Scottsdale already has several notable and growing breweries including Papago Brewing, the original Fate Brewing Company, and Four Peaks Grill & Tap, but if you love craft beer, you’re in luck. Four new sudsy drinking establishments have opened in the last year.
Goldwater Brewing Company
Open since the beginning of the year, Goldwater Brewing Company serves its own beers along with 18 rotating craft beers on tap from other Arizona breweries, including Fat, Huss, Historic, Dragoon, Barrio, Cartel, and others. You can also order two styles of wine and a cider, all from Arizona as well.
Goldwater Brewing Company evolved out of Greg McClelland’s passion for home brewing. Over the last 30 years, he and his sons, Chad and Dillion, have developed 67 recipes-and are working on more-that have become the foundation of the brewery. Sample the kolsch-style Desert Rose, What a Day IPA, and Rye’t On rye.
Scottsdale Beer Company
It didn’t take long for this brewpub to come out on top. Even though it opened just last fall, Scottsdale Beer Company has already been named the best brewery in Scottsdale by USA Today.
Try the Black, Scottish, or Double IPA if they’re on tap. Or, choose whatever flows from Brad’s Brewer Handle. Head brewer Brad Williams has free reign to brew one batch of whatever he wants, no questions asked, and it’s always exceptional.
But, beer isn’t the only reason to take a trip to Shea and the 101 freeway. The brewpub recently hired Chef Justin Olsen, who spent five years as James Beard Award-nominated chef Kevin Binkley’s right-hand man at his Valley restaurants. Olsen has added local produce and artisan products to a menu that features stick-to-the-ribs dishes like house-made Andouille sausage with grits and grilled meatloaf with mashed potatoes.
Two Brothers Brewing Company
Brothers Jim and Jason Ebel may be new to the Valley, but they bring with them nearly 20 years of brewing experience. The duo opened their first Two Brothers Brewing Company in the Chicago area in 1996 and installed their first bottling line two years later. They opened their first brewpub outside of Illinois in Scottsdale just in time for Super Bowl XLIX.
On tap, you’ll find eight year-round beers such as their flagship Domaine DuPage French Country Ale, eight seasonals, three artisans (watch for the Peppermint Bark Porter), and a new line of barrel-aged sours. The menu features pizzas, sandwiches, and pub fare as well as homemade soda.
Two Brothers is as passionate about coffee as it is about beer. In 2012, they began sourcing freshly-harvested beans and serving their own roasts.
Fate Brewing Company
You may be familiar already with Fate Brewing Company, an established brewery on the Scottsdale brewing scene since 2012, but they’ve opened a new location on Scottsdale and McDowell roads, just south of Papago Plaza in Scottsdale. Here, you’ll find the same quality beer and an expanded menu that features soups, salads, and sandwiches in addition to the small bites and pizzas available at the Fate North location.
Fate South has a few other nice touches, including a barrel room for special events and a dog-friendly beer garden.
At either location, sample the Oh My Gatos! golden ale, Bamberg hefeweizen, summer session IPA, or McFate’s Irish red. The beer is brewed in small batches and rotates regularly, so the beer list at Fate South won’t necessarily be the same as what’s offered at the original.
Scottsdale's brewing scene grows every month, so be sure to give us a call if you need recommendations on what's good in your neighborhood.
