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10 Spots For Craft Brew On A Budget

10 Spots For Craft Brew On A Budget

Jul 16, 20155 min read

What’s a beer geek to do when you’ve got Utopia tastes and a PBR budget? Get crafty!

One great way to enjoy craft brew while out on the town is to peruse the package. More and more bars are opening up as bottle shop combinations, such as Tap & Bottle, Ermanos, and the new Arizona Beer House. There are untold treasures in these bottle shops at substantial values. Compare the bottle or can pricing along with any cappage fees against the draft menu. Sharing a bomber or 750ml bottle with a friend can be just as romantic as it is frugal.

In no particular order, these ten local spots offer up craft brews on draft and in bottles on the cheap.

1702

1702 E Speedway Blvd.
New beer options at 1702 (Photo: 1702)
New beer offerings at 1702 (Photo: 1702)

Long hailed as Tucson’s first and best craft beer bar, 1702, has 46 craft beers on tap and a bottle shop out back with numerous gems in addition to their extensive tap list. Happy hour, brewery tap takeovers and promotions provide even better specials from their already reasonably priced beer list. Added bonus, delicious pizza slices bigger than your head!

For more information, visit 1702az.com.

Danny’s Baboquivari Lounge

2910 E. Fort Lowell Rd.

Ask just about anyone and they will tell you that Danny’s is either their favorite or one of their favorite neighborhood bars. Danny’s draws an eclectic group of great regulars, always has some solid craft beer offerings from Arizona and beyond for cheap, has a substantial patio out back, pool tables, darts, foosball, air hockey, and shuffleboard. They don’t serve food unless you count the occasional potluck, but consistently have a food truck in the parking lot.

For more information, visit dannyslounge.net.

Arizona Beer House

150 S. Kolb Rd.
Arizona Beer House (Photo: Sarah Ritchie)
Arizona Beer House (Photo: Sarah Ritchie)

Arizona Beer House is Tucson’s newest addition to our hopping craft beer scene with 33 craft beers on tap and more in their bottle shop to enjoy there or take home. Their draft beer prices are already low, but grabbing a bottle or can to enjoy on site with a cappage fee is the serious bargain. A classy family run craft beer bar with dive bar pricing and knowledgeable staff, Arizona Beer House is a gem in east Tucson.

For more information, visit arizonabeerhouse.com.

Che’s Lounge

350 N. 4th Ave.

Che’s cheap local craft beers and drinks, artsy hip patio, live local bands and DJs, fun bartenders, and never a cover make this place a beloved institution of the 4th Ave scene. Che’s is open daily from noon to 2am.

For more information, visit cheslounge.com.

Monsoons Tap & Grill

6781 N. Thornydale Rd.
Monsoon's Tap & Grill (Photo: Monsoon's)
Monsoon’s Tap & Grill (Photo: Monsoon’s)

Monsoons is the favorite northwest Tucson sports bar for craft beer lovers. They offer eighteen local beers on tap and others in bottle, a large and affordable menu, fourteen televisions, patio dining, and a super friendly staff. Prices are always reasonable, but drink craft for cheap during happy hour.

For more information, visit monsoonstapandgrill.com.

BZ’s Pizza Company

8838 E. Broadway Blvd.
BZ's Pizza (Photo: Sarah Ritchie)
BZ’s Pizza (Photo: Sarah Ritchie)

BZ’s Pizza Company is a family restaurant and sports bar on Tucson’s east side with good food, warm staff, 21 mostly-craft beers on tap and many more in bottles and cans. BZ’s is passionate about supporting craft beer in Tucson and this is a local favorite for happy hour in east Tucson.

For more information, visit bzpizzaco.com.

Arizona Pizza Company (or AZP Tavern)

4955 N. Sabino Canyon Rd.
Arizona Pizza Company taps (Photo: Sarah Ritchie)
Arizona Pizza Company taps (Photo: Sarah Ritchie)

AZP Tavern manager, Justin Kent, knows craft beer and curates a most beautiful tap list of highly sought after brews, then serves them at ridiculously low prices. AZP Tavern is converting the masses to world class craft beers one insanely cheap pint at a time, with pizza! AZP has 19 beers on tap with special discounts on beers, pizza, and cocktails every day.

For more information, visit azpizzacompany.com.

Saguaro Corners

3750 S. Old Spanish Tr.
Saguaro Corners (Photo: Saguaro Corners)
Saguaro Corners (Photo: Saguaro Corners)

Saguaro Corners has been serving up comfort food and breathtaking views just outside Saguaro National Park East since 1956. They recently expanded their craft beer selection to twenty-two beers on tap. Happy hour specials make it affordable to enjoy quality craft brews on the cheap, plus they are offering happy hour prices all day on Mondays and Tuesdays through the end of the month.

For more information, visit saguarocorners.net.

Zona 78

78 W. River Rd. • 7301 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
Zona 78 Salumi
Zona 78 Salumi (Photo: Alicynn Fink)

Zona 78’s happy hour specials are where it’s at. Zona 78 offers happy hour specials of $3 craft brews from 3 to 6pm, Mondays though Saturdays, half priced gourmet appetizers, and the feel good factor from their emphasis on supporting local with their food, beer, wine, and spirits.

