Papago Brewing

Tchuck

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +1.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

I went to PBC last Thursday (4/17) afternoon and stayed for a few hours. I was really impressed for the same reason that previous reviewers were (the fantastic selection in the coolers, the low price for a mix pack, the draft selection, etc.), so just wanted to mention a few things:

1.) I don't think it's accurate to call PBC a brewpub, as they don't brew there and the PBC selections were about 5-8 beers out of thirty taps. Too my mind, it's more of a beer bar (or combo beer bar/beer store) than a brewpub.
2.) The PBC selections are not bottled and in the cooler, but you can get a growler of their beers. I bought a growler of the Mandarin Orange Hefeweisen, which my wife and I enjoyed tremendously a few days later.
3.) The food was good and a great value. I had a barbecue chicken pizza which I enjoyed.
4.) I was there during the afternoon, so it wasn't crowded, but it had a really great pub/beer enthusiast vibe to it. During the few hours I was there, I had great conversations with a bunch of different people (including a homebrew shop owner from Indy and her husband, a Raytheon employee up from Tucson, an elderly gentleman/hop fanatic from CA) and the only thing that any of us had in common was enthusiasm for beer. It's clear that people were there for the beer, and the beer made companions out of all of us. What more could you want?
5.) The PBC Taz Grand Cru and Baltic Porter were among the best I've had, anywhere.
6.) Billy the Bartender (originally from Rochester, NY) is the greatest, most knowledgeable bartender I have spoken with since when Sean Quimby manned the bar at Back Bay Brewing Company in Boston in the late 90's.

If I ever go back to Scottsdale, I would spend more time here. A lazy afternoon was great, but I would want more time.

04-22-2008 22:09:40 | More by Tchuck

Geuzedad

Arizona

4.58/5  rDev +5.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Just made my first visit here last night (12/21/11) and I was very impressed! It is a very ecclectic beer bar that happens to also make a pretty damn good pizza. We started off with their Orange Blossom beer and were not disapointed. It was not your typical brew but very interesting. We were disapointed to learn it was not sold in bottles as we wanted to take some home. I found their wide selection of taps impressive and the prices very reasonable. They also have a vey large bottle selection you can either drink on site or purchase to go. These were also reasonably priced as we picked up several bottles to take home. Pizza was delicious! Crust was thin and very crispy, almost like a flat bread. We had the white pizza, a chicken bbq pizza, and a Thai chicken pizza. Each one was very good. They only down side was service. The place was packed but only 2 servers were ever seen. Although I will say our server was right on top of things despite being overworked and all the staff were super friendly and helpful. Our server kept our glasses full and never got the order wrong even though he never wrote down anything. Overall this place is well worth a stop. If I lived here I would make this a regular stop.

Update: I know live in AZ and make this a regular stop at least 2-3 times a month. It would be more if I lived closer but due to the long drive and the need of a DD it keeps me limited. Quality of beers and pizzas still outstanding as are the specials they seem to do a lot of such as their Belgian Day and a Stone Vetical Epic Tasting. Well worth a visit if you have never been. Try it once and you will be hooked.

05-10-2013 02:31:46 | More by Geuzedad

FlatRabbitRed

Arizona

2.78/5  rDev -35.9%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | $$$

Dark and secluded, ...not a lively place... kind of scary, I did not stay just bought a beer to go and got out of there.

I hate to even review a place like that, but it was just the impression I got from it... it was just easier for me to move on to the next independent local brew pub.

04-01-2013 20:38:56 | More by FlatRabbitRed

Sludgeman

District of Columbia

4.59/5  rDev +5.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5 | food: 3.75 | $$$

Almost didn't find the place, kind of a hole in the wall. It helps that the shoppinig center in which it is located is also called Papago. Visited on a monday evening. Fairly slow.

A - Open, clean, nicely kept, not too bright or dark. Even with the small number of people it could get loud. A place where folks come to watch sports, after their softball game, etc.

Q - A variety of glassware. Washer for growlers. They supposedly clean the line and tap after each keg.

S - Two lovely bartenders paid the proper amount of attention. Both were serving tables as well. If this is common practice I could see how they could be stretched too thin and service would suffer. My server was knowledgable about the beer. Food arrived quickly and as ordered (I made a special request).

S - Papago brews its own beers, but they also have another 30 or so other brands on tap. In fact the night I visited there was only one Papago beer available. Keg line up changes constantly as they never run two of the same keg in a row. They also have floor to ceiling coolers with a outstanding variety of bottled beers, which you can drink there or take home.

F - Standard appetizers, sandwiches and pizzas. I had a nice personal white pizza. I've had better, but the food will not drive you away and the beer will keep you.

V - Food seemed reasonable, beer can get a little pricey at $7.5 for a higher ABV beer.

