Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Blvd, Tucson, Arizona, 85701.
phone: 520-396-3480   website: ThunderCanyonBrewing.com   Hours: 11:00AM - 11:00PM

Experience before you go.........

Well it might appear as if Brad and I are conjoined twins attached at the hip. And I'm sure you read about us in the Wall Street Journal, "Beer drinking conjoined twins tour breweries and write about their experience"! Lol, no attached at the hip here. As a matter of fact, we both have fun filled, adventurous lives outside of all these breweries we've been in lately. I know it's hard to believe but it's true. Now the big question is, where's Brad, kinda like where's Waldo?

As we search for Brad, long time friends Mark and Cyndi were in for a visit and besides all the hiking, eating and acting silly we had to fit in a couple Hoppin Brewery Tours. Now there are all kinds of way to locate breweries to tour. Some of the investigative skills we use are of course the recommendation, the drive by, google and the patented Around Me app. Just type in brewery and up pops every brewery in your area starting with the closest one. Well Thunder Canyon was not only recommended, plus I drove by it 2-3 times and it also came up on a goggle search and low and below there it was on my around me app......I think we need to visit Thunder Canyon!!

Thunder Canyon Brewing Company is located right downtown Tucson off of Broadway Blvd so it's pretty darn easy to fine. It was a late lunch tour and once again a beautiful sunny day and 73 degrees. One cool thing about Thunder Canyon is there is a 35 foot water tower outside in front of the brewery with signage and a perfect place for the Hoppin Brewery Tour selfie. I've mentioned before that I'm a hat guy. So I had to bust out my favorite and most versatile Panama styled hats. The story behind this hat is I bought it in New Orleans from 3rd generation and probably in his 80's, Mr. Sam Meyer at his family store, Meyer the Hatter....they've been selling hats in New Orleans since 1894 and probably the coolest hat store I've been in....and I've got to tell ya, I've been in some hat stores. The reason this Stetson is so versatile is because of the front brim. It can be down and you're styling like a southern gentleman or you pop the brim up and you're instantly a jazz hipster looking for the next club.....l love hats!!

We walk into Thunder Canyon and the first thing I think is great space. You've got exposed bricks and fabulous beams and rafters throughout which I think is really cool. Leather sitting, darts and pool tables to the left, tables and chairs straight ahead and beyond that, the fermentation tanks and along the back and the right wall is the bar. We head right to the bar and claim the 4 bar stools at the corner....Hoppin Brewery Tour strikes again!

This is Cyndi and Mark's first Hoppin Brewery Tour. But the tour, other than me taking a bunch of pictures, introducing myself, handing out cards and talking to everyone in striking distance.....it's really easy to learn and it's fun for all.....only requirement is that you need to be at least 21 years old and have a sense of humor and a sense of adventure.

Sabrina behind the bar is on us with a list of brews and a full food menu with even lunch specials. A true brewpub tugging at my heart strings. Mark, Cyndi and myself scratch out on a piece of paper the four, 4 oz brews we want in our flights. Sabrina suggests some crowd favorites.....Deep Canyon Amber - Amber Ale (4.8% ABV), Thunder Canyon IPA - West Coast IPA (6.8% ABV, 72 IBU), Orange U Glad - Orange Infused Wheat (4.8% ABV) and Doble Diablo - American Strong Ale with Louisiana Cane Sugar. All very refined and very enjoyable. Kat, being a light beer, girl orders the Sandstone Blonde Ale (3.5% ABV) and likes the crisp, refreshing taste. Everyone's smiling as we put in our food order. Mark and I order the muffuletta sandwich with their world famous tater tots...very tasty! Kat had the Rubin with waffle fries and Cyndi ordered the Brat.

To my left is John, who says, "This is my office". He's got his iPad, a stack of orders and what looks like a bunch of receipts. "So what business are you in"? "I'm a hair stylist with Sublime Salon". Sublime Salon is out of San Diego and John is their Tucson guy and he likes it that way. He hands us his card for a free haircut after a full price color. The ladies look at each other with the "We already have a guy look" and I'm thinking maybe I should go blonde because everyone knows they have more fun, but then again, there are the blonde jokes.......I guess I'll stay with my premature gray.

The four of us really enjoyed Thunder Canyon Brewing Company! Sabrina was great fun and the beer and the food were on the "I'd order that again" scale. So when you're in Tucson enjoying the weather, stop by Thunder Canyon for a cold one and a sandwich and don't forget the tater tots......guaranteed to cure what ales you!

Well until next time, and remember.......

Go get'cha one!!