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Great Tucson Beer Festival Overflows with Breweries

Great Tucson Beer Festival Overflows with Breweries

Oct 15, 20182 min read

The 32nd annual Great Tucson Beer Festival is tapping the kegs once again at the Kino Sports Complex North from 6 – 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 20.

It’s a chance to taste your favorite local beer, an out-of-town brew you’ve always wanted to try, or maybe even a beer you’ve always hated — but want to learn to love.

The event is also a major fundraiser for the Tucson Sun Sounds of Arizona, which is one of the main reasons free radio is still broadcasting over the airwaves.

Tickets are $40 for General Admission and $80 for VIP Admission if booked before the day of the event. Every guest will be given 24 tasting tickets that are good for three-ounce beer samples and a commemorative beer mug.

The VIP Admission perks include early entry at 4:30 p.m., a special souvenir mug, and exclusive beer and food tastings.

Take a look at the list of participating breweries, though, because it seems to go on forever this year — which isn’t a bad thing at all. If you run out of drink tickets — which is unlikely — there’s always an option to purchase additional beers before closing time.

Participating Breweries

  • 10 Barrel Brewing Company
  • 21st Amendment Brewery
  • Alaskan Brewing Company
  • Arizona Distilling Company
  • Barrio Brewing Company
  • BJ’s Brewhouse
  • BlackRock Brewers
  • Breckenridge Brewery
  • Brooklyn Brewery
  • Canyon Diablo Spirits
  • Cigar City Brewing
  • Colibre
  • Corbett Brewing Company
  • Coronado Brewing Company
  • College Street Brewhouse
  • Deschutes Brewery Company
  • Elysian Brewing Company
  • Estrella Jalisco
  • Firestone Walker
  • Founders Brewing Company
  • Four Peaks Brewing Company
  • Freak’ N Brewing Company
  • Full Sail Brewing
  • Golden Road Brewing
  • Good Omen Bottling
  • Goose Island
  • Great Western Brewery
  • Guinness
  • Hangar 24 Craft Brewery
  • Historic Brewing Company
  • Hop Valley Brewing
  • Huss Brewing Company
  • KYLA Hard Kombucha
  • La Cumbre Brewing Company
  • Lagunitas Brewing Company
  • Marble Brewery
  • Maui Brewing Company
  • Modern Times Beer
  • Mother Road Brewing Company
  • Ninkasi Brewing Company
  • Northwest Brewing Company
  • OHSO Brewery
  • Oskar Blues
  • Pizza Port Brewing Company
  • Prescott Brewing Company
  • Propaganda Brewing
  • Rogue Ales & Spirits
  • Santa Fe Brewing Company
  • Scottsdale Brewing Company
  • Sentinel Peak Brewery
  • Sierra Nevada
  • Shock Top Brewing Company
  • Ska Brewing
  • Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer
  • Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
  • Spiked Seltzer
  • Stella Artois
  • Stone Brewing Company
  • Thunder Canyon Brewstillery
  • Upslope Brewing Company
  • Utah Brewers Cooperative
  • White Claw Hard Seltzer
  • Wild Tonic

Are you getting thirsty yet? Make sure to check out the dining options at the festival, too, because you’ve got to eat.

Participating Food Vendors

  • BurgerRito
  • Carbaholics Beer Bread
  • Jozarelli’s LLC
  • Kababeque Xpress
  • Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue
  • On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina
  • Pizza Hut
  • Road Running Wood Fired Pizza
  • Sunshine’s Hatch Chili Hot Dogs
  • Trident Grill

Kino Sports Complex’s North Stadium is located at 2817 E. Ajo Way. For more information on festival, call (520) 296-2400 or visit azbeer.com.

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Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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IT’S THE FINAL WEEK OF 12 WEEKS OF FOODIE SUMMER! 🎉

Sonoran Week starts today and runs through August 9! Visit any locally owned Tucson spot that fits this week’s theme, save your receipt, and upload it at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win this week’s prizes.

🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: 
Win: Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge, (2) $100 Visa gift cards, $20 gift card to Ghini’s, 4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, (1) gift card to Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar, (1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts, (1) $50 gift card to BATA, (1) $50 gift card to Sonoran Moonshine

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS.

Stay tuned for @Sonoranrestaurantweek! Let’s support local ❤️

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonazIT’S THE FINAL WEEK OF 12 WEEKS OF FOODIE SUMMER! 🎉 Sonoran Week starts today and runs through August 9! Visit any locally owned Tucson spot that fits this week’s theme, save your receipt, and upload it at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win this week’s prizes. 🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: Win: Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge, (2) $100 Visa gift cards, $20 gift card to Ghini’s, 4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, (1) gift card to Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar, (1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts, (1) $50 gift card to BATA, (1) $50 gift card to Sonoran Moonshine ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Stay tuned for @Sonoranrestaurantweek! Let’s support local ❤️ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz@Hello_bicycletucson is closing its doors permanently after five years in business. The owners shared the news on Instagram on Sunday, but there’s still time to stop by before they close.

