new in town
TRUE TO THE BREW
Growler USA brings the craft beer movement to High Street BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
I
n 1984, while in college at California State University – Chico, George Plescia tried his first craft beer from a (then) little-known brewery in the neighborhood called Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. “It was love at first sip, and clearly I wasn’t the only one who fell for them. Today, they are one of the largest independent beer companies in the world,” says Plescia, who would move to San Diego after graduation, just as the city was becoming a mecca for craft beer in the U.S. “It was perfect timing for me, by then a full-fledged beer nerd.” The self-proclaimed beer nerd would spend the next three decades working in politics in Southern California – most recently serving on the California State Assembly – before moving to Scottsdale with his family in 2013. “I was pleasantly surprised at the
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beer movement happening all over Arizona, from Four Peaks’ juggernaut success to smaller outfits like Papago and Lumberyard earning accolade upon accolade on a national level,” Plescia says. “I wanted to be a part of it.” Enter Growler USA. Founded in Colorado in 2013, Growler USA is a dog-friendly neighborhood pub with a clear dedication to all things beer, and a special focus on local and regional craft beer offerings hand-selected by the local team. In just three years, the company has already expanded beyond Colorado to North Carolina, Texas, Oregon, Washington and even Hawaii. “About a year ago, we set the wheels in motion to bring Growler USA to Arizona. We opened in late September on High Street, and we boast more than 100 taps, 40 of which are dedicated to local craft beers and breweries,” Plescia says. “In fact, 10 of our taps are reserved for hyperlocal breweries at all times, meaning those that don’t even have distribution yet.” Intimidated by the selection? Don’t be. Growler USA boasts several Cicerone Certified Beer Servers, who are on-hand to help guests select, sip and savor the best beers for their individual palates and tastes. Plescia notes Growler USA also offers several other beverage selections on tap, including wine, soda, kombucha tea and even nitro cold brew coffee from Scottsdale’s Press Coffee, as well as a full menu of lunch and dinner options. “Our menu, as you would guess, features foods that specifically pair with our beers – food you actually want to eat while drinking beer – such as freshly twisted pretzels, brat sliders and even homemade chips from spent grains at a local brewery,” says Plescia, noting that the pub takes pride in using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible, including produce and baked goods. Football fans, take note. Growler USA will open their doors early on Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate game days throughout the fall. Growler USA, 5415 E. High Street, Phoenix; 480.454.4354; www.growlerusa.com.
| OCTOBER 2016
9/22/16 10:41 AM