Arizona Beer Week is more than half over, but plenty of great events remain. Topping the list is the second annual Eccentric Cafe Friday at The Hungry Monk.
The event traces its origins to Kalamazoo, Mich., where Bell’s Brewing has a brew pub called the Eccentric Cafe. For the past 13 years, it has hosted a festival called Eccentric Day.
Admission to this legendary party is free, but attendees must wear eccentric costumes. The brewery provides a lavish food spread and as many as 60 specialty beers.
While Arizona’s version, which runs 3 p.m. to midnight, isn’t nearly as huge, the 20 beers on tap Friday will represent the greatest selection of Bell’s beers ever seen in this state.
Topping the list will be a couple of true rarities: Black Note, a barrel-aged stout that’s one of the most sought-after beers in Bell’s history, and Bourbon Barrel Aged Cherry Stout. The former will be tapped at 6:30, the latter at 7:30.
Other kegs sure to be drained quickly include Bourbon Barrel Batch 9000 strong ale and Hopslam double IPA.
All three beers in Bell’s French “biere de garde” series (Le Pianiste, Le Batteur, Le Contrebassiste) as well as four other specialties (Oatmeal Stout, 2011 Vintage Cherry Stout, Harry Magill’s Spiced Stout, and Kal-Haven Rye) will be on hand.
The rest of the lineup will include six year-round beers (Amber, Kalamazoo Stout, Midwestern Pale, Oarsman, Porter, Two Hearted) and three seasonals (Expedition Stout, Oberon, Smitten).
