By Patty Talahongva

    It’s celebration time at Sun Up Brewery. Aug. 22 marks the ninth anniversary and to celebrate, owner Norman Horn will unveil a brand new menu in which many items will feature beer as a star ingredient. A special pilsner also is being concocted to mark the occasion.

    Chris Vance, who recently joined Sun Up as executive chef, jokes that he had to taste all of the beers to decide what dishes he wanted to make with which beers. Among the beer-based  appetizers Vance will introduce are the Horizon Hefeweizen Mussels, which are steamed in beer broth rather than the traditional wine, Light Rail Cream Ale BBQ Wings, and Stinger Pale Ale Beer Bread served with a warm ale cheese. Appetizers will run between $4 and $11.

 

    Beer-based entrées will include Amber Poached Brats and Armadillo Red Buffalo Sloppy Joes. There are plenty of options for non-drinkers and children, too, including several types of burgers and salads. The most expensive dinner item is just $14.

    Vance is still working on the dessert menu but say he will keep the bread pudding and the signature homemade root beer floats. There will be “something chocolaty” and he also is toying with an ice cream Porter float … yes, beer in the dessert!

    The updated menu is just the latest development at Sun Up. A year ago, when the business started distributing its beer to local restaurants, Horn changed the name from Sonoran Brewing Company to Sun Up Brewing. Now Horn can supply other restaurants with beer on tap. The Hard Rock Café, fo example, features Sun Up’s Rock and Roll Red, which Sun Up patrons know as Armadillo Red.

    German-born Uwe Boer, who is at the helm of Sun Up’s brewing, has been with Sun Up from the start. He carefully brews all the ales, IPAs, lagers and porters. He claims not to have a favorite beer but adds, “It just depends on the time of day.” He, too, is eager to have customers try the Pilsner he’s carefully brewing and storing now.

    Boer also makes a variety of seasonal beers. Check when you arrive to see what’s available. Assistant manager Leslie Benchoff is happy to point out that while Boer supplies a good variety of beers, he also provides Sun Up with a variety of cask ales.

    “It’s very rare to find cask conditional ales,” says Benchoff. “Right now we’re doing five a week or 20 a month.” She says that’s also what sets Sun Up apart from other brewpubs. “Cask condition” refers to a process in which ale is unfiltered and allowed to become naturally carbonated in a sealed vessel. It is served without any extraneous gas by manually pulling it through a handpump (otherwise known as a “beer engine.”

    A good way to get taste as many beers at once is to order the beer sampler or to come to happy hour. “We understand the economy,” says Benchoff. “We want to give people a chance to come in get a few beers and a burger for under $20.”

    Happy hour is daily from 3 to 6 p.m. and all day on Sunday. Pints are $1 off and Sun Up has a special happy hour menu with items ranging from $4 to $7. Some wines are available, whch also are $1 off during happy hour.

    Sun Up also offers nightly promotions, with more special offers and coupons available through Twitter or Facebook. Sun Up also has a room available for private parties and, if your group is large enough, you won’t be charged a rental fee. Just ask the management for your specific request.

    Sun Up Brewing is located at 322 E. Camelback Road. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Visit www.sunupbrewing.com.