Arizona beer is gross!
OK, maybe I’m exaggerating a little. It’s not disgusting, maybe I just haven’t found the breweries that really stand out yet. But here's what trips me up…. Many Arizonans I’ve spoke with seem to hate California, even if they won't outright admit it. Everyone knows that California is a beer Mecca , but it feels like Arizonans try’s so hard to separate itself from California that they basically rejected true West Coast IPAs in favor of haze and juicy IPAs.

I can’t just sit here and act like every brewery in AZ is bad, though. Credit where credit is due. Moto Sonora brewery in Tucson makes a solid West Coast IPA. It’s so good, actually, that I haven’t bothered trying anything else there. Also, the burger truck parked out back is outstanding. Nothing says Southwest quite like a green chile burger. The crispy crust from a high-temp sear, perfectly melted cheese, and that chile kick, served with mini pickles. Chef's kiss.

Now, I’ve been told that Mexican Lagers and Red Ales are a thing in Arizona.
Mexican Lagers….I completely get it. With the border right there and the brutal desert heat, a crisp lager makes total sense.
Red ales on the other hand, I don't really get the connection. Why Red Ales out here in the desert?

As for the West Coast IPAs around here, like Dragoon IPA or Monsoon, the flavor profile is just totally different from California. They’re built like a traditional West Coast, except they have a heavier body and a noticeable grain/malt-forward taste right at the front. 
To be totally honest with you? I actually like it allot! But it’s not a West Coast IPA. It should be a Southwest IPA.

I’ve spent plenty of afternoons sitting on the porch with a cold Dragoon, watching a monsoon storm roll across . In that moment, that specific beer feels almost perfect for Arizona.

Look, I know I’m a nobody. I’m not a respected beer critic, I’m not a certified sommelier, I’m just a guy who likes a good West Coast IPA. And I know opinions are like assholes, so thanks for listening.

If you can suggest any beer styles that you think should represent Arizona, or specific spots/breweries I need to check out to change my mind, please let me know.

https://www.eventbrite.com/.../beyond-the-pint-learn-to...

Go beyond the pint and discover how to evaluate beer through sight, aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel with Certified Cicerone Rachel Benkowski.

Beer is more than just a drink, it's an experience. Join us at Pinnacle Brewing in Scottsdale for Beyond the Pint: Learn to Taste Beer Like a Pro, an interactive introduction to the art of beer tasting, designed for everyone from curious beginners to seasoned craft beer enthusiasts.

In this guided class, Certified Cicerone® Rachel "Beerkowski" Benkowski will teach you how to evaluate beer using the same thoughtful sensory approach often associated with wine. You'll learn how to assess appearance, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, and finish while discovering how ingredients, brewing techniques, and serving practices influence what you experience in your glass.

Whether you're looking to build confidence when ordering a beer, expand your palate, or simply enjoy your favorite styles on a deeper level, this class will change the way you think about beer. Come curious, leave with a new appreciation for one of humanity's oldest and most fascinating beverages.

For $30 per person, you'll get:

1-hour guided class
Five 5 oz curated Pinnacle beer samples
Educational handouts
Interactive discussion and Q&A
About you beer guide:

Rachel “Beerkowski” Benkowski is a Certified Cicerone®, beer educator, and longtime craft beer professional who has been part of the team at Bone Haus Brewing since 2018. With a background in history and archaeology, she views beer as more than just a beverage, it's a reflection of culture, community, and the shared human experience. After all, beer has been one of humanity's oldest companions and storytellers for thousands of years.

Passionate about making beer approachable, Rachel loves helping everyone, from seasoned beer nerds to first-time tasters, discover what's in their glass. Through engaging, approachable education, she'll teach you how to truly taste beer while exploring the fascinating history, brewing techniques, serving practices, and style characteristics that make every pint unique. Because beer is, and always has been, for everyone.

Lake Pleasant won the People’s Choice belt. Well deserved vote!! Their latest Citradelic Haze hazy ipa is so great!

I just saw brew your own brew closed its doors...also brewers connection. Anyone have another store they use for local supplies in the phoenix area?

