Now in its ninth year, has grown into a massive celebration of local craft brews with more than 200 events across the state. The signature Strong Beer Fest may be up in Phoenix, but there's plenty to do and drink without leaving the Old Pueblo.Ìý
For example, Ten55 is hosting an where five local breweries make beer from a special ingredient, and you can vote on your favorite. Ermanos on Fourth Avenue is tapping that were three years in the making. And to cap off the week, there's the , where you can sample 30 different breweries without leaving downtown.
Below are some of the best events from the celebration, which runs Feb. 7-16. For the full list, go to .
•ÌýElevated Dining Beer Dinner at Ten55: ChefÌýIvor Cryderman is flexing his gourmet chops for this exclusive beer dinner in Ten55's mezzanine. The four-course menu includes oysters on the half shell and porchetta from Forbes Meat Company. ÌýÌý
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7Ìý /ÌýWhere: Ten55 Brewing And Sausage House,
• Beads, Blues and Beer Festival at The Metal Arts Village:ÌýThe proceeds for this festival go to , a local organization that helps children with cancer and other illnesses. Ten dollars gets you a commemorative pint glass and access to an all-day festival with live music, bead-stringing activities and more shopping. Ìý
When:ÌýNoon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 /ÌýWhere:ÌýÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Hop Shop and the Metal Arts Village,
•ÌýHazed and Infuzed Day at Tap and Bottle: For those of us who drink hazy IPAs even in February. There's some yummy stuff on tap including an Oslo Hot Chicken double IPA from Almanac and Hen House out of California, Limited Visibility Hazy IPA from Mother Road and a dry-hopped Citra IPA from Tombstone on cask. Ìý
When: Noon to midnight Saturday, Feb. 9 /ÌýWhere: Tap and Bottle downtown,
• Mother Road Tap Takeover at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Beer House:ÌýThis is a rare chance to taste more than the Tower Station IPA, without going up to Flagstaff. 's new brewhouse ambassador will also be there talking about the brews and handing out swag. Ìý
When: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 /ÌýWhere: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Beer House,
•ÌýHouse Cask-Sour Tap Takeover at Iron John's: This local brewery sours its beers in the cask, which is a slower and more traditional method. This event will have several of the sours on tap, including "ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s first ever commercially produced Gueuze" andÌýa smoked apple strong ale that's aged in a Calvados cask. Ìý
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Plumer location and noon to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15 at the Congress location / Where: Iron John's Brewing Company, 245 S. Plumer Ave. and 222 E. Congress St.