I hadn’t been to Ahwatukee’s Rock Bottom in more than a year, so when brewmaster Guy Bartmess invited me to Thursday night’s tapping of his Dominator IPA I decided to reacquaint myself with brew pub’s nice selection of craft beers.
The tapping was at 6:30 p.m., but when I arrived at 6 the bar area was standing room only. A lot of customers brought their growlers, 64-ounce bottles that Rock Bottom sells (filled) for $13. Refills are $10, and at tappings of new beers (which occur about once a month) refills are just $2.
When the big moment arrived, Bartmess climbed atop a table with a bullhorn (pictured) and announced the new IPA (which stands for India Pale Ale). I found it very hoppy, slightly malty, but without the bitterness that so many IPAs have.
SInce it was dinner time, I paired the Dominator with one of Rock Bottom’s pizzas. Just about any beer goes with pizza, of course, but I think IPAs complement it especially well.
I also sampled the Fire Chief red ale that Bartmess unveiled last month, and I liked it even better than the Dominator. If you want to try it you’d better hurry. I don’t think it’ll last through the month.
Besides the two seasonal or “brewer’s choice” beers, Rock Bottom always has six every-day beers on tap, including Dream Catcher (a American light lager), El Jefe (a German Hefeweizen) and Roadrunner Brown (an English brown ale).
The next tapping will be April 2, when Bartmess introduces a rye pale ale he’s calling Catcher in the Rye. It’ll be an extra-special occasion because the restaurant and brewery will be celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Rock Bottom, 14205 S. 50th St., opens at 11 a.m. daily. Info: (480) 598-1300.
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