Breweries in Flagstaff:
Where to grab a pint downtown
There are many reasons to take a drive up I-17 to the northern Arizona mountain town of Flagstaff. In the summer, cooler air beckons overheated Phoenicians. In the spring, wildflowers fill alpine meadows for especially beautiful hikes. In the fall, golden leaves create an idyllic autumn backdrop and in the winter, Arizonans flock to play in the snow. ● Regardless of the season, Flagstaff ’s local craft beer scene is a reason in and of itself to make the trip, and most breweries can be found on the picturesque streets of historic downtown Flagstaff.
Although the small town ranks at number 16 on the list of Arizona’s largest cities by population, it is the state’s number four producer of beer. This is largely thanks to Mother Road Brewing Co., a Flagstaff brewery that is number three statewide for the amount of beer produced. The city gets another boost from Lumberyard Brewing Co., which claims the eighth spot for most productive breweries statewide.
Mother Road and Lumberyard are well worth a stop on your visit to Flagstaff but don’t skip over some of the smaller spots, like Historic Brewing Co., which churns out seasonal pie-flavored porters and Dark Sky Brewing Co., which happens to sling some of the best pizza in the state.
Here’s your guide to the best places to drink craft beer in downtown Flagstaff.
Mother Road Brewing Co.
Just off the main blocks of downtown Flagstaff, you’ll find Mother Road Brewing Co. in a large white and black building that was once an industrial laundry facility.
Inside, it has a historic, industrial-chic feel and outside, a large back patio provides plenty of seating to enjoy the weather. Mother Road is very dog friendly and the seating area is often occupied by dogs of all varieties.
The brewery serves its staple beers, like Tower Station and Daily Driver IPAs, but this location of the brewery is also where brewers get
creative with new recipes.
Pro move: Try a small-batch brew from the rotating seasonal menu and grab a bite from the Roadside Stove food trailer parked outside.
Details: 7 S. Mikes Pike, Flagstaff. 928-7749139, motherroadbeer.com.
Beaver Street Brewery
The vibe of this homey brewery falls somewhere between a diner and a dive bar, in the best way possible.
After a long hike, many stop into this fun, family-friendly spot for chicken pot pie, a meatloaf sandwich or one of the signature wood
fired pizzas. Checkered tiles line the floor and next door, those over 21 can play pool at green felt tables in the back. At night, a festive atmosphere takes hold as college students gather for study breaks.
But the real reason to visit is the beer. Year-round staples include the popular Red Rock Raspberry and Conductor IPA. If you’re looking for something different, take a peek at the seasonal menu to see what’s new. This brewery shares ownership with Lumberyard Brewing, so don’t be surprised to find some familiar brews on the beer list.
Pro move: On the patio, large umbrellas offer welcome shade, but be prepared, the space fills quickly on spring and summer days. Grab a seat, a pizza and a new brew from the seasonal menu.
Details: 11 S. Beaver Street, Flagstaff. 928-779-0079, beaverstreetbrewery.com.
Historic Brewing Barrel and Bottle House
The Historic Brewing Barrel + Bottle House is not the flashiest taproom in Flagstaff, but it is well worth seeking out.
Located at the back of a parking lot behind Ewa’s Thai Cuisine, exposed beams and brick walls complete the rustic vibe inside and outside a small patio that welcomes customers and their dogs.
This little taproom serves big flavor in a small space. The cherry and vanilla flavored Piehole Porter is a winning option, along with the thirst-quenching Salt River Lager. Keep an eye out for seasonal varieties including a Pumpkin Piehole Porter in the fall.
The food menu offers classic pub fare, like burgers and chicken tenders, along with a few specialties, including fried Brussels sprouts and loaded fries with pulled pork and beer cheese, but the beer is the real focus of this spot.
Pro move: Focus on tasting smallbatch seasonal options ranging from IPAs to sours and spiced ales.
Details: 110 S. San Francisco Street, Flagstaff. 928-774-0454, historicbarrelandbottle.com.
Lumberyard Brewing Co.
Lumberyard Brewing Co., as the name suggests, is located inside a historic wood warehouse next to Flagstaff
’s Amtrak train station. Trains frequently stop traffic surrounding the brewery, so build in a few extra minutes if you’re planning to meet someone there.
This brewery doubles as a full restaurant, serving hearty burgers, chicken wings and five different varieties of mac and cheese, which also happens to make it a popular choice for families. For a taste of the mac in a more shareable format, try the fried mac and cheese balls.
Settle inside or out front on the large patio for a solid meal with your brew. Choose from classics including Flagstaff IPA, Humphrey’s Hefe and Railhead Red. A couple of specialty brews and seasonal offerings rotate throughout the year.
Pro move: It’s important to note, this patio is not dog friendly, so leave the pups at home for this one.
Details: 5 S. San Francisco Street, Flagstaff. 928-779-2739, lumberyardbrewingcompany.com.
Cross over the tracks from Lumberyard to find Flagstaff Brewing Company.
Plywood walls and bar panels give this spot a decidedly casual feel, and it’s become a favorite among hungry students and snowboarders just off the hill as it has more of a bar vibe, but still serves food.
Grab a buffalo chicken sandwich, a garlicky “Stank” burger or snack on some poutine and pretend Humphrey’s Peak is actually in the snowy Canadian mountains.
Staple brews are sure to remind you that you’re indeed in Flagstaff, with local favorites like Sasquatch Stout, Agassiz Amber and Blackbird Porter.
Pro move: If you’ve spent the day carving it up on the mountain, this is the perfect place to celebrate getting those good turns by raising a glass with other local snow fans.
Details: 16 E. Route 66, Flagstaff. 928-773-1442, flagbrew.com.
Dark Sky Brewery
On the west side of downtown Flagstaff, the aroma at Dark Sky Brewery lures people in as they walk past. As the
door opens and closes, wafts of the cooking pizza dough are hard to resist.
Yellow light bulbs fill the space with cozy warmth, perfect for sharing a slice with friends. The brewery serves killer beers along with some of the best pizza in the city. Pizzicletta, a restaurant whose original location is connected to the Mother Road building, serves its
menu out of Dark Sky.
The beer menu here is constantly rotating so don’t be sad if what you tried last time is no longer available. Get ready to sip on something brand new. You’ll often find lagers, stouts and ales on the menu.
For those with pups in tow, a small side patio offers shaded seating areas
for both humans and dogs.
Pro move: Snack on a Bees Knees pizza, made with sausage, sage and local honey while sampling the brewery’s latest creations, like their milkshake IPA.
Details: 117 N. Beaver Street, Flagstaff. 928-440-5151, www.darkskybrewing.com.