Beer is a way of life in Arizona—as it should be. The number of craft breweries in Flagstaff is growing all the time, and they churn out pint after pint of the malt-filled goodness. Keep reading to see the best breweries that you need to check out during your Flagstaff getaways.

Mother Road Brewing Company

One of the best breweries in the entire state, not just Flagstaff, is the ever-popular Mother Road Brewing Company. This upscale brewery combines tasty food, shareable plates, and tempting craft beer into one experience that you will not soon forget. You might even come back here multiple times during your Flagstaff getaway!

For food, you can order one of their Southern-influenced dishes to share with the table or have to yourself. We love street tacos, like the blackened shrimp tacos with grilled corn relish, toasted sweet chili sauce, citrus cabbage, slaw, and remoulade.

Suppose you would rather have something a bit heavier to pair with your third or fourth pint of beer. The handheld sandwiches are a great choice — we love the Tri-Tip cheesesteak sandwich with grilled bell peppers, onions, sharp cheddar cheese sauce, and a hoagie. Pair this with an IPA for a hearty summer lunch treat!

Or share one of their ‘for sharing’ plates with the table to try some of everything. The trio sampler with house-seasoned tater tots, pretzel bites, and mac n cheese pairs well with any type of beer and will keep the entire table happy and well-fed.

You can also check the website to see the craft beer specialties the brewery is currently pouring to find out more about what to order. And the best part? This brewery is right in the heart of Flagstaff, so you can walk here from anywhere in the city in just a few minutes.

Dark Sky Brewing Company

The next must-visit brewery on our list is Dark Sky Brewing Company. This is how breweries should be: open air in a huge, industrialized space with wooden tables, tons of floor space, ample counter space to stand and have a beer, and dim lights. We love sitting here and hanging out for hours as we sample different beers on their tasting trays.

You can choose from one of 16 tap beers to see which one suits your fancy. If you are a fan of unique beers, like sours or juicy pale ales, try the So Pitted kettle sour pour with notes of cinnamon and cloves.

And what pairs better with beer than pizza? Not much! We love that Dark Sky offers a DSB taproom and Pizzicletta to say full and happy during your trip to downtown Flagstaff. The DBS Taproom on Beaver Street has been transformed into a brick oven pizza spot that offers cheesy shareable plates for you to share with your friends and family.

We recommend ordering one of the states, like the rosemary focaccia, warm olives, or salami with olives if you just need a few nibbles as you start your first beer. Then, for the pints afterward, pair your IPA or stout with a rucola pizza with arugula or the Carne Dolce pizza with pecorino, mozzarella, honey, mascarpone, and sage.

The extensive list of beers here makes it hard to choose which one will suit your palette. However, we love the Wren House Valley beer and Rosemary IPA for hot summer days. Or the Blakes Triple Jam Cider for those who want a sweet treat.

Beaver Street Brewery

Not every brewery offers happy hour, so when we see one that has great happy hour deals almost every day of the week, it has to make our list. Plus, we love the beer and ambiance at Beaver Street Brewery. You need to give a little credit to this brewery’s name; it actually was the city’s first brewpub in 1994, so it has surely made a name for itself in the past two decades.

Choose from one of the seven most popular taps to have all year round or one of the five seasonal rotating taps to sip on a pint as you enjoy wood-fired pizzas to share with the table, healthy salads to pair with a light IPA on a hot summer day, or huge sandwiches that pair well with pale ales.

Head here any time of the week between 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm—yes, a super long happy hour!—to have $2 off Beaver Street pours of beer and $2 of house-made cocktails. Suppose you just can’t fathom any more beer after going on a brewery tour. In that case, you can order one of their strong and tasty cocktails to pair with one of the appetizers.

We love the ahi tuna poke stack with yellow pins, cucumber, and citrus soy sauce for a light and refreshing appetizer. Or try the Bavarian Soft Pretzels with beer cheese mustard or jalapeno cheese sauce for a perfect and simple beer pairing. Splitting one of the wood-fired pizzas with the table is your best bet as a main dish. The prosciutto pear with garlic spinach is a real crowd-pleaser.

Lumberyard Brewing Company

Do you want to sit outside, look at the mountains, and sip on a tasty IPA during a hot summer or spring day? We do, too! That sounds like the ideal afternoon to us. Head here any time between 3 and 6 pm during the weekdays to enjoy $5 units and $10 Yard Jars – don’t know what a yard jar is? Well, you will have to see it to believe it. These huge yard jars offer the best deal if you are planning on having more than one pint this afternoon. The yard jars are your choice of craft beer pour to help quench your thirst and leave you with a little bit of a buzz.

