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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.

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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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José Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57.

The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org.

Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉

Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

#tucsonaz #tucsonnewsJosé Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57. The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org. Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉 Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonaz #tucsonnewsItalian Week starts today, and we’re sharing this sweet video of @Spaghettioftucson doing what she did best: bringing smiles to everyone around her.

Our hearts are with her family today. We’ll love you and miss you forever, Spaghetti.❤️‍🩹🐶Italian Week starts today, and we’re sharing this sweet video of @Spaghettioftucson doing what she did best: bringing smiles to everyone around her. Our hearts are with her family today. We’ll love you and miss you forever, Spaghetti.❤️‍🩹🐶Italian Week starts today and runs through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝

Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August.

🎉 Week 5 Winners
• Libby: $50 North Italia gift card
• Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets
• arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes
• Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card
• Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards

Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply.

🏆 This Week’s Prizes
• $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card
• $100 Visa gift card
• $75 @carusositalian gift card
• $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card
• $50 @miramontetucson gift card
• $50 @localetucson gift card
• @desertmuseum passes 

More details in bio!Italian Week starts today and runs through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝 Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August. 🎉 Week 5 Winners • Libby: $50 North Italia gift card • Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets • arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes • Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card • Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply. 🏆 This Week’s Prizes • $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card • $100 Visa gift card • $75 @carusositalian gift card • $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card • $50 @miramontetucson gift card • $50 @localetucson gift card • @desertmuseum passes More details in bio!The Mercado District is one of Tucson’s best places to eat, drink, shop, and stroll, all in one stop.🐶❤️

Home to Mercado San Agustín, the MSA Annex, The Monier, and the upcoming Bautista development, there’s always something new to explore. Grab a bite, browse local shops, enjoy the open-air courtyards (they’re dog-friendly!), or hop on the free Sun Link streetcar, which stops right at the Mercado. 

MERCADO SAN AGUSTÍN:
@agustinkitchen 
@seiskitchen 
@prestacoffee 
@laestrella_tucson 
@dolcepastellocakes 
@zumitosjuicebar 
@santacruzriverfm 

MSA ANNEX:
@decibelcoffeeworks 
@kukai___ 
@bosburger__ 
@hidden_hearth 
@rolliestucson 
@westbound_tapandbottle 

THE MONIER:
@wholeslvcepizza 
@81barbersofficial 

Share your favorite stops with us!
More details on Tucsonfoodie.com 

#tucson #tucsonfoodieThe Mercado District is one of Tucson’s best places to eat, drink, shop, and stroll, all in one stop.🐶❤️ Home to Mercado San Agustín, the MSA Annex, The Monier, and the upcoming Bautista development, there’s always something new to explore. Grab a bite, browse local shops, enjoy the open-air courtyards (they’re dog-friendly!), or hop on the free Sun Link streetcar, which stops right at the Mercado. MERCADO SAN AGUSTÍN: @agustinkitchen @seiskitchen @prestacoffee @laestrella_tucson @dolcepastellocakes @zumitosjuicebar @santacruzriverfm MSA ANNEX: @decibelcoffeeworks @kukai___ @bosburger__ @hidden_hearth @rolliestucson @westbound_tapandbottle THE MONIER: @wholeslvcepizza @81barbersofficial Share your favorite stops with us! More details on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucson #tucsonfoodieTwo days at @Hiltonelcon felt like the ultimate staycation. Between the pools, hot spring and cold plunge, water slide, yoga, live music, complimentary bike rentals, and their nostalgic “Summer Rewind” experience, there was always something to do. We never left the resort. 

The highlight at their on-site restaurant, Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails, was the Pollo Con Rajas - perfectly cooked chicken over a rich creamed poblano, onion, and corn mestizaje. And if you’re at their Sundance Café for breakfast, get the pozole. It’s made from a family recipe that became such a guest favorite it earned a permanent spot on the menu. 

Although El Conquistador licenses the Hilton brand, it’s owned and operated by a local company. The culinary team sources much of its meat and produce from Arizona. 

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or just looking for an incredible dinner with Catalina Mountain views, this spot is worth adding to your list. 🌵🌞 

#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieTwo days at @Hiltonelcon felt like the ultimate staycation. Between the pools, hot spring and cold plunge, water slide, yoga, live music, complimentary bike rentals, and their nostalgic “Summer Rewind” experience, there was always something to do. We never left the resort. The highlight at their on-site restaurant, Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails, was the Pollo Con Rajas - perfectly cooked chicken over a rich creamed poblano, onion, and corn mestizaje. And if you’re at their Sundance Café for breakfast, get the pozole. It’s made from a family recipe that became such a guest favorite it earned a permanent spot on the menu. Although El Conquistador licenses the Hilton brand, it’s owned and operated by a local company. The culinary team sources much of its meat and produce from Arizona. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or just looking for an incredible dinner with Catalina Mountain views, this spot is worth adding to your list. 🌵🌞 #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieHow many receipts have you sent in for NEW-TO-ME week?💛

From July 6 through July 12, upload your receipt from ANY local business at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and earn entries toward the 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer grand prize drawing at the end of August. 🔗 in bio. 

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. 

WEEK 6 WINNERS
Here are the winners from Happy Hour Week:
* Libby wins a $50 gift card to North Italia
* Keely wins a ticket to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival
* arts_primacy_2c wins a four-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
* donita3000 wins a $20 gift card to Ghini’s French Caffe
* Nancy wins a $100 Visa gift card
* Gabriella wins a $100 Visa gift card 

PRIZES
This week’s prize pool includes:
* Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge tickets
* $100 Visa gift card
* @eljefecatcafe pass
* $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe 
* @desertmuseum passes

Presenting sponsor: @visittucson
Presented by: @bbb_so_az • @510southtucson • @azwinecollectiveHow many receipts have you sent in for NEW-TO-ME week?💛 From July 6 through July 12, upload your receipt from ANY local business at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and earn entries toward the 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer grand prize drawing at the end of August. 🔗 in bio. ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. WEEK 6 WINNERS Here are the winners from Happy Hour Week: * Libby wins a $50 gift card to North Italia * Keely wins a ticket to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival * arts_primacy_2c wins a four-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum * donita3000 wins a $20 gift card to Ghini’s French Caffe * Nancy wins a $100 Visa gift card * Gabriella wins a $100 Visa gift card PRIZES This week’s prize pool includes: * Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge tickets * $100 Visa gift card * @eljefecatcafe pass * $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe * @desertmuseum passes Presenting sponsor: @visittucson Presented by: @bbb_so_az • @510southtucson • @azwinecollective

Tag us @TUCSONFOODIE in your food adventures!