Nothing cuts through the existential dread of a 115-degree day quite like a perfectly crafted cold one. Consider this your guide to finding the right pint for the right time, from sprawling backyard parties to quiet, air-conditioned sanctuaries.
Let’s get to it.
O.H.S.O. Brewery | The Suburban Backyard Party
Located in the heart of Downtown Gilbert, O.H.S.O. isn’t just a brewery; it’s a social ecosystem. This is the place you go when your group text includes someone with kids, someone with a dog, someone who only drinks cocktails, and someone who wants to watch the game.
The main attraction is “The Park,” a sprawling outdoor space complete with lawn games, a dedicated (and enclosed) dog park, live music, and a TV screen the size of a small sedan. The vibe is perpetually lively, a bustling hub of organized chaos that’s perfect for people-watching but maybe not for discussing the nuances of your quarterly earnings report.
They’re open seven days a week, with brunch on weekends and a kitchen that slings an impressive array of elevated pub grub—think a PB&J Burger, Green Chile Pork, and even a “Bark Bites” menu for your four-legged friend. With over 40 beers on tap and their own distilled spirits, they’ve engineered a foolproof solution to the age-old question, “Where should we go?”.
Prices are pretty standard for a spot this popular, but be warned: finding parking in Downtown Gilbert on a Saturday can be its own competitive sport.
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. | The Beer Nerd’s Pilgrimage
Arizona Wilderness isn’t just Gilbert’s first craft brewery; it’s a statement. Shortly after opening, they were famously named the “world’s best new brewery” by RateBeer.com, and they’ve been effortlessly living up to the hype ever since.
Tucked away off Arizona Avenue, this place is a love letter to the state, built on a philosophy of using locally sourced and foraged ingredients to create beers that are as unique and untamed as the desert itself. The outdoorsy theme, with its lodgepole furniture and national forest signage, is no gimmick; it’s the core of their identity.
The beer is inventive and consistently excellent, ranging from complex sours and boundary-pushing IPAs to rich, barrel-aged stouts that make you forget it’s a thousand degrees outside. Just as famous is the food, especially their iconic Arizona grass-fed beef burgers and duck fat fries, which are worth the trip alone.
The sprawling, shaded patio is a godsend, but be prepared for a crowd—this is a genuine “mecca for beer geeks,” and it’s almost always buzzing.
12 West Brewing | The Artisan Collective
Finding 12 West’s Gilbert location feels like you’re in on a secret. It’s nestled inside Barnone, a beautifully repurposed Quonset hut that serves as a “craftsmen community” in the idyllic Agritopia neighborhood. This isn’t your typical standalone brewery; it’s part of a curated collection of a dozen local makers, including a woodworker, a winemaker, and some of the best food in the area.
The vibe is sophisticated but relaxed, encouraging you to grab one of their excellent beers—like the crisp Zona Pilsner or the hazy Cirrus Haze—and then wander.
For a long time, the move was to order a wood-fired pizza from the adjacent Fire & Brimstone and have it delivered to your table at the brewery. While that’s still a pro move, 12 West now boasts its own impressive food menu, with everything from birria tacos and shrimp and grits to a killer fried chicken sandwich.
It’s a place that proves the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts, offering a full afternoon experience of eating, drinking, and browsing that feels a world away from a typical strip mall taproom.
Desert Monks Brewing Co. | The True Hidden Gem
In a world of massive, high-production brewpubs, Desert Monks is a refreshing throwback to the soul of the craft beer movement. Tucked away in the Gilbert Town Square shopping center, this is a genuine neighborhood spot built on a simple premise: brewing beer, community, and memories.
It’s a passion project run by a diverse team that includes a military veteran, a realtor, and several Intel employees, and that collaborative, unpretentious spirit shines through. The taproom is a cozy, family-friendly refuge where you’re encouraged to grab a board game and settle in for a while. They don’t have a kitchen, which is part of the charm; instead, they host a rotating cast of excellent food trucks and maintain a staunchly pro-outside-food policy.
The beer list is surprisingly vast and ambitious for a small operation, with over 70 different styles brewed each year, including gluten-reduced options and house-made craft sodas for the non-drinkers. This is the spot you go to escape the scene, have a real conversation, and enjoy a pint from people who just genuinely love to make good beer.
SanTan Brewing Company | The East Valley’s OG
Before Downtown Chandler was the bustling hub it is today, there was SanTan. Founded in 2007 in a historic downtown bank building, SanTan is the original gangster of the East Valley beer scene and now Arizona’s largest brewery.
They were the first in the state to can their own beer, paving the way for the craft beer aisle you now see at every grocery store. The downtown brewpub remains a cornerstone of the community, with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that gets energetic and lively on weekends.
The beer is famously consistent and approachable, led by flagships like the hop-forward Devil’s Ale and the juicy MoonJuice IPA, which you can find on tap pretty much everywhere for a reason. They’re also known for a killer seasonal program—their winter ales, sometimes served with cookies, are a local holiday tradition.
