What started as a shared love of craft beer and a little homebrewing has grown into one of the best local gathering hubs in Queen Creek. Old Ellsworth Brewing Company opened to the public in 2017, but the story behind the family-owned brewery began years earlier.
The original owners — Brian McKean, Christine McKean and Ryan Bostrom — were introduced to homebrewing during the decade they lived in Alaska. A spark of curiosity quickly turned into years of experimenting with recipes, refining beer styles and eventually the idea of opening a brewery of their own. In 2016, Queen Creek put out an advertisement looking for a brewery to join the town’s growing food and entertainment scene, and to the trio, the timing felt right. They took the leap and Old Ellsworth Brewing was born.
Now, nearly 10 years later, the brewery remains family-owned and operated, with beer brewed on-site and a scratch kitchen featuring New American dishes. The name is a nod to Queen Creek’s history, reflecting the owners’ desire to keep the place rooted in the community.
The brewing process is truly a local, hands-on operation. From brewing through fermentation, everything takes place on site using locally sourced ingredients, such as Arizona-grown and malted barley. The wheat is from Homestead Malting in Queen Creek, better known as Sossaman Farms, and Sinagua Malt in Camp Verde.
The brewery is more than just a destination to grab a quick drink, however. It’s become a neighborhood staple for families, date nights, friends' nights out and more. And on cool days, the dog-friendly patio fills up with locals playing lawn games and enjoying the open air.
The menu is not expansive, but it is superior to average bar food, thanks to its scratch-kitchen approach. Some of the longtime favorites are burgers and wings, as well as its "Build-Your-Own Poutine," a must-try. The Cheesy Pull Bread with a side of button sauce and the Hatch Grilled Cheese are worthy of a mention, too.
The new chef is also bringing his own touch to the menu while preserving what makes it special. He plans to showcase his additions throughout October and beyond.
Of course, you can’t talk about Old Ellsworth Brewing without talking about the beer. Bostrom continues to experiment with different beer styles, giving patrons plenty of reasons for a repeat visit. If beer isn’t your style, the brewery offers a fun spin on some classic cocktails, including a smoked old-fashioned delivered to you in a treasure chest.
Then there are the people. Since opening, regular customers have become friends, employees have become family, and the restaurant has been a fixture for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and every other sort of celebration.
Old Ellsworth strives to be community-oriented, where visitors feel like family all while enjoying a great meal and drink. And in this rapidly growing community, that feeling of belonging may be the best part of it all.
Old Ellsworth Brewing Co. is more than just a destination to grab a quick drink. It’s a neighborhood staple.