7 Best Breweries in Arizona
A great vacation for beer lovers could easily include a tour of the many Arizona breweries. In fact, cold beverages are a must to survive the hot days endured in this Southwestern state.
But evenings are often warm and pleasant. Perfect for socializing with friends while enjoying a frosty brew or two.
So sit back, grab a beverage of choice, and start planning your brew tour of Arizona.
Let’s explore!
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company – Gilbert
When an Arizona landscape photographer partnered with a craft brewer in 2002, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. was born. Founders Jonathan and Patrick strive to maintain sustainable business practices to match their personal desires to protect the environment.
They were named Rate Beer’s Best New Brewery in the World in 2003 out of 2,600 breweries. And their Refuge IPA, with a nice balance of malt, citrus, and hops, is their top-selling beer.
In addition, they use locally-sourced ingredients such as Saison grain, spruce tips, wildflower honey, and prickly pear are used in their beers.
Their food menu includes Arizona grass-fed beef burgers, as well as vegetarian and vegan options.
You can visit them at their Gilbert or Phoenix beer gardens.
Pro Tip: If you’re a beer fan, make sure to try these 7 Cheap Beers Perfect For Summer Camping.
Four Peaks Brewing Company – Tempe
Four Peaks has been serving its award-winning brews for nearly 25 years. The flagship Scottish amber ale, Kilt Lifter, has been a favorite since they opened.
Sustainability is a significant factor in brewing their beers and Sun Day hard seltzers. Harnessing the sun’s power, they use 500 solar panels to run electricity through their production brewery.
In addition to beer, they also offer hard kombucha, cocktails, wine, and an extensive food menu.
SanTan Brewing Company (and Arizona Distillery) – Chandler
SanTan Brewing Company is known as one of the best craft breweries in Arizona. Most of their beers, such as their popular Hefeweizen, are perfect for drinking in the shade on a hot day. You’ll taste notes of citrus, fruit, and spices throughout their beer selection.
In 2015, they began distilling their own craft whiskey, gin, and vodka. Their line of fruit-infused vodka sodas is great if you’re wanting something on the lighter side.
Their kitchen cooks up fantastic food pairings for whichever beverage you choose to enjoy.
SanTan Brewing Company led the way in the “craft can revolution” in 2009. This was a few years before many breweries began adopting this method of packaging. You can even order a 32oz CanZilla filled with your favorite beer to bring back home.
Dragoon Brewing Co. – Tucson
Opened 10 years ago, this brewery began as a dream shared by father and son, Bruce and Eric Greene. Together with another passionate brewer, they built Dragoon Brewing Company into one of Tucson’s favorite breweries.
Hop fans will enjoy their citrusy and perfectly bitter Dragoon IPA. If fruited sour beers are more your style, grab a pint of Domingo, brewed with an abundance of blueberries.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, you can order dishes from the on-site food trucks that’ll pair well with your pint of choice.
Dragoon also offers a Brewery Bootcamp every Sunday morning to get your heart pumping. By the time you finish your workout, it’ll be Beer 30!
Sonoran Brewing Company – Phoenix
A visit to the Sonoran Brewing Company is a double bonus since it shares space with the Phoenix Beer Company. But you’ll want to have your tastebuds fresh for their signature beer, the White Chocolate Ale. It’s a light and refreshing wheat beer with a subtle sweetness of white chocolate.
While you’re there, you might as well check out the beer selection from the Phoenix Beer Company.
Enjoy an evening with friends on their outdoor patio while sampling the different craft brews.
College Street Brewhouse – Lake Havasu City
Not many breweries in Arizona can boast about having a lake view. But College Street Brewhouse can definitely make that claim. Considered the hippest brewhouse in town, you can eat, drink and be merry while taking in the view of Lake Havasu.
Their beer menu offers IPAs, wheat ales, lagers, stouts, and amber ales – a little something to please every palate. A favorite for many is the Big Blue Van wheat ale with hints of blueberry and vanilla.
The kitchen at College Street Brewhouse serves up everything from salads to steaks. Their Happy Hour menu includes items like warm, soft pretzels, sliders, mac & cheese, and cocktail specials.
Mother Road Brewery – Flagstaff
A list of breweries in Arizona wouldn’t be complete without mentioning this chill spot in Flagstaff. Their outdoor patio welcomes your dog to join you while you enjoy one of their many beers on tap.
Their Tower Station IPA has a pleasing citrus aroma with flavors of malt, hops, grapefruit, and pine. It’s a big favorite for many IPA fans who visit this brewery.
The significance of their name, Mother Road, comes from the famed US Route 66. The brewery is located along a lost portion of the historic highway.
A food truck is available to grab a bite to eat while enjoying a pint.
Pro Tip: After stopping at Mother Road Brewery make sure to check out these 9 Best Things To Do on Route 66 in Arizona.
Take an Arizona Brewery Road Tour
You now have a reason to plan a beer-related road trip, hitting some of these breweries in Arizona. Your taste buds will thank you for treating them to all the Southwest-inspired flavors found in these craft brews.
Of course, there are plenty of natural attractions to visit in between grabbing pints. Be sure to include stops at the Grand Canyon, Papago Park, or Saguaro National Park along the way.
Which one of these Arizona breweries is your favorite?
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