Arizona has over 150 craft breweries, and this tour hits the best of the Tempe-Phoenix scene. Visit Four Peaks Brewing (Arizona's largest craft brewery, owned by Anheuser-Busch), SanTan Brewing, and local microbreweries for pint tastings and brewery tours.
Arizona's craft beer industry has grown rapidly since the early 2000s, with the state now hosting more than 150 licensed breweries, and the Arizona Craft Beer Tour concentrates the best of the Tempe-Phoenix corridor into a focused three-hour sampling experience operated in partnership with Arizona Craft Beer Tours. The tour visits three to four breweries across Tempe and central Phoenix, beginning with Four Peaks Brewing — the Tempe institution established in 1996 in a 1921 icehouse building that has become one of Arizona's most recognizable brewing facilities — before continuing to SanTan Brewing and independent microbreweries showcasing the valley's diverse brewing culture. At Four Peaks, participants receive a brewery-led walkthrough of the production facility followed by a guided tasting flight covering flagship beers including Kilt Lifter Scottish-style ale, Raj IPA, and seasonal releases. Arizona hop farming and local grain sourcing is woven into the educational narrative, including information about higher-elevation Arizona hop farms operating in areas around Prescott. SanTan Brewing, headquartered in Chandler and celebrated for Southwestern ingredient integrations — prickly pear, jalapeño, and saguaro blossoms appear in seasonal lines — provides a contrast in scale and approach. Independent microbrewery visits shift the tour toward smaller-batch experimental brewing: sour beers, barrel-aged stouts, and hop-forward IPAs crafted in quantities of five to thirty barrels per batch. Food pairing at each stop connects classic beer-and-food principles with Arizonan and Southwestern ingredients. The $60 ticket covers five to six beer tastings and food pairing components at each venue. Groups are capped at fourteen participants and the tour operates in English. All participants must be 21 or older; valid government-issued photo ID is required at every brewery entrance.
What is included
- 5-6 beer tastings, brewery tour, food pairing
Good to know
- Operator
- Four Peaks Brewing / Arizona Craft Beer Tours
Highlights
- Four Peaks Brewing taproom
- SanTan Brewing tours
- Beer garden dining
- Arizona hop and grain sourcing education
Tips for visiting
- Pace consumption across all stops — five to six pours across three hours on a warm Arizona evening adds up; the guide can advise on sensible sampling strategies.
- Eat a substantive meal at least 90 minutes before the tour; food pairings are moderate in size and are not a meal substitute.
- Valid government-issued photo ID proving age 21 or older is required at every brewery entrance without exception.
- Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes — Four Peaks' historic icehouse floors have uneven surfaces in the production area.
- Designate a driver or plan for rideshare pickup at the final venue; Tempe and central Phoenix have active rideshare coverage throughout the evening.
Frequently asked questions
Are all participants required to be 21 or older?
Yes. The Arizona Craft Beer Tour visits licensed breweries where alcohol is served. All participants must be 21 years of age or older and must present a valid government-issued photo ID at each venue.
Can the tour accommodate craft beer beginners?
Absolutely. The guide provides approachable tasting notes and style education at each stop, making the experience enjoyable for newcomers as well as seasoned beer enthusiasts. No prior craft beer knowledge is required.
What beer styles are featured on the tour?
The tour covers a cross-section of Arizona brewing: Scottish-style ales and IPAs at Four Peaks, Southwestern-ingredient-infused seasonals at SanTan, and small-batch sours, stouts, and IPAs at independent microbreweries. The exact selection changes seasonally.
Is designated driver accommodation available?
Non-drinkers may be able to join portions of the brewery tours for the educational components; contact Arizona Craft Beer Tours for non-drinking participation options. The itinerary is centered on tasting, so the experience is most suited to participants who will sample beers.
How far apart are the breweries on the tour?
The tour covers breweries in Tempe and central Phoenix within a concentrated corridor. Transportation between venues is provided as part of the guided tour; participants do not need to drive between stops.