Papago Brewing

Gusler

Arizona

5/5  rDev +15.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

It has been a while since I updated my Papago Beerfly review, so here goes my latest observations. Papago still remains IMHO the best pub in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, with 30 continual rotating taps, all craft and imports, plus 2 cask engines, and some 400 plus beers, that you can carry out or drink there puts it high on my list, they also have a nice selection of wine and quite a few Meads.

The owners and staff are all quite beer savvy with Ron Kloth being a brewer extraordinaire. All the beers are served in the correct glass, with the temperature just right, and always fresh. They have a nice website that lists all their upcoming festivities and specials, a beer list of what is on tap & cask.

Atmosphere is laid back and friendly with the staff as I said before knowledgeable and friendly, the food is fairly priced and quite good with the portions liberal in size.

Whenever I can, I drop in and have a pint or two, and most always-pickup beer to go and have a bite to eat, so my recommendation is to stop by and say "Howdy" to all the fine people at Papago, tell'em Gusler sent you!

07-09-2005 16:36:02 | More by Gusler

MagicHatter23

Virginia

5/5  rDev +15.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

After reading several reviews here on BeerAdvocate I decided it was time to take the trip up to Papago Brewing Co with the gf in tow. We went on a Tuesday evening so as to avoid the weekend crowds. The first thing I saw when we walked in was a larger than life size plaster monk (the beer brewing type I'm assuming) smiling like a Buddha with his eyes closed. If I lived in this place I'd probably look like that too. We grabbed a table and were greeted immediately by John. First round was an Orange Blossom hefe for the gf and I started off with a Houblon Chouffe tripel. We also ordered the Bavarian pretzels as an appetizer. Pretzels were soft, warm, and salty and came with some of the grooviest mustard I've ever had. I finished my Houblon and after browsing the bottle selection I cracked open a Trappist Rochefort #8 that I'd been wanting to try for a long time. Needless to say - it was tremendous. I had a nice little belgian beer buzz happening when our Mediterranean Chicken pizza arrived. The pizza was killer - easily the same quality and flavor as anything from a "gourmet" pizza place. Somewhere during the pizza I ordered a Great White witbier from Lost Coast brewery which, although not as tasty as Hoegaarden, hit the spot while finishing the pizza. By the time the gf finally finished her huge hefe I was ready for another trip to the cooler. I somehow convinced her that we should split a bottle of Stone's Russian Imperial Stout, knowing full well that she wouldn't like it and that I would have to quaff it all myself. The beer was outstanding but the gf needed something less potent. I explained what she likes to John who promptly returned with a glass of Guiness mixed with Framboise lambic. I'd guessed it was something like that because the foam on top was pinkish white - very cool. She loved the concoction and I thought it was quite tasty as well. Great call on John's part. The tab for a night of delicious beer and food was somewhere around 50 bucks but worth every penny. Papago is the best bar I've ever been in - rockin music, laid back atmosphere, a giant monk by the front door, an unbeatable selection of beer, top quality pizza, knowledgable and friendly staff, a giant monk by the front door...Definitely a place worth returning to time and time again.

05-24-2006 13:42:13 | More by MagicHatter23

taxguyjase

New Mexico

5/5  rDev +15.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Wow, talk about a place I want to come back to. I swung in here after a training class and was really impressed. A bit divey, but in a good way. Had the Vertical Epic 9-9-09 beer on 9-11-09 and one the Papago beers (the milk stout). I had a real problem picking something because their draft list of about 30 beers were all of high quality and variety. Waitress was great and suggested their mix six packs, where for 8.50 you can gét a nice six pack of really whatever you want. The selection was excellent and offered a lot of stuff I can't get in Albuquerque or that I just want to try one of, not six. Will definitely be coming back in the future - both for a beer and six-pack purchases

09-12-2009 01:08:11 | More by taxguyjase

bigbelcher

Arizona

4.95/5  rDev +14.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5

My previous review from last year follows. I just decided to update it. This has to be not only one of the best beer places to drink in the United States but in the world. If they only served their beers alone it would still be a great place but the selection and quality just cannot be surpassed. I especially like how they have 'improved' a couple of their beers by using a Dogfish 'Randall' on them, their Hopfather Double IPA is awesome with fresh hops and their Churchill Wheatwine with the use of Cognac barrel oak chips in the 'Randall' is simply amazing. Live music has gone away but the addition of a giant projector television makes the place a great place to watch sporting events now.

Previous review: This isn't one of the best places to drink in Phoenix, it is the best place to drink in Arizona or the west coast. 30 taps that constantly rotate with good beers. Sure there are places with more taps but they do not put any crap on tap and they clean their lines when they put on a new beer. If that doesn't strike your fancy they have a cooler with over 400 different beers in them. Knowledgeable staff. Food is very good but is limited to apps, salads, pizzas and sandwiches. Only downside is that it gets crowded in there on the weekend nights. You can also get the bottled beer to go and growlers also. Also, compared to some places I've been in California the prices are downright cheap for the quality of the beers that they get. Big Belgian selection.

07-10-2003 09:20:28 | More by bigbelcher

hyuga

North Carolina

4.95/5  rDev +14.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5

I'm certainly glad to be living here with a place like this not too far from me. 30 taps and 2 casks. 450 bottled beers, almost all micros and imports. A "no crap on tap" policy that they actually hold to. That right there could say it all for the beer aficionado, but that's not all there is to Papago. The environment is just as I would expect as if I designed it myself. I feel very comfortable in this place, which is very important to me when I'm in a beer bar, or any restaurant. Everyone serving you knows what they're serving and can tell you what you need to know about it, something else that's very important. You can ask for a sample of anything on tap and it will be brought to you in a nice sampling glass for no charge. Very nice people. The food is excellent, and very well suited for any beer you choose. I only wish they'd bring back the great desserts that were made with their own beers, which are quite exceptional beers. There's almost always some sort of event to attend, usually a brewery-related promotional or something similar. There is, of course, a mug club, but I believe it's unfortunately closed to new members at the moment. This is my favorite place to go, period. I'd love to be there every day. You absolutely must visit this place if you're anywhere near Arizona!