With a full menu of Southwestern-inspired pub food, a large patio, and the credibility that only comes with age, SanTan is the reliable, can’t-miss choice that never disappoints.
The Perch Brewery | The One with All the Birds
If you want to take an out-of-town guest somewhere they will never, ever forget, you take them to The Perch. Located in Downtown Chandler, this place is so much more than a brewery; it’s a weird and wonderful experience.
The main draw, and you can’t miss them, is the collection of more than 50 colorful, exotic rescue birds that live in enclosures throughout the brewery’s lush, sprawling courtyard patio. It’s an enchanting, tropical-feeling oasis that is as entertaining for kids as it is for a date night, especially if you snag a spot on their scenic rooftop bar, which often features live music.
The beer is brewed in-house and the list is extensive, covering everything from hazy IPAs and fruited sours to rich porters and easy-drinking blondes. And this isn’t a place where the gimmick overshadows the quality; they have a full scratch kitchen serving an elevated pub menu that stands on its own. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind spot that has wisely created an experience no one else can replicate.
Pedal Haus Brewery | The Award-Winning Patio King
Pedal Haus has absolutely mastered the art of patio drinking. With multiple locations, including a fantastic spot in Downtown Chandler and a massive one on Tempe’s Mill Avenue, they have become synonymous with enjoying well-made beer in the Arizona sun.
They specialize in “True To Style” beers, with a particular knack for German-style lagers and ales that are clean, crisp, and ridiculously drinkable. Their Day Drinker Light Lager is a local legend and a multi-award winner, and for good reason—it’s the perfect beer for a long afternoon of watching the game on one of their many TVs.
Their patios are huge, dog-friendly, and always buzzing with a fun, social energy. The food menu leans into the European beer garden theme with elevated, Bavarian-style pub fare like bratwurst corn dogs and schnitzel sandwiches that pair perfectly with their brews.
It’s no surprise they’ve been named Brewery of the Year; they deliver on quality, atmosphere, and the simple promise of a great day out.
Four Peaks Brewing Company | The Haunted Arizona Legend
Visiting the original Four Peaks on 8th Street in Tempe is a rite of passage for any Arizonan. Housed in a 130-year-old former former creamery and ice factory, the building itself is a landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and even rumored to be haunted (a claim explored by the show Ghost Adventures).
This is the brewery that put Arizona on the craft beer map, and its flagship Kilt Lifter Scottish Ale is arguably the state’s most iconic craft brew. The vibe is classic American brewpub—bustling, friendly, and steeped in history.
While yes, they were acquired by the big-wigs at Anheuser-Busch a few years back, the quality of their core beers like Hop Knot IPA and the beloved seasonal Pumpkin Porter remains undeniable. The eclectic, award-winning food has always been a key part of the experience, making it a perfect spot for a full meal, not just a pint.
It’s a living piece of Arizona history that just happens to serve fantastic beer.
Oro Brewing Company | The Under-the-Radar Champion
Downtown Mesa is quietly becoming a serious craft beer destination, and Oro Brewing is its champion. Operating out of a charming 1920s adobe building, this is Mesa’s longest-running brewery and a place for people who care more about quality than hype.
Oro is an under-the-radar gem that consistently sweeps awards, including the prestigious Brewery of the Year from the Arizona Craft Brewer’s Guild in 2022 and the most gold medals in the Guild’s history.
The atmosphere is comfortable, welcoming, and completely unpretentious—a dog- and family-friendly taproom where the focus is squarely on the liquid in the glass. They excel at traditional, small-batch ales and lagers, with their Café Oro Coffee Blonde winning gold at the Great American Beer Festival.
They don’t have a full kitchen, but they often have food specials, because here, the beer is the star. A visit to Oro feels like you’ve discovered the best-kept secret in the East Valley.
Cider Corps | The Ultimate Anti-Brewery
For the gluten-averse or those simply seeking a different kind of buzz, Cider Corps in Downtown Mesa is an absolute must-visit. This is not your average brewery, and its story is as compelling as its product.
It was founded by two brothers, one of whom is a Marine Corps veteran who took up cidermaking as a therapeutic hobby after sustaining traumatic brain injuries while deployed. That powerful, authentic mission to honor veterans has helped them become Arizona’s largest cidery and one of the best in the entire country.
The taproom is modern and cool, with 15 taps pouring an inventive array of ciders like the tropical P.O.G., Mango Foxtrot, and a classic American Apple Pie. They often host Myke’s Pizza inside, creating the perfect food-and-drink pairing in a lively space that features trivia nights and a great patio.
This is a place you can feel good about supporting, and the world-class cider makes it easy.
Other exceptional East Valley Breweries:
For when you’ve already hit the A-list or just need more choices, here are some other solid spots that won’t let you down.
