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What's "On Tap"
Welcome back for the second week of June installment of your favorite Brewsletter. I know that it gets tossed around plenty this time of year, but what about this weather we're having? It is just too gorgeous outside right now to stay inside. Face it, how many times in the month  of June can you look forward to more than a week of temperatures under 100? Do NOT squander these days! Get your cans of Kilt Lifter and Sunbru from us right now at either location! For the sake of Pete, now is the time to go golfing, hit the lake or just hang by the pool! Plus, if you take a cool picture and send it to Mike in Scottsdale, you could win a free 12 pack and let the adventure continue!
Oh yeah, we will be open our regular hours all summer if you want to stop by and have a drink with us, we always appreciate the company!
Remember a few months back when the likes of myself, Terry Pepper and Trevor Schultz formed an alliance to take on "Big TV" in the form of the PBS fund raising adventure? You don't? Maybe THIS will refresh your memory. At any rate, when we were taking pledges one of the gifts they were giving away were tickets to the DRAFT Magazine Craft Beer Benefit at Turf Paradise. Guess what? It's coming up in a week and a half (Saturday June, 20th to be exact)! According to the write up from DRAFT Magazine:
 The boutique tasting is limited to 500 people who will be given the
opportunity to sample world-class, small batch and rare beers from
around the globe. In addition to presentations by individual brewers,
there will be tables highlighting the beers of Colorado, Belgium,
California and unique international selections. This intimate event
features beer and food pairings with artisan cheeses and meats provided
by Whole Foods Market, raffle items including gift certificates and
special bottles donated by breweries, and the opportunity to interact
with brewers and beer experts.
Tickets are still available for this event and can be purchased by clicking HERE. For more information on the event, click HERE. See you there!
I know I brought it up last week, but I was still in a May frame of mind, but on Monday, JUNE 22nd we will be involved with the fine people at the Hotel Valley Ho (website) for their Monday Night Chef's Table at Zuzu. Starting at 6:30 pm and for a very affordable price of $52 per person, join us for an evening of outstanding food and delicious Four Peaks beverages. Their four course menu that evening is as follows:
Chile Seared Arizona Sweet Shrimp Salad
chiffonade spinach,
frizzled tortillas, honey + lime
Grilled
Marquez Sausage
shaved fennel,
orange, parsley + mustard aioli
Roast
Cornish Game Hen
barley risotto, braised mustard greens + malted herb
vinaigrette
Banana Waffle Sundae
vanilla bean ice cream + cajeta caramel sauce
We are still working out the details on the beer pairings for each dish. If you are interested in joining us you can make reservations through the Hotel Valley Ho at (480) 421-7997. Feel free to read the write up from their own newsletter right HERE. See you there!
 The Smokers Corner.
Due to our picnic extravaganza on Tuesday, Arthur, Daryn and Thomas will be taking a break from smoking exotic and tasty meats this weekend. I do have it on good authority that there will be ribs on the menu soon. When? You're just going to have to keep showing up!
Now for the content portion of today's programming. This week the Brewers discuss the upgrades that are going to be taking place in the Brewery. Mike gives you some advice on Father's Day gift ideas, I sit down with one of our prestigious brewers, Charlie Billingsley, and I try to take the place of Billy Mays, I hope you enjoy it! Now on with the countdown!
Would you please put some pants on? I feel weird having to ask you twice.
Your Friends at The Four Peaks Brewery and Four Peaks Grill & Tap |
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1340 East 8th Street #104
Tempe, Arizona 85281
480.303.9967
480.303.9964 fax
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15730 North Pima Road
Suite D5-7
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
480.991.1795
480.991.1796 fax
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The Grill & Tap Dispatch
with Mike Kruchko
OK, no wasting time this week, let's get down to business. As you saw last week, the Grill & Tap
will be having a sweet Father's Day  menu for the upcoming big day (it's Sunday
the 21st if you needed a reminder)!
