FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA

Through backyard alley from Flagstaff Brewing, reached ‘98-opened MOGOLLON BREWERY, January ‘05. Entered backroom music lounge, went around front to rustic wood bar, and met bar manager Mike D’Amico, who proudly showed off new vodka-whiskey distillery tanks and mezzanine game room.

On tap, tried hop-spiced cereal-sweetened citric-spruced Wapiti Amber Ale, tangy orange-apricot-fruited pear-browned Vienna-malted Octoberfest, Headless Horseman Lager, and creamy chocolate-milked coffee-stained Donnybrook Irish Stout. Reviews of bottled Mogollon Heffevenom, Apache Trout Stout, and Superstition Pale Ale in Beer Index.

www.mogbrew.com

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA

Hit snowy streets after leaving Beaver Street Brewery, crossed over railroad, and landed at ‘94-opened FLAGSTAFF BREWING on Route 66, January ‘05. Homey brick-walled bar with shelves of 100 single malt Scotches, ancient beer cans, and sundry memorabilia at entrance contained brewer Gordon Kier’s delightful tapped beers.

Buttery grapefruit-ensconced spice-hopped Bitterroot ESB,  earthen whiskey-bound cherry-ripened chocolate-sugared Sasquatch Stout and soft maple-sapped nutmeg-allspice-seasoned The Grinch Christmas Ale were approachable. For dessert, silky chocolate nougat-fronted, Fuggle hop-spiced, nut-backed Blackbird Porter sufficed.

www.flagbrew.com

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA

Sojourned to rustic ski-bound mountainous town, January ’05. Within walking distance were three valiant brewpubs. Inside old Foodtown Supermarket lies spacious BEAVER STREET BREWERY. Upon entering cozy couch-imbued waiting area, wafts of mash tun hit the nose. Left side open grill served wood-fired pizza, fondues, and sandwiches.

Mien bar with glass-encased brew tanks offered stone-fruited caramel-spiced local fave Railhead Ale, sedate hop-frisked raspberry-centered Bramble Berry Ale, piney hop-embittered red-fruited India Pale Ale, chalky mocha-soothed Nut Brown Ale, wispy chocolate malted Vienna Lager, and dry ‘gelatanized’ oatmeal-sugared chocolate-roasted R & R Oatmeal Stout.

www.beaverstreetbrewery.com