Rico’s, 4 AZ breweries team up for fund-raising dinner Thursday

Four Arizona breweries – SanTan, SunUp, Grand Canyon and Sonoran – are teaming up with the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort for a six-course beer dinner to benefit brain cancer research.

The special evening, which will be held at the Phoenix resort’s Rico’s American Grill, starts with an appetizer reception at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Some of the highlights from Rico’s chef Kenneth Arneson:

• Scallop-wrapped pork belly with lemon grass, sweet chili plum and sweet corn panacotta. (Paired with Sun Up Trooper IPA and SanTan Devil’s Pale Ale)
• Seared veal loin with crispy sweetbreads, cotija crusted quesadillas and charred corn relish. (Paired with Grand Canyon Amber and SanTan Hefeweizen)
• Dessert trio of Frangelico-laced pumpkin French toast with drunken local fig, goat cheese and caramel profiterole and Salt River citrus vanilla crème brûlée. (Paired with Sonoran White Chocolate Ale and SanTan Cherry Infused Stout)

Cost is $59 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Proceeds benefit the Beer for Brains Foundation, which was founded by Louis and Laurie Dolgoff to raise proceeds for the Barrow Brain Tumor Reasearch Center in Phoenix.

Information or reservations: (602) 997-5850.