We’re here to sidetrack you from your Superstition Mountain adventures to a treasure hunt for the best breweries in Phoenix, instead. Legend has it that the Superstition Mountain Range surrounding the Phoenix metro area still has treasure hidden somewhere. But it’s no legend that the real treasure to be had in Phoenix is the craft beer scene.
And if you’ve only got time for a brewery or two, here are three of the best breweries in Phoenix, Arizona.
🍺 Quick Sips 🍺
🍻 Quick tips on which breweries to visit when you only have time for one or two. 🍻
Adventure Before Beer
But first…adventure.
The Phoenix metro area has around 20 or so distinct mountain biking trail networks ranging from flat and easy for beginners to rocky, steep and technical for advanced riders. We found ourselves on the eastern side of Phoenix proper more towards Mesa, riding Hawes and Gold Canyon trails. Wherever you find yourselves – Trailforks is our go to resource – just know you’ll be earning your beer.
But beware of the vegetation out here. We’re pretty certain those cacti are out to get us all.
PRO TIP: Camp at Peralta Road Dispersed, and you’ll be surrounded by MTB trails tucked away in Gold Canyon. While there might not be hookups around there will be no shortage of exploring to be had.
Want more bits about bikin’? Check out Bikin’ Bits – we’ll tell you where to go (and what beer to drink afterwards) so you can get on the trails faster.
Best Breweries in Phoenix Proper
Now, about that beer!
Being the 5th largest city in the U.S. there is no shortage of beer to go around in Phoenix. With around 100 breweries in the entire metro area, if there is a beer you need, Phoenix has it. From pop-punk inspired beers to breweries filled with birds, this metro area truly has it all, but if you can only hit a few, we’ve got you covered with three of the best Phoenix breweries.
Roses by the Stairs Brewing Co
Roses by the Stairs is a farmhouse inspired brewery that focuses on using local, sustainable ingredients to create exciting experimental beers. With exciting events and NA options, Roses by The Stairs uses their beer to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive space.
They are a 1% for the planet member, which means they are also committed to donating 1% of their revenue to 1% for the Planet.
ROSES BY THE STAIRS AT A GLANCE
Connect: Roses by the Stairs Brewing Co at 509 W McDowell Rd
Best attributes: creative brews in a taproom setting
Serving: well rounded menu of beers, wide variety of NA beverages and visiting food trucks
Setting: open and welcome to sit where you please both indoors and out.
Beers we drank: Ginger Chew Double IPA, JOJO Arizona Wit Beer, Thackery Binx Black IPA, Desert Equinox Rye IPA, Wanderers in Overcoats Saison
Wren House Brewing Co
Wren House is a cozy brewery with a focus on bringing people together over beer. Their Phoenix location is an old home in the Green Gables neighborhood that sat empty for decades. Its long lasting character begged to be used to bring folks together over beer in its now cozy cafe-like taproom.
WREN HOUSE AT A GLANCE:
Connect: Wren House Brewing Co at 2125 N. 24th St.
Best attributes: cozy taproom with character and homey cafe-like feel to enjoy some of the best beers in the state
Serving: more than 20 taps offering a wide variety of craft beer including cans and bottles
Setting: Small home-turned cozy taproom with open seating inside and on the patio
Beers we drank: Barrel Aged Pecan Pie Thief, Life English Barleywine, Tmavé Pivo Czech Dark Lager, Spellbinder IPA, Further West IPA
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co
Arizona Wilderness is a brewery both environment and community at its core. They focus on high quality food and beer, but they also focus on their Drink Like You Care initiative which is their push for water conservation in the southwest where climate change and rising temperatures have been using up water at an alarming rate.
Disclaimer: We only had a chance to visit their Gilbert taproom, but what we’ve heard is that the downtown location is just as great, if not better.
ARIZONA WILDERNESS AT A GLANCE:
Connect: Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co at 204 E Roosevelt St.
Best attributes: gigantic beer garden in downtown location and quaint taproom at the Gilbert location
Serving: wide variety of craft beers on tap, wine, ciders, cocktails, and full food menu
Setting: indoors and out, beer garden, taproom and/or restaurant style seating
Beers we drank: Green Friday Black IPA, Sweet Potato Saison, Desert Dweller Mixed-Culture Saison, Kernza Lager, Wassail Winter Ale, Terroir Project Counoise Beer/Wine Hybrid, and more!
Food we ate: Elote Dip
Beyond Phoenix Proper Breweries
With Phoenix being one of the top five biggest US cities, there are plenty of surrounding suburbs and neighborhoods filled to the brim with great craft beer options. We can’t leave without filling you in on a few more secrets outside of Phoenix proper.
More Phoenix Area Breweries
- 12 West Brewing – Gilbert, Mesa
- 8 Bit Aleworks – Avondale
- The Shop Beer Co – Tempe
- Beer Barn (taproom) – Gilbert
- The Perch Brewery – Gilbert, Chandler
- Fate Brewing – Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix
- The Beer Research Institute – Mesa
- OHSO Brewery + Distillery – Gilbert
- Goldwater Brewing – Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe
Which Phoenix brewery will you experience?
To say there is plenty of beer to drink in Phoenix is an understatement. If there is something you want to drink, Phoenix craft breweries have it. Booming brewery hubs like Denver and Seattle are great, but Phoenix and the surrounding area offer a truly unique craft beer experience amongst the desert beauty of the cacti and the Superstition Mountains.
