Pizza and a Kasteel Rouge: an odd combination for an odd mood.

A quick count of the lists of currently offered draft and bottled beers on 1702's website has 85 offered, 48 on tap and the rest in bottles.  Old Chicago and The Shanty might have it beat on numbers alone, but 1702, which has become a sort of Mecca for beer aficionados in Tucson and beyond, eclipses both on diversity, taste, and daring.

1702's taps aren't limited to bar standards like Sam Adams and Blue Moon, nor even to common crowd-pleaser styles like hefeweizen, Pilsner, English bitter, IPA, and stout.  A scan of the current list shows a hopped fruit beer, a dubbel, a tripel, and four Belgian strong ales, and in the past Rodenbach, Moinette Blonde, Stone Vertical Epic series, and countless other notable and sometimes very-limited-production European and American craft brews have been offered..  

Nor do they even restrict themselves to beers breweries actually acknowledge making available outside their own tasting rooms; co-owner Austin Santos has managed to persuade New Belgium to provide at least a keg of its famous La Folie and got Alesmith to provide things it doesn't list on its website.  Rumor has it that Russian River Brewing Company has refused to send beer to 1702 because Tucson is not in Northern California; that's their loss as much as it is Tucson's, as their product couldn't be in better company, nor be exposed to more appreciative consumers.  Serious homebrewers and people who appreciate the art of brewing know that 1702 is where to go to drink the best.

Beer isn't the only reason to visit 1702.  Extra-large green salads, a few appetizers, and pizza by the oversized slice are also available.  Absentmindedly, I insulted the pizza in front of Santos at a recent social function, comparing it to the bland stuff served at Showbiz (the old animatronic toddler birthday-party venue).  Unlike some local businesses (Cody's--more on that later) he handled it with class, remarking that it had improved since the days of the (very) troubled Local Dough and inviting me to give it a second try.  I'm glad I did.  1702 pizza has the proper texture--the crust is soft on top yet crisp on the bottom--and is made with high-quality ingredients.  I could taste olive oil in the crust, tomatoes and herbs (and little to no sugar) in the sauce, and lactic culture in the cheese.  A 1702 slice is far better than the floppy and somewhat bland slices offered by the neighborhood's other by-the-slice pizzeria, No Anchovies, and holds up well in comparison to the pizza at Rosati's, Grimaldi's or Zachary's

Although it is only a few feet from the U of A, 1702 has the sort of atmosphere that invites staying through the second or third glass of beer.  The large glass windows out front can make one feel naked to the world, but there's plenty of more private space toward the back.  Importantly, it's quiet, almost free of the braying, shouting, cell-phone-talking doofuses that ruin others' good time at a few other establishments within walking distance.  Clientele is a mix of (mostly older) students, young professionals, and families out for pizza.  Staff are attentive and welcoming--and will sometimes keep the restaurant open longer than posted hours for large parties if business is good--and those who have been in the area for a while might spot a familiar face.

As part of the changeover from Local Dough to 1702, Eric Lepie, who for nearly three decades ran Eric's Ice Cream at 1702 E. Speedway, was brought back into an active role in the business.  If time allows, he'll drop by tables to chat, with the same warmth and same crazy-but-polite Bostonian political opinions as always.  While Cookies 'n' Crack is no longer available regularly for late-night study sessions, the especially fortunate visitor to 1702 may even get to sample a bit of Eric's Ice Cream, still available wholesale.  The Guinness and chile pepper ice cream--which I don't think was ever offered at Eric's--is especially tasty and would be a fine addition to the regular menu.

1702 is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, and is located at 1702 E. Speedway, in the "Nob Hill" strip mall.

For more information: Visit 1702az.com or call (520) 325-1702 during business hours.