The fourth annual Top Hops Brew Challenge will showcase a variety of micro-brewed beers from well-known breweries on Saturday, starting at 6 p.m. at Thunder Canyon Brewery at Foothills Mall.
The event will be hosted by Northwest Firefighters Charities. All proceeds for the event will go to benefit the Northwest Firefighters Charities, along with charities for other participating fire departments.
The brew challenge focuses on firefighter-brewed beers, but also showcases a variety of craft beer from breweries like Thunder Canyon Brewery, Four Peaks Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada, Barrio Brewing Co., Finley Distributing and many more. Event-goers will receive a 5-ounce tasting glass accompanied with 15 taster-tickets with the price of admission. Tickets are $30 on the day of the event and $25 if purchased online.
The event has been going on for four years and has turned from a simple firefighter brew challenge into a full-fledged beer festival. This year’s event has live performances by Pipes and Drums, and an array of top-notch food vendors to complement the beer tasting. Some of the food vendors include: Cheesy Rider, Burgerrito, Bobby Dean’s Hickory BBQ and many more. Event-goers will also have the chance to taste test some of the micro-brewed beers and pair them with a variety of food options.
“The Northwest Top Hops Brew Challenge is a beer festival where firefighters brew their own beer,” said Steve Tracy, owner of Thunder Canyon Brewery. “That beer is judged, and then the winning beer will be brewed at Thunder Canyon Brewery.” Steve added that last year’s winner brewed his own Belgian Pale Ale, which was featured at Thunder Canyon Brewery after the event.
The Top Hops Brew Challenge is an opportunity for 21 Tucson locals and UA students to come out and sample different beers and mingle with fellow beer connoisseurs.
“It is a beer festival showcasing local Tucson breweries, as well as regional and Phoenix breweries,” Tracy said.
The Top Hops Brew Challenge is a unique, tasteful way to give back to the community and to show support for the Northwest Firefighters. The event will run until 10 p.m. in Thunder Canyon Brewery’s parking lot.
