Kyle Green
Phoenix is the capital of Arizona, drawing millions of visitors annually. This beautiful Arizona city is known for its museums, great food, and Grand Canyon National Park.
Also known as the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix is perfect for all travelers. There’s plenty of things to do in Phoenix regardless of what you like to do. There’s plenty of spas, golf courses, and surprisingly, breweries.
Craft breweries are popping up more and more all over the country. Most people don’t think of Phoenix for a great craft brewery scene initially. The first ones that come to mind are Portland, Seattle, or Asheville.
If you’re looking for the best breweries in Phoenix, look no further. I’ve compiled a list of the eleven best options for you to pop into on your next trip.
Best Breweries in Phoenix
- Wren House Brewing Company
- Uptown Phoenix Taproom + Kitchen
- Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.
- Helton Brewing
- Beer Research Institute
- The Shop Beer Co.
- Goldwater Brewing Co.
- O.H.S.O.
- Pedal Haus Brewery
- Simple Machine Brewing Company
- Sonoran Brewing Company
Wren House Brewing Company
2125 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Phone: 602-244-9184
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Wren House Brewing Company sits in the Green Gables neighborhood, on N 24th Street. What was once a 1930s bungalow home is now the homey and welcoming Wren House Brewing. The owners turned the home into a taproom while the garage was their brewing area. This bright white brewery is incredibly welcoming, and you can feel a sense of community.
The beers at Wren House vary. You’ll see sours, lagers, IPAs, and everything in between on their tap menu. Their beers are brewed in the garage behind the bungalow and stick to Arizona roots. I had to try their Las Frescas: Pi Tai sour ale and the Little Emma, a California Common beer. They were both fantastic in their own ways.
Uptown Phoenix Taproom + Kitchen
100 E Camelback Rd #160, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: (602) 441-4677
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You’ll find Uptown Phoenix Taproom and Kitchen in Uptown. Uptown is roughly 4.2 miles from downtown Phoenix, making it a great spot if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle without going too far. It’s also known as Huss Brewing Co. This family-owned and operated joint has been brewing delicious local beers since 2013. The interior features an exposed brick wall with the name painted on it and plenty of tables.
Huss beers are popular in Arizona, and you can find them in grocery stores, restaurants, golf courses, and more. I had to know what all the hype was about. While everything sounded fantastic, I went with their two featured beers: the Scottsdale Blonde Ale and Papago Orange Blossom wheat ale. Neither disappointed.
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.
201 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 480-462-1836
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Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. is in the heart of downtown Phoenix. The creators of this brewing company were inspired by nature in Arizona and wanted to create beers that reflect that beauty. When I walked inside, I knew this was a place locals and visitors alike love to hang out. The space has plenty of outside seating and seems like the perfect place to relax.
All the beers at Arizona Wilderness Brewing use barley grown 100% in Arizona. Their tap list changes as they come out with seasonal or single-batch brews. Even if you’re not an IPA fan, you have to try their flagship beer, Refuge. After that, I sampled a few, including All Arizona Saison, Cactus Juice, and the Double Pecan Pie Brown Ale.
Helton Brewing
2144 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone: 602-730-2739
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In Camelback East Village, just north of downtown, is Helton Brewing. The building is in an industrial neighborhood, so the owners wanted to maximize that aesthetic. They use wood from Indiana to provide a warm yet modern industrial look. The garage doors showcase beautiful works of art, and the inside has bright yellow seating.
Something I love about Helton Brewing is not their fantastic beer, but they serve cheese and charcuterie boards. They have a variety of craft beers, from sours to pilsners to stouts and more. I opted for a flight of four. I ordered their pilsner, milk stout, Scottish ale, and boysenberry sour. I have to say their milk stout was my favorite.
Beer Research Institute
1641 S Stapley Dr, Mesa, AZ 85204
Phone: 480-892-2020
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The Beer Research Institute is located on Stapley Drive in Sherwood Manor. This Phoenix neighborhood is about 20 miles from downtown. The people behind this brewery made their first craft beer in a garage in 2003. They pride themselves on being the third most important place for people to feel at home. When you arrive, you can tell it’s home for some people; it’s that welcoming.
