3 Wine Events in Metro Phoenix Worth the Money

Approximately $75 will get you quite a bit of wine this spring in the Phoenix area. If you’re willing to plunk down the funds, there are three unique wine events coming just as warmer weather rolls in. Whether you’re looking for something large with a “scene” or a more intimate…

Pier 54 in Tempe: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Pier 54, 5394 South Lakeshore Drive Tempe, 480-820-0660, http://www.pier54az.com/. See Also: – Lucky Strike Lanes: Happy Hour Report Card – Tempe Restaurateur Julian Wright to Open Cool, Concept-y New Bar on Mill in March – 14 More Valley Places to Wine and Dine Your Honey Bun on Valentine’s…

Grand Canyon Hop Bomber IPA: Get Flavor-Bombed

Beer: Hop Bomber India Pale Ale Brewery: Grand Canyon Brewing Co. Style: American IPA ABV: 7.5 percent One of my major complaints about Arizona’s breweries is that they seem afraid to innovate. For all the different breweries in the state, the consumer still has very few Belgian ales to choose…

The Vieux Carré is Perfect for Your Sophisticated Mardi Gras

Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. New Orleans is a town with a storied past…

Five Tips for Shopping a Big-Box Wine Store

We love shopping locally, but let’s face it: There are times when you find yourself in a national chain shopping for wine. It’s overwhelming to take in aisles and aisles of choices and it seems there’s always a sale going on. Here are five tips to help you come home…

Lucky Strike Lanes: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Lucky Strike Lanes, 50 West Jefferson Street Phoenix, 602-732-5490, bowlluckystrike.com/locations/arizona/phoenix/. See Also: – Best Bowling 2012: Let It Roll Bowl – New Gypsy Bar at Lucky Strike Brings Video Games and Dance Club Action to Cityscape – Dick’s Hideaway: Happy Hour Report Card The Hours: Happy Hour is…

Bear Republic Racer 5, In Beer And Whiskey Form

Beer: Racer 5 Brewery: Bear Republic Brewing Co. Style: American IPA ABV: 7 percent Brewing beer and distilling whiskey are closely related enterprises. To make beer, all you need to do is add yeast to a boiled blend of malted barley and hops called wort. To make whiskey, you take…

Get Ready for Mardi Gras with the Perfect Sazerac

Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. Mardi Gras is coming up quick. The fuel of…

Drynuary: A Sober Look Back on a Month Without Booze

Because you’re happy. Because you’re sad. Because you just got promoted. Because you just got fired. Because you’re lonely. Because you’re out with friends. Because your girlfriend just dumped you. Because you’re trying to get laid. Because you’re golfing. Because you’re at the game. Because a steak just doesn’t taste…

Sneak Peek: First Press Arizona Wine Auction

For $250 a person, you’re probably wondering what is in store at the First Press Wine Auction on February 16 at the Montelucia Resort. If the 5-course dinner and paired wines sound predictable you should know that you’ll also get to preview distinctive wines and live auction lots and silent…

Budweiser Black Crown: The Poor, Desperate Man’s Yuengling

Flickr.com Beer: Budweiser Black Crown Brewery: Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Style: Amber lager ABV: 6 percent At the bar where I work, the most-requested beer we don’t stock isn’t Russian River Pliny the Elder. It’s also not Three Floyds Dark Lord, or Westvleteren 12, or New Glarus Spotted Cow, or anything from…

How to Make the Best Singapore Sling, Ever.

Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. Just as I was enjoying the sunny 80-degree days…

Matthew Weston of the Royal Palms in Phoenix Talks Dessert Wines

If the thought of dessert wine brings up memories of pre-legal hangovers or cooking sherry, it’s time to give dessert wines another chance. Dessert wines can be a sophisticated addition to any menu. We interviewed Matthew Weston, sommelier and beverage manager for the Royal Palms resort for some insight on…

Dick’s Hideaway: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Dick’s Hideaway, 6008 North Sixteenth Street Phoenix, 602-265-5886, http://www.burningembersphoenix.com/. See Also: – Best Place to Eat at the Bar – 2011: Dick’s Hideaway – Richardson’s: Happy Hour Report Card The Hours: Happy Hour is offered daily from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m…

SanTan Sex Panther: 60 Percent of the Time, It’s Good Every Time

bellsbeer.comBeer: Sex Panther Brewery: SanTan Brewing Co. Style: Porter ABV: 6.9 percent I don’t know how no other brewery snatched up the name “Sex Panther” before SanTan did, but I’m ecstatic they all missed out, because now I get to pepper this review with Anchorman quotes. Thank you, other breweries’…

The Secret To a Great Bloody Mary

Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. I don’t know what’s been going on, but I’ve…

Fate Brewing Company: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Fate Brewing Company , 7337 East Shea Boulevard #105 Scottsdale, 480-994-1275, fatebrewing.com. See Also: – Brews and Chews at Fate Brewing Company – Happy Hour Report Card: San Tan Brewing Company The Hours: Happy Hour is offered Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m…

Bell’s Hopslam Returns This Week

bellsbeer.com Beer: HopslamBrewery: Bell’s Brewery,Inc.Style: Imperial IPAABV: 10 percent See also: – Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Banana Ale – Ballast Point Victory at Sea. Not to get you guys all excited, but Bell’s, the best damn brewers in all of Kalamazoo County, posted this on their blog…