A few years back, I decided to take a solo trip to Flagstaff, Arizona with a mission to have a beer at every local brewery in the area. Now, this was also in the winter so I figured the beer would keep me warm while I walked back to my hotel — uphill — but to my surprise, I was still shivering in my sneakers. Either way, it was a blast and I think I only made it to five of the breweries in one evening (from what I remember).
There’s even a digital passport you can download. Once you have all eight stamps, bring your completed passport to receive your commemorative souvenir pint glass to one of two Flagstaff Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Here’s your guide to local breweries in the beautiful town of Flagstaff.
This spot has been around since 1994 and pumps out brews like the Railhead Red, R&R Oatmeal Stout, and Red Rock Raspberry. I popped my head in for a beer and wished I had tried one of their wood-fired pizzas — next time I won’t make this mistake. I stood out like a sore thumb because everyone else was chowing down, napkins in their shirt collars and all.
With all of the intergalactic art and merchandise throughout the taproom, I was feeling a little dang spacey — I have a feeling it was the 10% ABV stout I drank, though, while watching “The Office” on TV. Dark Sky has produced hundreds of experimental recipes since its opening in 2014 and the wood-fired pizza is a must-try if you’re aiming to keep your energy up. Oh, and the patio is dog-friendly.
Wait, this isn’t beer?! It’s okay, though. The mead at the Drinking Horn is worth the visit. Evan and Kelly, the proprietors of Drinking Horn, aimed to establish an inclusive gathering place that embraces individuals from diverse backgrounds. Their vision was to transport customers to a bygone era, immersing them in the ambiance of a traditional Mead Hall, where they can savor the essence of traditional mead.
If you’re looking for a spot that has a great patio and feels like a good old-fashioned pub, Flagstaff Brewing is the spot for you. The cool people and those quite fond of the brewery simply call it “Flagbrew.” I pretended like I was a local when I was there and ended up shootin’ the breeze with the beertender. I couldn’t get enough courage to say the word “Flagbrew” but maybe next time I’ll be feeling sassy enough. The small-batch, hand-crafted beers have been around since 1994, so stop by for a little bit of beer history and a solid food menu.
Grand Canyon Brewing Company’s Flagstaff taproom is their second location, and it houses a five-barrel brewhouse — allowing the brewers to flex their creativity. As a bonus, the taproom has a full dang menu with scratch food that can be enjoyed indoors when it’s too cold outside or on the patio when the weather is spot on. Also, they have a few local guest taps and craft cocktails made with Grand Canyon Distillery spirits.
This is Historic Brewing’s second Flagstaff location, which includes plenty of brews, cocktails, and a pretty slick food menu if you’re tummy is grumbling. In the photo is a Vortex Salad — a combination of sweet potatoes, pickled onions, pico de gallo, and a jalapeño vinaigrette.
The 15-handle taproom (this is where all the magic/beer happens) may have limited hours, but this brewery’s must-see location in an industrial park is only outdone by the “crafted awesomeness” of each beer. Piehole Porter is the undisputed star as a cherry-vanilla porter that drinks like a liquid cherry cordial.
Positioned right next to Route 66 and the boomin’ train tracks, Lumberyard Brewing is a great spot to not only sip on a beer but to eat. The patio is pretty dang nice, too, but keep in mind that it’s not dog-friendly. Stop by to vibe with the Lumberyard community and experience the fusion of craft beer, tasty dishes, and a welcoming atmosphere that reflects the essence of Flagstaff’s scene.
Named for Historic Route 66, Mother Road is most famous for its award-winning Tower Station IPA — an India Pale Ale with aromas of tangerine and pineapple. You’ve likely seen it on tap or in a can at taprooms all around Arizona. The downtown brewery is an ideal spot to relax with a pint, talk to a stranger, pet a dog on the dog-friendly, and convince the beertender to give you more than one free Mother Road sticker.
Wanderlust is farther away from the other breweries located in or near downtown but it’s well worth the trek. The brewers specialize in Belgian- and German-inspired beers while including some modern twists on classic American styles. Flagships include the 928 Local — a wild-fermented Farmhouse Ale — and Pan American Stout which contains Mexican vanilla and locally roasted coffee. Get pumped! Also, bring your dog and stick around for live music, game night, and food trucks that tend to show up at the taproom.
