University-area pizza joint 1702 has 31 microbrew beers on tap, with plans to add 20 more.
Until recently, barkeep Amanda LaRochelle couldn't legally drink any of them.
LaRochelle says she celebrated turning 21 in January with a beer-tasting at 1702.
"I had about eight different beers," she says. "Not full pints. Just little tasting glasses."
The Rincon High School graduate says she's learned a lot about beers in the last two months.
"We only have microbrews on tap," she says. "So if somebody comes in and says, 'I usually drink Miller or PBR,' I can suggest one of our higher-quality beers, like Amigo Lager, which is a port brewing lager, or Lost Coast Brewery's Great White, which is a Belgian white."
What is your favorite beer?
"Abita Turbodog is my favorite. It's a porter. It's like toffee — darker but not overwhelming like a lot of dark beers."
What are your favorite pizza toppings?
"I'm in a pineapple phase right now. I either get pineapple, black olives and feta or pineapple and jalapeños."
Have you invented any drinks?
"Well, we don't serve mixed drinks. But sometimes we do experiment with mixing beers. One combo we've come up with is Sea Dog Wild Blue Paw Wheat Ale mixed with Black Butte Porter."
What do you like to do when you're not pouring drinks?
"I like to go to The Loft for Mondo Mondays."
What was the last one?
"I saw 'The Giant Spider Invasion' last Monday. It was about a giant spider that invaded a country town. At first they thought they'd found these giant diamonds, but they turned out to be spider eggs."
What else did you do for your birthday?
"On the night before my birthday, my dad took me to the Surly Wench Pub and bought me my first beer at midnight. The next day, my dad and I went to Tattoo Artistry, but Ed, our favorite artist, wasn't there, so we didn't get our tattoos until later."
Did you get matching tattoos?
"No. I got a tattoo of our family crest, which is an outline of France with a star and a banner where LaRochelle is. My dad got the Ironman logo next to a sea turtle, because he's an Ironman, and once, during the World Championships, he looked down in the ocean and saw a giant turtle and somebody told him it was good luck."
1702
• Where: 1702 E. Speedway.
• Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays; 11 a.m.- 3 a.m. Thursdays-Fridays; 5 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturdays.
• Happy hour: 5-7 p.m. every day. Happy hour specials vary.
We're looking for the best bartenders
So if you know one who serves a mean cocktail, tells a good joke or has an attentive ear, send an e-mail to cward@azstarnet.com.
