I currently live in Indiana, I'll be in Glendale, AZ this week for a conference. What growlers and bottles do I need to pick up before I leave? I'll have a rental car and have no preferences in beer styles. I'm only interested in bringing back the best Glendale/Phoenix has to offer back to the Midwest.
I don't live near Glendale, but in the Phoenix area still. I'm actually from Indiana originally as well! The Phoenix metro area is absolutely enormous by land area, so I haven't been to all of the breweries in 'town'. The ones I have been to and can recommend will probably be at least 30-45 minutes from Glendale. With that said, your best option may be a good bottle shop. Total Wine is always a safe bet for mixed sixers or otherwise, and there are several of them in the area. I'd also suggest a good bar as well so you can drink a few before you commit to taking them home. Papago brewing in South Scottsdale has a great guest taplist, and is right next door to McFate, one of the better breweries in town. As for breweries, like I said, McFate is good, AZ Wilderness is highly regarded, Huss is great. To be honest, you can't go wrong with SanTan or Four Peaks either, even though Four Peaks sold out recently. Beer Research Institute has great, strong beers and great food. Outside of the Phoenix area, we have Mother Road in Flagstaff and Dragoon in Tucson. Don't miss either of their IPAs, if that's your thing. In addition, keep an eye out for anything you can't get back home, even if it isn't from AZ. Marble from NM is great, Mike Hess in San Diego is awesome, and I don't think you get Ska from CO, just to name a few. You should find all of that easily at Total Wine. The weather is finally cooling down this week, so you're in for a treat! p.s. Bring some 3 Floyds this way while you're at it!
@eaw2539 Thanks for the lengthy reply. Total wine is a good suggestion and since I brought some growlers I was looking at Kings Convenience and Flowers Craft Beer & Wine. As far as breweries I was looking at Mother Bunch, Phonenix Ale, Sun Up and Wren House. Let me know if you like any of those. Cheers!
Out of those, I've only been to Mother Bunch. The food is really good, the beer is good, but not great. I've never been to Phoenix Ale brewery, but their Camelback IPA is pretty good. I can't comment on the growler fill places, other than to suggest a few additional places. Other than breweries, you might try Whole Foods, BevMo or Total Wine. If you make it to Tempe, Tops is a great place for growler fills or bottles/cans. Even gas stations often fill growlers here. If you're heading all the way to Phoenix Ale, though, I'd consider some of my recommendations as well. You won't be too far from them once you get to that point. Maybe 5 miles down McDowell and you'll be at Papago and Fate. A little North of that and you'll be in Old Town Scottsdale. Definitely worth a day trip if you have the time. In that area you have Two Brothers, Goldwater, OHSO, plus lots of bars and restaurants with decent beer selections. As far as restaurants, Yard House is always a good spot for decent food and a huge taplist. Mellow Mushroom has a great taplist and happy hour everyday from 3-6, plus reverse 10-2. Pizza is decent too.
There are a ton of strong breweries over on the west side, albeit, several that I have yet to try. If you're going to SunUp (good choice) and Wren House (good choice) then you MUST hit up Helton and Helio Basin. But frankly you can get everything you want out in the west valley.
Based on times I was free and travel time from my hotel I made it to Sun Up, Mother Bunch (Wednesday Night Bar Trivia!) and Wren House. All were excellent choices and I ended walking away from each place with a growler or crowler (or two) to bring back to the midwest. Thanks to @eaw2539 and @USCMcG for suggestions and thanks to 101.1 The Beat for some amazing old school hip hop driving tunes to listen during my drives into the city.
Sorry I am late to the conversation. I would have recommended you go by and see my buddy Ian at Ground Control in Goodyear. If you make it back this way definitely stop in. Also glad you made it to Wren House. My son worked for them for awhile before heading off to college. Great people turning out some quality brews. Also pick up cans of Huss beer. Their coffee Kolsch is amazing. Message me if you ever head back, there are tons of good beer and places for you to try, and a lot of it is canned so you can pack it back. Cheers!
