THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MARCH 2018
BEER TENDERS Bartenders who really know their beer Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!
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orn and raised in the Central Corridor, Jared Lapadura graduated from North High School in 2000 with plans to become a teacher. But, to raise funds for college tuition, he needed to work. He took a position working the back of the house at the famed Fish Market, which is now Blue Market Grill. Immediately, a passion for the hospitality industry ignited – one that quickly raised him in the ranks to manager. He would eventually leave the Fish Market after more than six years for a slew of opportunities – including work with Oregano’s for six years during its massive expansion across Arizona – before making his way to Upward Projects and Federal Pizza, right in the Central Corridor he has always called home, in 2013.
How did you get your start in craft beer? While certainly no stranger to drinking beer, it wasn’t until I stepped into Federal Pizza four and a half years ago that I really got my start in earnest. Since then, I’ve gone on an almost daily journey into craft beers from everywhere
from Arizona to Belgium. Upward Projects is really focused on education and outreach when it comes to all of their beverage programs. Now, you’d be hard pressed for me not to recommend a beer that doesn’t have some great talking points or a story behind it.
What do you think makes craft beer special? What doesn’t make it special? I mean, the entire industry is filled with mad scientists and creatives spending day and night and putting their hearts and souls into every single sip. You have people using everything from watermelon to salt to coriander to infuse flavors no one would ever think to do 20 years ago. Craft beer makers are some of the most innovative people I have ever met. Tell us about some of the local breweries doing it right? The Shop Beer Co. in Tempe is one of my favorites right now. They got their start as Cartel Brewery, but opened The Shop about 18 months ago. They are all about relationships – with local farmers, with restaurant and venue partners, and especially with the community. I also love The Wren House in Phoenix. They put such a focus on quality and explore a wide range of
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brewing techniques and styles. They integrate international beer styles with Arizona character to craft beers that satiate and challenge the senses in the most interesting ways.
What is your favorite part about beer culture in Arizona? It’s not about the dollar (or more precisely how to save a dollar). It’s about the passion. And the people. Tell us about the beer program at Federal Pizza? Look for a little something for everyone on our beer menu. We focus both wellknown craft beers that people already love as well as some of the sneaky great ones you may have never heard of – everything from sours to pales to porters. For drafts, we rotate more than a dozen local, regional and even international options for our guests. For bottles, we always have no less than 30 options, all of which we can help pair with signature or even custom pizzas. Two very cool things we offer are Our Brew Tour, a beer flight with any four beers for just $7.50; and our chubs and growlers: we offer 32-ounce chubs as well as 64-ounce growlers. What are your favorite beers? It is so hard to choose, but my three favorites at the moment are: Piehole Porter from Historic Brewing up in Flagstaff (one of the best porters of all time); Petrus Oud Bruin out of Belgium (a sour); and Oskar Blues Old Chub from Colorado (a Scottish-style ale).
Federal Pizza
5210 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.795.2520, federalpizza.com.
Over 300+ Unique Craft Beers Pints & Singles for Here Growlers, Crowlers & Packaged to go Happy Hour 3-6pm Mon-Fri CENTRAL PHOENIX
Dog Friendly Patio Dog Treats & Dog “Beer” Available Trivia Tuesdays at 7pm SINGO Thursdays at 7pm Tasty Pub Grub
4626 N 16th St. Unit 102, Phoenix, Arizona 85016 | (623) 398-3636 @theCasualPintCentralPhoenix WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM