Four Peaks Brewing Company

Four Peaks Brewing Company By Pete Ricks. It is safe to say that no other craft brewery in the state of Arizona produces more beer than Four Peaks in Tempe, Arizona. This in itself is not surprising as part owner/Brewmaster Andy Ingram and brewing crew consistently come up with one great beer after another. What is surprising is that the flagship beer of Four Peaks is a Scottish Amber Ale called Kiltlifter and they brew more of it than all of their other beers combined. You don't hear of too many Scottish Ales being the flagship beer of any brewery, but Kiltlifter is no ordinary Scottish Amber. Long an Arizona favorite, this beer is perfectly balanced at 6.2% ABV with a hint of smokiness from the peat malt used in the recipes. Finished off with Kent Goldings Hops, this beer is a refreshing and drinkable ale. The Brews Not only is Kiltlifter the most popular Four Peaks beer, it has also produced 2 Bronze Medals at the Great American Beer Festival. Not to be outdone by Kiltlifter, the 8th Street Ale is Four Peaks most decorated beer, having won medals not only at the GABF in 2002, but at the World Beer Cup competition too. Andy admits that this is the beer he drinks after a hard day of brewing, and it is a good choice as it is really a well balanced and refreshing English Best Bitter styled ale. Four Peaks uses imported hops from Kent in this beer and they complement the malt sweetness perfectly. I was surprised to hear the production figures for Kiltlifter as I thought more 8th Street Ale was produced, but I'm sure it is only be a matter of time before sales of this great beer take off. Another great beer that Four Peaks just started producing is a lighter colored, hoppy beer called Hop Knot Ale. The beer has generous late additions of hops to give it a very hoppy aroma, with the bitterness level of an American Pale Ale. At 6% ABV, this beer is stronger than the 8th Street Ale, but it is also nicely balanced which is a distinguishing trait of all Four Peaks beers. Other regular and seasonal beers served at the pub on 8th Street in Tempe include an Oatmeal Stout, Fool's Gold Ale, which is a golden ale hopped with hops from the Czech Republic, and a 4% ABV Peach Ale. The Brewers I caught up with the guys who make the great Four Peaks brews recently and they were working hard playing some cards while the run off from the Barleywine wort slowly collected for boiling. Pictured from left to right are Brewer Craig Koontz, Head Brewer Jim Roper, and Andy Ingram on the right. Demand is increasing for the Four Peaks beers and it seems like Andy and the brewers are always adding new tanks and other equipment to keep up. I wouldn't be surprised to see production exceed 10000 BBLs over the next year or so, which is quite a feat for a craft brewery in Arizona. We are happy to report that Four Peaks will be opening up a satellite location in North Scottsdale at the former Icebreakers. Located at Frank Loyd Wright and Hayden, the Four Peaks Tap and Grill is expected to open up in late October or early November. Andy states that we can also expect more satellite locations throughout the valley as they bring both their great food and outstanding beer of Four Peaks to new markets. Maybe you will be fortunate enough to have a Four Peaks Tap Room and Grill near you soon. If not, you can always travel down to Dorsey and Eight Street in Tempe for a great brew. FOUR PEAKS BREWING 1340 E. 8th Street, #104 Tempe, AZ 85281 480-303-9967 www.fourpeaks.com