A banner beer book: Brewing Arizona: A Century of Beer in the Grand Canyon State

As Charlie Papazian, founder of the Great American Beer Festival is apt to say: “This book belongs on your shelf.”

Ed Sipos knows beer. He’s a past president of the A-1 Chapter of the Brewery Collectibles Club of America and has been the editor of the chapter’s newsletter, the A-1 Can-o-Gram, for more than 15 years. He has written extensively for Beer Can & Brewery Collectibles Magazine, and now he’s got a book ready for beer buffs just like you to read — Brewing Arizona: A Century of Beer in the Grand Canyon State.

According to the book, Arizona’s place in the microbrewery renaissance dates back to the mid-1800s. Territorial brewers overcame lack of provisions for beer making in an unforgiving environment, breweries successfully brewed under the growing shadow of Prohibition, and A-1 became Arizona’s hometown beer. Today, the state boasts more than 50 breweries, from Barrio Brewing Co. and Borderlands Brewing Co. in Tucson and Four Peaks Brewery and SanTan Brewing Co. in Phoenix to Wanderlust Brewing Co. in Flagstaff and Oak Creek Brewing Co. in Sedona.

With an eye like a historian, the good taste of a connoisseur and the tenacity of a dedicated collector, author Sipos serves up Arizona beer history with gusto. Brewing Arizona is the first book of Arizona beer. It includes every brewery known to have operated in the state. It is an eye-opening chronicle and, like a fine beer, the contents are deep and rich.

As Charlie Papazian, founder of the Great American Beer Festival says, “this book belongs on your shelf.” Whether you’re a local or a thirsty traveler, whether you prefer an amber or a wheat, the Grand Canyon State’s craft brewers have got a beer style or two to quench your thirst. With more than 250 photographs — more than 200 in full color — Brewing Arizona is as beautiful and informative as Arizona’s beers are tasty. So put up your feet, grab a cold one and sip to your heart’s delight. Order in it online here.