Carne Adovada, Four Peaks Brewing Company, Tempe, AZ

Four Peaks Brewing is located next to Arizona State University in Tempe. That means that the microbrew patron is surrounded by plenty of ASU students. I like brewpubs frequented by college students. The foodie at these pubs want delicious food, good beer, and at a reasonable "starving student" prices. My kind of place.

Four Peaks is housed in a Southwest Mission Revival Style building. Built in 1892, the mostly red brick walled and wooden ceiling building housed the former Pacific and later Borden Creameries. There is a cool 35 foot high glass clerestory inside for additional interest. It's a great, old building that should be visited if only for its architectural charm. The beer and food is a bonus.

I arrived during the usual Friday ASU lunchtime crowd. Although packed with students and nearby office workers, I didn’t have to wait. I was given a pleasant table in the outdoor patio, under the shading umbrellas.

With the spirit of the Old West in mind, I ordered the Carne Adovada. Caramba! I was presented with a full plate of slow roasted pork, a pool of black beans, a serving of seasoned rice, and the required tortillas. The star of this concoction was the roasted pork. The pork was plenty and filling for a hungry vaquero, tasty and saucy. Along with the black beans and rice, the meal was a true Southwest full meal. You won't go away hungry with this dish.

Don’t eat this dish too fast. This meal needs to be taken in bites, admired, reflected on, and perused. Then you can take another mouthful. Then you smile. Check out the photo below.

Carne Adovada

For my beer, I decided on the Kilt Lifter Scottish Ale, if only for its name. I mean, if this brew can lift kilts, you gotta try it , you know. However, this ale is real. It's a genuine award winner at the Great American Beer Festival and is the flagship brew of Four Peaks. The brew came to me with a pleasantly sweet, malty roast quality to it. Not as heavy as you would imagine. Eminently drinkable. You can go with the Kilt Lifter Ale if you want a truly robust dining experience.For a more lighter experience, go with the lighter Sunbru Kolsch Style or the Arizona Peach Ale.

Last, if you visit the Four Peaks website, run your cursor over to the guy with the kilt. You'll see Elvis!

Monday-Saturday: 11am-2am
Sunday: 10am-2am
Happy Hour 2pm-6pm, 11pm-Close

http://www.fourpeaks.com

1340 E. 8th Street, #104
Tempe, AZ 85281
480-303-9964