Places in AZ

When I was in AZ in 2010, I thought the Total Wine in Glendale was a great store to pick up a ton of singles to try beers I couldn't get in CA.

 

Papago Brewing is good place for beer to-go and a good draft list in Scottsdale. Where are you staying?

 

+1 to the Total Wine recommendation and they're one block away from a BevMo which is also good (Scottsdale & Shea)

Here's the BA guide for the area:
http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/city/29

For Scottsdale I'd hit up Four Peaks, Nimbus, Praying Monk & Brat Haus (2 min walk apart), OHSO.
For Phoenix I'd go to Sun Up & Angel's Trumpet.

Tempe has a growing cluster of places. I like:
Tempe - Flanny's, Taste of Tops, Boulders on Broadway, Four Peaks, Handlebar Grill, World of Beer, Mellow Mushroom.

 

You're a few minutes drive to that Shea & Scottsdale spot where there's both a Total Wine & Bevmo. Not many minutes from that to Nimbus' brewpub location on Scottsdale road for evening drinks/food. They also have a dozen or so guest taps.

 

Since you said you will have a car its worth telling you that you'll find a far better bottle selection at Sun Devil Liquors, Top Liquors, Papago brewing (in that order of quality selection, reverse order of distance from where you will be) than any Total Wine or Bevmo in the Valley. All three have a beer bar inside as well. If you are really willing to drive, Whole foods Chandler has a great selection and a beer bar also. But it is much further south (don't even think of going during rush hour or your trip to PHX will be a tour of the famous traffic)