10-22-2003 08:20:06 | More by hyuga

fattyre

Georgia

4.94/5  rDev +13.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5

What can I say that hasn't already been said. I visited back in March after the Beer Fest in Phoenix and again the following day. Located in a shopping center with little or no hint to what is inside. Very nice tap selection of their own brews with some imports and unusual/hard to find west coast micros. A very impressive bottle selection as well in cold cases along the wall opposite the bar. Very nice staff and owners who I had a nice time speaking to and everyone new there stuff which just enhanced the whole experience. I had fun talking to everyone- the locals as well as the staff. I even took home a growler of their wheat wine. Great beer, great staff, and great folks -what more can you ask for. Thanks to Gusler for suggesting the place and meeting up with us! Must see if anywhere nearby.

07-17-2004 00:32:13 | More by fattyre

mzwolinski

California

4.9/5  rDev +12.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5

30 beers on tap. Hundreds of beers in bottles -- so many that the alphabetical listing on their web page is divided into 5 different links [A-D, E-K ...] so as not to overwhelm the unwary surfer all at once. Papago might be located in the middle of a strip mall, but Famous Sam's it is not.

And back to the tap. There's no artificial inflation here. The draught beers available represent a good portion of Arizona's best microbrews (usually including 3-4 of Papago's own excellent creations), along with a generous sampling of some extremely high quality (and often very difficult to find!) beers from around the world. And since it wouldn't be a truly great brewpub without a few cask-conditioned ales, Papago has 2 of those as well.

The taps rotate frequently, so there are usually several new beers to try every week. The web page lists what's currently on, as well of a calendar of events, of which there are many. Papago is also the only place I've seen to offer regular "beer education" courses, in which students meet once a week to sample, study, and evaluate 5 beers of the evening's style according to the BJCP criteria.

Papago is truly an exceptional establishment. Their own brews are terrific, their selection is terrific, and the staff are all extremely knowledgable about the product. This is easily the best brewpub in the state of Arizona, and, in my experience, one of the premier establishments in the western United States. Highly recommended.

08-25-2002 12:42:53 | More by mzwolinski

bobinverted

Michigan

4.9/5  rDev +12.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5

My Girlfriend and I visited Papago Brewing while we were on vacation in Scottsdale, AZ. With 30 beers on tap, about 500 more in the cooler and excellent food Papago Brewing may be beer heaven! It's at least as close as I've come to it. I started off with Papago's El Grande Nutz Brown Ale. The El Grand Nutz had a delicious hazelnut flavor. It's an amazing brown ale, one of my new favorites. My girlfriend ordered the Mudshark Full Moon Belgian Wit which is brewed in Lake Havasu, AZ. It was also delicious. I the had one of the best vegetarian sandwiches I've ever tasted. My girlfriend had a buffalo mozzarella salad and chicken wings which she enjoyed. I finished off with a Rio Salado DoppelSchwarz which is brewed in Tempe, AZ and my girlfriend had another Full Moon. The beer was exceptional, the food was delicious, and the service was great!

06-07-2003 19:12:48 | More by bobinverted

steebo777

Michigan

4.9/5  rDev +12.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

I just visited Papago Brewing Company last night for the first time while on a business trip out here in Scottsdale. The atmosphere is awesome, staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and their selection was outstanding (Vertical Epic 09 on tap on 9.10.09... AWESOME!). I didn't even get a chance to ask what the beer coolers were all about as the taps were off the hook. It looked like I could just buy a beer form the cooler and drink it right there, which makes Papago even better.

Next time I am out here, I am visiting it again for sure.

09-11-2009 14:33:34 | More by steebo777

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.85/5  rDev +11.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

I had the opportunity to check out Papago Brewing recently during a AZ-BA gathering. First off, I really like the concept of a Bar & a liquor store in one. Being able to leave with a couple special bottles of beer is a huge plus in my book. The beer selection is awesome, and there is always beer on tap that you won't see anywhere else.

The atmosphere is great. They have some TVs so that you can catch the game, they also appear to have live music on a regular basis (though I was not here long enough to partake in this aspect). The bar staff was very knowledgeable, and quite helpful. Of course I am sure that it helped that I was with infamous Gusler on my visit. The fact that Gusler is a regular here says a lot about the quality of this place.

You know that a beer place really cares when your beer comes in the proper glassware. The first beer I ordered came in the actual glass from the brewery; Chimay Cinq Cents from the tap in a Chimay goblet, you got to love it. They do allow you to get up to 3 samples for free, after that it is $1 per sample. Well worth it if you are looking to try a few things. They also serve cask ales, which I find to be a necessity in order for a beer bar to be considered great. They had a one-off on cask of Rio Salado Redzilla aged in a Jim Beam barrel, man was that tasty.

The beer selection is so incredible, if you can’t find what you want in their 30+ tap list you can order from the 400 or so bottles that they have in there carry out section. They even have a pretty good wine selection for those who want something else.

The food is pretty good, the soft pretzels I ordered where piping hot and perfect. I had a Brat with Sour Kraut which hit the spot, though the Kraut seemed a bit dry.

Overall this is a great place, if I did not live in Tucson this would be my local.

12-15-2003 17:57:47 | More by Gueuzedude