United Nations of Beer

Rock Bottom, Arrowhead

by Steve LaRue
(Beer Delegate, UT, USA)

Rock Bottom
Arrowhead, Glendale, AZ, USA

Rock Bottom is probably unique in the chain brewery industry in that they allow their brewers to experiment. The regular offerings are pretty close but you are going to get something slightly different at every store. (No national q.c.)

The seasonals on the other hand are very diverse and unusual. They also have regular cask offerings each of which will be at the brewers’ whim. This means that no matter which RB you go to that there will probably something different.

The seasonal offering during my recent visit was a barley wine - not the best ‘heat of summer’ beer. The Desert Trail Pale is usually my favorite though this time there must have been a different hop bill because there is a slightly musty flavor that I didn't much care for. I switched to the Raptor Red which was much better.

The menu is diverse and the food is very good. There is also a great happy hour menu and special beer pricing. The mug club membership is free and allows the mug for the glass price and occasional tasting parties at your home store. The card is good at all stores.

I am a member of the American Homebrewers Association and was surprised one day to find a special RB mug club card in my mailbox. I've no idea how many of these cards are out there but it allows a 20 per cent credit on my entire tab.

RB is always a good choice. Locations nationwide.

See also:
Rock Bottom, Chicago, IL
Rock Bottom, Denver, CO