Last modified on August 13th, 2018 at 11:54 am
What started as only a handful of breweries around town has blossomed into over 20. Many of these have opened within the last few years. It has gotten to the point where being on any side of town means having at least one brewery nearby. If you haven’t yet caught on to the craft beer craze — or just haven’t checked out all of what Tucson has to offer — here’s a guide to all the local Tucson breweries and where to find them:
A specialist in gose, 1912 is also one of the few breweries to offer wine and mead (from guest vineyards). Above all else, however, 1912 is quickly becoming a hub for families and kids.
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More info at 1912brewing.com
You might not immediately recognize The Address, but this brewery’s home base of operations is a Tucson institution: 1702. The Address operates as the in-house brewery label for 1702, which means its the best place to try any of their new brews on-tap. Primarily known for their IPAs, The Address has been churning out a multitude of different styles of beer, including a Dark Rhubarb Saison and an Imperial Double Porter. Although they are without a dedicated tap room as of this writing, we can easily look past that technicality given it’s providing yet another reason to check out 1702. Delicious pizza and refreshing beer? Yes please.
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More info at 1702az.com
Barrio Brewing Company lineup of Hola Hefeweizen, Nolan’s Porter, Barrio Rojo, and Raspberry Ale (Credit: Adam Lehrman)
Depending on the season, Barrio may have from 10 to 12 of their own in-house brews on tap at any given time, and they run the gamut in styles. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from their Barrio Blonde to their Mocha Java Stout. You can also enjoy a limited selection of Barrio’s brews at their other taproom, Gentle Ben’s Brewing on University Boulevard, and their Rojo Scottish Ale is available in can form around town (and even outside of Tucson). Ideally though, you’ll want to visit their main location and sit outside, which provides an optimum view of a Tucson sunset or a train rolling by on the nearby tracks. They serve a wide variety of food as well. Enjoying a beer and burger while sitting on the porch watching the train go by is not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
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More info at barriobrewing.com
BlackRock’s current four core beers are the Admiration IPA, Vanilla Infused Porter, Lil Naranja Pale Ale, and Summer Dream Cream Ale. Prices range from $5 – 8.
The balanced beers match their styles with no over-aggressive characteristics, while maintaining no shortage of flavor.
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For more information, visit blackrockbrewers.com.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Well, when in the Southwest, you’ll want a Southwest-style of beer and that’s exactly what Borderlands provides. Their brew recipes are directly inspired by the community and are therefore ideal to be enjoyed in Tucson’s desert climate. Most native Tucsonans have likely already sipped on one of Borderlands’ Prickly Pear Wheat beers while trying to escape the 100º heat our summers bring. But for those that — heaven forbid — have never been to Borderlands, there’s a lot to discover, including a stable of five-or-so non-rotating taps as well as specialty releases. Their taproom has also had a recent addition to its wide-open courtyard: a Bocce Ball court. Just be careful if you plan to drink and bocce.
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More info at borderlandsbrewing.com.
Part of Marana’s growing craft beer scene, Button opened in September 2017. Their flagship Chiltepin Red Ale packs a spicy kick with Tucson’s signature pepper.
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More info at buttonbrewhouse.com.
Credit: Catalina Brewing
Just as Dragoon Brewing is not located in the Dragoons, Catalina Brewing is not located in Catalina. It’s close, though, kind of. Situated near Ina and the I-10, Catalina Brewing features a unique lineup of beer, including a Mesquite Agave Ale and a Mesquite Smoked Pecan Dopplebock, among others.
Other standout brews include:
More info at catalinabrewingco.com
Copper Mine features ten taps and food trucks such as House of Brats to pair with their brews. Their Irish Red was voted Best Flagship Beer at Born & Brewed Beer Battle 2017.
Recommended:
Keep up with Copper Mine Brewing Company on Facebook.
The 18,000-square-foot brewery opened in December 2017. A pizzeria is also in the works.
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Keep up with Copper Mine Brewing Company on Facebook.
Gaming night with banh mi from Nhu Lan Vietnamese Food Truck at Crooked Tooth Brewing Co. (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Crooked Tooth set up shop in an old auto repair shop and features a super-sweet buildout. The handcrafted furniture and lights create a unique environment along with the spacious patio perfect for cool nights.
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Keep up with Crooked Tooth on Facebook.
The hidden brewery features bolder beers such as the Serrano Deduction, occasionally featured in a michelada. Their barrel-aged events are definitely worth the trip.
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For more information visit dillingerbrewing.com.
