The Science (and Art) of Beer: Hole-in-the-Wall Craft Brewery Tour
 
WHEN: Friday, March 4 at 5 pm

WHERE: Meet at Iron John’s Brewing Company, 245 S Plumer Ave, Ste 27, Tucson

WHAT:
Did you know that Tucson has more than a dozen craft breweries, with new ones opening regularly?  Why has craft beer taken off in the last few years?  Brewing beer involves biochemistry, skill, consistency, and some luck.  Starting and successfully operating a microbrewery is a complex endeavor from both a business and a logistical perspective; expanding such an operation while maintaining quality and economic viability can be even more challenging.  It’s a minor miracle that Tucson has so many successful micro- and nanobreweries, especially since we don’t have readily availability mountain spring water and hops don’t grow well here.

Here’s your chance to learn all about the art, science, and business of brewing from one of Tucson’s best brewmasters! Join fellow Cornellians for an interactive tour of Iron John’s Brewing Co. at 245 S. Plumer Ave, where John will take small groups on a tour of the recently-expanded facility and teach us about the art, science, and business of craft brewing.  Samples will be available; conceived as a bottle shop, Iron John’s has recently added taps (http://ironjohnsbrewing.com).

Around 6 pm, we will proceed 2 miles west to Public Brewhouse (http://publicbrewhouse.com), a nanobrewery tucked in behind 4th Ave off 9th St at 209 N. Hoff Avenue (with carpooling from Iron John’s as needed).  Public opened last year and features dance classes, trivia, and even yoga in addition to their excellent beers. Plans to meet with the brewmasters at Public are in the works, and we will learn about their operation, which includes barrel-aged beers and a somewhat different business model.  Afterward, we will walk through the backyard to Ermano’s Craft Beer and Wine Bar (http://www.ermanosbrew.com) for dinner and perhaps some board games or cards.

If you can’t make it to Iron John’s at 5:00 pm, just meet us at Public or Ermano’s later.
 
COST: Estimated $12/person for beer samples and appetizers at Ermanos ($5 if not sampling beer)

RSVP: To Anne Johnson ’95 at aecjohnson@gmail.com.  The Iron John’s tour is space-limited, so first-come, first served.  When you RSVP, indicate whether you will join us at Iron John’s or later in the evening.

NOTE: This event is for members and guests 21 and over only.  While the focus of this tour is educational, the opportunity will arise to enjoy fermented beverages.  Everyone is ultimately responsible for their own safe driving, and we can arrange rides and cabs/Uber if and when needed.