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World of Beer on tap for Mill Avenue in Tempe
The Republic | azcentral.com
If there's any business befitting a college town, it's one that's dedicated to beer.
World of Beer, a pub franchise out of Tampa, Fla., opens its first Western location on Mill Avenue next Wednesday and will feature 500 beers by the bottle and 58 on tap. It takes over the century-old Tempe National Bank, a 3,200-square-foot building previously occupied by American Apparel. ASU alumnus Ben Novello is CEO of the World of Beer franchise.
In a town with a number of businesses focused on craft beers, bartender Jessica Evans said World of Beer isn't trying to poach business, but rather provide more options.
"College kids are known for drinking Bud Light and Miller Light, and not that it's a bad thing, but we want to educate them about what else is out there," she said. "We'll have a reward program on WOB-U on Wednesday night where university students and faculty get half off select beers."
Although there are a great many beers to recall, staff members aren't just memorizing the names. They're put through an extensive 60-hour "beer class" that ends with a 100-question test, and each bartender and server will have to score a 90 percent or better in order to serve.
They'll team with such breweries as Four Peaks, Big Sky from Montana and Lagunitas to bring in rare kegs and bottles, some of which might not ever have been served in Arizona. And although general manager John Watts isn't saying when, World of Beer will tap Dogfish Head's 120 Minute IPA, a coveted varietal brewed in Delaware.
"We are working with Breckenridge Brewery (in Colorado) to create a beer specifically for the franchise," he said. "We'll be rotating the taps often. When one beer is tapped out, we'll replace it with the same style from another brewery so people can experience something different."
Watts and his team researched historic photos of the building and noticed the front was originally built out further, so a foyer-type entrance was added. Workers cut a square hole near the entrance to reveal the original brick. Inside, the bank-safe door has been polished to appear brand new, which leads to a room for private parties in the back.
A second-story platform was built for bands and DJs to perform over the long main bar on weekends.
There is no kitchen, but the owners have made deals with nearby restaurants, including Robbie Fox's Public House, Tavern on Mill, Monti's La Casa Vieja and Jimmy John's.
World of Beer Grand Opening
What: The new bar on Mill Avenue will feature more than 500 beers by the bottle, nearly 60 beers on tap, live music on the weekend and delivery service from several nearby restaurants.
When: Noon-2 a.m. Aug. 8.
Where: 526 S. Mill Ave., Tempe.
Admission: No cover, 21 and older.
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