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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 MATT ARELLANO, PROOF CANTEEN
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hen you walk into Proof Canteen at Four Seasons Scottsdale Resort Troon North to visit bartender Matt Arellano, prepare to be immediately transported from the Valley to a cross country road trip down the Main Street of America. The theme and décor of the space are clear—a celebration of this nation’s rich heritage and the historic days of Route 66. The menu, including twists on everything from fried green tomatoes and shrimp po’boys to chicken and waffles, not to mention its 50 beers from across the country, are nods to the past and celebration of today. Arellano, with the team since 2013, is the man to see about beer. What do you think makes craft beer special? When people—or I—turn to craft beer, it isn’t simply “to get the job done,” meaning to catch a buzz. Craft beer is about more than that. People who drink craft beer appreciate the art, science and passion beyond just the alcohol content. Take Four Peaks now-iconic Kilt Lifter, for example. The secret to its success doesn’t have anything to do with the booze. It has to do with water. I kid you not. To hone the popular Scottish Red Ale, Four Peaks actually looked up the water records from pre-prohibition era in Scotland— yes, these were actually readily available through public records!—so through reverse osmosis they could purify local water and then introduce actual minerals from the location and time period back into the mix. By replicating the water exactly, Four Peaks effectively made the most authentic Scottish Red Ale in the world. And don’t just take my word for it. Four Peaks is something like a six-time Great American Beer Festival gold medal winner for its Kilt Lifter. How did you get your start in craft beer? Prior to joining the Proof at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, I never worked in the restaurant or beer industry. I got my start working as a food runner, but with the food line located directly behind the bar, it was hard not to peek at what the bartenders and mixologists were up to. Eventually, peeking led to asking lots of questions, and our lead bartender Jon Crone really took me under his wing, especially when WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM
it came to beer. Somewhere between mastering the skill of pouring and learning the difference between an IPA and Stout, I found my passion. By 2013, I was behind the bar myself and haven’t looked back— except to salivate over the food line now and then. What is your favorite part about the beer culture in the Valley? We have legit bragging rights. The local beer culture is more than just a culture—it is an industry we as Arizonans should all be proud of. Not a day goes by when I don’t have a guest (often several) from the far reaches of the world at the bar asking to taste local beer. Every single time, we impress them. Why is Proof the perfect place for craft beer? You know how I noted above about all the cool guests from across the globe drinking
Arizona beers at my bar? The only thing better than serving them might be drinking with them! Also, our menu is all about American comfort foods with a twist, and what goes better with American comfort foods than beers from all across America, of which we have dozens. Looking for something hyper local? We partnered with Lumberyard Brewery in Flagstaff to create our own beer—a Proof Pilsner. What is your favorite part of the beer culture? It’s something we, as Americans, have celebrated since our inception—actually, before our inception. Ale and beer were both major dietary staples in the colonies. Literally everyone drank beer—infants were fed beer for goodness sakes! Then, like today, beer is a common thread in all of our lives.
What is your favorite beer at the moment? Given the heat, I have been looking to what I call “pool beers,” those I can drink by the pool on even the hottest Arizona days. Both a Hefeweizen and Papago’s Orange Blossom—which tastes like an orange creamsicle—are perfect pool beers. But, if it were a little cooler out, I would turn to Mother Road Brewery’s Lost Highway Black IPA. Though my first pick is not usually an IPA, this one hits you up front with hops and floral notes, but then transitions into incredible flavors of coffee and chocolate on the finish.
Proof Canteen
10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive Scottsdale 480.513.5085, proofcanteen.com