Sit outside on the breathtaking patio and choose from one of the seven mainstay brews or one of the rotating taps to have as a pint or a yard jar while you enjoy gazing at the expansive views that stretch out before you. Even though there might not be as much refinement as more upscale breweries, we love this brewery’s laid-back, home-style vibe.

Pair any one of these tasty beers with shareable plates for the table, like boneless chicken wings, Sonoran Poutine with cheese curds and Hatch green chili sauce, or southwest popper dip with cream cheese, Colby jack cheese, banco, poblano peppers, and jalapenos.

For a main dish, we love the hefty sandwich and burgers, served with your choice of French fries, mac n’ cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, or premium sides, like onion rings or fried brussels sprouts. Pair the wild fungi burger with sauteed wild mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and truffle aioli with a stout during a cold winter day for the perfect pub meal!

Grand Canyon Brewery

The aptly named brewery truly shows what it is like to spend time in these beautiful surroundings, offering great views of the outdoors and giving guests a chance to see what the owner’s life was like growing up in his vacation spot of Williams, AZ. This family-friendly and locally owned brewery is a popular spot for those wanting to hang out in a cozy taproom that feels like home.

Plus, this ever-busy brewery is open every day of the week until 10 pm, so we love heading here after dinner to kick on and enjoy a few more pints before going home at night. We love this company’s ethos, which focuses on getting people outside to explore nature. The owner of this brewery wants people to find their own adventure while simultaneously finding their favorite shrink.

Although there are so many beers for you to choose from, it can be hard to narrow it down! Some of the most popular options include the American Pilsner, Sunset Amber Ale, Hop Canyon IPA, Prickly Pear Wheat Ale, Horseshoe Bend Pale Ale, and Black Iron IPA. We love the Sacred Saguaro Lager and the Deep in the Green Double India Pale Ale for seasonal beers for a strong finish.

Once you decide on your perfect pint for the evening, sit in one of the comfortable chairs in the taproom and put your feet by the fire to warm up on a cold winter day. Order the famous charcuterie board, filled with sliced and cured meats, artisan cheeses, seasonal fruits, and assorted nuts to split with the group.

Then, try one of the famous burgers or wood-fired pizzas as a main dish. The brewery tacos with pico de gallo are a healthy alternative to filling burgers. In contrast, the pizza specials every day of the week offer a deal that is hard to pass up. Try the specialty pies for just $23, like the meat lover’s pizza with marinara sauce, mozzarella, bacon, pepperoni, and sausage.

Wanderlust Brewing

Wanderlust Brewing not only has a great name that makes us want to go outside and explore the great outdoors, but it also has tasty beer that makes us want to bring a six-pack of their IPA or lagers to the top of a nearby mountain! Wanderlust Brewing is a super-popular brewery in Flagstaff that offers local food trucks to pair perfectly with the extensive rotating tap list.

This little brewery is nestled in a business park in the high country near Flagstaff, so we love the secretive and laid-back vibe of this spot, which is often less busy than the more industrial options. Head here after a hike to sip on a cold IPA and chat with other adventurous people who are like-minded in finding fun activities to do in the beautiful weather.

Even though their list of offerings is extensive, it doesn’t mean they skimp on quality. Wanderlust offers a unique decor, great brewing practices, and friendly staff that keeps people coming back for more every single week.

Head to the bustling taproom any day of the week before 9 pm to catch up with friends, sit outside and watch the sunset, or cool off inside the taproom. You can also browse their website to see the current events in the taproom, featuring live music, quizzes, and much more. This week, there is private music on Friday night and food trucks on Saturday—poutine, anyone?

Stay with Us at Porter for a Relaxing Vacation

Not sure where to stay during your upcoming trip to Flagstaff? Suppose you are in the mood to explore the downtown area, go shopping, walk around the bustling streets, go hiking, and sip on a few craft beers in the process. In that case, staying in a good location is an absolute must. Luckily, when you work with us at Porter, you can rest assured all of our properties are convenient. No matter where you choose, our professional agents will be there 24 hours per day, seven days per week, to make sure you have a relaxing and stress-free holiday in Arizona.