Monday, February 21, 2011

Your Dodgers Spring Training Travel Guide: Best Beer Pubs Near Camelback Ranch

I have yet to get out to the Dodgers' Spring Training facility at Camelback Ranch, but reading this Chicago Sun-Times article on the best beer pubs in Glendale, Arizona (a nice advantage of sharing the facility with the White Sox, I suppose, is getting hard-hitting press coverage from the Chicago rags):

I’ve been attending major league spring training games in Arizona long before I was legally old enough to drink beer. Since becoming of age, I’ve made it my mission to scout out the perfect pre- and postgame watering holes near Cactus League ballparks.

About a decade ago, I discovered Cellar Pub at Sun Devil Liquors in Mesa, just a few blocks from the Cubs’ Hohokam home. Tucked into a corner of the wine cellar beneath the store, Cellar Pub features an ever-changing variety of wines by the glass and microbrewed beers on draft. It’s a great place to cool down after a warm day at the ballpark. It’s so comfortable, I often find that the sun has set by the time I emerge. Sun Devil Liquors carries many Bell’s Brewery beers in six packs to go and also will be pouring its Hop Slam Ale on draft in the Cellar during the spring.

Two years ago, the Chicago White Sox relocated from Tucson, partnering with the Los Angeles Dodgers to share the sprawling Camelback Ranch spring training facility in the west Phoenix Glendale neighborhood. The huge complex includes an orange grove and tree-lined walking trails that wind around a manmade lake stocked with fish.

Close to Camelback is Haus Murphy’s German restaurant and beer garden, featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” It’s easily my favorite postgame happy hour and dinner spot in Glendale — and among the most enjoyable places in any Cactus League locale. Last time I swung by, I feasted on a variety of German beers, schnitzel and sausage specialties, as well as some lively banter with our bartender about baseball personalities that had frequented the place, like former L.A. Dodgers manager Joe Torre. As we were paying our bill, a polka band started playing, making it even harder to leave.

The author goes on to describe good spots at other Arizona spring training facilities, so you can cover your beer-swilling bases even at away games. Nice work.

10 comments:

spank said...

I am so fucking there.I love polka!

Jason said...

There is an outpost of the Yardhouse that is 15 minutes from Camelback Ranch. Their current beer list includes Bear Republic's Racer 5, Dogfish Head's 60 and 90 minute IPAs and Dos Equis Amber (for Dusty). Plus they have the Young's Double Chocolate Stout floats for desert so all of my main food groups are covered.

Sorry, Spank, no polka.

Steve Sax said...

I had always picked Spanky for an electric slide type of guy.

Paul said...

I'll be there on St Paddy's day. I will also be attending the Dodgers Giants game the next day in Scottsdale where I will be flying a paper plane over the stadium that says "Giants suck".

Steve Sax said...

Paul, we'll kick in $10 for an RC plane if you want to fly that over the stadium. $12 if you divebomb Timmah as well.

Jason said...

If we're taking up a collection to annoy Timmah, may I suggest we just buy a condo in the building he lives in? Last time I strolled by, they still had a little under 200 of the 260-some-odd units available so I'm guessing we could get a good deal.

CSN did a Cribs style walk-through of Timmah's place. Dusty may be annoyed to note that Timmah's master bathroom seems to lack a shower curtain which leads me to believe that he still hasn't washed his hair (fast forward to the 4:30 mark).

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

For Spank's birthday, I'll hire a polka band that can play "Too Much Time on My Hands."

Kyle Baker said...

Finish furnishing yer bathroom, Timmeh!!!

PastyRasta said...

I will be taking the "Best Beer Pub" tour March 15 while attending my 1st Dodgers Spring Training. Full details to follow. Great find on the article.

Kyle Baker said...

Definitely want to hear that report^