“I went to the Grand Canyon recently for the first time.

Standing on the edge looking out over the great expanse I felt so insignificant. 

Then I realized I felt that way before I got there.”

--Comedian George Miller

Back in my stand-up comedy days, I worked with George Miller many times and even now, every time I hear mention of the Grand Canyon I think of his signature joke. This wonder of nature is something everyone should see at some point in their life. That’s why it’s one of the centerpieces of this grand journey.

The tour begins late morning at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, where we’ll board our ground transportation and head directly to red rocks of Sedona for lunch at Oak Creek Brewery & Grill, then continue on to Flagstaff, where we’ll get our kicks on Route 66 staying at the centrally-located Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, steps away from breweries, restaurants and shopping. With three nights in “Flag,” as locals call it, we’ll base out of the scenic mountain city for day trips to the Grand Canyon and Winslow Arizona, perhaps most famous for the Eagles’ song Take it Easy, written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey, who also provides the lead vocals. On the corner in Winslow, you’ll be able take your pictures with statues of them and, spoiler alert, a flatbed Ford. It really is pretty cool. How often can you visit the exact location depicted in an iconic song with which you grew up? It really brings it all home and is such an American thing to do. While there, we’ll also have lunch at the famous La Posada Hotel, built by the Sante Fe Railroad in 1929. In the 1930s, it was a destination of the Hollywood Jet Set. We’ll also have a day in Flag visiting some of the many brewpubs. There will be unstructured time, too, for exploring on your own Flag at an impressive 7,000’ in elevation. You’ll find Flag to be a casual town. No pretentiousness here. They put their chaps on one leg at a time, just like you.

Then it’s south back to the Valley of the Sun and Old Town Scottsdale, where we’ll be staying three nights at the Howard Johnson by Wyndham, just minutes from famous restaurants, nightlife premiere shopping, galleries and some brewpubs. We’ll spend a day visiting some breweries in the area, have a free day and a day to take in a Cactus League Spring Training game (Spring Departure of this tour only). The game takes place at beautiful Scottsdale Stadium (15-min. walk from our hotel), where you’ll enjoy some sun and Arizona Craft Beer while experiencing America’s favorite pastime.

As an option to attend the game and on the other departures, there will be a guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, followed by a beer tasting on their outdoor desert terrace. This was the Scottsdale winter home and desert laboratory of one of America’s most famous and eccentric architects. In addition to the history of this impressive estate you learn about the ultra fascinating life and times of Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW), which often included red cars, scandal and tragedy. There’s a great gift shop here, too, for all our FLW needs.   

Many of the places we go, we’ll be outside on the patio, enjoying the sun and fresh air. This is the Arizona lifestyle. I hope you’ll join us.

This tour is for travelers who are looking for fun, beer, great food, history and jaw-dropping scenery. This tour will be limited to 16 people.

Here’s a map of some Arizona breweries courtesy of the Arizona Beer Book, to further inspire you. For a complete list of Arizona breweries visit the Arizona Brewers Guild.

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TOURS INCLUDE

• Six nights accommodations.

• Three breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners with gratuities.

• Beer during brewery tours, taproom visits and company meals as listed on the itinerary.

• Ground transportation. Leave the driving to us!

• Professional and courteous BBM! guide services.

• All tours and admissions.

• Plenty of unstructured free time to relax, shop and explore on your own.

• Souvenir BBM! luggage tags

• Flexibility in the event you need to transfer or cancel your tour.

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NOT INCLUDED

• Airfare

• Airport transfers.

• Some meals and beer on your own.

• Free-time sightseeing. Our guides are available to provide suggestions.

• Fine Print: You are responsible for the costs of your free-time sightseeing. Be sure to read our Terms & Conditions Agreement for important details.

• Gratuities, at your discretion, for brewery tour guides and coach drivers.

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TOUR COST

Deadline to sign up is one month before departure. Sign up here!
$2295/per person + Air, Single supplement $395*

* Prices based on double room occupancy, per person, U.S. dollars, land only.  If you are a solo traveler and would like to have a private room all to yourself there is a single supplement fee of $395 in addition to the base price of $2295 per person.  We can also work with you to try to pair you with other single travelers of the same gender to avoid the single supplement. Better yet, recruit a friend to come, too! Unless, of course, like Rick Steves says, you prefer to “snore alone.”

We require a minimum number of travelers for a tour to be confirmed to go, so it’s important to sign up ASAP, as opposed to waiting until the deadline. Also, tours can fill suddenly, so signing up early guarantees your place and avoids disappointment.