If you missed last week's Brewsletter then you may have missed the menu,
but with items like Shaved Ribeye, Pulled Pork and Surf & Turf Benedict, I'm
sure you'd be hard pressed to find a better place to spend your Sunday! (If you
want to check out the full menu for details click HERE) Also, if you know Dad will be finishing up on
the golf course at a certain time and want to make a reservation for the fam',
just email us at scottsdale@fourpeaks.com
and we'll get you taken care of; that all being said, I'm coming at you this
week in full service form. Not only am I
supplying you with the venue, I'm also gonna give you THE premier list of gifts
to get Pops this year. Although I'm not
currently a Dad (at least I'm pretty sure), I know what he does and does not
want this year....so without further ado, Mike's 2009 list of sweet (and not so
sweet) Father's Day Gifts.
Dad does want:
More Beer - This one's easy,
we've got you covered with more ways to stock his personal fridge in the garage
than you can count; 12 packs, growlers, 6'ers, cases, even kegs if you really
want to score some points!
Dad does NOT want:
More Ties - (There is a caveat
here, this gift coming from your 4th grader is awesome because it's
the thought that counts, and anything from your kid when he's that young is
awesome.) But, if you aren't in
Elementary School and chances are good that you aren't; skip it. If it was up to us, we would never put
another tie on in our lives.
Dad does want:
Tickets to the ball game - The
DBacks won't be in town on the 21st, but good news for you; they
will be playing a 6-game inter-league home stand starting on the 23rd. So bam...one more gift down.
Dad does NOT want:
A talking fly swatter or Billy
the Talking Bigmouth Bass - You get what I mean; those little novelty gifts
are funny when they get opened, but we all know they just end up in the trash
eventually.
Dad does want:
Gift Cards - You may disagree
with me on this one, but it's nice to be able to grab that circular saw you've
been eyeing at the Depot or some stuff for your iPhone without wondering if
you have the dough in your wallet.
Better yet, grab him a Four Peaks gift card...that way when he's hanging
with the guys after work or getting in a few on the golf course, he can use it
on his favorite beer!
Ok, I won't drag this out; but I think you get the
point. Take care of Dad this year
because as much as we sometimes don't like to admit it, we kinda leave Dad
hanging on cool gifts. That being said;
it's not how much you spend, its how you spend it. All the gifts can be done on a very fixed budget. Heck, even the Dbacks are offering up tix as
low as $5 a piece and don't forget we rolled out the Four Peaks Koozies for just
$3.
I know you may be thinking that I'm a little early on the
gift ideas; I mean heck, "I've still got 10 days to get a gift"! I hear ya, but I'm working on not
procrastinating so much, thus the early heads up.
Now that we've taken care of business, I'm starting to
see that some of you are actually starting to think
that free beer isn't such a bad thing (in case you need yet another reminder,
click HERE) and this week we have an entry from an old friend. Bethany Ramsdell made her way up to Durango
with a few 12 packs of Kilt Lifter and Sunbru for what she called some good ole
camping. Thanks Bethany, we love to see pics from out of
state, I'm just wondering how much they gave the local animals to drink though? That wild dog looks hammered! Adios kids, remember to keep those pictures
coming in to mike@fourpeaks.com and I'll see you next time ; )
You can contact us in
Scottsdale at 480-991-1795 or at Scottsdale@fourpeaks.com
submit all "can" photography to:
mike@fourpeaks.com
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CASK-CONDITIONED AND SEASONALS
IN SCOTTSDALE THIS WEEK:
8th Street Ale.: The classic English Best Bitter style served the way the Europeans prefer!!
IN TEMPE:
8th Street Ale: (once again) our version of an English Best Bitter, will be available until we ultimately run out (it happens every week my friends!). Wait for it... Hop Knot is our back up so everyone's a winner!
SEASONAL DU JOUR:
Belgian Saison!!! The Little Saison That Could is still chugging along, we thought it would be gone but, by God, it just keeps plugging away! Stop in and have one NOW!!!
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5 Questions With... Charlie Billingsley
In honor of the upcoming brewhouse upgrade I am going to spend the  next few weeks talking to a different brewer. I will be asking them questions about their dreams, aspirations and whatever I feel like! This weeks hot seat is reserved for Charlie Billingsley. A young and spirited go getter, "Good Time" Charlie has worked for such establishments as the Arizona Roadhouse, Rio Salado Brewery and Rock Bottom as well as here at Four Peaks. His knowledge of our beers and the brewing process are the stuff of legend and we couldn't be happier to sit down and better know a brewer with as much verve and vivacity. Let's have it Charlie!
