Trouble deciding which brew to choose when out with friends or on a big date? It is no wonder given that, according to the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, Arizona is now home to more than 95 brewers and 120 licensed breweries—numbers that are growing by the month. Thankfully, guests need not choose when visiting several forward-thinking eateries, bars, and restaurants, each of which offers one or more (often customizable) beer flights, with options ranging from lagers and ales to stouts and sours.
Uncle Bear’s Grill and Tap
This family-owned brewery, which now has locations in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, is named after the beloved black Lab mix that belonged to the founders. It features 20 taps at any given time, including longtime guest favorites Barkley’s Peanut Butter Cup Porter, Debo’s Sour DBL IPA, and Bear’s Beach Bum Tropical IPA. Beer flights are offered on a board shaped like a dog bone and feature five 4-ounce pours of five craft brews of the guest’s choosing for $9.50. UncleBearsAZ.com
PHX Beer Co.
PHX Beer Co. currently has 16 craft beers available at its Scottsdale restaurant and Downtown taproom, as well as a limited edition Shazaam! IPA, which was released in honor of longtime Phoenix Suns announcer Al McCoy, who retired after this season after 51 years on the mic. While that particular IPA is only available in four-packs, there are several beer flights from which to choose. The most popular flight combination consists of four 5-ounce pours of the Iron Horse Porter, Monsoon IPA, Sunset Sour, and White Chocolate beer. It arrives on a custom-made wooden block and costs $8.50. PHXBeerCo.com
O.H.S.O. Brewery and Distillery
Little-known fact: O.H.S.O. stands for Outrageous Home Brewer's Social Outpost, and in addition to its dozens of craft beers on tap and a selection of Arizona beers available, its Arcadia location offers homebrewers the chance to make a reservation so that they can brew onsite several times a month. In addition, all three of the O.H.S.O. locations across the Northeast Valley—North Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Arcadia—offer customizable beer flights where guests can mix and match 3-ounce pours of up to four varietals for just $2 each. OHSOBrewery.com
Thirsty Lion Gastropub
There are nearly 30 craft beers and ciders on tap at Thirsty Lion Gastropub at Desert Ridge Marketplace, including several local and regional favorites. The pub always has one flight on the menu that solely focuses on craft beers from State 48. Currently, the massive, beautifully presented Arizona craft flight is available for $12 and features 4.5-ounce pours of Papago Orange Blossom Wheat, Oak Creek Amber, Dragoon IPA, Phx. Beer Co. Arizona Gold Ale, Four Peaks Kilt Lifter, and Mudshark Vanilla Caramel Porter. ThirstyLionGastropub.com
Huss Brewing Co.
Huss Brewing Co. has three locations around the Valley, including its flagship taproom in Uptown Phoenix, an outpost in Tempe, and the newest taproom in Downtown Phoenix, each of which offers a wide variety of fresh, quality beers that can be served by the pint, pitcher, or in a flight of four 4-ounce pours. Among the beers on tap right now are Huss' flagship brew, which is the Scottsdale Blonde, along with newcomers to the family like Papago Blueberry Wheat and Rio Salado Mexican Lager. The flights are $8. HussBrewing.com
TVG Taproom
This beer and bottle shop, equipped with board games aplenty and a mural of a gorilla (TVG=The Vanilla Gorilla) wearing sunglasses that bear the reflection of a pop-art take on an Arizona sunset, boasts 24 taps and nearly 100 bottle options. It offers all its tap beers by the glass and pint, but also in 5-ounce pours so that guests can also create their own custom tasting menu. TVGTaproom.com
Pedal Haus Brewery
Known for its locally made, award-winning craft beers like the Day Drinker Light Lager, German-style pilsner, traditional Kolsch, and Amber ale, Pedal Haus offers the option to build your own beer flight by choosing from any of the 12 beers on tap. All beer flights include four 5-ounce pours, and flights vary from $10 to $15 depending on the beers chosen. PedalHausBrewery.com