PLEASE SHARE BBM! TOURS WITH YOUR REAL ALE ENTHUSIAST
FRIENDS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO JOIN THE FUN!

Day One • Flagstaff   Our tour begins as we meet at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport late morning. From there we’ll board our van and head directly to red rocks of Sedona for a company lunch at Oak Creek Brewery & Grill. We spend some time seeing Sedona before we continue on to Flagstaff, where we’ll check into the centrally-located Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, our home for three nights. This evening we will walk to our welcome dinner at Beaver Street Brewery, one of the oldest in Flag.  (Lunch # 1 & Dinner #1)

Day Two • Flagstaff  This morning we’ll do a short walking tour of Flag to give you the lay of the land and do some shopping for a picnic lunch later today. You’ll get to use your BBM! cooler. Then we’ll board our coach for a day trip to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and have a brew with a view with our own outdoor tasting. We’ll also visit the IMAX Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center and see the movie and learn about what 2 billion years of geological history can do. You’ll see for yourself why the Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and agree that everyone should see it at least once in their life. Upon our return to Flag (1 ½ hrs.), evening and dinner are on your own. There’s many breweries to explore, including Historic Brewing Barrel & Bottle House, Mother Road Brewing , Grand Canyon Brewing and Lumberyard Brewing. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to enjoy this vibrant town. Maybe visit Lowell Observatory. Reservations at Lowell are required, so plan ahead. Dinner is on your own in one of Flag’s many inviting restaurants. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it here. Watch out for the train, it passes through town often. (Breakfast) 

Day Three • Flagstaff  This morning we visit Meteor Crater, created more than 50,000 years ago by a huge meteorite. The massive crater is nearly a mile wide and 550’ deep. Afterward, we Take it Easy over to Winslow a little further east on Route 66, where you’ll be able take your pictures standin’ on the corner with statues of Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey. You’ll work up a big thirst doing this, so afterward we’ll have a beer at Relic Road Brewing Co. adjacent to the famous corner. A block down the street is the historic La Posada Hotel, where we’ll have a company lunch with the ghosts of Hugh Downs and Sam Maloof. We’ll also have a tasting of Pinetop Brewing Company Belgian-inspired and award-winning beers with Brewmaster Cisco Francisco. Upon our return to Flag the rest of the day is free. Dinner is on your own. (Breakfast & Lunch #2) 

Day Four • Scottsdale  This morning we saddle up and make our way to the historic copper-mining town of Jerome, aka, the “Wickedest Town in the West.” Now one of the largest ghost towns in America, it was once home to miners, gamblers and ladies of the evening. Situated high on a mountain side and looking out over the valley, it’s a sight to behold. We’ll turn you loose for lunch on your own and to explore the many shops and attractions. Jerome was founded in 1876 and reached its peak population of around 15,000 in the 1920s. Copper mining continued until 1953. Next, we continue down the hill to Phoenix to Wilderness Brewing Company Downtown Phoenix (DTPHX) for a company dinner in their beer garden. From there we’ll transfer a short distance to the Scottsdale Howard Johnson by Wyndham. Evening is on your own in Old Town Scottsdale with its vibrant nightlife walkable from the hotel. (Breakfast & Dinner #2).

Day Five • Scottsdale  Today is mostly a free day to sleep in, relax at the pool, explore Old Town Scottsdale, maybe go to Top Golf, which is like a cool outdoor bowling alley for golfers, with food drinks, etc. This is a very Arizona thing to do. We will have been running pretty hard up until this point, so this day will be welcomed. Lunch and dinner are your own. Some recommendations are the House Brasserie with American cuisine with a french influence, the Mission with modern latin cuisine, the stylish Zuzu Restaurant in the retro Valley Ho Hotel or Hula’s Modern Tiki Bar & Restaurant.  All have outdoor seating. This evening we’ll walk to nearby Goldwater Brewing Co. for a tasting as part of the tour. (Breakfast)

Day Six • Scottsdale  Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Morning is free to do as you please. We’ll meet in the hotel lobby at 11:30 to tour Taliesin West with a beer tasting. This afternoon you’ll have a little free time on your, then we’ll meet for our Farewell Dinner, outdoors at Craft 64 featuring salads, salmon, steak, wood-fired pizza and a large beer selection. (Breakfast & Dinner #3)

Day Seven • Scottsdale  Breakfast concludes this eventful beer tour of Northern Arizona. The Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) is a short 15-minute ride from the hotel. Thank you, amigos, for joining us. Happy trails to you, until we meet again. In the meantime, keep the wind to your back and your eyes on the horizon.

* This itinerary is subject to change.

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