Dragoon Brewing Co. manager and co-founder Tristan White updating the beer list (Credit: Jackie Tran)
If your beer drinking motto tends to be, “the hoppier, the better,” then Dragoon is where you want to be. Their flagship beer–and one of two that is on-tap year-round — is their Dragoon IPA, and while that’s certainly enough to keep a pale ale enthusiast content, it’s only one of many. Dragoon features a number of seasonal and specialty brews (seriously, check out the list on their website) that will hit the hoppy-heart of any craft beer drinker. Their taproom is also consistently visited by a number of rotating local food trucks, so there’s no better way to enjoy your new favorite beer while also discovering your new favorite food truck as well.
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More info at dragoonbrewing.com
Green Feet’s brewers have been brewing away steadily since opening mid-2016. Even though their beers are smooth, a hefty amount of them are over 6% ABV, so be careful.
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More info on the Green Feet Brewing Facebook page
Having opened in February 2018, Harbottle is the new kid on the block. While the IPA is solid, the giant tub of Utz cheese balls also makes it easy to come back.
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More info at harbottlebrewing.com.
It takes an air of confidence to make such a proclamation as “Damn Good Beer,” but the brews from Iron John’s certainly live up to their moniker. Operating as a small-batch nanobrewery, Iron John’s rotates their beers out on a weekly basis, so it’s best to stock up and buy a bottle or two (or three) when visiting their cozy tasting room. Every Saturday is a brand-new tasting event featuring that week’s creations. Considering some of the latest offerings have included the Dad’s Slice Pumpkin Pie Ale and the I Don’t Give a Damn Bourbon Stout, it’s bound to be a palette-bending experience even for seasoned beer veterans. They’ve recently added a dart board to their tasting room as well, inviting those that come in to stick around for a while and enjoy some damn good beer.
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More info at ironjohnsbrewing.com
This mysterious nanobrewery doesn’t even have a phone number listed on their website, but you can find their bottles at Tap & Bottle once in a blue moon. Bottles are a local collector’s item.
For more information, visit caskaleprivatereserve.com.
Public Brewhouse opened its doors in August 2015 at the former home of Whiskey Del Bac’s Hamilton Distillers. Locating their tasting room can be a bit tricky for first-timers — it’s tucked away behind Ermanos Craft Beer & Wine Bar down on Fourth Avenue — but finding Public Brewhouse is like uncovering a secret meeting place for fellow craft beer aficionados. Experimental brews line the menu board, utilizing such ingredients as hibiscus, Meyer lemons, and elderberries to craft a variety of constantly-rotating beers (and even house-made sodas). When a batch of beer is gone, it’s on to the next idea, though Public Brewhouse does tend to keep at least one of each style of beer on tap during each brewing session, so coming back again and again is not only suggested, but a must.
Recommended:
Visit Public Brewhouse on Facebook
Though Pueblo Vida is beloved for their award-winning Northwest IPA or their delectable Bavarian Hefeweizen, one main draw of becoming a regular is their weekly infusions. These beers are where Pueblo Vida runs wild, imparting all sorts of flavor combinations into their already tasty offerings. Love their traditional Milk Stout? You’ll love it even more when Pueblo Vida infuses chocolate and coconut flavors into the batch. Early birds will want to take note of Pueblo Vida’s Pints & Poses, a yoga class offered at the tasting room each Sunday at 10:30am. It’s only $5 and includes a pint of beer afterward.
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More info at pueblovidabrewing.com
Sentinel Peak prides itself on being Tucson’s midtown beerpub. Their renovated taproom has expanded to include both indoor and outdoor seating — perfect to catch a Tucson sunset while sipping on a refreshing brew. Sentinel Peak typically keeps at least nine of their own beers on tap, retaining four “flagship” beers on a constant basis to satisfy those looking for a traditional IPA, Dunkel, Blonde, or Amber selection. These beers are perfect to pair with their selection of menu items ranging from small bites (make sure to try the Bavarian Soft Pretzel Sticks with their Dew Point Dunkel) to soups and sandwiches. Sentinel Peak even has a Kid’s Menu so no one in the family is left out.
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More info at sentinelpeakbrewing.com
Another small-batch brewery, Ten Fifty-Five keeps six of their own beers on tap at all times with a specialty release that rotates out every month. All different styles of beer are represented on their menu board, from stout drinkers to those that prefer something light and crisp. Located on the south side of Tucson, the brewery prides itself on the community in which it resides.
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More info at 1055brewing.com
Thunder Canyon has been serving Tucson its craft beer since 1997. Now focusing on only a downtown location, they’ve expanded to distilling and stepped up their culinary game as well with a full-scratch menu.
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More info at thundercanyonbrewstillery.com.
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