For more information, visit zona78.com.

Fox & Hound

7625 N. La Cholla Blvd.
Fox & Hound crowd (Photo: Fox & Hound)
Fox & Hound crowd (Photo: Fox & Hound)

Fox and Hound in northwest Tucson offers up Craft Beer Night every Tuesday with $3 draft beers. Combine this with their happy hour food specials of half priced appetizers available Mondays through Fridays from 3 to 6pm and 10pm to close daily. Fox and Hound is HUGE. This giant sports bar boasts four separate rooms, 44 high def televisions, 10 projectors, and 9 tournament style billiard tables.

For more information, visit foxandhound.com.

Article written by:

Sarah Ritchie

Sarah Ritchie

More about Sarah
Craft Beer Betty, aka Sarah Ritchie, is a craft beer evangelist as co-founder of Tucson Girls Pint Out and board member of Craft Tucson. Find her on Twitter and Instagram as @craftbeerbetty.

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@Sonoranrestaurantweek is almost here! September 4–13!🌵

This year, Flying V at @loewsventana is featuring a special K4 Ranch Prime Beef Tasting for $55.🥩

Dry-Aged Beef Tartare
Koji-Honey Vinaigrette, Fermented Tomato, Shallot, Pistachio, Fry Bread I *+18 add Flying V Special Reserve Caviar I *Casa Madero - Chardonnay — Valle de Parras, Mexico 

Tournedos of Filet Mignon
Desert Pearl Oyster Mushrooms, Del Bac Demi Glace, Our Beef Garum, Chives I Family Style: Hayden Mills Polenta, Farmer’s Market Featured Vegetables I *Merkin — Chupacabra Red - (Grenache, Mourvédre, Syrah, Petite Sirah) - Willcox, Arizona 

Caramel Butter Cake
Exo Coffee-Toffee Sauce, Bread Syrup, Preserved Jujube Chutney, Bone Marrow Ice Cream I *Flying Leap — Sangiovese – Elgin, Arizona 

See menus and build your itinerary on Tucsonfoodie/srw👈
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonevents@Sonoranrestaurantweek is almost here! September 4–13!🌵 This year, Flying V at @loewsventana is featuring a special K4 Ranch Prime Beef Tasting for $55.🥩 Dry-Aged Beef Tartare Koji-Honey Vinaigrette, Fermented Tomato, Shallot, Pistachio, Fry Bread I *+18 add Flying V Special Reserve Caviar I *Casa Madero - Chardonnay — Valle de Parras, Mexico Tournedos of Filet Mignon Desert Pearl Oyster Mushrooms, Del Bac Demi Glace, Our Beef Garum, Chives I Family Style: Hayden Mills Polenta, Farmer’s Market Featured Vegetables I *Merkin — Chupacabra Red - (Grenache, Mourvédre, Syrah, Petite Sirah) - Willcox, Arizona Caramel Butter Cake Exo Coffee-Toffee Sauce, Bread Syrup, Preserved Jujube Chutney, Bone Marrow Ice Cream I *Flying Leap — Sangiovese – Elgin, Arizona See menus and build your itinerary on Tucsonfoodie/srw👈 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonevents
TOMORROW! An evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky.🌵✨

In partnership with @salus.healers, join us tomorrow, August 29, at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a one-night celebration of the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and discover chef and wellness stations along the way. 

🌿WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more: @awakenedwombs | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound 

🔥FOOD: @el_chef_padilla (@copperashculinary) | @landofmilknhoney (@tohonochulgardenbistro) | @chefdevonsanner (@sandpcreative) | Chef Gracie Soto (@anita_st_market) | @chefjosetucson (@ameliastucson) | @kenneth.foy | Obie Hindman & @tuckerhartford (@tucsoncityofgastronomy & @solpuebloprovisions) | @archimagirus_cultro (@scratchingtheplate)

🥣 SOUNDS @tucsonmodernjazzquartet | DJ Sets by Rosa Dragona & LaDev

Ticket includes wellness stations, herb walks, workshops, sound healing, & botanical drinks.

Tap the link in bio to grab yours! 🎟️✨ 

Video by @dalton.voss 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsoneventTOMORROW! An evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky.🌵✨ In partnership with @salus.healers, join us tomorrow, August 29, at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a one-night celebration of the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and discover chef and wellness stations along the way. 🌿WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more: @awakenedwombs | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound 🔥FOOD: @el_chef_padilla (@copperashculinary) | @landofmilknhoney (@tohonochulgardenbistro) | @chefdevonsanner (@sandpcreative) | Chef Gracie Soto (@anita_st_market) | @chefjosetucson (@ameliastucson) | @kenneth.foy | Obie Hindman & @tuckerhartford (@tucsoncityofgastronomy & @solpuebloprovisions) | @archimagirus_cultro (@scratchingtheplate) 🥣 SOUNDS @tucsonmodernjazzquartet | DJ Sets by Rosa Dragona & LaDev Ticket includes wellness stations, herb walks, workshops, sound healing, & botanical drinks. Tap the link in bio to grab yours! 🎟️✨ Video by @dalton.voss #tucsonfoodie #tucsonevent
SPECIAL DINNERS DURING SONORAN RESTAURANT WEEK🌵

