What started as only a handful of breweries around town has blossomed into nearly 20. Many of these have opened within the last few years. It has reached the point where you'll have at least one brewery nearby no matter which side of town you end up in.
If you haven’t yet caught on to the craft beer craze — or just haven’t checked out all 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.
Read our March 2016 article on 1912 Brewing Company.
For more information, visit 1912brewing.com.
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 Barrio 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.
For more information, visit barriobrewing.com.
BlackRock's current four core beers are the Admiration IPA, Vanilla Infused Porter, Lil Naranja Session IPA, and Summer Dream Cream Ale.
The balanced beers match their styles with no over-aggressive characteristics while maintaining no shortage of flavor.
Read our June 2019 article on BlackRock Brewers.
For more information, follow BlackRock Brewers on Facebook.
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' 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 non-rotating taps as well as specialty releases.
Read our June 2019 article Presenting the female brewers of Southern Arizona slaying in the name of beer.
For more information, visit borderlandsbrewing.com.
Part of Marana's growing craft beer scene, Button opened in 2017. Their flagship Chiltepin Red Ale packs a spicy kick with Tucson's signature pepper.
Read our July 2019 article on Button Brew House.
For more information, visit buttonbrewhouse.com.
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 I-10, Catalina Brewing features a unique lineup of beer that's worth the trip.
For more information, visit catalinabrewingco.com.
Copper Mine features nine taps and rotating food trucks offering eats to pair with their brews. Their Irish Red was voted Best Flagship Beer at Born & Brewed Beer Battle 2017.
For more information, visit copperminebrewing.com.
Crooked Tooth set up shop in an old auto repair shop and features a super-sweet build-out. The handcrafted furniture and lights create a unique environment along with the spacious patio perfect for cool nights.
Keep up with Crooked Tooth on Facebook.
The brewery features bolder beers such as the Serrano Deduction, occasionally featured in a michelada. The taproom on Oracle features a Nintendo 64 for Mario Kart battles, and the spot down on Fourth Avenue has views that are easy to get lost in.
For more information, visit dillingerbrewing.com.
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.
Read our March 2018 article on Dragoon Brewing Company.
For more information, visit dragoonbrewing.com.
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.
For more information, visit 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. Next up for the brewery is a collaboration with Monkey Burger, which is transforming into a taproom/pizza joint/burger spot.
Read our August 2017 article Behind the Barrel: Iron John’s Brewing Company “Golden Gueuze”.
For more information, visit ironjohnsbrewing.com.
MotoSonora Brewing Company was opened by Tucson brothers Jeff and Jeremy DeConcini, cousin Eric Thu, and craft brewing veteran and former college roommate Tomme Arthur, who all share a passion for beer and motorsports.
If you're hungry, Substance Diner is currently setting up shop in the front parking lot.
For more information, visit motosonora.com.
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.
Read our October 2017 article Pueblo Vida Brewing Company Cans Have Become a Hot Commodity.
For more information, visit pueblovidabrewing.com.
About 10 minutes west from the Biosphere 2 in Oracle, find the nearest craft brewery in a retirement community. Once you reach the gate at SaddleBrooke Ranch, just let them know you're headed to the brewery.
But don't swing by after 8 p.m.; while Ranch House Grill & Brewery is open to the public, the neighborhood is an early crowd.
IPA fans will appreciate their dry-hopped flagship IPA, while both beer snobs and newcomers can dig the Wild Strawberry Rhubarb Berliner Weisse.
For more information, visit saddlebrookeranchhoa.org.
FireTruck Brewing prides itself on being Tucson's midtown beer pub.
Their taproom includes both indoor and outdoor seating — perfect to catch a Tucson sunset while sipping on a refreshing brew.
FireTruck 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.
For more information, visit firetruckbrewing.com.
Ten55 rebranded and moved downtown into a historic space that now serves as a beer hall with gourmet sausages. They also dabble with obscure beer styles, such as the dampfbier.
For more information, visit 1055brewing.com.
Thunder Canyon has been serving Tucson its craft beer since 1997. Now focusing on only a downtown location, they're regularly hosting live music and good times.
Keep up with Thunder Canyon Brewery on Facebook.
[This article was originally written on December 18, 2015, and most recently updated on April 7, 2022]
