The Entertainer! - Sept. 2016 by Times Media Group

BEERTENDERS Bartenders who really know their beer ALISA KNOPH, NORTH MOUNTAIN BREWING Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer! even cultural backgrounds, but we are all about accepting every flavor of person that comes our way. What is North Mountain Brewing the perfect place for craft beer? Let me count the ways! First, I am here. Second, the food complements our beer so well that we launched a beer/food pairing program that knocks every guest’s socks off. (My recommendation is to try the poutine with some of our malty pairings if a first-timer). Third, we make 100% of all the beer we serve. Our co-founder Rob Berkner is our master brewer. He is an Arizona native and loves to share his passion for the Arizona desert culture and the art of craft-beer brewing with all of us. Fourth, we have a mascot. Candy’s mom, who hails from the Philippines, is our unofficial mascot; talking to guests all day and making everyone feel at home. In addition to Rob, Candy and Lola, the family’s daughters all work with us, too. We are the ultimate family business. And finally, we are huggers. There is nothing like a great craft beer and hug after a hard day at work.

lisa Knoph is the “beer hostess with the mostest” at North Mountain Brewing, a locally owned, family-operated brewery and gastropub in Phoenix. Knoph and North Mountain brewing founders Rob and Candy Berkner are inspired by the public houses of Colonial America and Britannia as well as the spirit of the iconic beer halls of Europe. With a modern interpretation, this decidedly American establishment gives beer drinkers a new place to call home. What do you think makes craft beer special? The flavors—both the flavor in craft beer and the endless style of craft beer WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

available—transport your mouth on a little adventure. Right now, for example, I am really into IPAs. Why? The earthiness and floral notes of hops make me feel like I am running through a forest whenever I take a sip. How did you get interested in craft beer? It’s actually a funny story. I skated myself into the industry, quite literally. I am a roller derby girl, playing both jammer and blocker on the Surly Gurlies. We are a state-level team and winners of the 2013 and 2014 Arizona State Roller Derby Conference. Well, I was skating down Dunlap back in 2013 and rolled right past North Mountain Brewing. Somehow, I had missed the super-cool spot every

time I drove by. Intrigued, I happened in by myself and made fast friends with the female beertender working that day. I ended up getting her into roller derby, and she got me into craft beer. It wasn’t too long before I connected with the entire team there, and eventually signed on myself as a beertender. I had previously worked in the service industry, but not in 15 years. They took a chance on me that paid off for all of us. What is your favorite part about the beer culture in the Valley? Above I talk about the diverse flavors in craft beer. The beer culture in the Valley is just as flavorful—rich in diversity and all about inclusion. We are wildly different in age, life experiences, family situations and

What is your favorite part of the local beer culture? You nailed it in the question—local. The majority of those of us who are involved in the local beer culture all work for and brew for locally owned and operated breweries, as are many of the bars and restaurants that carry our beer. We are local, and all support local. What is your favorite beer at the moment? Right now, there are two. I love our N’erotic Belgian Ale, which has an alcohol content of 10.2%. It is golden in color, smooth and malty with a nice Belgian bite from the yeast. I also adore our Belay IPA, which has an alcohol content of 8%. This IPA is directed firmly at the hophead in all of us.

North Mountain Brewing 522 E. Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix, 602.861.5999, northmountainbrewing.com