This week beer lovers across the U.S. are celebrating American Craft Beer Week. The 2015 festivities (May 11-17) mark the 10^th anniversary of the week-long celebration of small and independent craft brewers. One of our favorite craft brewers is FirstBank customer Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co., the back-to-nature brewpub based in Gilbert, Arizona.

And, we’re not alone. In addition to counting Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Jared Valdheer among its fans – the two collaborated on the O-line Triple IPA this year – the brewery is a fixture on must-do lists around the Phoenix area, for visitors and locals alike.

In honor of Craft Beer Week, we asked brewery Co-founder/Owner Jonathan Buford to answer 5 spotlight questions:

Do you remember the first beer you tasted?

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. It’s the Godfather of all the beer revolution. My father always would have some in the fridge, and it was engraved in my mind as “classy” beer.

How did Arizona Wilderness Brewery grow into Gilbert, Arizona’s first brewpub?

I used to own a window-cleaning business, but after seeing Sam Calagione [of Dogfish Head] on Brew Masters, I decided on the spot that I’d start a brewery. I learned everything I could over the next three years about brewing and started home-brewing at a friend’s house until I purchased my own garage-brewing system.

From there, I continued developing recipes until I sold my window-cleaning business in November 2012. We didn’t open the brewery until September 2013, so there was a long period of financial strain – in fact, we were a month away from bankruptcy when we opened.

We ran into some initial roadblocks working to set up shop in the Phoenix area. Instead of giving up, though, I called the economic development team in Gilbert to see if they were interested in welcoming a microbrewery to town. The answer was an emphatic “yes!” The rest is history.

Let’s play a game. I name an item on your menu, and you pair it with one of your beers. Ready? Go!

• Arizona Trail Burger: This is our flagship burger, if you will. The Refuge IPA has the bitterness to cut the fat and match the heat coming from the jalapeños, while balancing out the sweet sauce. A perfect pair!
• Peanut Butter and Jalapeno Jelly Burger: The Pusch Ridge Porter. We use smoked paprika in this ale, adding both sweet and savory notes that pair perfectly with the sweet and savory PB&JJ.
• Chicken and Jalapeno Popper: Aravaipa Abbey. Sweet malts and a spicy phenol from the yeast match the well-spiced chicken burger perfectly.
• Pork on Pork: Superstition Coffee Stout. Honestly, who wouldn’t want a smooth vanilla and coffee, slightly roasted beer with bacon?!

Why did you choose FirstBank as your partner?

We want to work with a bank that makes time for us. We weren’t interested in working with anyone who boasts globally-based representatives that they claim will care about or business. Our business is extremely unique, and we need a bank that can keep up! We found that in FirstBank.

How would you describe your experience working with FirstBank?

Highly personable. Our needs are constantly changing, and FirstBank is able to adapt. We’ve been more than pleased with our FirstBank experience!

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