The wheels on the bikes go round and round, and the beer from the taps comes pouring down (after the big race, that is). El Tour de Tucson season is here.
From 5:30 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25, El Tour officials are teaming up with Dragoon Brewing Company to debut its official beer for the 40th El Tour de Tucson. The sudsy celebration will take place at Dragoon’s taproom, 1859 W. Grant Rd. #111.
The new brew is the Dragoon PILS, and it’ll be in your nearby grocery stores beginning this week. It’s an American-style pilsner and it just won best in show at the Arizona Craft Beer Awards, which means it was the highest-rated beer entered from Arizona.
“It’s an easy-drinking beer,” said TJ Juskiewicz, El Tour’s executive director.
On the can, there’s an El Tour-inspired design with a purple and orange background.
“We can’t wait to see the cans in Tucson-area stores and at Dragoon Brewing,” said Juskiewicz. “This is our second beer at El Tour and we feel we have another hit with it. Our of-age riders should enjoy the smooth-tasting beer now and on ride day.”
Prior to this, Ten55 Brewing Company made the official beer but the torch has officially been passed on to Dragoon Brewing, which has been involved in El Tour events before. Earlier this year, the brewery participated in El Tour de Zona and other cycling events in Southern Arizona.
Dragoon Brewing’s general manager Tristan White called the partnership a no-brainer. “We’re glad to be part of El Tour,” he said. “It’s going to be, by far, the largest event we’ve ever been a part of. It’s exciting. It’s a great event and a great opportunity for us.”
More than 9,000 cyclists are expected to participate in the 40th El Tour de Tucson — a ride that was named the top road cycling event in the U.S. by USA Today. El Tour is taking place on Saturday, November 18 and registration is still open and awaiting your entry.
Dragoon Brewing Company is known more for IPAs but “with this being a cycling event, it made sense to do something more approachable,” said Deanna Sherman, Dragoon’s marketing and events director. “It’s something for you when you jump off your bike and are thirsty.”
El Tour officials will showcase the beer on Wednesday, October 25 at 5:30 p.m. at Dragoon Brewing Company. The event goes to 7 p.m. at 1859 W. Grant Rd. #111. For more information on El Tour De Tucson, visit eltourdetucson.org.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt 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.
