Hey everyone....I'm coming down to Phoenix/Scottsdale area next month for a few days and would like to visit some beer bars/breweries/bottle shops while I am there. Where do you reccommend going? Also, do any releases typically fall in mid-October? I'd like to get some beer that I can't get in Michigan to ship home. Thanks!!
Phoenix/Scottsdale is a pretty big area so it all depends on where you will be. Breweries worth visiting: Four Peaks Tempe, Sun Up Phoenix, San Tan and BJ's Chandler, Fate Brewing in Scottsdale and AZ Wilderness in Gilbert. Papago Brewing is a hybrid Brewery/Craft Beer Bar/Bottle shop/Restaurant that should be on the top of your list. Craft Beer Bars/Bottle Shops Taste of Tops Tempe is one great spot as well as their sister store SunDevil in Mesa and I will throw Huss Brewing in Tempe there also as a bar since they don't have any of their own beer yet but they have a pretty solid tasting room with 20 taps open. Whole Foods in North Scottsdale has a solid bar also as well as the store in Chandler. There should be plenty of local favorite Four Peaks Pumpkin Porter out when you are here.
Thanks for the info! I will mostly be between the 202 and the 101 off Scottsdale Road, but I will have a car to travel around. I appreciate all the info and will def check out those places you listed. Thanks again.
Bigbelcher pretty much covered the must visit places, but I might add the Phoenix Ale Brewery since Sonoran is brewing there too (if you want something unique to take home pick up the Sonoran White Chocolate Ale). Unfortunately we don't have a huge selection of amazing breweries like the Mitten has, but you'll find some good stuff. What I wouldn't do for a Founders KBS right about now.
I will be around the Sheraton Phoenix downtown later this month. Any recommendations for craft beer bars and/or bottle shops in this area or a quick cab ride? Any bottles specific to the area/time of year that I should be seeking out?
You're within walking distance of Angel's Trumpet Ale House, which is a pretty swell place with 31 taps and decent food....that's your best bet downtown. Sun Up Brewing is just a few light rail stops north of you. The light rail will also take you into Tempe; from the downtown Tempe stop, you can walk a few blocks to Top's Liquor, which is a good bottle shop, and has a sweet bar attached to it called Taste of Tops that always has some great draft selections (oh, and I just realized Taste of Tops was referenced above, so there you go).
I lived in Southern AZ from 03-06, and AJs Fine Foods (in Tucson) was my go-to shop. I know they have a few location in the PHX Metro, I would check them out. http://www.ajsfinefoods.com/
You have a pretty good list from everyone so far. As for special releases. Since you mentioned special releases. San Tans Count Hopula should be showing up pretty soon. Sept-Oct is the usual release date. Supposed to be in cans this year for easy shipping.
