5 top Arizona craft breweries that will make you very hoppy
Travel to Flagstaff, Williams, Pine, Lake Havasu City or Tucson to sample creative brews.
Your favorite cold beer is probably no more than a room or two away. The only way to make it more convenient would be to teach your dog to fetch it.
So why on Earth would you drive hundreds of miles for more beer unless you're Homer Simpson?
Simple. Adventure is brewing.
That’s not to suggest your trip should be all beer all the time, particularly with driving involved. Do other stuff. Go sightseeing. Hike, if that’s your thing.
But the lure of fine ales, stouts and pilsners should not be ignored. And thanks to a growing crop of talented brewers, great craft beers are available statewide.
Here are five places that can make you very hoppy indeed.
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Tucson: Public Brewhouse
Great beers are found in many places, but few are as unassuming as Public Brewhouse. It comes across as a pop-up brew pub, as if a couple of folks rolled freshly brewed kegs down an alley, peeked inside a garage and said, “Hey, it’s empty. Let’s set up.”
Why you’ll love it: Just finding the place is a minor thrill, as it’s tucked in a large brick shed (or small warehouse) behind busy Fourth Avenue. The founders wrote on the taproom’s Facebook page that you “take twenty four and a half steps and turn left.” The treasure-map directions add to the insider-only vibe that makes you feel like Christopher Columbus discovering a beer-centric continent. The natives are extremely friendly, hoisting glasses filled with the land's greatest natural resource.
Why you won’t: If you’re in search of Fourth Avenue's club atmosphere, keep moving. From the concrete floor to the unadorned bar, the focus here is on what pours forth from the taps.
The beer: The nanobrewery offers a rotating menu of beers ranging from typical (ales and stouts) to unusual (wheats and sours using fruits, vegetables or other unusual ingredients). Nothing to your liking? Like a good beer neighbor, Public Brewhouse also has several offerings from other local breweries.
The extras: Bring a typewriter on Tuesdays or trivia nights on Mondays.
Details: 209 N. Hoff Ave. 520-775-2337, publicbrewhouse.com.
While you’re there: A small beer island sculpted of chrome and glass awaits inside Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink, at 101 E. Pennington St. downtown. Duck out the side door and cross the patio to the Beer Garden, where 40 taps issue liquid goodness. reillypizza.com.
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Pine: THAT Brewery
You expect cool weather and tall pines as you head up to the Mogollon Rim. But finding a microbrewery with some of the best beer brewed in the state is a pleasant happenstance, like digging a $20 bill out of an old pair of pants.
Why you’ll love it: Just when you thought nothing could improve the cool, calm and quiet landscape, you find a brew pub in the forest. The rustic charm is evident the minute you pull into the pine-studded parking lot. You step into the modest cabin to realize you’re in a beer wonderland, filled with enticing scents.
Why you won’t: Pine is often a rest stop for motorists, and an easy day trip from Phoenix. Which means you’re likely to be on the road soon. Which means that if you’re behind the wheel, you stick to non-alcoholic beverages. Which means you’re going to miss the best THAT has to offer. Which means arrange for a designated driver.
The beer: THAT has earned a solid reputation in just two years. It brews for all tastes, from blond and amber ales to a double IPA that will slap your taste buds in the face. The seasonals don’t disappoint either. If only there were a beer called “This.” Then you could tell friends, “I had This Pale Ale at That Brewery,” starting a “Who’s on First?” routine.
The extras: You’re drinking craft-brewed beer in a pine forest. What else do you want?
Details: 3270 State Route 87. 928-476-3349, thatbrewery.com. A second location is at 300 E. Cherry St., Cottonwood.
While you’re there: Turn off your phone. Hike. Repeat.
Flagstaff: Dark Sky Brewing Co.
Dark Sky Brewery may be Flagstaff's best-kept brewing secret, thanks to its small batches brewed by mad beer scientists. The modest location — an easily overlooked storefront in a dated complex — does it no favors. But it’s worth seeking out.
Why you’ll love it: Sneak into the brewing room and you’ll see colorful potions bubbling over Bunsen burners, and bolts of electricity arcing above mysterious machines. No, not really, but you’d expect to see such a Frankenstein-ian look once you sample the concoctions seemingly stitched together from mismatched parts. Not all recipes work, but when they (frequently) do, the result is as surprising as it is delicious.
