The Local Spirit: 4 AZ Distilleries to Know
At this year’s Arizona Fall Fest on Nov. 2nd, the Hensley Beverage Garden is the perfect place to sip your way through the spirits of our state. Be sure to check out these four locally-based distilleries.
1. Mexican Moonshine Tequila
You probably know Roger Clyne as the frontman for Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers (formerly The Refreshments), but the third-generation Arizonan is also the lead behind Mexican Moonshine Tequila, an award-winning brand of 100 percent Blue Weber agave tequilas.
Named after Clyne’s song of the same title, Mexican Moonshine Tequila has found popularity on both sides of the border with three award-winning varietals: Añejo, Reposado, and Silver.
2. Adventurous Stills
The three partners of Adventurous Stills have their hands in all parts of the distilling process, from grain to bottle, at their Tempe, Ariz.-based facility. A truly in-house effort, everything at Adventurous Stills is built from scratch, from the mash tun to the all-copper stills; the grains are milled in-house and every batch is taste-tested for quality. Don’t miss samples from this distillery’s extensive line-up (from moonshine to gin to rum to whiskey) at AZ Fall Fest.
3. Wild Hare Distillery
Jim Matz and Wendy Tilton are East Coast transplants who decided to try their hand at distilling when they settled in Arizona. Based in Tempe, Ariz., Wild Hare Distillery offers a rotating selection of small-batch tequila, whiskey, vodka and rum for sampling. You’ll get a taste of their best offerings in the Hensley Beverage Garden at this year’s Fall Festival.
4. 3 Amigos Tequila
For three generations, the Gonzalez family farmed agave in the Highlands region of Jalisco, Mexico; in 2007, they launched 3 Amigos, their family brand of tequila. At the AZ Fall Fest you can try their traditional, organic blanco, blanco, 11-month reposado, 2-year anejo and 8-year anejo offerings, as well as a signature margarita.
Arizona Fall Fest
#AZFallFest was started in 2004 by Local First Arizona and is the largest celebration of local businesses and unique cultures in the state. This free, family-friendly festival features hundreds of locally owned businesses, Hensley Beverage Garden with AZ craft breweries, wineries and spirits, an elaborate KidZone with crafts and activities, Arizona’s professional sports teams, dozens of local restaurants and food trucks, silent auction with Arizona-only gifts and experiences, and live local entertainment and cultural performances on three stages. The 15th Annual Arizona Fall Fest will take place on Saturday, November 2nd from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in Downtown Phoenix. For more, visit: https://www.localfirstaz.com/fall-festival