@Sonoranrestaurantweek is ONE WEEK AWAY! In addition to prix-fixe menus around Tucson, @sonoranrestaurantweek features a lineup of special dinners and one very special brunch. Here’s the schedule:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 • 6 PM
Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine Special Dinner
📍 @incasperuviancuisine 
 
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 • 6 PM
Penca Special Dinner
📍 @pencarestaurante 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 11 AM–2 PM
Sonoran Restaurant Week Brunch Takeover
📍 Flying V @loewsventana 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 6:30 PM
Whole Hog BBQ Dinner
📍 @bashfulbanditbbq 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 • 6 PM
Sunshine Wine Special Dinner
📍 @sunshine_wine_tucson with @queenofcupswines 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 • 6 PM
BOCA by Chef Maria Mazon Special Dinner
📍 @bocatucson 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 • 6 PM
Bacio Italiano Special Dinner with @vertigo.wines 
📍 @bacio.italianoaz 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 • 6 PM
Cielos Special Dinner
📍 @cielostucson 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 • 6 PM 
Nana’s Kitchen Special Dinner with @rombauervineyards 
📍 @nanas_kitchen_2008 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 • 6 PM
Wild Garlic Grill Special Dinner
📍 @wildgarlicgrillofficial 

Several events have limited seating and require tickets or reservations, so plan ahead!

Sonoran Restaurant Week runs September 4–13. Tap the link in our bio for menus, tickets, reservations, and more.❤️

#SRW2026 #sonoranrestaurantweek
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodieeventsSPECIAL DINNERS DURING SONORAN RESTAURANT WEEK🌵 @Sonoranrestaurantweek is ONE WEEK AWAY! In addition to prix-fixe menus around Tucson, @sonoranrestaurantweek features a lineup of special dinners and one very special brunch. Here’s the schedule: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 • 6 PM Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine Special Dinner 📍 @incasperuviancuisine SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 • 6 PM Penca Special Dinner 📍 @pencarestaurante SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 11 AM–2 PM Sonoran Restaurant Week Brunch Takeover 📍 Flying V @loewsventana SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 6:30 PM Whole Hog BBQ Dinner 📍 @bashfulbanditbbq TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 • 6 PM Sunshine Wine Special Dinner 📍 @sunshine_wine_tucson with @queenofcupswines WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 • 6 PM BOCA by Chef Maria Mazon Special Dinner 📍 @bocatucson THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 • 6 PM Bacio Italiano Special Dinner with @vertigo.wines 📍 @bacio.italianoaz FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 • 6 PM Cielos Special Dinner 📍 @cielostucson SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 • 6 PM Nana’s Kitchen Special Dinner with @rombauervineyards 📍 @nanas_kitchen_2008 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 • 6 PM Wild Garlic Grill Special Dinner 📍 @wildgarlicgrillofficial Several events have limited seating and require tickets or reservations, so plan ahead! Sonoran Restaurant Week runs September 4–13. Tap the link in our bio for menus, tickets, reservations, and more.❤️ #SRW2026 #sonoranrestaurantweek #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodieevents
Win 2 tickets to Oktober Foodie Fest! 🍺🥨🌭

Oktober Foodie Fest returns to @corbettstucson on Saturday, September 26th. It’s Oktoberfest, but with a Tucson Foodie flavor all its own!

🎶 Live Music 🍺 Craft Beer Garden 🏋️ Classic Contests 🥨 Authentic German Eats ✚ MORE! 

Here’s how to enter:
1️⃣ Follow @tucsonfoodie & @corbettstucson
2️⃣ Tag 1 friend (Your best brat-buddy🌭) and comment “Let’s go to OktoberFoodieFest!”
3️⃣ We’ll draw our winner for the two passes Friday 8/28 at 9:45AM, just before tickets go on sale at 10:00 AM!

Tickets on sale Friday 8/28 @ 10AM PT
Tickets & more info ➡️ oktoberfoodiefest.eventbrite.com

⚠️ Note for Foodie Insider Members: Check your email for your 50% event discount code!Win 2 tickets to Oktober Foodie Fest! 🍺🥨🌭 Oktober Foodie Fest returns to @corbettstucson on Saturday, September 26th. It’s Oktoberfest, but with a Tucson Foodie flavor all its own! 🎶 Live Music 🍺 Craft Beer Garden 🏋️ Classic Contests 🥨 Authentic German Eats ✚ MORE! Here’s how to enter: 1️⃣ Follow @tucsonfoodie & @corbettstucson 2️⃣ Tag 1 friend (Your best brat-buddy🌭) and comment “Let’s go to OktoberFoodieFest!” 3️⃣ We’ll draw our winner for the two passes Friday 8/28 at 9:45AM, just before tickets go on sale at 10:00 AM! Tickets on sale Friday 8/28 @ 10AM PT Tickets & more info ➡️ oktoberfoodiefest.eventbrite.com ⚠️ Note for Foodie Insider Members: Check your email for your 50% event discount code!