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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 similar interests and intellectual pursuits with like-minded, skilled artisans. The Midtown Taco Guild embraces the tradition of the guild as its culinary craftsmen—including bar manager and beer buff Darrell Knapp—are experts in creating unforgettable flavors. By embracing the essence of time-honored recipes, Knapp is his team create an experience worthy of the masters.
Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!
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n the 1600s in Western Europe, master craftsmen formed exclusive clubs called guilds. These gentlemen were considered experts in their field. Once accepted into a guild, members were able to freely discuss
Award-Winning Beer from the Last Frontier
Brewed and bottled in Juneau, Alaska. alaskanbeer.com
WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM
What do you think makes craft beer special? I think seeing and hearing about the way in which it’s made by the brewers makes it so special. The passion and care they put into the beer they produce is astounding to witness, and something you won’t see from the “big guys.” Local craft brewers spend much more time playing with new and existing recipes to create the best beer they possibly can, and spend far less time worrying about marketing or their stock prices. Local craft brewery, Huss Brewing Co. from Tempe, recently came out with a version of their famous “Husstler” milk stout called “PB Husstler,” and to create it, the whole team, including the husbandand-wife owners, sat as a group for hours on end unwrapping peanut butter cups and tossing them into the batch. What became of that brew was hand down one of the most innovative and unique stouts
I’ve ever tasted. That’s something you won’t ever see the “big guys” doing. How did you get interested in craft beer? When I moved to Seattle a few years back the craft beer scene was already very prevalent there. If I ordered a nonlocal beer in a trendy bar in Seattle, I came to expect a chuckle and a look of disapproval from the bartender. They take their craft beers very seriously and always spoke with such passion when discussing their favorites. I began trying every kind I could get my hands on and quickly realized how significantly better crafts are than their mass-produced counterparts. I fell in love and never looked back. What is your favorite part about the beer culture in the Valley? Craft beer is still somewhat up-and-coming in the Valley, which means there are far fewer “beer snobs” here than in cities like Seattle or Portland. You’ll rarely come across a bartender here who will insult your favorite, big-name beer. Rather, he or she will acknowledge the quality and validity of said beer, then encourage you to try a few different locally brewed beers that are similar in style to your favorite, but of course are much more creative, complex and flavorful. I guarantee you’ll
find something you love. Not to mention it will be made right here in the Valley of the Sun by your neighbors. Why is Taco Guild the perfect place for craft beer? We have 16 different craft beers on tap at all times, and all are made right here in Arizona, from Flagstaff to Sedona to Chandler. We rotate many of them on a weekly basis to allow our guests to experience the many different seasonals that the breweries create. This week we’ve got the summertime American Ale from SanTan Brewing Co. called LimeLeaf and a pale wheat ale from Huss Brewing Co. called Sunday Funday. Both are perfect on a toasty summer day. And of course, we have some of the best tacos in the Southwest, and craft beers pair very well with them. Ask your bartender for a recommendation next time you’re here. What is your favorite part of the beer culture? Beer lovers are always fun and eccentric. They’re rarely pretentious and are always happy to experience a new brew with new people. If I’m ever sitting at a bar by myself drinking a local craft, and I see a stranger next to me doing the same, I always spark up a conversation. Odds are he or she will provide you with some very entertaining chit-chat. What is your favorite beer at the moment? Jomax Oatmeal Stout by Wren House Brewing Co. It’s an outstanding beer made by a 1-year-old brewery located just six blocks away from us. Come try it with me at Taco Guild!