Breweries Craft Beer For Rivalry

Two Arizona breweries have brewed a special beer to coincide with the 100th Territorial Cup football game.

Hundred Mile Brewing Co. in Tempe and Dragoon Brewing Co. in Tucson produced the batch, which is named Sibling Rivalry. The collaboration marks the third year the two companies have created a beer for the event. The Sun Devils and Wildcats are scheduled to play in Tucson on Nov. 28. That date will mark the 100th time the schools have competed for the trophy. The NCAA recognizes the Territorial Cup as the oldest college football rivalry trophy in the country.

Sue Rigler, owner of Hundred Mile, and Tristan White, co-owner of Dragoon, lead the partnership. Rigler founded her brewery in 2022 near Arizona State University. White started Dragoon in 2012 in Tucson. The two breweries take turns hosting the collaboration based on the game location. Dragoon handled this year's production because the game is in Tucson. Last year, Hundred Mile hosted when the game was in Tempe.

The new beer is a West Coast Pilsner with a 5% alcohol by volume. Matt Underwood, head brewer at Dragoon, and Nick Macal, head brewer at Hundred Mile, developed the recipe. White stated the goal was to create a drink that is approachable while retaining hop character. He described it as a fresher take on the pilsner style. Rigler noted the beer combines the hoppiness of a West Coast IPA with the light flavor of a pilsner.

The breweries produced 60 cases of the beer. It will be available at both taprooms in early November. Cans will be sold at the stadium on game day. Some bottle shops in the Phoenix area and Tucson will also stock the cans. Rigler said she approached White and Dragoon co-founder Eric Greene with the idea for the beer. She said she was excited they agreed to the project immediately.

Rigler is a longtime Arizona State fan. Her staff includes several Sun Devil alumni. White is a University of Arizona alum and has a staff that includes a half-dozen Wildcats. White said a couple of his employees went to ASU but the team does not talk about it often. Both owners said they enjoy the friendly rivalry. Rigler said the beer serves as neutral ground for fans from both schools. White said the collaboration allows them to hang out with colleagues who do the same work.

Rigler said her brewery is part of a small group of woman-owned breweries in the nation. She said the Territorial Cup represents community and bringing people together. White said he grew up in Glendale and moved to Tucson in 2002 for college. He said his wife is from Tempe and comes from a multi-generation ASU family. He said he appreciates the history and devotion the rivalry represents. Both owners plan to attend the game with their respective crews.