Kellie Hwang

The Republic | azcentral.com

Not too long ago, there were barely 30 breweries in Arizona. Now, there are more than 100, and that number is consistently climbing. In metro Phoenix, nearly every city has its own neighborhood brewery, each offering something unique. These are the standouts.

THE LEADERS

Four Peaks Brewing Company

Four Peaks launched in 1996 and the brand has become synonymous with Arizona, winning numerous awards at national beer festivals. In addition to its original location on Eighth Street in Tempe, it has a brewpub in north Scottsdale; a pub at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; and a large brewing facility and tasting room on Wilson Street in Tempe. In late 2015, Anheuser-Busch InBev purchased Four Peaks, allowing major upgrades to facilities and expansion of the brand. Flagship beers include Kilt Lifter, Peach Ale, Hop Knot and Eighth Street Ale.

Details: 1340 E. Eighth St., Tempe. 480-303-9967, fourpeaks.com.

SanTan Brewing Company

Owned by Anthony Canecchia, SanTan opened in 2007 in downtown Chandler and is one of the fastest-growing breweries in the state. SanTan began distributing throughout Arizona in 2009; it expanded into California and other parts of the Southwest in 2014. The brewery also started canning beers early on, touting the many benefits of the can and even launching a popular canned beer festival. Signature beers include the Devil's Ale, Epicenter Amber and Mr. Pineapple.

Details: 8 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler. 480-917-8700, santanbrewing.com.

THE UP-AND-COMERS

Huss Brewing Company

Owned by husband-and-wife team Jeff and Leah Huss, this Tempe-based brewery features four mainstays: Copper State IPA, Scottsdale Blonde Ale, Magic in the Ivy pale ale and The Husstler milk stout. The Husstler won a bronze medal in the sweet stout or cream stout category at 2015's Great American Beer Festival. In 2016, Huss acquired Papago Brewing Co. in Scottsdale; now the popular Papago Orange Blossom beer is under the Huss umbrella of beers. In April, Huss opened at taproom at Uptown Plaza in central Phoenix.

Details: 1520 W. Mineral Road, Suite 102, Tempe. 480-264-7611, hussbrewing.com.

Phoenix Ale Brewery

Greg Fretz and George Hancock took a different route, launching in 2011 Phoenix Ale with a large brewing facility instead of a brew pub. Sadly, both men died since then, but current owner Nicholas Hancock has kept their dream alive. The original facility features a tasting room and kitchen now, and in 2016, a brew pub opened in central Phoenix. Signature beers include the Camelback IPA, Watermelon Ale and Biltmore Blonde.

Details: 3002 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-275-5049, phoenixale.com.



THE CREATIVES

8-Bit Aleworks

This West Valley brewery is inspired by gaming culture, from its name and pixelated logo to the video game artwork on the walls and the arcade consoles for customers to play. Also owned by a husband-and-wife team, Ryan and Krystina Whitten, their brewery is known for its experimental small batches of beer. Video game-influenced names include Hopsassin's Creed IPA, Legend of Zymur double IPA, Extra Life Amber and Princess Peach IPA.

Details: 1050 Fairway Drive, Building F, Suite 101, Avondale. 623-925-1650, 8-bitaleworks.com.

Wren House Brewing Company

Set in a 1922 house near 24th and Oak streets in Phoenix, this brewery has become a favorite neighborhood spot. The small-batch beer list includes the Jomax Oatmeal Stout, crafted from Ethiopian coffee beans roasted at locally owned Press Coffee; Dankworth, a double IPA dry hopped exclusively with Galaxy hops; and the Olmen, an imperial stout made with cacao nibs, dried chiles and vanilla beans.

Details: 2125 N 24th St., Phoenix. 602-244-9184, wrenhousebrewing.com.

THE COOL KIDS

Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company

This Gilbert brewery made national headlines before it was even open. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, the brewery opened in October 2013. In early 2014, it was named best new brewery in the world by ratebeer.com, a consumer beer-review website. The brewery experiments with many styles. It currently has nearly 20 of its own beers on tap, including the Desert Lavendar Saison, Juniper Mesa Arizona Dark Ale and Watermelon Gose.

Details: 721 N. Arizona Ave., Gilbert. 480-497-2739, azwbeer.com.

The Shop Beer Company

Formerly known as Cartel Brewery, this Tempe brewery is the brainchild of David Arnce, a former partner with Cartel Coffee. The nearly 10,000-square-foot space features a tasting room with wood accents and a geometric-patterned bar. The patio pops with a bright mural on the cinderblock wall, strings of lights and rotating food trucks. Even its logo is cool: a circle with two slashes, found on the glassware, crowlers to go, in a checkered pattern on shirts and coasters. Beers include the Coffee Nut Brown, Desert Agave Pale Ale, Bingo Bango Bongo Juicy IPA and The Nines Red Ale.

Details: 922 W. First St., Tempe. 480-747-7316, theshop.beer.

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azcentral.com Food & Wine Experience

When: Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 4-5.

Where: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Loop 101 and Indian Bend Road on the Salt River Reservation, near Scottsdale.

Grand Tasting: Unlimited sampling of chef creations, access to chef demonstrations, seminars and panels, tastings of fine wines, craft beers, distinctive spirits.1-4 p.m. Nov. 4-5, $85 either day.

VIP Grand Tasting: One-hour early access to food and beverages, with no lines. Preferred parking, access to VIP Lounge, private tastings from wineries and distillers, VIP facilities. Noon-4 p.m. Nov. 4-5, $120 either day.

Meet Martha: Signed copy of Martha Stewart’s newest cookbook, exclusive wine samples, swag bag, all the perks of the VIP Grand Tasting. Nov. 4. $325 advance.

The Cellar: A $20 addition to the Grand Tasting or VIP Grand Tasting ticket. Admission includes an educational wine seminar with tastings included. Starts at 2:15 either day.

Tickets: foodandwine.azcentral.com. Subscribers can receive $15 off through azcentral.com/insider.