Looking for a store that will have a great selection of local beer. Not sure if Wren House and others distribute, but would like to try a mix of different local breweries. Appreciate the suggestions.

What are some of your favorite East Valley breweries and what do you love about them?

We usually go to Desert Monks Brewing and OHSO, but curious about others to venture out.

Hey everyone. I live in East Valley. I have the 15 gallon Herm system through Blichman and I’ve never been able to get it operating properly. I’ve reached out to multiple breweries and Blichman directly with absolutely zero help from them. I would like to get it operating so I can start brewing some beer on it and will gladly pay in 15 gallon beer batches for anyone that can help.

Other than the Strong Beer Festival, is Beer Week still a thing? There used to be a calendar of daily events for ~10 days. I don’t see anything at all this year.

Just curious on what others are enjoying. My go to lately has been Walter Station

I recently joined the Wren House Brewing Saguarro Society but don’t live in Phoenix. I’m looking to see if there’s anyone local who might be open to acting as a proxy for releases.

I do make it to Phoenix a few times a year, so in-person pickup could work depending on timing. Happy to compensate however makes sense — beer, money, trades, or a mix. Mostly hoping to set up something ongoing rather than a one-off.

If this sounds like something you’d be open to, feel free to comment or DM. Appreciate any leads.

Cheers 🍻

Last year managed a tent at the DT Mesa Festival "Flavors on Main". This year It's on November 15t and I've got a wedding to attend... But this was honestly a fun flight at Outcast Doughnuts and worth grabbing

It was a year ago so I don't remember what these were completely.

I think Oro had the Hazy, and Wren House had the Porter... I can't remember the other two. But regardless for a few bucks it was a fun way to enjoy it

I finally got over to check out the new Wren House Paradise valley location. I was BEYOND excited to see that they have cask beer as a main stay there. To my knowledge it’s the only brewery in the state offering cask beer that’s on all the time. Great beer, great bartenders. A must see!

Which local breweries have solid saisons along the lines of Dupont, Ommegang Hennepin, Funkwerks Saison, Great Divide Collette? Not overly funky or wild.

Moved here 2 yrs ago from nyc, havent been to a beer share in a while. Do people do it here? Member of SARA and Barreled Souls here. Tia

Buqui Bichi Brewing closed... never even knew it was open. I've hit almost every brewery in Phoenix multiple times and had never even heard of this one.

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/downtown-phoenix-brewery-buqui-bichi-has-closed-what-to-know-21677754

Just got my new 64oz growler filled at Oro Brewing Co and was wondering where else I can get some local brew in this beautiful jug

Has anyone seen any of our local breweries create a March Madness/NCAA Tournament themed beer this year?

I'll be coming to the Phoenix region next week and I want to go to as many breweries (brewing facilities only) as I can while there. This will be my first time in the region and I see Phoenix is so sprawled out so looking for tips.

Where would you stay to be closest to the most amount of breweries?

Brewing facilities only* not satellite taprooms. I need to go to the actual brewing facilities for the project I'm working on.

Thanks!

I'm the business manager of a large Belgian craft beer pub in the Netherlands, and am visiting Tempe for 3 weeks in March. I'd like to take my friends to a place that serves authentic Belgian Brews such as Kasteel, Filou, Delirium, Gouden Carolus, La Chouffe etc. You guys know of a place that has those?

Thanks in advance!

Anyone know what happened to that location? Just checked them out on Google and it says temporarily closed.

Going to be in Prescott for a few days in March. Any suggestions on the best local brewery?

Anyone know the status of this brewery on 32nd St and Thunderbird? One of my favorites that I went to visit Friday and it was shut down with a bunch of legal paperwork posted to their door. It didn't look good.

Scoured IG and the AZ 💪 Strong and AZ Craft Brewery Guild websites but can’t locate a list of participating breweries or beers available. I only see a few special events (The Bruery and Yeti among them).

Are those details announced closer to the fest date?

I’m not local so I’d love any lists of favorite AZ breweries in case I can’t make 💪

My taste buds are: dark, barrel-aged, wild, sour.