Scribble World Travel Blog

Nimbus Brewery, Tucson, AZ

While many have had the good fortune of trying a Nimbus beer, relatively few have yet had the opportunity to enjoy their Nimbus on location at the Nimbus Brewing Company, and I can see why-until I found myself looking online for something to do this Saturday, and saw an ad for Clam Jam 2 at the Nimbus Brewing Company, I wasn’t even aware the Nimbus brewery was a place to hang out! Tucked back in the obscure south central side of Tucson in the industrial district, it is not where you would expect to go on a Saturday night looking for a good time. We nearly turned around, “this can’t be right,” as we took a right onto Ajo, then another right on Dodge, and we were about to turn around midway down 44th Street when we suddenly saw another car approaching and our headlights lit up the Nimbus sign. Yes, it is that tucked away that even an employee admitted to thinking she was lost when she first tried to find it. But once you find the Nimbus, you’re in for a treat.

The atmosphere is at once welcoming and laid back. Whether you want to sit at the bar, one of the busy tables downstairs, play a game of pool, sway your hips on the dance floor as The Tryst rocks you into the night, or make your way up to the more secluded upper level for a bursting-at-the-seams burrito and a root beer, iced tea or beer sampler, the Nimbus Brewery has you covered.

The Nimbus Brewing Company is actually Arizona’s largest brewery producing some 22,500 barrels of beer annually-an impressive rate of growth considering when they first opened in 1996 they produced less than 200 barrels. Today, each of their 3 fermenters hold 5,000 gallons of beer. They have won awards for their English Strong MonkeyShine Ale, oatmeal stout, Red Ale and Pale ale. Pressing Chris for his favorite, he really liked the pale ale and the old Monkey Shine but insisted we would have to go back before he could make an “official” decision. Also available are the dirty guera and brown ale.

Saturday, April 4th, Chris and I sat in the upper balcony enjoying our food, drink and a great view of Clam Jam Two going on below with music from Tucson’s independent music scene featuring some of Tucson’s best female rockers including Courtney Robbins, The Tryst, and Mozart’s Sister. Cover was just $5 (or free if you came early) and the Clam Jam went from 9:30 P.M until it was nearly closing time around 1 A.M.

Official Nimbus Review: An enthusiastic thumbs up. A highly recommended little treasure in Tucson’s industrial district and a great place to get away

Spring Fling in Tucson, AZ

If you love carnivals then Spring Fling in Tucson, AZ is the place to go! More than 3,000 University of Arizona volunteers are at the heart of Spring Fling making it the largest student run carnival in the country! Spring Fling is a 4 day event kicking off on April 2 at Rillito Downs, 4698 N. 1st Ave, about 3 miles from the U of A where it is being held this year to accomodate its growing size and avoid the construction currently in progress at the UofA.

Admission was just $5/person but we attended free by bringing in a coke product to be recycled. Parking is two dollars. All food, games and rides require tickets which can be purchased in bulk- 32 tickets for $20. Some pricing examples: Two tickets for a thai tea, 5 for a haunted house ride, 4 tickets for an old fashion lemonade, 5 tickets for a chance to win an over stuffed Scooby Doo toy, 6 for a funnel cake, 33 tickets to tempt fate on the bungee swing. $20 wristbands for endless rides were also available for purchase but excluded the bungee drop. But thankfully, some things are still free-porta potties, walking around the grounds, relaxing at a table or bench, and taking in one of the student band performances.

Spring Fling is a fund raiser for the University of Arizona’s organizations and clubs. Last year, with more than 30,000 people attending, they were able to raise more than $60,000.