1) What is your
favorite style of beer to drink and/or create? Explain.
Honestly I enjoy every beer at Four Peaks for all the different
characteristics and subtleties each offers. Depends on the moment which
one I'll order. Creating new beers is the same, they all offer
different challenges. The short answer is the one I'm brewing or
drinking.
2) You catch a lot of
live music in and around the Valley, what is the best band out there right now
that we probably have never heard of?
Don't know about the best. Locally, Lonna Kelley is always great,
quite captivating. At home on the turntable right now, Jack O and the
Tennessee Tearjerkers.
3) Is there one Four
Peaks menu item
(regular menu or specials) that you would claim as your favorite? Please
elaborate.
Again no favorites, the kitchen amazes me everyday, but the Thai Hummus
with a pint of 8th Street is a frequent combination. The pita bread,
hummus, caramel malt character, Thai spices, floral hop aroma and
flavor...always enjoyable.
4) Take us through a
typical work day at Four
Peaks, what does
it normally entail?
The duties around the brewery rotate everyday. We brew 4 times/day and
therefore have to transfer, filter, and package enough beer to make
that possible. Todays responsibilities were getting the 2nd and 3rd
brews through the brewhouse and into the fermenters, etc. Without
going into detail, nothing is taken for granted.
5) In the next
few weeks we are installing a new 40 barrel system for the brewery, what part
of this refurbish are you most excited for? The juggling act should be fun. We still gotta keep the beer flowing at the same time. It's all exciting. Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to regale our readership with with your insight, we're all looking forward to the bigger batches and the new look brewhouse! |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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Monday, June 15th: Barrel Aged Sirius Black returns!! One keg only, so stop in early!
Wednesday, June 17th: Cheese Puff Day, Cheese Puff Day, Cheese Puff Day!
Saturday, June 20th: DRAFT Magazine Beer Fest at Turf Paradise from 1pm to 5pm. Tickets available HERE
Sunday, June 21st: Father's Day with special brunch offerings from both the Brewery and the Grill & Tap!
Monday, June 22nd: Beer dinner at the Hotel Valley Ho featuring your favorite Four Peaks brews!
Saturday, July 4th: America's Independence Day! Stop by for some Yankee Doodle Beef Noodle soup!
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The Brewers Blog
For some reason we've held off on talking about one upcoming
event. Quite a large event actually, one
that will shape the way we do things from this point on. Why the reluctance? We don't know...oh, who are we kidding? We fear the jinx. There, we said it (and, honestly we're still
a little squeamish).
We're expanding the brewery, again. Except this time we're going in really deep,
we're altering the entire process, we're saying goodbye to our old brewhouse
(translation from Geek: The mash tun,
kettle and whirlpool; just the place where every drop of our beer has been made
for the last 7-8 years), that's all.
It's quite an undertaking.
With no less than nine different contractors on the job it should be
like the proverbial herding of cats.
Throw the city in for good measure and it will be a full blown rodeo fur
ball.
Why the change? It's
more of an evolution really. We're
growing at a modest pace despite the economic down turn. We could stay put and ride it out but,
despite our outward demeanor, brewers are optimists (with bouts of pessimism). We think we can position ourselves for good
things if we risk a little now. Our
thought is that things will turn around, we'll never bet against America,
and having the tools in place to hit the ground running will be really nice,
for a change.
Or, we will have spent one butt-load of money (that's
metric, right?) on a Ferrari of a system that we can only drive 20 miles per
hour because, despite an economic upturn, the US Senate has decided to
quadruple our excise tax (you did contact your Senator, right? CLICK
).
But we must not think bad thoughts.
This will happen and it will be good. Combined, we comprise enough good grey matter
that this should be a cinch. We'll
produce more, better beer than we ever have.
The Earth will cool, the ocean levels will fall, lambs will lie down
with lions. The mystery of cold fusion
will be revealed to scientists in the crayon scribblings of some
six-year-old. And cars will run on an
ever-abundant source of unicorn flatulence.
Or, like any birth, it will be painful and messy with
shrieks of, "YOU DID THIS TO ME!!" echoing off the walls.
Nevermind.
Good thoughts, happy place.
We break ground next week.
