The Beer Bloke: Flagstaff provides inexpensive getaway for beer fans

This week I have “spring fever.” The weather is finally breaking and the only thing on my mind is going on holiday. So where is a want-away beer geek to go with a limited budget and only a few days to spare? Flagstaff, of course! It’s home to Snow Bowl, quite a few breweries and the haunted Hotel Monte Vista.

First things first. When you visit Flagstaff, you must stay at the Monte V. I can’t think of a single hotel in the Phoenix area that can match its charm, décor or haunted history.  Many of the rooms are decorated tributes to past guests and celluloid stars of old such as Bob Hope, Zane Grey, sexy Jane Russell and even Bogey.

The “dive” bar downstairs features live music, off-track betting and great selection of craft beer. For those feeling a bit posh, there is also a wine/java bar where the hipsters hang out.

Now that you know where to stay, let’s chat about where to find a great pint.

First, I always visit Altitudes Bar & Grill, where they make fresh squeezed Screwdrivers right in front of you. I tend to rationalize this as a “healthy start” to my day of beer-drinking debauchery. You also must try the Train Shots on a Ski (I won’t explain, just check out the photo).

From Altitudes, I gravitate down the street to Beaver Street Brewery. Founded in 1994, Beaver Street is a microbrewery and game room featuring pool tables and a comfortable atmosphere taking you back in time to the old town saloons you used to see in the movies.  Brews such as the HopShot IPA and R&R Stout are a worthy start.

Moving on, I head down the way and a block over to Lumberyard Brewing. Owned by the same family as Beaver Street, Lumberyard (pictured at top of this post) is a modern take on the brew pub experience: Bright and open with plenty of flat screens and lots of bar seating. With multiple award-winning beers such as Flagstaff IPA, Big Rapid Imperial Red and a strong Belgian style Trippel, you are sure to find Hop Head Nirvana.

At this point I am having entirely too much fun and begin to head back towards the hotel, so a stop at Flagstaff Brewing is in order. Founded in 1994, Flagstaff Brewing (shown at left) is in the heart of downtown. Featuring an array of beers, such as Bitterroot ESB, Bubbaganouj IPA and Sasquatch Stout, there is most certainly a style for everyone. My favorite is the Bitterroot. Smooth, balanced and easy drinking, it’s a great brew to wind down with.

I know what you are thinking, all that beer and no mention of food? Patience, Grasshopper. Food is next on the agenda.

The all-time best beer-food stop in Flagstaff is Alpine Pizza. This is the place for a great pie and a couple more brews before calling it quits. Make sure to try the veggie special, again my healthy-ish rational for all that beer drinking. Consistently good food, always great beer on tap, quite cozy and just two short blocks from the Monte V.

(Note: If you gaze out the front window, you may notice the faint print of butt cheeks from a certain Chandler brewmaster. But that, my friends, is another story.)

Back, cozy and warm at the Monte V. (pictured), we belly up for one more round, watch a little live music, then it’s up to the Bing Crosby room for a cozy night’s sleep.

The next day, of course, is always recovery day.  Breakfast at the local diner, a short drive to the new Mollogon Brewing location to say hello and then up to Snow Bowl to ride the ski lift. The ski lift is a lot of fun even off-season as the view is breathtaking.

My drive home is always the scenic route through Sedona and – wouldn’t you know it – there is a brewery there as well. Oak Creek Brewing is a great lunch stop on your way back to the Valley. Try the Snake Charmer IPA. It’s one of my favorites.

A note about last week: Thanks for all the responses to last week’s article on October beers. The question posed by most was, “Why wasn’t Four Peaks Pumpkin Porter included?” Two reasons it didn’t qualify for the list: It is brewed in very limited quantities and is not distributed in bottles or cans.

Pumpkin Porter is a wonderful brew and a local tradition, so let’s hope by next year there is enough to go around!

You can send comments or column ideas to England native James Swann, the beer buyer at Chandler’s Whole Foods, at kingjamesswann@gmail.com.