Choose, But Choose Wisely: Three Beer Events Happening October 17

Some tough decisions are on the horizon for Southern Arizona’s growing army of craft beer fanatics. Several high-profile events are slated for Saturday, October 17.

Decisions will have to be made.

Here’s a primer:

The Great Tucson Beer Festival

As the grande dame of beer fests in the Old Pueblo, The Great Tucson Beer Fest features more than 70 breweries, craft or otherwise, and is celebrating its 29th year on Oct. 17 with a change of venue.

The annual event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. at Kino North Soccer Stadium, 2817 East Ajo Way, instead of Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, across the street.

The best part: Proceeds from the fest go toward Sun Sounds of Arizona, which provides information in print to those who are visually impaired.

Activities will include beer tastings, food and entertainment.

General admission is $45 in advance and $50 at the gate. You can sneak in early, starting at 4:30 p.m., if you are willing to pay for V.I.P. access. Those tickets are $90 in advance and $100 at the door.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit azbeer.com for more information.

Bisbee 1000 Craft Beer Festival

Up for a drive? Take a trip down to Bisbee for its Fourth annual Bisbee 1000 Craft Beer Festival, set to coincide with its 25th Bisbee 1000 Great Stair Climb.

More than 25 breweries from throughout the Southwest will dole out pours, amid live music, food and about 1,500 sweaty runners, cooling their heels after the race.

The event runs from 2 to 6 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the Bisbee Coffee Company, 2 Copper Queen Plaza.

General admission is $20 for Great Stair Climb participants and $25 for non-runners. V.I.P. access begins at 1:30 p.m. and will run you $40.

For more information, visit bisbee1000.org.

Casks & Cooks Part 2

Three of Tucson’s finest craft breweries, Ten Fifty-Five, Dragoon and Pueblo Vida will join forces with chefs at Loews Ventana Canyon, 7000 N. Resort Road, for a craft beer grilling extravaganza on Oct. 17.

Each brewery will pair original creations with themed dinners under the stars. Sample some currywurst with Pueblo Vida’s Bavarian Hefeweizen or a Dragoon IPA with pickled chorizo, among other delectable dinner options.

Blues harmonica player Tom Walbank will provide the music. Tickets are $55 per person. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, including how to purchase tickets, see our recent Casks & Cooks feature.

Other happenings:

• Arizona Beer House, 150 S. Kolb Road, will hold its very first Very Arizona Oktoberfest celebration this Saturday with food trucks, games, $3 fills on German-style beers and $1 off fills on all other beers on tap. This all-day affair runs from 11 a.m.-midnight and is free. More info at facebook.com/azbeerhouse
• The University of Arizona will host the second installment of its UA Science Café at Borderlands Brewing, 119 E. Toole Ave., Thursday starting at 6 p.m. The free lecture will featuring Tim Secomb, a professor with the UA Department of Mathematics discussing the increased understanding of oxygen in the blood through mathematical modeling.