Where's our rabbit's foot?
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Let's Build a Sunbru-topia!
a Four Peaks Infomercial
Hey there, Timmy Mays here with products you didn't know you needed until I told you you did!
With summer now firmly in place here I think it's time we
discuss your wardrobe. You just seem so...mmm,
I don't know, drab. Thankfully we at Four Peaks in association with "What's Up"
Sportswear and other local affiliates have just  what you need... new stuff! Sure, you can wear the Four Peaks Sunbru "Tatter
Hat" that you love so much and that's great, I got you to buy that a few months
ago! But, damn, it is just so hot out and your head needs to be ventilated... why
not pick yourself up a Sunbru Trucker hat!
That hot, hip and happenin' 70's look that recently got popular all over
again can be acquired at either Four Peaks location in our lovely gift shop for $15!
Alright, we don't really have a gift shop, but if we did it would be featured prominently
at the entrance way! Don't forget that
with each purchase of a Sunbru Trucker hat you receive a complimentary bottle
opener right on the brim! That is a $3.99 value that we are giving you for FREE!
Yup, it's built right in!
You know what would go well with your brand new awesome
Sunbru Trucker hat? That's right, a
sweet looking Four Peaks Sunbru Ringer T-Shirt!
Sporting the Four Peaks Company logo on the left breast on the front and
touting our Sunbru Tribute Ale logo across
the back, it is sure to make a splash at your next get together. It is 100% cotton and is  of a light and
sturdy construction so you don't overheat during the arduous summer months! Remember to machine wash it cold, inside out and
with like colors! As always do not use
bleach and tumble dry on low my friends, I can't stress that enough! If you like, feel free to utilize a warm iron
to get those pesky wrinkles out of this marvel of textile know-how, it can take it! These babies were made in India where they
know a thing or two about heat, and you know THEY would never put out an
inferior product! This can also be purchased at either Four Peaks location for a very affordable $18,
just ask your server, bartender, the manager on duty or Randy, he always knows
what to do!
Like my associate up north, the esteemed Mr. Michael Kruchko
esq., mentioned in the Grill & Tap Dispatch, pick up a Four Peaks Can Cooler as
well, because that Sunbru can isn't going to keep itself cold! Available in a myriad of colors and styles,
find one that fits your mood, and then pick 3 or 4 more for the rest of the family! Sure, the kids may be drinking a conventional
cola under that koozie, but nothing says, "My daddy drinks!" better than a Four Peaks
Can Cooler! And for the low, low price of
$3 it's like we're just giving this stuff away!!! Stop in today and pick up the new '09 line, you owe it to yourself!!!
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A Few Parting Words...
That'll do it for another action packed summer week from your voice of the Valley, the Four Peaks Brewsletter. Just a couple quick tidbits before we move on. First, we are currently out of Hop Knot in bottles! I have been informed from inside sources that they will return by the middle of next week. We apologize for the inconvenience but it is summer and you people are so damn thirsty! On the lighter side of beer news we have in our possession some "seasoned" wooden casks, bourbon barrels if you will, filled with Kilt Lifter. Over the past few months they have slowly been picking up the flavor and character of quality Four Roses Bourbon. Sometime in the coming months (just like archeology, this process does not deal in time schedules) we will be offering this delicious melding of flavors so stay tuned these upcoming weeks as more details become available!
Customer Comment Of The Week...Time once again to hand the reins over to our featured customer commenter of the week, take it away: "Had the Hop Knot IPA last night at Delux.
Wow! Outstanding. Great smell and very tasty. I'm a fan of IPAs and my two
other favorites are Stone IPA and Eel River IPA. Hop Knot is fantastic, and I
will be picking some up at AJ's. It seems like everyone is making IPA's these
days, but few do it so well. Thanks P.S. Do you guys give tours of the brewery?
JeffWe do have brewery tours that go on in a non linear, infrequent basis. If you would like to take a brewery tour, although due to our upcoming upgrade you may want to wait, feel free to contact manager/Armageddon the movie enthusiast Steve Lynch at steve@fourpeaks.com, he'll answer all your questions! Cheers!
The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind..
- Humphrey Bogart
Four Peaks International Peace Representative Heather Bagly Delivers Gifts to the People of Thailand!
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