Why you won’t: One of the founding brewers’ goals was to brew 100 small-batch beers in a year (mission accomplished, by the way). Inevitably, there are a few sour notes. And a beer you fall in love with likely is gone forever once the keg runs out.
The beer: It’s almost easier to list what you won’t find, such as a basic lager or amber ale. Beers have been brewed using fruits, nuts, vegetables, desserts and bacon (not all at the same time). Had Dark Sky been around in the 1990s, Forrest Gump would have said, “Life is like the taps at Dark Sky Brewing Co., you never know what you’re going to get.”
The extras: If you’re lucky enough to stop by when a brewer or two is on the premises, ask, “Where do you get your beer ideas?” Enjoy a lengthy and thoughtful conversation about the fermenting arts, as well as the wonders and woes of experimentation.
Details: 117 N. Beaver St. 928-235-4525, www.darkskybrewing.com.
While you’re there: Venture off downtown’s beaten path to find Mother Road Brewing Co. Head inside to enjoy the rich scents of hops and malt while sampling the taps, or sit on the patio when the weather allows. If you get hungry, head to nearby Pizzicletta for some of the best pie in town. www.motherroadbeer.com, www.pizzicletta.com.
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Williams: Historic Brewing Barrel + Bottle
Stroll along neon-splashed Route 66 and you’ll see all sorts of businesses celebrating the city's history, whether it’s a gas station-turned-diner or a souvenir shop filled with train memorabilia. Then you come across Historic Barrel + Bottle and wonder, “If this had been open in the 1980s, would Route 66 still have been bypassed by Interstate 40?” Sure, but it would have been a tougher decision.
Why you’ll love it: The cozy environment offers a cool getaway from touristy streets. Take a seat at the bar and chat up the beer-tenders, who are happy talk about brews you won’t find elsewhere (though the beer is actually brewed at the Historic mothership in Flagstaff, you'll find all the trappings of a brewpub minus the vats). The servers are friendly and relaxed. It's busy on weekends when the train returns from the Grand Canyon.
Why you won’t: Many of the beers may be too complex for the casual beer fan. Those partial to lighter suds, such as lagers and pilsners, may wonder what the heck happened to good old-fashioned American beer, the stuff brewed thousands of gallons at a time. Don’t worry, there are bars nearby with plenty of Bud, Miller or Coors on tap.
The beer: Note the eclectic selection, from a coffee stout to a cucumber lager. Enthusiasts may want to order a six-sample flight, or describe your preferences and leave the choice up to the beerista. Even if it's not quite your taste, the quality of each beer comes across clearly.
The extras: Make sure you leave with some swag. The T-shirts feature clever designs — the Piehole Porter is a favorite.
Details: 141 Railroad Ave. 928-635-4150, www.historicbarrelandbottle.com.
While you’re there: Head to the Grand Canyon Brewery, 301 N. Seventh St., Williams, to see the latest offerings from this growing brew company. Be sure to grab a few to go at the relatively new facility. grandcanyonbrewery.com.
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Lake Havasu City: Barley Bros. Brewery
After a long, sun-drenched day on the water, a cold, flavor-drenched beer is just what you need. Barley Bros. has that as well as a perfect view of London Bridge. The brewery cares just as much about its food, serving some of the better dishes you’ll find at a beer-focused spot.
Why you’ll love it: The best seats at a brewpub usually are at the bar, but this is an exception. Take a seat at the windows that run the length of the expansive interior. Have a beer and watch small boats ply the waters below London Bridge. Thanks to east-facing windows, enjoy sunset without shading your eyes.
Why you won’t: Five of the six year-round offerings are refreshing and easy on the palate. They include two wheats, one infused with fruit for a sweet taste. Those who prefer more complex ales may want to stick with the tasty Bighorn IPA.
The beer: Though not adventurous, the selection is solid. It’s no surprise the lineup focuses on lighter brews, as Lake Havasu City is on the warm side (in summer, temperatures range from Earth’s molten core to the surface of the sun). The Freedom Bridge Amber Ale has an excellent balance of malt to hops.
The extras: If you’re leaning toward wood-fired pizza, consider a calzone stuffed with meats, vegetables and cheese. Enjoy the scent carried by the puff of steam when you first cut into it.
Details: 1425 McCulloch Blvd. 928-505-7837, barleybrothers.com.
While you’re there: Head back across London Bridge to Mudshark Brewery. It matches Barley Bros. beer-for-beer when it comes to brewing goodness. mudsharkbeer.com.
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