Harbottle Brewing Company is hosting its second annual SMaSHed in the Desert beer festival with seven other location breweries from noon – 6 p.m. on Friday, February 5.
Also, as a double whammy celebration, Harbottle Brewing is utilizing the festival as a party for its fourth anniversary.
So, a SMaSH beer is comprised of one single malt and a single hop — no more and no less. However, keeping it minimal like this can be somewhat of a challenge because the brewer needs to rely more on things like precision and technique. It’s a good thing these folks are the pros because it ought to be a fun competition to witness.
Here’s how the competition works:
Eight breweries are pairing up into four teams to compete in the battle at 3820 S. Palo Verde Rd. #102, with a grand prize of a championship belt. That’s right, it’s all about being the holder of the wrestling-like belt until the following year’s competition reveals a new pair of winners.
This year’s ingredients are Vienna malt and Mosaic hops and each of the four teams (two breweries per team) will be offering tastes of their creation in a blind taste test. From there, you’ll be the judge and vote on your favorite pours.
Tickets are $30 per person and include your five-ounce tasters, a pint of beer, and a commemorative pint glass. Plus, additional drink tickets will be available to purchase, too, if you’re in need of wetting your whistle.
Participating Breweries
- 1912 Brewing Company (Tucson)
- Borderlands Brewing Company (Tucson)
- Button Brew House (Tucson)
- Copper Mine Brewing Company (Tucson)
- Dillinger Brewing Company (Tucson)
- FireTruck Brewing Company (Tucson)
- Harbottle Brewing Company (Tucson)
- Ranch Hand Brewing (Eloy)
If you happen to be a “Mug Club” member at any of the participating breweries you’ll snag yourself a sweet discount — ask your bartender for details on the day of.
Harbottle Brewing Company is located at 3820 S. Palo Verde Rd. #102. For more information and to buy your tickets, visit eventbrite.com.
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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.
