Along with a small group of friends, we have been on a quest to check out the small but growing number of microbreweries in the great state of Arizona.

Yesterday we toured the Old World Brewery in Phoenix, and I was favorably impressed. The brewery is located in an old post office building at 25th Ave. and Van Buren. It is not a great part of town, with a mix of industrial and low-rent residential properties, but they close shop at 7pm. The interior accoutrements are pleasant but stark, and include a stage and some vintage video games.

All of that is more than made up for though, in the quality of the brews and the very informative and entertaining presentation of the tour. We were treated to a history of the brewery, a comprehensive explanation of the process and an offer to actually taste samples of the various malts and hops used for each recipe.

In my opinion and that of my friends, each of the five beers that we tasted was exceptionally well balanced and though clearly representative of it's intended style, was pleasantly unique. We were all torn between the 4 Leaf Irish Red and the Dark Knight Porter.

My least favorite, although still very palatable, was called Nitro Blonde and was described as a mildly bitter blonde. The only reason I am compelled to mention this is that the name and description bare a striking resemblance to my ex wife: an explosive and bitter blonde in her own right.

So, tell us about the brew pubs and microbreweries where you live.

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When you're not touring the brewery facilities themselves and just want to try various beers, head over to the World of Beer in Tempe, AZ.
http://worldofbeer.com/

One of my favorite local micro-breweries is Aviator. They started out operating in an aircraft hangar at a small podunk airport outside of town. They've since outgrown that space, but it was great hanging out in the hangar with the bar on one side and aircraft on the other. Their Hot Rod Red and Devil's Tramping Ground Tripel are two of my favorites.
http://www.aviatorbrew.com/

I find there are generally three types of micro breweries.
1) The restaurant that has a brewery attached. They make good basic beers of all classic styles.
2) True micro breweries..these placed make good and different versions of classic beers. They also try a few new/different styles to gauge interest and just to try new things.
3) the nano brewers, typically attached to restaurants. These places are small...maybe a 1-2 barrel brew system. They make whatever the owner feels like. What they have on tap this week may never be tasted again.

I frequent all three types of places. Heck I rent mug #1 at a restaurant brewery place and I have five miles form a microbrewery. I try to stop by all the nano breweries tha tI can.

Having a couple of growlers to take with you for your tour is essential.

Sideways.

During a Red River Ruckus Fiero rally I hosted I included a stop at Fredericksburg Brewing Company, known commonly as "the brewery". Fredericksburg is a town of German ancestry and German's have a history with beer.
The Brewery has antique equipment lining the bar's seating area, much of it in brass and/or copper. Big vats and stuff I wouldn't know the name of. It's beautiful. The building is one restored dating to the late 1800's, including an old open platform freight elevator. It also has a bread and breakfast.

http://www.schmidthaus.com/

Link is a place in German Village, Columbus OH. Schmidts is a must stop restaruant if you ever go to Columbus! And for the sake of all that is good and holy, they have a sausage bar called the Autobahn. All you can eat! And many fine beers to choose from of course. I always get the sampler. I can never decide on which beers to settle on.

quote Originally posted by Jason88Notchie: I can never decide on which beers to settle on.

Another one, .