Spring Training, Cheap Beers, and the Battle for the Last Shrimp Taco

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Spring Training, Great Beer, and a Great Stop in Goodyear

There are some days that just feel like Arizona showing off.

This week gave us one of those days.

Spring training was in full swing, the weather was doing its usual “look how perfect I am” thing, and instead of spending our entire day at work like responsible adults, we took a half day and headed to a Monday afternoon game in Goodyear. Honestly, there are worse ways to make questionable life choices.

Of course, baseball was only part of the adventure. Because if you know us at all, you already know the day wasn’t ending at the stadium. There was beer to drink, food to eat, and a local brewery calling our name right down the street.

The Spring Training Excuse We Were Happy to Use

There is just something about spring training in Arizona that never gets old.

The weather is amazing, the ballparks are packed with energy, and it somehow makes taking off work feel less like slacking and more like participating in a statewide tradition. That is our story, and we are sticking to it.

We hit a 1 o’clock game, enjoyed some good beer at the ballpark, and watched our team lose in a way that was… memorable. There was a tiny comeback attempt in there somewhere, but overall it was rough. Not tragic. Not “throw your hat on the ground” rough. Just enough to remind us that spring training is still spring training.

The good news is that the real highlight of the day was still ahead.

Saddle Mountain Brewing Company Delivers Again

After the game, we made our way to Saddle Mountain Brewing Company in Goodyear, and it was exactly the kind of stop we love making after an afternoon at the ballpark. It is close by, it has a great atmosphere, and if you show your game ticket, you can get $2 off your first beer.

And listen, supporting local businesses is important.

Supporting local businesses while saving money on beer? That is what we call community involvement.

Saddle Mountain is one of those places that has never really let us down. The beer is solid, the food is consistently great, and it has become one of those reliable spots where you know you are going to leave happy. It is the kind of place we have gone to for more than just a casual stop too. It has been part of family moments for us, which makes it even better.

The Beer Lineup Was Strong

One of the first beers that stood out was Hop Snob, their West Coast IPA.

It is clean, classic, flavorful, and one of those beers that reminds you how good a well-done West Coast IPA can be. It does not need to be flashy. It just shows up and does exactly what it is supposed to do, which is make you want another one.

We also tried a black IPA collaboration they did with Phantom Fox out of Mesa, and that one was a pleasant surprise. Black IPAs can be hit or miss depending on how they are handled, but this one landed in the hit category. Smooth, flavorful, and a nice change of pace from the usual rotation.

***The IPA from TCBC I couldn't remember during the show was called "Booze Hound". Great Black IPA with Warrior hops. They also had a version with toasted coconut. Drool... Drool...

And yes, of course a hazy made its way into the mix too. Because no trip would really be complete without one. Dedra had Intergalactic Fog, which was a very solid hazy and fully lived up to expectations.

During the episode, we were also drinking Nightmare Juice from Mason Ale Works, and that one absolutely deserves a mention too. It is a hazy double IPA with a great label and even better flavor. Strong, refreshing, and dangerously easy to enjoy. Basically the kind of beer that politely reminds you to slow down while you completely ignore it.

Let’s Talk About Those Shrimp Tacos

The food at Saddle Mountain deserves just as much attention as the beer.

This time, we went with the Baja shrimp tacos from the happy hour menu, and they were excellent. They came with three tacos and chips and salsa, which sounds generous until you realize how quickly three tacos disappear when they are that good.

The shrimp were fried perfectly, seasoned really well, and packed with way more flavor than we expected from what started out as a casual happy hour order. We split them, which seemed fair in theory, until it became very obvious that neither of us wanted to lose the battle for the last taco.

Also, if you hear us say “shrimps,” just know that is not a mistake. It is a reference, and we are committed to the bit.

The Mini Donuts Still Deserve Their Own Section

Now we need to discuss the true emotional centerpiece of Saddle Mountain.

The mini donuts.

These are not just a dessert option. These are an event.

They come out fresh, warm, coated in cinnamon sugar, and served with dipping sauces that somehow make an already dangerous situation even more dangerous. They are the kind of dessert that makes you stop mid-conversation just so you can focus properly. That is respect.

And when they are sold out?

That is a level of disappointment usually reserved for canceled vacations, dead car batteries, and realizing someone ate the leftovers you were thinking about all day.

Why We Keep Coming Back

Part of what makes Saddle Mountain so easy to like is that it is more than just the food and beer. The whole place has a relaxed, welcoming feel to it. The patio setup is great, the space feels open and comfortable, and it works whether you are stopping in for a quick beer or planning to settle in and hang out for a while.

It is exactly the kind of local spot we love talking about because it delivers the full experience. Good drinks, good food, and a setting that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.

Final Pour

This trip was a pretty perfect reminder of why we love doing this.

A spring training game, local beer, good food, great weather, and one more Arizona stop that deserves the attention. Even when the baseball is rough, the day can still be a win if it ends with a good IPA and a plate of shrimp tacos.

And maybe donuts.

Definitely donuts.

If you are anywhere near Goodyear and looking for a brewery stop that checks all the boxes, Saddle Mountain Brewing Company is absolutely worth it.

Cheers to local beer, spring training season, and finding yet another place that gives us a reason to come back hungry.

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