They usually have 15 beers on tap, but that can change based on availability or if they produce seasonal beers. I loved the variety in craft beer styles they had on their menu. I gave their BoomBox sour a try, and it was one of the best ones I’ve had. They’re known for IPAs, and their 2021 Anniversary Ale IPA is one you need to try.
The Shop Beer Co.
922 W 1st St, Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: 480-477-9212
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About ten miles from Phoenix is Tempe and The Shop Beer Co. It’s right across the river from the Phoenix Zoo and features plenty of space in their beer garden for locals and visitors to hang around and drink great beer. The beer garden features string lights, picnic benches, and a beautiful mural that adds to the attraction.
Their beer selection isn’t as large as some of the other breweries in the area, but the quality is as good as the other breweries. One of their most famous creations is Church Music, a juicy IPA. This IPA has the perfect amount of hops. Another great beer worth trying is Crispy, a blonde lager that’s easy to sip on and pair with almost any food.
Goldwater Brewing Co.
3608 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480-350-7305
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In neighboring Scottsdale is the Goldwater Brewing Co. This brewery opened in 2015 and was started by friends who grew up in the area. Goldwater is a stunning brewery featuring concrete floors, brick walls, and an open view of where they brew all their beers.
Their craft beer selection primarily features IPAs and light beers, but they also have a handful of sours, dark beers, and other unique creations. I knew I needed to try their Birthday Suit. It’s a west coast IPA, and I was hooked. I’m also a huge fan of sour beers, and their margarita-inspired Gose and prickly pear sour were fabulous.
O.H.S.O.
Multiple locations
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O.H.S.O has two Phoenix locations. One is on East Indian School Road and North Tatum Boulevard in Paradise Valley. Each of their locations is spacious with outdoor, covered seating. The interior feels like a casual spot to eat, drink, and chat with friends or family.
Something unique about this brewery is that it’s also a distillery. Besides their 36 tap beers, you can sample some of their creations from the distillery. They feature their own beers and other Arizona beers. I went with their popsicle blonde ale. It was a refreshing beer that tastes like raspberries and lemons.
Pedal Haus Brewery
730 S Mill Ave #102, Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: 480-314-2337
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Pedal Haus Brewery is an American eatery that combines fantastic food with even better beer. It’s only ten miles from downtown Phoenix and a great place to grab a bite to eat and beer before heading in for the night. The atmosphere is a traditional American beer pub. The lights are dim, it’s casual, and it’s always busy.
They have 12 beers on tap that are worth trying. Since you probably won’t be trying all 12, some of my favorites are seasonal peppermint porter, White Rabbit hazy IPA, and the Day Drinker light lager. If you plan on having a meal while you’re here, the staff knows what beers pair well with what kind of food.
Simple Machine Brewing Company
701 W Deer Valley Rd STE 1, Phoenix, AZ 85027
Phone: 623-469-9199
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You’ll find Simple Machine Brewing Company across the street from the Deer Valley Airport. That’s 20 miles north of downtown Phoenix. Even though they’ve only been open since 2019, they’re prevalent among craft beer lovers. The brewery features a long wood bar and corn hole boards for patrons to play while they drink.
When I went to Simple Machine Brewing, I asked the bartender what their favorite beer was because I wanted to try it. They brought me their Barrel-Aged Night Flight. It’s a stout that was perfect. After that, I gave their Day Crusher blonde ale a try. Everything at this brewery was excellent.
Sonoran Brewing Company
3002 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: 602-510-8996
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Just east of downtown Phoenix is the Sonoran Brewing Company. Conveniently located on Washington Street, this brewery is unassuming from the outside and minimalistic on the inside. What they lack in bright colors they make up for in delicious beers.
They have a decent selection of local beer, but I knew from the minute I looked at the menu that I knew which two I wanted to try. The names of their beers sounded tasty, and the first one I ordered was the Peach White Ale. It was very refreshing. Lastly, I gave their White Chocolate Ale a try. It was almost like drinking a dessert, and it was excellent.
Final Thoughts
Phoenix isn’t necessarily known for its craft beer scene, but with such fantastic options, maybe they should be. Regardless of what kind of craft beer you prefer, you’ll find a brewery to hang out at in Phoenix.
Besides the delicious food at some of these breweries, there are plenty of places to eat in Phoenix. If you’re ready to hit the food scene, be sure to check out the best restaurants in Phoenix.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
