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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER
BEERTENDERS Bartenders who really know their beer Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!
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apHouse Kitchen offers modern American cuisine, in addition to a respectable selection of craft beers. The tap lineup includes local options from Grand Canyon, Four Peaks and Papago Brewery. At the helm is chef Patrick Karvis, whose resume includes Wright’s at the Arizona Biltmore and Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn. Michele Dryden, head bartender and manager, helped Karvis open TapHouse in 2014. Previously, she worked with him at the Hilton just down the street. She’s a bar veteran, however, it wasn’t until she moved to TapHouse that her eyes were opened to the world of craft beer. She hasn’t closed them since. Dryden sat down with The Entertainer! to talk about her passion for beer, and how TapHouse is always true to the brew.
WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES CRAFT BEER SPECIAL? There certainly isn’t just one thing. I think that absolutely the camaraderie between brewers and venues like ours is something special, as is the relationship that craft beer brands have with their customers. A great example of this in action: Earlier this summer, we headed up to Flagstaff for a craft beer festival. To see brewers—who would technically be considered “in competition with each other” in the traditional business world—working together and sharing with each other was very cool. I also think the way craft beer pairs with food, and how the trend of craft beer is really only coming into its own in recent years (and will continue to do so, I believe) also makes it more than special, but a movement. HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN CRAFT BEER? When my husband and I moved to Phoenix from Chicago 10 years ago, I had experience in dive bars, so for something a little more elevated, I WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM
went to work at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort, often working the pool bar. There, I met chef Patrick Karvis—and was instantly a fan. When he made the decision to come start TapHouse, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. That decision changed my life. Since then, the daily education from brewers and tastings and partners has been a whirlwind, and a happily hoppy one at that.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE BEER CULTURE IN ARIZONA? First and foremost, we have fun. We have fun with each other, with our guests and with the beer itself, especially the brewmasters. We really are a community; a family. Also, there is no shortage of creativity in this town when it comes to beer. People right in your own backyard are innovating every single day.
WHY IS TAPHOUSE KITCHEN THE PERFECT PLACE FOR CRAFT BEER? Every single thing on our menu is made to pair with beer—or beers. Chef Karvis has created a modern American menu with innovative dishes, as well as something a little extra for guests. For every single item, there’s a beer and wine pairing listed right there to pair with it. And whether guests get the pairing or not, it opens such great conversation about beer, the craft beer community and more with every single guest. We are very proud to have 20 craft beers on tap at TapHouse Kitchen, with just under half coming from local breweries. There are an additional 10 brews available by the bottle, including Lumberyard Brewing Co.’s Knotty Pine and Oak Creek Brewery’s Nut Brown Ale. The restaurant also offers four different beer flights, each of which feature four 4-ounce pours of beers. They include the Arizona Hwy flight that lets you taste four local beers. You can also create your
own four-beer flight or bartender’s choice. TapHouse Kitchen has happy hour seven days a week from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Specials include $2 off all taps (beer and wine), $2 off all house wine, $1 off well drinks, and $1 off all TapHouse cocktails. On the food side, there’s a selection of $6 small plates.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BEERS AT THE MOMENT? I have several, including: • Uncle Bear’s Head to Tale Amber Ale from Phoenix • Avery Brewing’s White Rascal from Boulder • Lumberyard Red Ale from Flagstaff • Sonoran Smooth Rebel Double IPA from Phoenix
TapHouse Kitchen
6137 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.656.0012, taphousekitchen.com.