All-star panel to discuss craft beer’s birth & evolution tonight at Papago Brewing

At a time when every new beer seems to be an imperial, a sour, a hybrid, or a collaboration, Papago Brewing Company wants to get “Back to Basics.” That’s the title of an all-star panel discussion the Scottsdale venue will host tonight. The subject will the birth and evolution of the U.S. craft beer industry.

“Back to Basics” panel participants:

• Doug Odell (pictured), one of the founders of Colorado’s Odell Brewing.
• Jamie Mastin, brewer for Colorado’s New Belgium, the country’s third-largest craft brewery.
• Steve Grossman, beer ambassador (and brother of co-founder Ken) for California’s Sierra Nevada, the country’s second-largest craft brewery.
• Jim Roper and Andy Ingram, two of the founders of Tempe’s Four Peaks Brewing, Arizona’s largest brewery.
• Rob Fullmer, president of the Arizona Society of Homebrewers, the largest homebrewing club in the country.

The 90-minute discussion will start at 6:30 and be moderated by Chuck Noll of distributor World Class Beverages. Admission is $10, which will include beer samples. The 120 seats will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan to get there early. No reservations will be taken.

Papago will be closed to regular business during the discussion, and will reopen at 8.