Where do we stand in comparison to other cities and states with respect to the number of craft breweries?
Let’s look at states first. According to the Brewers Association, Arizona has 1.1 craft breweries per 100,000 residents at or over the drinking age of 21. California comes in at 1.6, New Mexico 2.5, Colorado 6.1 and Oregon a whopping 7.4.
Now let’s look at cities (I’ve used a variety of sources and my numbers are per 100,000 of all people, not just those over 21). Tucson has 1.3 breweries per 100,000 people. San Francisco also has 1.3. Not bad for Tucson. Phoenix comes in at 1.4. Surprisingly, Albuquerque has an impressive 2.9.
Continuing around the West, Los Angeles. County has 2.2. San Diego County (with 108 breweries!) has 3.4. And, finally, within Portland city limits there are an amazing 9.5 breweries per capita.
Considering the real growth in Tucson, craft brewing started about three years ago, I’d say we are doing pretty well. The Tucson numbers will only go up from here.
Metal Arts Village now a go-to spot for craft beer
A new place to consume craft beer opened in late September: Tucson Hop Shop, 3230 N. Dodge Blvd. It’s in the Metal Arts Village, a very cool building made of, not surprisingly, metal. It is architecturally intriguing.
Jessie and David Zugerman have a great selection or rotating taps and an inviting patio. More about Tucson Hop Shop in the November column.
Barrio Brewing brings home bronze from Denver
Congratulations to Barrio Brewing. Barrio took bronze at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver for its Barrio Rojo Scottish-style ale. Other Arizona winners were BJ’s in Chandler, Beaver Street in Flagstaff and Tempe’s Huss Brewing.
Bocce ball and beer
at Borderlands Brewing
Borderlands Brewing took its front parking lot and turned it into a beer garden complete with a bocce ball court. When Borderlands opened the owners and managers anticipated being a production brewery and didn’t have a seat in the place. Obviously, things have changed.
Hydroponically-grown hops sprouting in Colorado
Colorado brewer City Star is using hydroponically-grown hops, a first according to Brewbound. The brewery owner says, “They are the perfect hops.” Hydro Hops Farms is growing 2,000 plants in a 500-square-foot greenhouse.
Business is brewing: More craft beer acquisitions
Lagunitas Brewing (Petaluma, Calif.) announced Heineken is buying 50 percent of the company. The brand is off my personal list (and it makes a widely available, good IPA).
And, Anheuser-Busch is buying L.A.’s Golden Road Brewing. Although only 4 years old, Golden Road produces 45,000 barrels a year. It’s been available in Tucson for several months.
Dogfish Head Brewing in Delaware is one of the better known craft brewers due to its out-of-the-box beers and a TV show appearance a few years ago.It announced it’s selling 15 per cent of the company to a private equity group.
MillerCoors reacts to drop in sales by closing brewery
MillerCoors is closing a brewery in Eden, North Carolina. According to the Wall Street Journal, MillerCoors says it’s due to “an explosion of choice and fragmentation within the beer business.” Its sales fell 1.9 per cent last year.
