Downtown Tucson will soon have a new destination to enjoy locally brewed craft beer along the new Sun Link streetcar line. Pueblo Vida Brewing will hold its grand opening on Friday, August 29th (EDIT: Due to delays, this has been pushed back to an unspecified date), at 115 E Broadway Blvd, just east of 6th Ave in the former TUC and Capoeira Brasil spaces.
Pueblo Vida’s first of three phases begins with the brewery tap room, which features areas for seating and standing for fifty or more patrons. Initially, Pueblo Vida Brewing will keep the selection simple, offering its three flagship beers: a Northwest IPA, a Bavarian Hefeweizen, and a Breakfast Stout (which will feature an oat-based brew, aged on coffee). The stout will be served in special Pueblo Vida Brewing mugs made by Tucson-based dinnerware legend HF Coors. Eventually the eight available taps will feature two rotating seasonal brews, and in particular Jefferson plans to bring a larger variety of short-run specialty craft beers to Pueblo Vida, with inspiration from his internship as an assistant brewer at Lazy Boy Brewing in Seattle.
In addition, BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs will set up its third Tucson location in front of the brewery, serving up its world-famous Sonoran dogs and freshly grilled carne asada tacos during regular business hours.
Booze and the Old Pueblo are in co-owner Kyle Jefferson’s blood, as his great-grandmother Ruby Wren owned and built The Shelter in 1961. The popular 60s era dive was one of six bars she constructed and ran here as one of the first female architects in Arizona. Jefferson, a University of Arizona graduate, along with partner Linette Antillon, plan to keep the same, unique Tucson spirit alive with Pueblo Vida while combining the neighborhood feel of an Irish Pub with the rich culture and characters from Tucson’s past.
Though BK’s cart is expected in front of the building immediately, a shaded and Urban Beer Garden will extend the bar up to six feet from the door. When the former Capoeira Brasil space recently became available, the third and final phase was added, allowing room for semi-acoustic live music and a private room in the back for meetings.
For now, Pueblo Vida will be open 7 days a week, from 2-10pm on Monday through Wednesday; 2pm to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays; and Sunday from noon until 6pm, with to-go growlers available all week. Follow along with the brewery’s progress in advance of the grand opening on Twitter and Facebook.
