How sweet — or sudsy — is this: the 2-year-old Tucson Hop Shop was voted the state's best beer bar in the fan-driven CraftBeer.com Great American Beer Bar contest.

So the urban beer garden is celebrating. On March 11, Tucson Hop Shop at its staff of “Hop Shoppers” is throwing a part from 5 to 11 p.m. in conjunction with the Metal Arts Village’s monthly Full Moon Open Studio night. Tucson's Titan Valley Warheads and Arkansas folk-duo Melody Pond will perform in the beer garden.

CraftBeer.com, the Brewers Association website, selected winners based on nominations submitted by readers. Bars were judged for ambiance and atmosphere, their staff, beer selection and special events that promote craft beers. (Tucson Hops's annual SyncHOPation party held on Feb. 11 and its Sour Saturday parties featuring close to 20 sour beers on tap are big draws.)

Nationwide, more than 7,000 votes were cast during the nomination period. The contest has been running annually since 2012.

Tucson Hop Shop opened in 2015 in the Metal Arts Village at 3230 N. Dodge Blvd. as an urban beer garden, bottle shop and wine bar. Hours: 2 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; noon to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays. Food is provided by an assortment of local food trucks.

Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@tucson.com or 573-4642. On Twitter @Starburch

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