10 great ways to celebrate Arizona Beer Week in Tucson

Thursday, February 8 — Eat cookies and beer shakes at 1912 Brewing

1912 Brewing, 2045 N. Forbes Blvd, has a couple of dessert-themed events planned for Arizona Beer Week, starting with a pan dulce cookie pairing on Thursday, February 8. 

The cookies will be provided by Rancho Preciado from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

If milk shakes are more your thing, 1912 is holding a beer shake night from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 10. Yum? We'll find out! 

Thursday, February 8 — Get schooled on Dragoon beers at Hop Shop

Dragoon Brewing Company will be on-hand at Tucson Hop Shop, 3230 N. Dodge Blvd, Thursday, February 8, to share some background on three of their most popular beers; the Dragoon IPA, Saison Blue, and Orpheus Barleywine. 

There will be a history lesson, followed by an explanation of the brewing process and a sensory exploration (smelling and tasting). Great for craft beer enthusiasts who simply have to know everything about what they are drinking. 

Blacktop Grill will be selling food in the parking lot. 

The talk begins at 6 p.m. 

Friday, February 9 — Try a Button Brew House/Catalina mash-up

Here are two good reasons (besides the fact that it is beer week) to try the new #InaIsOpen Red IPA collaboration from Button Brew House, 6800 N. Camino Martin, and Catalina Brewing Co., 6918 N. Camino Martin.

The two Marana breweries are located just off of West Ina Road:

1. It's a solid show of support for our neighbors to the north. While we imagine both breweries, just around the corner from one another, are holding their own, the closure of the Ina Road exits from Interstate 10 probably hasn't helped business. 

and 

2. This is a sure thing in terms of quality. We know this because Button brewmaster Todd Button is meticulous with his beers, making sure that his creations (whether they are with the equally talented folks at Catalina or solo ventures) are good till the last drop. Also, this is the beer second appearance. The popular IPA was first introduced when Button launched its Kickstarter campaign for its patio space.  

Button will be serving the Red IPA from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday. 

Saturday, February 10 — Celebrate Mardi Gras with Sentinel Peak

Sentinel Peak Brewing, 4746 E. Grant Road, will let the good times roll with a Mardi Gras-style crawfish boil from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. this Saturday, February 10. 

And since they are also a brewery, they will be bringing back a Sentinel favorite: Jackie's Wedding Beer, described on the Arizona Beer Week website as a "hazy wheat beer" flavored with orange peel, coriander and black pepper. 

1912 Brewing, 2045 N. Forbed Blvd, will also be hold a Mardi Gras party on Fat Tuesday, February 13, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Saturday, February 10 — Head to Phoenix for the big beer festival

We know, we know. 

The list says ways to celebrate in TUCSON, not Phoenix. 

But we would be remiss not to mention the Arizona Strong Beer Festival, easily the biggest craft beer event anywhere in the state during Beer Week, set to take place at Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, in Phoenix proper on Saturday, February 10. 

$60 general admission tickets get you 40 tasting tickets, which seems like a lot before you consider the festival has more than 150 craft breweries serving more than 500 craft beer options. 

Arizona Strong Beer Festival runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. You can buy tickets here. 

Monday, February 12 — Build a floral bouquet with Pueblo Vida Brewing

Enjoy a pint while making a brilliant floral arrangement for your loved one for Valentine's Day at Pueblo Vida Brewing, 115 E. Broadway, this Monday. 

Soiree Girls LLC, a wedding planning service, will offer lessons from 6 to 8 p.m. for $35 per person. 

Seating is limited. Get your tickets here. 

Friday, February 16 — Show off your spelling skills at Arizona Beer House

Arizona Beer House, 150 S. Kolb Road, will test your grasp of the alphabet Friday, February 16, with its very own spelling bee(r) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The east-side tap room's AZ Beer Week event post asks that participants "study up on hop varietals from around the world"...so get on that. 

In addition to the spelling, Arizona Beer House will be offering rare and popular pints from Mother Road Brewing in Flagstaff, including its Anniversary Ale 6 and Mosaic Dry-Hopped Tower Station  

Saturday, February 17 — Go on a craft beer crawl

Considered the crown jewel of Arizona Beer Week in Southern Arizona, the Tucson Craft Beer Crawl will feature more than 30 breweries and nine venues around downtown, on North Sixth and North Fourth avenues.

For $40 ($50 at the door), you get 30 drink tickets, a commemorative tasting glass and access to all venues along the route, including Hotel Congress, Public Brewhouse, Tap & Bottle and the brand spanking new Corbett Brewing Company, at 309 E. Seventh St. 

Over the past three years, the crawl has raised nearly $25,000 for Watershed Management Group's River Run Network, which "works to restore the heritage of year-round, free-flowing rivers in Southern Arizona," according to the news release issued for the event. 

Buy tickets here.  

Saturday, February 17 — Play Rock, Paper, Scissors at Tap & Bottle

Tap & Bottle is teaming up with Huss Brewing Company out of Tempe for a riveting evening of Ro Sham Beaux (Rock, Paper, Scissors) games from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 17.

Why Ro Sham Beaux? Because Huss Brewing has a Double IPA by the same name, which will be on tap on Feb. 17. 

Huss will also represent with a double chocolate porter (Divide and Hustle), an IPA with orange peel, sage and agave nectar (Joppy Javelina) and a barrel-aged Koffee Stout. 

More information here. 

Sunday, February 18 — Run to burn calories, then earn them right back

End Arizona Beer Week and work on flattening that beer belly you developed during Beer Week with the Second annual Beer Mile, starting at Tap & Bottle, 403 N. Sixth Ave., Sunday, February 18. 

The cost to run is $20, BUT with the price of admission comes, you guessed it, more beer! Four of them to be exact. You also get a medal. 

The run beginss at 11 a.m. Read more about it here. 

Church of the Apostles hosts two musical afternoons

The Episcopal Church of the Apostles, 12111 N. La Cholla Blvd. in Oro Valley, will host the Tucson Jazz Institute’s Ellington and Basie big bands 1 p.m and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11.

Tickets for the two shows cost $20 each and can be purchased at the door, according to press materials.

The following Sunday, Feb. 18, the church will present an artist's exploration of the biblical book of Psalms at 3 p.m. Piano music will accompany the free presentation.

For more information, visit ovapostles.org or call 544-9660.