Prost!

There are all sorts of different types of Belgian beer. What makes these beers so different is that of the attention that the makers of these beers in Belgium have to the making of beer. Even when the first type of beer was produced in the country the craftsmanship of beer was already prevalent. Today more features of Belgian brewing are used to make the beer better. This includes not only the concentration that is placed on making the beer but also the way that the beer is sent out.

Many centuries ago beer in Belgium was brewed in monasteries. Because modern machines that are used in breweries were not around at the time the beer was hand crafted for maximum effect. This is no longer the practice but the same attention is still brought onto beer but at a much larger scale. That's because more brands of beer from the country are becoming available on the market.

1.Papago Brewing Company
7107 E McDowell Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
(480) 425-7439

They offer a variety of domestic, craft beer, as well as a few Belgians and lagers from Europe, as well as a couple of their own brews (made off site).

2.Carly's Bistro
128 E Roosevelt StPhoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 262-2759

I don't care for beer, but the Belgian ales are interesting and she offers a wide selection of beers. The price point at Carly's is reasonable with most items hovering around $8.

3.SideBar
1514 N 7th AvePhoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 254-1646
It was perfect and intimate. Music volume was just right. Sidebar has a great drink menu--Belgian beers galore, decent wine selection and amazing signature drinks.

4.Four Peaks Brewing Company
1340 E 8th St
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 303-9967

If you want homebrewed beers bursting with flavor, this is your pub. The oatmeal stout is thick and hearty with no bitterness. Seasonal beersabound, pumpkin porter in the fall, I've seen an orange blossom, belgian white, barleywine, etc.

5.Postino Winecafe
3939 E Campbell Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85018
(602) 852-3939

Taking in the crowd and the space, I couldn't help but ponder: Should I order beer or wine? With a worldwide and world class selection, there is plenty to choose from.

6.BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
21001 N Tatum Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85050
(480) 538-0555

Gigantic potatoes served here! Nit Wit is one of their best beers - basically a clone of HoegaardenBelgian witbier. I can't recommend this enough. Overall, house brews are notably above average. They are narrow on their selection, but they have a beer for even the pickiest of palates. My favorite so far has been the Jeremiah Red (a strong Irish red ale) the Nit Wit (Belgian spiced ale) , they have great food, (i personally like their spring rolls and pizookie).

7.Postino Central
5144 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 274-5144

WIDE selection of drafts and beers. I had framboise (belgian raspberry beer) which was $10 ($12 at most other places I've been to). They also let you take beer to go for 1/2 price which is really a good deal!!! ^_^

8.Yard House
9401 W Westgate Blvd
Glendale, AZ 85305
(623) 872-3900

This pub will win points with any crowd. Want a nutty , brown ale? You've got Moose Drool. Not a beer fan? I highly reccomend the Lindeman's Framboise. Want to class it up with a Belgian? They've got everything from Chimay to Gulden.

9.Sun Devil Liquors
235 N. Country Club Dr.
Mesa, AZ 85201
(480) 834-5050

Good hours. Not wanting to leave without buying something being in the area anyways, i walked in. Great selection of booze at pretty good prices. They had Belgians, Euros, all the big Mexican beers and the cheaper stuff too.

10.BevMo
(all over Phoenix/Tempe/Glendale/Chandler/Mesa/Gilbert areas)

Have a wide selection of everything from Absinthe to microbrews. Not for the snobbish-peckish lot, this store offers discount cards and deals every week by email or mailer for those of us who purchase in large quantities. All in all, if you are looking for something not too specific, they should have something to help you.

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Last, but certainly NOT least, my very favorite pub of all. This one gets a five star A++ rating on ambience alone

*****(Five-Star Rating)*****
A++)

The Lost Leaf
914 N. 5th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 258-0014

http://www.thelostleaf.org

Hours: Monday-Sunday 5pm-2am
Best nights: Thurs, Fri & Sat
Smoking Available in outdoor Patio only.

Large selection of beer, live music, awesome atmosphere to simpify it. One of THE best places to spend a summer night in Arizona. Not the biggest beer selection i've ever seen , but for such a small, independent place, I am absolutely impressed. Even moreso since everything is bottled, and not on tap. They have everything from Framboise Lambic (if you're a girly-girl) to Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA if you are a masochist. (Just kidding , i know most beer experts love the stuff.)

On the opposite side of the bar i was treated to some beer-tasting that definitely expanded my horizons. The people who run the bar are unassuming, (even tho the art/craft & beer/music pretty much gives them a license to be pretentious). The live bands are a treat. The exposed brick gives it a rustic feel, and even tho most weekends its exceptionally busy and crazy-mad-hard to even GET to the bar, not much seating and the music was extremely loud, Lost Leaf has definitely earned a solid reputation for being unique and worth the hassle. (If just for the Framboise Lambic Raspberry Beer :P).

There are no waiters, you just go to the bar and order and find a place to cop-a-squat. The bartenders are really friendly tho. It has a cozy, laid-back atmosphere and you definitely feel at home here. If you aren't part of the noizy, young, hipster crowd tho, id reccomend coming in only on happy hour. (before 8pm..id say around 5pm when they open to be safe.)

So if you are looking for some place cozy to undwind and have a nice chat after work, go to the heart of the Roosevelt District. There you will find a pub that doesn't look at all like a pub, but more like some crap house on the street with amazing art on its inner walls that changes on a monthly basis.They have CIDER and amazing beer you won't find anywhere else. Its not snobby, most people are very laid back. The music can vary from Jazz to Hip-hop in a matter of minutes, very eclectic, which i like. Its dark, its cold, its hard to find. But when you do, you'll nevah wanna leave.

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Belgian beer is more than just a type of beer from another country. It is a type of beer that has a great amount of detail and concentration put into its making. The packaging and the serving recommendations for the beer make it more important. With all of these qualities Belgian beer has become popular. It's no wonder that there are so many different breweries in the country.