Arizona

In August of 2007, I packed my car and set off to Phoenix Arizona. I was looking forward to this trip a long tome now and it was finally here. I was planning on staying out west for a few months so I had a lot to accomplish in a short period of time. Now, I had lived all over the Valley of the Sun from Apache Junction to Ahwatukee for most of my adult life. I have 3 best friends there today who really want me to move back. When they found out that I was coming to Arizona to do this, they were more than happy to take me in. I arrived in Phoenix the day after I left Ohio and stayed with my friend Bryan Dunn and his fiance Desiree in a town just west of Phoenix called Buckeye. They opened their home to me to which I appreciate more than they will ever know. It felt good to be back in the desert again, I actually prefer to live there. But I was there on a mission to go to all of my favorite bars, my old hangouts and watering holes! Bryan, or the Hippie as we affectionately call him, was looking forward to my project. I don't know who was more excited, him or me?! The other thing I was looking forward to was taking in some outdoor photography. Arizona is a photographers canvas! It is an absolutely beautiful state and diverse in every way. From desert to tall pines, sunshine to snow and mountains everywhere. Lakes, rivers, dams and one of the worlds' largest municipal park, South Mountain Park which is just south of Phoenix and covers 16,500 acres. All of this makes Arizona so wonderful to photograph. Another friend, Dallas Horn suggested that I go to Prescott Arizona and visit Whiskey Row. With that, I began to plan out my journey.

It began very simply. I decided to go to the local grocery store and see what the local microbreweries were distributing. One local beer stood out and it has a brewpub! It is Four Peaks Brewing Company in Tempe Arizona. The store carried Four Peaks Kilt Lifter and 8th Street Pale Ale. I bought both beers and thought that these were some of the best beers I have had since I got to Arizona. I figured that this was going to be my first stop. Since it is one the east side of town, I thought I would stay at my best friend of almost 30 years, Ed Fritz. First things first. I had to stop at Four Peaks Brewing Company. When I got to the brewpub, I was impressed right from the start. The building the brewery is housed in used to be a warehouse where a creamery sold both milk and ice to people in the neighborhood. It's original construction built in 1892, is made of red brick and is built in the classic mission style. I couldn't wait to get inside and see the rest.

Four Peaks Brewing Company, Tempe, Arizona

I was greeted at the gate and taken to the bar inside the brewery. I asked if I could take some pictures for the book and it was no problem. I ordered a Four Peaks Hop Knot IPA. Since I am a huge IPA (India Pale Ale) fan, I was very pleased with this brew. As expected, it was a perfect IPA. A lot of hops and a strong malt flavor. Th copper color made this beer an immediate favorite of mine. It's strong 6% alcohol presence was a welcome as well as its' dry finish. I then went on to the next beer, the Raj IPA. The Raj is more generous with he hops, and the bitterness was a fine accompaniment to this beer. Even with an alcohol content of 7%, it is a very drinkable beer.

Four peaks offered a cask conditioned ale which was drawn from a beer engine. Fantastic! I won't elaborate more. When you find yourself in Tempe, definitely check out Four Peaks Brewing Company.

Four Peaks Brewery

I could have spent the whole afternoon there but I was alone and driving! This is only the start of my Arizona trip. More on my Arizona trip to follow!!