Who doesnât love a yummy nibble with an icy brew this time of year?
Throw in the excuse of a good cause and you have every reason to check out Baja Brews & Bites in Maranaâs Dove Mountain area on Saturday, Aug. 10.
The event, in its fourth year since it was launched in 2018, pairs local breweries with area chefs to come up with a beer and bite pairing. Of course, every memorable foodie event in Tucson has a competition element. You and your fellow patrons get to sample the dishes and vote on which is the best.
During the event, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m., teams of two chefs from some of Tucsonâs top restaurants join forces with a brewery to create small plate and beer pairings.
Dillinger Brewing, which has since closed, was part of the 2023 Tucson Originals Baja Brews & Bites event. This yearâs event is on Saturday, Aug. 10, at The Highlands at Dove Mountain.
With this lineup of participating chefs â reigning Tucson Iron Chef Ken Foy of Danteâs Fire, Zio Peppeâs Steph Molina, Brian Steiner from the host Highlands at Dove Mountain, Rocco DiGrazia of Roccoâs Little Chicago, Marcus Van Winden of Dam Good Food Catering, Gourmet Girlsâ Mary Steiger, Nate Cluff of Vero Amore Dove Mountain, Bashful Bandit Barbecueâs Toby Kyte, Michael Elefante of Mama Louisaâs, Fresco Pizzeria and Pastaria chef-owner Mat Cable, Matt Michelson of Noble Hops, Terry Kyte of Bisbee Breakfast Club, Kingfisherâs Jacki Kuder and Danika Cleaver of Midtown Vegan Deli â weâre anticipating some culinary magic.
Of course, the breweries involved are no slackers, either: Crooked Tooth Brewing Co., Barrio Brewing Co., Iron Johnâs Brewing Company, Ranch Hand Brewing, Pueblo Vida Brewing Company, Button Brewing Company and Tirrito Farm.
Hereâs how the teams will shake out: Foy and Kuder with Crooked Tooth; Van Winden and Steiger with Button Brewing; DiGrazia and Cable with Pueblo Vida; Steiner and Molina with Tirrito Farm; Cluff and Michelson with Ranch Hand and Barrio Brewing; and the Kyte brothers with Iron Johnâs.
In addition to savory bites that pair nicely with craft beer, some of the chefs at Saturdayâs Baja Brews & Bites will traverse the sweet side of the menu.
Guitarist Joshua Rhoades will perform during the event, being held at The Highlands at Dove Mountain, 4949 W. Heritage Club Blvd., off West Tangerine Road. Tickets for the 21-and-older event are $65, $55 for Tucson Foodie Insiders, through brewsnbites2024.eventbrite.com.
The chefs and breweries are volunteering for the event, whose proceeds benefit Tucson Originals, which supports Tucsonâs independent restaurants.
This is the second year for Baja Brews & Bites after the event went on a three-year hiatus courtesy the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, originally copresented by Tucson Originals and the statewide Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, was held in 2018 and 2019 and returned in 2023.
The guildâs Baja Beer Festival, meanwhile, returns to Armory Park on April 8, 2025, after its four-year hiatus. Visit chooseazbrews.com for details.
