff lingers there too simply because i think ppl don't know what it is...and they have drafts now too.

 

http://www.1702az.com/beer-wine/draught/

If you get the chance when you're in Tucson it's pretty delicious. Right now they have Bell's Batch 9000 on tap, and just about everything else Bell's too. They're overpriced, and the pizza is only average (in my opinion) but you can't beat the selection. I obviously also recommend the Odell's and the New Belgium Stout too.

 

Well..he never mentioned Tucson but the do have beer to go and yes 1702 is the best beer bar in the state no contest.

And the prices are a good deal cheaper than the better PHX beer bars. I find it the cheapest of the good bber bars in AZ, actually. The taplist is always awesome and if you are nice, rare bottles come out from the back....for carry out or drink there...i bought a 2 year old FW Parabola and some of the last Dogfish Fort when i was last there....

I think the pizza is great. Everything about the place is great except the weird atmosphere and the awful step up/down between the rooms.

 

If you're in Marana, you're in Tucson. At least in my opinion anyway.