Need Help in AZ

Sorry you weren't impressed with Papago.

BA guide for Phoenix:
http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/city/29
Quite a few Total Wine locations around the Valley. Where are you staying exactly?

Beer bars - I prefer Tempe & Chandler places - Boulders on Broadway, Whole Foods Chandler (yes they have a real bar, 31 taps), Flanny's, etc. If it must be Phoenix to Scottsdale then Delux Burger, OHSO (their imported taps), Whole Foods N.Scottsdale (on Mayo), Yardhouse locations, Nimbus Brewpub (has a lot of guest taps too).

If you let us know where you're staying I bet there are a few options near you.

 

my father-in-law lives close to Tucson, and he's always raving about that Thunder Canyon Brewery, but honestly I don't know much about it, also, I think Tucson may be further away from Phx/Scottsdale, maybe close to an hour/hour and a half. here's their phone number if you're interested (520) 797-2652 and they're at 7401 N La Cholla Blvd in Tucson if that helps. sorry, good luck.

 

You could try asking this in the Southwest Forum. Just saying your post will probably be moved there..

 

Spotted Donkey in SDale, very good food and I think they have HopShock which is a world class IPA...

 

Old Town is better if you're a wine drinker.

Nearest place to Old Town would be Yardhouse inside the big mall, or OHSO which is located at 4900 Indian School.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/27354

You're abou 5mins or so to Nimbus on Scottsdale road. It's tucked behind the street facing stores, somewhat in the back.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28824/?view=beerfly

About 10 mins up Scottsdale is a Total Wine AND a BevMo at Shea, SW corner. One is a few hundred yards south of the other.

 

Whole foods in Chandler has the nice taplist. Believe me, coming from Michigan to Phoenix twice a year I feel the same. Check out Taste of Tops ( bottle shop and tap room). Skip the Hungry Monk and Yardhouse.

 

Whole Foods Chandler has 31 taps. The one on Scottsdale road at the 101 has... 30 taps I think, maybe 25. The former has better quality offerings though.

Hungry Monk is just a few mins drive from WF Chandler, and it's a sports bar with good selection. I don't like sports bars. Flanny's is less than 10 mins from those two as well.

Arguably our best local brewery is Four Peaks. Their Scottsdale location is 5 min drive by highway from the Whole Foods at Scottsdale & the 101.

 

Yep. If you see bottles in the coolers you want to drink, just take them to the bar and they will open and pour it for you. I have been to most places and the taplist at Whole foods tends to offer the most for someone looking for better beer.

 

I was at Papago last weekend and was able to get some bottled product that I've not seen elsewhere (not that it didn't come to town, it just might've been held back from public availability).
The GF/Founders Linchpin was quite tasty. No complaints about their wall selection, plus they don't store their beer at room temp...
On draft, I enjoyed a Bacchus, GD 18th Anniv, and a cask SunUp DIPA. All marvelous.

Hungry Monk, and their drafts are $3 tonight. Even at non-wednesday pricing, they're not bad--got my 12oz Parabola last week for $5.50. And their pints generally are 16oz of liquid.

If I was going to Tucson, 1702 would be the place.

 

+1 for what 3frog said.

 

My wife and I just returned from a long weekend in the Valley. Easy top 3 in our book: Papago, Four Peaks, Whole Foods Chandler, next teir: Tops and Yucca Tap Room. Either way was excited to get back home to Ft. Collins but the city has come a long way craft brew wise, but so has every where else! (shipped a huge box of Ballast and Alesmith back home)

 

I'm moving back to Phoenix in December. This thread has been really helpful (thanks OP and to contributors). Although, I have to admit I was hoping for gushing reviews about all the new and amazing craft beer bars/bottle shops opening up around the valley. Sounds like there's some opportunity here for the budding entrepreneurs out there.

 

The imported crafts from around the country have gotten much better. When you're standing in a Total Wine and seeing the options (and low prices) it's a beautiful thing. It's the best part of living here, beer wise - that we get so many great beers from elsewhere. And if you're a thrifty bastard like me, you'll love the coupons. Total Wine just mailed me another $1/off sixpack (limit 4). I walked out paying $7.50/sixpack Stone IPA, and $12.50 sixpacks Ruination.