Thinking about a career change? What about a career in beer? Beer Week kicks off this weekend, highlighting a growing industry in our state -- craft brewing.
Microbreweries are popping up all over Arizona and we got a look inside one of the biggest.
We went to Four Peaks in Tempe. Many of the people getting into this industry have turned a hobby into a legitimate career, and it seems consumers' thirst for local, unique beers keep growing.
Before the beer comes pouring out of the tap, it lives here and it is tended to by a team of schooled pros.
"It is a 6 hour day to make a batch a beer and then it sits in the fermenter for 2 weeks and people don't realize how long it ages," says Melissa Osborne, brewer with Four Peaks Brewery.
Osborne went to school for brewing beer, giving up a career in marketing.
"I don't have to be in a cubicle every day. I can come in here and chat with the guests and give tours and make great beers," says Osborne.
"It is so exciting for people sit here at our bar and say I love that beer can you make it again. That is why we do it really. To help please the customer."
And the customers keep coming back. In 2011, the Arizona craft brewing industry had an economic impact of more than quarter billion dollars. Ten breweries popped up statewide last year and at least ten more are expected this year.
"I am really pleased to see that it has. I have been at Four Peaks 8 years and I have just seen our growth and development and products and beers."
The beers are bottled on site too. So why the increase in breweries? Osborne thinks consumers' tastes are evolving.
"I think there is a lot of foodies or something too. They are actually developing more of a palate. The consumer doesn't want the same old Bud Light or something like that."
The craft brewing industry employs more than 1,500 people and that numbers is expected to grow.
In case this story got you a little thirsty, beer week begins on Saturday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:10:53 GMT
AP photo
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building, police said. The troubled celebrity is also accused of throwing her "drug paraphernalia"
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building, police said. The troubled celebrity is also accused of throwing her "drug paraphernalia"
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:17:32 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:11:26 GMT
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:49:53 GMT
AP photo
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:50:04 GMT
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:42:40 GMT
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its animatronics dinosaur exhibit. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals. The ride
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its exhibit of animatronics. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals.
A Scottsdale restaurant is trying to repair its image after a disastrous appearance on the FOX TV show Kitchen Nightmares. It led to a worldwide backlash.
A Scottsdale restaurant is trying to repair its image after a disastrous appearance on the FOX TV show Kitchen Nightmares. It led to a worldwide backlash.
Yahoo is buying online blogging forum Tumblr for $1.1 billion as CEO Marissa Mayer tries to rejuvenate an Internet icon that had fallen behind the times.
After falling woefully out of fashion, Yahoo wants to be cool again while catering to the capitalistic demands of its shareholders. That goal led CEO Marissa Mayer to make a $1.1 billion bet on online blogging forum Tumblr...
A big job fair will take place Monday and dozens of positions need to be filled. One of the companies participating in the event is Go Daddy and they don't take part in these fairs often.
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One week from now, the Jodi Arias murder trial should be in the hands of the jury. Even though the trial has lasted four months now, the interest in it is still high with a lot of people across the country.
One week from now, the Jodi Arias murder trial should be in the hands of the jury. Even though the trial has lasted four months now, the interest in it is still high with a lot of people across the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination.
It used to be doctors made house calls. Those days are long gone -- or are they? A Scottsdale company called "Stat Doctors" is pioneering a way for doctors to make virtual house calls.
It used to be doctors made house calls. Those days are long gone -- or are they? A Scottsdale company called "Stat Doctors" is pioneering a way for doctors to make virtual house calls.
