What
Fifth Annual Born & Brewed at Hotel Congress
When
6 – 9 p.m., September 17
Where
Hotel Congress
311 E. Congress St.
More info.
hotelcongress.com
While battles for control of the Pokémon GO gym at Hotel Congress happens daily, there’s one special contest hosted once a year — Tucson’s Beer Cup, also known as Born & Brewed.
Ten local breweries will compete at Hotel Congress on September 17 for the coveted title of Best Flagship Beer, Best Specialty Beer, and People’s Choice.
Defending champion Dragoon Brewing Co. boasts wins for the best overall beer award in 2012, 2013, and 2014, followed by Judge’s Best Flagship award in 2015. Though their performance has been consistent, Pueblo Vida Brewing Company won the People’s Choice in 2015. It could be anyone’s cup.
The judging panel this year includes Kevin Bosley from Odell Brewing Company and a few surprise judges.
Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 the day of the event. General admission includes:
- Taste of each competing craft beer
- Commemorative tasting glass
- Plate of special eats:
- Pulled Pork Sliders
- Housemade Beer Mustard & Pretzels
- Chips & Salsa
- Smoked Nuts
For $50, VIP tickets enjoy:
- Taste of each competing craft beer
- VIP Commemorative tasting glass
- Spot in exclusive VIP lounge
- Plate of the VIP buffet:
- Smoked Pig – Yes, a whole pig!
- Housemade Beer Mustard & Pretzels
- Killer Dressed Salad
- Corn Pudding
- Roasted Potatoes
- Desserts
There’s more beer included that most people can handle, so please make sure you have a plan to get home responsibly. New this year is the $15 designated driver ticket, which includes a plate of the general admission menu and a take-home gift.
Fifth Annual Born & Brewed Competing Breweries
- Borderlands Brewing Company
- Barrio Brewing Co.
- Catalina Brewing Company
- Dragoon Brewing Co.
- 1912 Brewing Co.
- Iron John’s Brewing Company
- Nimbus Brewing Company
- Pueblo Vida Brewing Company
- Sentinel Peak Brewing Company
- Ten Fifty-Five Brewing
Living Street Alliance, Local First Arizona, Tucson Homebrew Club, Yelp Tucson, and Girls Pint Out will all have stands at the event ready to chat about their respective organizations.
To purchase tickets, visit the front desk at Hotel Congress or ticketfly.com/event/1256217. For more information, visit hotelcongress.com.
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
