I’ve decided I need to hang out more often at Ahwatukee’s Rock Bottom. I wasn’t all that thrilled with the food when I reviewed this brewpub back in 2007, but I notice that several of the items I didn’t like are no longer on the menu. Maybe that’s a good sign.

(I’ve only eaten at Rock Bottom twice since that review ran. Both times I had pizzas, which seemed much better than I remembered.)

What I did like back in 2007 were Rock Bottom’s various beers, and my appreciation has only grown. Besides the lineup of everyday beers, brewmaster Guy Bartmess unveils a small batch of a seasonal beer every month. Each usually lasts about the month, give or take.

Last month, I wrote about Guy’s new Dominator IPA. Fortunately, there was still some left Thursday when I stopped by for the introduction of Guy’s latest, a dry-hopped pale ale called Catcher in the Rye. I was able to try a pint of each.

Thursday, Rock Bottom also was celebrating its 10th anniversary in Ahwatukee, including the introduction of a new growler. Growlers are 64-ounce glass jugs that hold about four beers and are sold at most brewpubs. You can buy a Rock Bottom growler filled with beer for $12 and refills are $10 anytime. The special anniversary edition, though, costs $50, but monthly refills (on tapping nights) are just $2.

Beside an anniversary inscription, the new growlers have decorative metal handles connected to metal bands around the barrel-like body. The lids have air-tight, clamp-on tops. If you want one for yourself you’ll have to hurry. There’s only a limited supply of the anniversary edition.

By the way, Bartmess tells me next month’s seasonal beer will be called Cerveza Especial, which he describes as a “bohemian pilsner” similar to the pilsners from Mexico.

Posted in: Ahwatukee |

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