Cheers... Forgo the tasteless swill at other bars for Nimbus microbrews

Nimbus Brewery
3850 E. 44th St. Suite 138
745-9175
Rating: 5 out of 5

Seeking brief respite from the clichŽ spiked hair and overpowering smell of Romance by Ralph Lauren, I decided this week to do a write up on a little known microbrewery in the south side of Tucson. Its name: Nimbus.

The Nimbus Brewing Company, currently undergoing a massive renovation to include a balcony and a full kitchen, resembles a warehouse with giant barrel fermenters at the far end, a considerable wood bar pressed against the left-hand wall, a few pool tables, a stage, and a scattering of tables.

Nimbus is the largest brewery in the state of Arizona. Its three 30-foot-tall fermenters occupying the back half of the building are in themselves an awesome sight, and many drunken moments have been spent pondering the massive scope of the operation and the complexity of the fermenters and bottling machinery.

But enough about statistics and machinery.

The reason we go to Nimbus is its atmosphere, which is completely laid-back and friendly. If Tucson were Springfield, then Nimbus would be my Moe's Tavern, hands down. The regulars know each other by name, and becoming friendly with the bartenders is no task. Everybody is there just to relax and enjoy some premium beer.

And the beer is an attraction within itself. If you're tired of choking down some mass-produced swill for upwards of $3 per bottle, then you will want to check out what Nimbus has to offer.

Nimbus' master-crafted beers are masterpieces of mixology, created under specific conditions for each style and with a flavor for every taste: from a Pale Ale or a Blonde, to a Stout or Brown Ale.

Nimbus also features seasonal brews that are exceptional as well. Stop by and sample a few (yes, there are free samples!)

Personally, I go for the Oatmeal Stout. It's a very dark beer, comparable to something like Guinness, but a lot better. Some prefer the No Evil (Old Monkeyshine), a Southwestern take on a Strong English Ale. But be wary; the Old Monkeyshine has a copious amount of alcohol for a beer. Enough so that even two pints have been known to completely floor the first-timer.

But whichever draught you choose, the main point is to take your time and sip your beer. Enjoy its quality and craftsmanship. Nimbus is by no means the place to down a dozen Keystones or any other type of watery, tasteless piss. Brewing fine beers is an art form and Nimbus has it down perfectly.

For those that enjoy their first experience of Nimbus beer, it is available in some supermarkets around town. Currently however there are only two of Nimbus' beers available at your local store; the Brown Ale and the Pale Ale, two of their most popular brands.

Kinda bummed you can't get your Red Ale? Not to worry; for a mere $10 ($14 for the Monkeyshine), you can purchase a growler; a 64 ounce jug for transporting Nimbus beer fresh from the tap to wherever you may need it. The bottle also features a humorous story about a guy getting laid because he kept a Nimbus brew in his fridge.

Want to see a good band while you're drinking your microbrew? Well, Nimbus has that too. Stop by to see a number of local Tucson and Arizona bands as well as those from as far away as Connecticut like Psychedelic Breakfast, a jam-type band with some amazing musicians. Also, come by for some kickin' bluegrass, college football, euchre night, and a pool tournament every Thursday.

Anything you could possibly want to do while drinking some refreshing beer, they've got it at Nimbus.

So, if you're looking to spend time waiting in line, pay a cover for a cheesy band, and drink some monstrously overpriced drinks, Nimbus may not be for you. If you're just looking to have a good time, to meet some friendly and interesting people and to listen to some good music, c'mon down; I'll see you there.

What I love about Nimbus: Nimbus is a Mecca for those who enjoy a good beer and a friendly environment.

What I don't so much love about Nimbus: Trying to get there for the first time can be a little confusing, but once you have been there, you'll always remember the way.