The cafe will remain open through August 16, while the bicycle shop will continue operating through August 23. After that, the owners will prepare the space for new ownership.

They also hinted that a new business will soon be taking over the Midvale Park Road location.👀 

“After 11 years in Seattle as Hello Bicycle, and 5 years in Tucson as Hello Bicycle & Cafe, we are closing our doors for good. Thank you to everyone who rode along with us, we couldn’t have done any of it without you.” 

More on Tucsonfoodie.com 

#tucsonnews #tucsonfoodie@Hello_bicycletucson is closing its doors permanently after five years in business. The owners shared the news on Instagram on Sunday, but there’s still time to stop by before they close. The cafe will remain open through August 16, while the bicycle shop will continue operating through August 23. After that, the owners will prepare the space for new ownership. They also hinted that a new business will soon be taking over the Midvale Park Road location.👀 “After 11 years in Seattle as Hello Bicycle, and 5 years in Tucson as Hello Bicycle & Cafe, we are closing our doors for good. Thank you to everyone who rode along with us, we couldn’t have done any of it without you.” More on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonnews #tucsonfoodieShare your favorites in the comments🥗

@bluewillow.tucson 
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More on Tucsonfoodie.comShare your favorites in the comments🥗 @bluewillow.tucson @cerestucson @charrosteak.delrey @falorapizza @forbes_meat_company @frescotucson @tucsonjaimes @thekingfishertucson @noodiestucson @reillypizza @reneestucson @roccoslittlechicago @veroamoretucson @zio_peppe_az More on Tucsonfoodie.comJoin the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon.❤️ 

Tickets in bio.
MENU👇🌲

AMUSE:
Forest Floor
Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs

FIRST COURSE: 
Desert Oasis
Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint

SECOND COURSE: 
Campfire Embers
Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla

THIRD COURSE: 
Juniper Ridge
Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños

PALATE CLEANSER:
Aspen Breeze
House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint

FOURTH COURSE: 
Granite Peak
Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot

DESSERT: 
Summer on Mount Lemmon
Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile

#tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmonJoin the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon.❤️ Tickets in bio. MENU👇🌲 AMUSE: Forest Floor Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs FIRST COURSE: Desert Oasis Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint SECOND COURSE: Campfire Embers Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla THIRD COURSE: Juniper Ridge Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños PALATE CLEANSER: Aspen Breeze House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint FOURTH COURSE: Granite Peak Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot DESSERT: Summer on Mount Lemmon Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile #tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmonIT’S WEEK 11! 

Steak & Carne Asada Week runs through Aug 2 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🥩🔥

🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: 
•Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge
•(2) $50 @asadataqueria gift cards
•(2) $100 Visa gift cards
•$20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe 
•4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum 
•(1) gift card to @redbird_scratchkitchen 
•(1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts

Upload your receipts: summer.tucsonfoodie.com
ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. 

Let’s support local ❤️

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonazIT’S WEEK 11! Steak & Carne Asada Week runs through Aug 2 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🥩🔥 🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: •Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge •(2) $50 @asadataqueria gift cards •(2) $100 Visa gift cards •$20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe •4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum •(1) gift card to @redbird_scratchkitchen •(1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts Upload your receipts: summer.tucsonfoodie.com ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Let’s support local ❤️ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonazGIVEAWAY! We’re giving away 3 pairs of VIP tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival on Saturday, August 8!🎉

Experience an unforgettable evening featuring tasting experiences from 30+ celebrated Southwest chefs, showcasing the rich flavors and traditions of Mexican cuisine. Enjoy everything from heritage moles and handmade tortillas to fresh ceviches, carne asada, cochinita pibil, live music, art, and more at @Westinlapaloma. VIP tickets include early entry at 5 PM plus exclusive access to the VIP Lounge.

How to enter:
• Follow @artstateaz, @westinlapaloma & @tucsonfoodie
• Like this post
• Tag the friend you’d bring (unlimited entries!)

Winners will be randomly selected on August 3.

Looking to buy tickets instead? Head to the link in @artstateaz’s bio and use code 15FOODIE26 for 15% off your tickets!

21+ event.

#tucsonfoodie #tucsoneventsGIVEAWAY! We’re giving away 3 pairs of VIP tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival on Saturday, August 8!🎉 Experience an unforgettable evening featuring tasting experiences from 30+ celebrated Southwest chefs, showcasing the rich flavors and traditions of Mexican cuisine. Enjoy everything from heritage moles and handmade tortillas to fresh ceviches, carne asada, cochinita pibil, live music, art, and more at @Westinlapaloma. VIP tickets include early entry at 5 PM plus exclusive access to the VIP Lounge. How to enter: • Follow @artstateaz, @westinlapaloma & @tucsonfoodie • Like this post • Tag the friend you’d bring (unlimited entries!) Winners will be randomly selected on August 3. Looking to buy tickets instead? Head to the link in @artstateaz’s bio and use code 15FOODIE26 for 15% off your tickets! 21+ event. #tucsonfoodie #tucsonevents

Tag us @TUCSONFOODIE in your food adventures!