by Pete Campbell
I couldn't agree more with "Roll Out the Barrel at the 19th Hole." I'm GM at Arizona's oldest continuously-run golf course, tucked in the southeast corner of the state, on the Mexican Border.
Though I'd LOVE to carry Chimay beers, I don't see that happening. However, whilst the majority of our tap beers are selected to accommodate the majority of our drinkers, we've always supported Bisbee's local brewer, Electric Dave, the man with Arizona's first microbrew license.
Unfortunately, Dave burned out on the business and no longer produces. I've decided that in his absence, we will put into regular rotation a keg of brew alternate to the big boys. Every keg will be something new.
Our first experiment has been with Arrogant Bastard Ale, tapped last Friday. It tastes distinctly different from the bottled variety. And I've already caught wind of a complaint about it! However, I tried my first pint yesterday, for my birthday, and I loved it. The second was even better. I stopped there, however!
We do have a few beerO'ssieurs out here though, and once they catch wind of our new keg, they'll be quite happy and vocal about it. No matter what, I will remain committed to providing at this tap an alternative to the mainstream.
I'm not sure what we'll go with next; perhaps my buddies at the Santa Fe Brewery will soon be releasing kegs in Arizona and I can carry something of theirs. In the meantime, AZ has plenty of options, but I'd certainly entertain any of your (esteemed) recommendations.
I do wish that the guys from TX who made Grand Cru were still in business!