Do you want to read the full descriptions of the book and beer pairings that were shared during the event with Borderlands Brewing Co. on May 3rd? Here they are!

Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston – La Miche

The La Miche is a classic Michelada. Using the base of the Citrana Gose, it has a hint of lime, spices, and Borderlands’ special house mix. Like the La Miche, Red, White & Royal Blue offers an array of dynamic and lovable characters that are just a bit spicy with a dash of sour sass. Similar to the surprisingly delightful blend of tomato juice and beer, McQuiston blends the challenges of representing a country and following your heart in an entertaining and charming way. You will enjoy this red beer as you get swept up in the antics of Alex and Henry.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – Horchata Cream Ale

The Horchata Creme Ale is a combination of cinnamon, lactose, and almond – recreating the refreshing dream that is a nice big glass of horchata. This creamy horchata brew pairs beautifully with the hazy and dreamy (nightmare?) novel Mexican Gothic by Silvia Morena-Garcia. The heaviness of the gothic tones, a haunted house, and family secrets, blended with the progressive damsel who is fully capable of saving herself, combine to create a rich and immersive experience – much like this beer.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune – One in Melon Blonde Ale

The One in a Melon Blond Ale is a smooth and crisp beer with just a hint of melon flavor. However, the real treat of the beverage is the sugar-coated gummy melon candy that has been dusted with a Mexican chile pepper that awaits you at the bottom of the glass. Likewise, with characters who are sweet and perhaps maybe a little spicy in attitude, these lovable misfits are sure to warm your soul. With a delightfully sweet and surprising ending, this book is perfect for any fan of a “one in a melon” motto.

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin – Toole Ave Hazy IPA

Borderlands’ award-winning, juicy, hazy, New England style IPA brewed with Citra, Mosaic & Amarillo Hops gives you a cornucopia of complex flavors, just like The City We Became. Notes of citrus add a fruit-backed bite to the hoppy punch, much like the five boroughs of NYC use all their different strengths to come together in The City We Became. Both the ingredients of the beer and the characters in the book become a little bit more awesome when they come together. A little stronger and richer in flavor, pairing this brew with this novel is sure to add some attitude and swagger to your day.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – Noche Dulce Vanilla Porter

The Noche Dulce Vanilla Porter is aromatic, slightly sweet, with notes of coffee and dark chocolate. Borderlands uses Mexican vanilla beans to give it its aroma and taste. This brew is best paired with The Night Circus, a tale about a magical circus that only comes out at night. The lyrical writing and bittersweet tale capture the smooth drinkability and darker undertones of this beverage. Much like the aromatic scents of this beer you’ll have no problem immersing yourself in the sights and smells of the circus as you get transported to a new world.

Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour – Arizona Ale

The Arizona Ale is a blonde ale with a crisp aroma and flavor, crackling with malt and a touch of hops. The novel Black Buck, much like the Arizona Ale, has a smooth, approachable sense of humor, while also having the punch of sarcasm and social satire. You’ll enjoy this multi-layered brew as much as you’ll enjoy the wit and depth of this book.

Black Love Matters edited by Jessica P. Pryde – Citrana Southwestern Gose

The Citrana is a sour beer brewed with traditional coriander, salt, and cardamom. It’s citrusy, refreshing, and a great introduction to sour beers in general. Much like this brew is a great introduction to something new that you might not have tried before, Black Love Matters is a fantastic essay collection to dip your toe into reading some non-fiction essays and exploring
the possibilities of romance novels. Not to mention, Jessica is a Tucson local – and what’s more Southwestern than that?

Blacktop Wasteland by S.A.Cosby – Lil’ Toole Avenue Hazy IPA

This brew has the same hops and tropical bitterness as Borderlands’ Toole Hazy IPA but with a lower ABV. Blacktop Wasteland’s noir mystery style will carry notes of bitterness, but this story is told in a new voice that adds a much-needed freshness to the genre. Much like its sibling book and beer (The City We Became by N. K Jemisin with Toole Ave Hazy IPA), this pairing is certain to have the grit and full flavor that you are wanting (it is a thriller with a heist, after all) all while being a little tamer in attitude (but only ever so slightly). This pairing is sure to be refreshing on those long summer Tucson nights.

Sigh, Gone A Misfits Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight to Fit In by Phuc Tran – Cashmere Cactus Pale Ale

Curl up with this beer and a copy of Sigh, Gone if you want to reminisce about the humor (awkwardness?) of growing up and learning who you are. However, don’t get too comfortable, this memoir, much like the beer, has the softness of cashmere but the thorns of the cactus – but the little moments of bite and depth will keep you coming back for more!

An American Sunrise: Poems by Joy Harjo – Prickly Pear Wheat

The Prickly Pear is an easy-drinking wheat beer, but with the added twist of local organic prickly pear juice, adding beautiful color and flavor. An American Sunrise: Poems is the perfect collection of poetry to read when you’re craving lyrical and beautiful verses discussing the life experiences of one of the most important Native American voices in American writing (Joy Harjo is the current U.S. Poet Laureate, after all!). Her poems, while having the punch of a prickly pear, will also leave you feeling hopeful for a new beginning.