Sleepy Dog Brewing’s Wet Snout Milk Stout

SLEEPY DOG BREWING CO. (Tempe/Gilbert, AZ)

Sleepy Dog Brewing Co. is a relatively new microbrewery within the Arizona craft beer scene. Opening in 2009, with a commitment to great detail in quality beer and a fun atmosphere at both Tempe and Gilbert locations. My wife and I went in for dinner at the Gilbert Brewpub location. The atmosphere was very clean and laid back with an open floor plan. Inside they feature a good sized stage where local music acts perform on various nights. The Brewpub also features a very large patio that is “Dog Friendly” for those folks that take their canine companions with them, wherever they go.

We were seated promptly, as the place only had a few other patrons sitting scattered around the pub. The one beer I was dying to try, their Scootcher Scottish Strong Ale was tapped out so I went for the Wet Snout Milk Stout instead. I received a pint glass, nearly filled to the brim with jet black stout goodness. The beer itself, had not much of a head to it but had nice aromas of chocolate, coffee and roasted malts. I took a big sip and held it in my mouth for a good 30 seconds as my wife glanced over the food menu. A silky and milky body led way to great flavors of sweet sugar, mild chocolate and roasted overtones. There was a noticeable amount of neutral hop bitterness that is not typically found in stout style ales. My wife and I ordered a sampler tray that came with their homemade fries, Red Rover Irish Ale beer battered onions rings and jalapeno slices. I’m a big fan of jalapeno’s, so after popping a few into my mouth then taking a sip of my stout, the jalapeno spiciness brought forth big flavors of rich coffee out onto my palette. The stout finished smooth and slightly dry, urging me to keep on taking in this pitch black nectar of the gods.

Sleepy Dog also features a full bar with wine, mixed drinks and other local guest craft beers. Being the big beer snob I am, I was a little miffed to see that they also offer Anheuser-Busch products. A couple girls sitting at the table behind us ordered a round of Michelob Ultra’s. I wanted to flip their table over out of anger for ordering such atrocious drinks in a Micro Brewpub, yet I refrained. I understand why Sleepy Dog offers those beers, to the less than enlightened beer drinker, it doesn’t mean I have to like it though (No hard feelings though Sleepy Dog, I still love you). Overall, my wife was pleased with her food as was I and their handcrafted ales are top notch. We both agreed we would go again, next time on a weekend night when some local bands are playing and they get more of that Scootcher Scottish Ale on tap.

Cheers to all at Sleepy Dog! We will see you again.

SLEEPY DOG BREWPUB (Gilbert location)

1451 East Williamsfield Road

Gilbert, AZ. 85295

480-963-1805

Open Daily: Mon-Wed: 11am – 11pm /Thurs- Sat: 11am-2am/Sun: 9am – 11pm

SLEEPY DOG BREWERY & TASTING ROOM (Tempe Location)

1920 E University Dr

#104 Tempe, AZ 85281

Hours:
Tuesday & Wednesday 4pm to 11 pm

Thursday and Friday 4pm to Midnight

Saturday 2pm-Midnight

Sunday & Monday Closed

www.sleepydogbrewpub.com

www.facebook.com/sleepydogpub

Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. – Gilbert, AZ’s First Microbrewery

At the time of it’s Grand Opening in early September 2013, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Gilbert, AZ was the city’s first microbrewery.  I have followed these guys on Facebook from the time they were home brewing in their garages, through the early stages of planning their dream business, until now. I do not personally know them but judging by their Facebook posts and videos that they recorded during the building process of their brewery, they seem like really down to earth, hardworking guys who have a deep passion for craft beer. It is clear that they are highly inspired by the great, ever changing landscapes of Arizona, hence their name, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company.

My wife and I arrived on a late Saturday morning, shortly after opening hours. We were immediately greeted by a cheerful and heavily bearded bartender and a chipper waitress. The environment was a welcoming semi-rustic, outdoorsy theme and I immediately felt at home. The waitress came over and began describing the beers to us. The final beer on the menu was the Bear Wallow Berliner Weisse. I hadn’t ever had a Berliner Weisse, which she described as being a sour beer. It intrigued me, so I ordered a full pint and I’m sure glad I did.

Upon receiving this ale, I was enamored with its bright yellow color, which seemed to glow in the naturally lit dining area. I held it up to my nose and began to waft and let the aroma infiltrate my senses. It had great citrus and wheat aroma, similar to that of a Hefeweizen, this is a wheat ale after all, however it was much more bold and that excited me.

I took a generous sip and held it in my mouth for what seemed like a blissful eternity. I experienced a rush of flavors. The sourness was at the forefront, yet not overpowering. It was pleasant, not a sickly puckering sourness. I tasted lemon and some grapefruit notes with great citrus acidity. It was complex and vibrant as I agitated the sip in my mouth, chewing and releasing a myriad of amazing flavors. It had a tart finish and I couldn’t have been happier with my choice. This ale has a very low alcohol content, clocking in at 3.2%, only proving that a beer doesn’t have to be an imperial booze bomb to be complex and delicious.

I also had a small sampler of their other beers on tap after the Bear Wallow Berliner Weisse, and they all were simply fantastic. I especially liked their Big Rye Guy Rye IPA. It was big and bold but easily drinkable with the right amount of rye spiciness. Other beers they offered were a Witbier, West Coast Style IPA, a great Pale Ale, and an Amber ale which was hoppier than most beers of its’ style.

Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. also has a somewhat small food menu, but the food choices are unique and they give you plenty of extra options to make each dish distinct. They do suggest food and beer pairings, but I didn’t pay much attention to them as I was still reeling from the excellence of the Bear Wallow Ale. My wife and I both agreed that the food was delicious. I am excited to revisit Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. to try each and every one of their beers.

Cheers and a big thank you to everyone at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company for the hospitality, great food and amazing beers. See you soon!

Check Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. out on Facebook and give them a “LIKE” @ http://www.facebook.com/azwbc

ARIZONA WILDERNESS BREWING CO.

721 N. ARIZONA AVE. #103
GILBERT, AZ 85233

HOURS:

MON-THURS: 11AM-11PM
FRI – SAT 11AM-1AM
SUN 11AM-10PM

HAPPY HOUR: $1 OFF PINTS

MON-FRI: 4-7PM ALL DAY SUNDAY!

Comments, concerns, suggestions?

Message me @ broffi_1027@hotmail.com or http://www.facebook.com/brodie.fitch