Real Wild & Woody 2018 celebrates craft beer in downtown Phoenix

PHOENIX — Is cold craft beer and air conditioning part of your plan for dealing with the heat wave?

If so, you might want to make your way to the Phoenix Convention Center on Saturday for Real Wild & Woody 2018, billed as the Southwest’s largest beer festival.

The annual Arizona Craft Brewers Guild event brings together approximately 65 craft breweries from the region and a selection of local restaurants, showcasing “wild and unconventional” brews, some of which aren’t available anywhere else.

Advanced tickets cost $57 and are good for 20 4-ounce beer samples plus food. The price goes up to $65 on the day of the event, which runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Because of Arizona liquor laws, additional drink tickets won’t be sold, so choose your samples wisely.

Designated driver admission, which is good for entry and food but no alcoholic beverages, costs $25.

The selection of food items includes beer-infused ice cream, fried cheese curds, pork sliders and pretzel bites with beer cheese.

What does the name mean?

According to the festival’s website, “real” comes from “real ales,” which are served out of the cask. “Wild” refers to non-traditional yeast, and “woody” describes the subtle flavor and aroma imparted when beer is aged in barrels.

In addition craft beer and food, the festival will feature live music, games, a rock-climbing wall and a mechanical bull (which you might want to try before using up too many of those beer tickets).

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