In the 2022 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition, 300 medals were awarded to the best commercial breweries in the country. Presented by the Brewers Association (BA), 2022 GABF is the United States’ largest professional beer competition. The award ceremony was held at the Bellco Theatre in Denver and celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. Breweries were awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals in 98 beer categories, covering 177 beer styles and establishing the best examples of each technique. Over nine days, 235 beer experts from seven countries, including the U.S., judged the competition. The judging panel also evaluated 35
A haboob (or dust storm) can sweep Arizona’s desert landscape anytime but most often occurs during the monsoon season, which typically lasts from June through September. There are dust storms that can be miles long and thousands of feet high. Haboobs can occur in arid and semiarid regions of North America and any dry region; however, they are particularly frequent in Arizona. advertisement What is a Haboob During a thunderstorm, winds move opposite the storm, coming from all directions as a storm collapses and begins to release precipitation; wind directions then reverse, gusting outward from the storm and generally most
Also known as a peccary or ‘skunk pig,’ the Arizonan Javelina inhabits the outskirts of Phoenix, most of Tucson, and sometimes as far north as Flagstaff. Javelinas are most active at night but may also be active during the day when it is cold. The javelina is an omnivore that eats insects, grubs, and small animals, although they prefer roots, grasses, seeds, fruits, and cacti, mainly the prickly pear. Besides crushing hard seeds and cutting plant roots, javelinas use their jaws and tusks to defend themselves against predators. advertisement Human and pet conflicts You may see javelina occasionally if you
An ocean shore vacation with breathtaking ocean horizon views and white sand beaches makes for a dream vacation. There is a sense of tranquility away from the bustle of everyday life. In Mexico, about 60 miles from Arizona’s border, more and more Arizona vacationers are discovering the beautiful seaside in the Rocky Point area on the Sea of Cortez. Rocky Point, also known as Puerto Peñasco, is around 220 miles away from Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona making it a relatively easy drive. Rocky Point offers luxury hotels, resorts, and highrise condos overlooking panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez horizons.
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is protected land in Arizona in the southwestern United States, northeast of Yuma and southeast of Quartzsite. Over 665,400 acres (2,693 km2) of the Yuma Desert region of the Sonoran Desert make up the refuge. Located in the rugged haven are broad, gently sloping foothills and sharp, needlepoint peaks of the Kofa Mountains. The small, widely scattered waterholes attract a surprising number of water birds for a desert area. The name “Kofa” comes from an Arizona mine that was active in this area from 1897 to 1910. advertisement Major Frederick Russell Burnham and the Boy Scouts
1. Become Player 1 in Bam Kazam Talk about an experience that is truly out of the box. In Bam Kazam, the arcade games are real, and you are the player. There are physical challenges where the floor is lava, mental challenges like escape rooms, and everything in between. You’ll be scaling buildings to steal art one minute and inside a whale’s stomach the next. It’s a great place to have fun with friends. advertisement 2. Race go-karts at K1 Speed K1 Speed Phoenix offers electric indoor go-kart racing in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale Mesa, Tempe, and Peoria. K1 Speed is
1. Grand Falls These muddy falls are similar to the chocolate waterfall in the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Grand Falls is an incredible natural phenomenon in the Southwest due to its many tiers of water and wide stance. This waterfall wonder is on Navajo Nation land in the Painted Desert, 30 miles east of Flagstaff. Water from the White Mountains feeds the falls and flows into the Little Colorado River. Because of this, the waterfalls only flow at certain times of the year. During March and April, you can see the falls at their best because of
For people who enjoy being around the presence of nature, Arizona is a great state to visit. With its many lakes and parks, there are plenty of natural areas to enjoy. Here are seven of some of our favorite lakes in Arizona to explore: advertisement 1. Apache Lake This 17-mile-long lake is located in the Superstition Wilderness Area and sees much fewer visitors than other lakes, making it a great place to get away from it all. With its towering cliffs and mountains in the background, Apache Lake is a beautiful spot to spend a day or weekend to enjoy
The Desert Bighorn Sheep is an essential part of the wildlife in northwest Arizona, yet highways have separated and endangered these populations. Due to wildlife-vehicle collisions, interference with access to adequate water, and lack of habitat connectivity, bighorn populations are at risk. To increase genetic diversity, many sheep do not need to migrate from one subpopulation to another. However, sheep become more vulnerable to outside threats if their genetic diversity diminishes. For example, an isolated herd of fewer than 50 animals can be wiped out by disease or drought. In addition, localized catastrophes such as drought could last so long
One of the most extraordinary things about Arizona is its remarkable biodiversity. The Sonoran Desert is home to nearly 3,500 plant species, 500 bird species, and 1,000 bee species. As a result of the state’s elevation difference of 12,563 feet, Arizona has an incredibly diverse ecological environment. One more notable species is the North American jaguar El Jefe, or “The Boss.” advertisement El Jefe was photographed in the Whetstone Mountains in 2011 by Donnie Fenn and his 10-year-old daughter, who were out hunting with their hunting dogs who chased El Jefe up a tree. Fenn took photographs of the jaguar
