Marana beer drinkers will have a convenient stop for their jug crawl once Growler’s TapHouse tentatively opens mid-May.
The taphouse at 8275 N. Silverbell Rd. will feature 30 craft beers on draft, six draft wines, and a full bar in addition to serving food.
Growlers, vessels that hold draft beer, will be showcased at the tap house. General manager Dustin McMillan, 29, loves growlers and plans to offer competitive pricing to purchase the 64-ounce growlers as well as fill them.
Seating capacity at the tap house will be 140 outside and inside. Live music is planned once or twice a week, and 15 televisions will air all of the major sports.
Around 10 to 15 appetizers and finger foods will be on the menu. An industrial smoker will allow for a variety of meats, including ribs and pulled pork, and they plan to smoke their own cheeses for meat and cheese boards.
The family-friendly business is owned by Lee Fabrizio and his wife, Dawn, and will employ about a dozen people. McMillan is Dawn’s son and has been instrumental in choosing the draft and bottled beers.
“Lee is really into cooking and always wanted to start his own restaurant,” said McMillan of his stepfather. He noted that his mom has managed several restaurants over the years.
Fabrizio’s dream paired well with McMillan’s desire to start a brewery.
McMillan said the theme of Growler’s will be the pre-Prohibition and Prohibition era. McMillan plans to serve beers from local breweries, but he also hopes to highlight various states’ creations on the “constantly changing” taps.
“I want to bring something new to people, so it’s never boring,” said McMillan, adding that he hopes to experiment with infusing craft beer in cocktails.
McMillan, a former EMT and firefighter for Bullhead City, said the idea for Growler’s started about two years ago. The three wrote a business plan, secured funding and found a building.
“It was very hectic, long process,” said McMillan, who hails from Kingman.
The last task – finding a location – proved the most challenging.
Oro Valley didn’t offer many affordable options. After looking for a site in the town for about six months with no luck, they moved over to Marana. They fell in love with a vacant building at 8275 N. Silverbell Road, which had been built less than 10 years ago.
Construction has been ongoing at the 3,000-square-foot building, which offers about 1,200 square feet for outdoor dining. Walls are being put up, a fireplace is being built, and a water wall will grace the outside area. Copper is a big part of the design because of the state’s history with the metal.
Much of the furniture is being built by McMillan and Fabrizio. They used 1-inch gas pipe to build the stools, and they created many of the picture frames for the black-and-white Prohibition-era photos. They even constructed penny floors in the bathrooms.
“We’re trying to put our own twist on things,” said McMillan, noting that everything from the employees’ outfits to the decor will play into that era. “We’re giving it that feel – comfortable and inviting but still playing into the theme of that era.”
In mid-May, McMillan plans to ease into operations and do a soft opening for the first week or two.
The family wants to be involved in the community, including holding events that involve families. In the future, McMillan said the taphouse plans to put on events in the expansive parking lots.
“This is a place you can take your family in during the day and take a date at night,” he said. “It’s upscale and classy yet affordable.”
McMillan has plans to offer merchandise for sale and perhaps introduce a frequent growler program. Live entertainment from local talent will be featured once to twice a week.
For now, hours will be from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Hours will be adjusted to accommodate sporting events.
Growler’s TapHouse is located at 8275 N. Silverbell Rd. Keep up with Growler’s TapHouse on Facebook.
Article written by:
