Made In The Shade
Just some participating brewers from last year included Flagstaff's own Beaver Street Brewery and Whistle Stop Cafe, Tempe's Four Peaks Brewery, Sedona's Oak Creek Brewery and Grill, and the AZ Society of Homebrewers (ASH). Out of town tastes included Bridgeport Ale out of Portland, Oregon, Lagunitas Brewing Co., from Petaluma, California, and Pete's Wicked Ale up from San Antonio, Texas.
From 3 to 7:30 (last pour at 6:30), Made In The Shade will feature live entertainment on two stages from acoustic rockers, The Jeff Hunt Band and Ska/Rock/Punk/Jazz band, 2 Tone Lizard Kings.
There will also be plenty-o-food and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase, however all fest-goers must show valid I.D at the gate, after all it is a beer tasting event.
Everyone can feel good, soaking up the shade with proceeds from the fest going to the Sun Sounds of Arizona, a not-for-profit organization serving the Southwest. Eleanor Mooney, Sun Sounds of Arizona rep and organizer for the Flagstaff event said "It is a fund-raising event and very important to the financial health of the Flagstaff station. All proceeds stay in Flagstaff and directly benefit the work we do in serving people in northern Arizona who are blind or print disabled in any way."
"The event is staffed primarily by volunteers, over 90, each year who help the Made in the Shade come to life," Mooney added and anticipates approximately 3000 people to be in attendance this year.
Although the fest is a short one, ending at 7:30, the fun doesn't stop there. Made In The Shade has been known to let the party spill out into the streets, local bars and clubs, giving visitors to the area a prime opportunity to explore Flagstaff's jovial nightlife.
General Admission tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the gate and include a take-home sampling mug, and 24 sampling tickets.
VIP tickets are $75 in advance or $80 at the gate and include lots of goodies: a large sampling mug, 24 sampling tickets, free food tasting and snacks, private restrooms (worth the $80 alone!), half hour early entrance, access to covered seating, Prickly Pear Vodka tasting, a T-shirt raffle, private beer tasting, and just in case your not relaxed enough — a massage! All tickets include free parking and entertainment.
Designated Driver tickets will be available at the gate for those who don't want to drink but would like to enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Advance tickets can be bought in Phoenix at Sun Devil Liquors, Tops Liquors and Four Peaks Brewing Co. In Flagstaff: at Beaver Street Brewing, Homebrewer's Outpost and Mogollon Brewing Company or on-line at www.ticketweb.com.
If you plan on checking out the Made In The Shade Beer Tasting Festival, it's a good idea to get a hotel room or reserve one of many nearby campsites for the night, chances are you won't want to leave or drive anywhere.
Chances are also pretty good that folks will be happy, tipsy or perhaps even down right drunk. If you are one of them, keep a few things in mind: outdoor bathroom facilities does not mean the trees, spilling beer on people won't make you any new friends, and if you find yourself unable to count to three, it's time to switch to water and get some shut-eye. ·