Tap Handle #397: Sonoran - Burning Bird Pale Ale

Tap size:  7"
Rarity: Scarce
Mounting:  internal 3/8" nut

This colorful tap from the Sonoran Brewing Company is a little on the small side, but it makes up for that in style, especially with its gorgeous label featuring the "burning bird", otherwise known as a Phoenix...which is appropriate due to the brewery's proximity to Phoenix, Arizona. The front and backsides are reverse images of each other, but the sides present a slightly different profile so I took photos of both sides. This is a very rare tap, I haven't seen another like it.

Click through to read more about Sonoran Brewing, their Burning Bird Pale Ale, and to see more photos of the tap...

Sonoran Brewing Company was founded in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1996 by Layrd Mahler and Zach Schroeder. They started out in a small brewery at Pinnacle Peak Patio Steakhouse, producing a few core beers, including their flagship White Chocolate Ale, as well as several seasonal and special varieties, and their "Old-Fashioned Style" Root Beer Soda. In 2013 Sonoran reached an agreement with the Phoenix Ale Brewery to move Sonoran’s brewing operations to the larger Phoenix Ale facility in Phoenix. The move allowed Sonoran to increase its annual output and utilize Phoenix Ale's packaging facilities. Schroeder, who is also the brewmaster for Sonoran, is now brewing for both companies.

Sonoran Burning Bird is a copper-colored, superb example of an American Pale Ale and a tribute to the capital of Arizona. The Cascade hop flavor, perfectly balanced with a clean malt character and smooth finish, is explosive.

Ratebeer weighted average:  3.42 out of 5

Beer Advocate:  82 out of 100 (good)

Note: there are 2 entries on Beer Advocate for Burning Bird, 1 shows as current and 1 shows as retired. Both have the same score of 82 out of 100.

Sonoran Brewing
3601 N 36th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85019

Sonoran Brewing Official Website (currently under construction)

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Source Material

Mouth by Southwest

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