03-05-2013 15:09:48 | More by Sludgeman

TheBrewFool

3.88/5  rDev -10.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Love this place, though I don't get there often enough. At the very least I made an annual visit to pick up the latest Stone Vertical Ale...I'm gonna have to find another excuse now. When I used to work in the area I visited more frequently. It's dark and cool...in Phoenix during the summer months, this is a very good thing. The selection of beers is pretty sweet...there are beer coolers on one side of the bar area choc full of selection. Typically a good selection on tap from my experiences. Have yet to try any grub down there. Patrons typically seem to be enthusiasts, at lest the ones bellied up to the bar. This place is not a dive, though considering other drinking establishments in the Scottsdale area I could see where it would get that reputation. I would be sad to see this place go.

02-09-2013 08:02:26 | More by TheBrewFool

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.45/5  rDev +2.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Ive been to this place twice...once back in February and most recently on 12/10 - both while on business in Phoenix.
I happened to be there during a Sierra Nevada desert and beer pairing - awesome!
The SN chef was there and prepared 3 deserts (a malte dmik shake made with malt extract, a brownie, and bread pudding). These were paired with SN Porter, SN Narwhal, and Ovila barrel Aged Quad; repectively. Awesome!
It seems like they constantly have events like this...last time i was there, they had a Sam Adams experimental brew pour.
Great selection! like 40 taps, always rotating and some house brews. And a huge bottle selection. You choose your own in the large cooler. You can also take them to go. The prices were very reasonable too...they dont do a huge mark up at all. I purchased an Odell Sabateur for about $15. Food was pretty good but its just there to eat with your beer.
Great service...very friendly and knowledgeable.
Parking is great as this is in a shopping center.
Overall...you must go here when in Phoenix/Scottsdale.

12-11-2012 17:59:19 | More by DrinkSlurm

SudsTerkel

4.08/5  rDev -6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I've patronized PB on prior trips to Phoenix and always return as their offerings of a wide range of beers -Left Hand, Lagunitas, Bell's, Oscar Blues and many others - on tap as well as what they brew themselves has never left me wanting. On this visit I had their flagship, Hopago which is a very drinkable, hoppy blast that always engages my taste buds and their Robusto, a Black Ale that offered a very nice contrast to the Hopago. They also had a Bells' Strong Ale which provided the perfect close to my palate workout for the evening.

I also had a chipolte chicken salad off the menu which was very well executed and generous in its portion and quality of content. As noted by some here, service can be spotty @ PB. I sat at the bar on a Friday night and while they were indeed busy, the servers could use some customer service coaching on acknowledging newly arrived customers with a confirming statement of "Hey, we'll be right with you" as it seemed like an eternity before anybody asked me what I wanted.

I'll be back on my next trip; for the beer devotee this place is well worth a stop if you're a local or visiting the Valley.

11-10-2012 10:04:51 | More by SudsTerkel

searsclone

Arizona

4.78/5  rDev +10.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

If you enjoy beer, Papago is a must! Huge rotating tap selection, bottles to drink, or to go, and proper glassware for the beers. The servers are always very knowledgable, and happy to let you try taste or two. Sometimes the service is a little off, but I think that they sometimes understaff the place. Board games, darts and a juke box. And the food is fantastic. The vibe at Papago is sometimes a bit cold, but that doesn't have anything to do with the place itself. The worst part about it for me is when I'm the designated driver! So, find yourself a DD and get there ASAP. You won't be disappointed.

05-02-2012 03:27:00 | More by searsclone

nickfl

Florida

4.03/5  rDev -7.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $$$

Located in a strip mall in Scottsdale, the atmosphere outside is, quite frankly, dismal. Inside things are a little better with a darkish, "we didn't spend much money on this place" hipster vibe. There were really awesome monk sculpture/mug cabinets, however that helped to make up for the less favorable aspects.

The beer selection was excellent with a great selection of guest taps with a handful of house beers peppered in. The house beer were what I came for and I was pleased with what I found. The Papago beers were far and away the most creative that I came across in my trip around Arizona. This doesn't mean they were all excellent, but most were good and the others made up for it by being interesting.

The food was pretty good. Not an extensive menu, but the pizzas were alright.

Overall an interesting place, not my ideal craft beer hangout, but the selection is great and it is a must visit for the interesting house beers.

04-10-2012 04:38:05 | More by nickfl

baseball1976

Arizona

4.7/5  rDev +8.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

This is my favorite beer venue in the Phoenix Area! There is always a good rotation on tap, and their brews are awesome. Plus, if you do not like the tap selection, then your favorite is probably lurking in the cooler.

If you have not been here yet, you need to visit. There are always 30 drafts and once a week there is a cask.

I have noticed that during the busy times, service can be a little touchy. However, this is really the only down side that I have ever seen to this place. The staff is friendly, and the selection is amazing. The food is good too. There used to be a better selection, but you should be able to find something you like.

You will not regret going here.

03-05-2012 19:30:33 | More by baseball1976