Glendale has some of the best local brews, spirits, and cocktails Arizona has to offer. Whether you are a localite in-the-know or just in town for the weekend, we’ve put together our list of Glendale beverages for you to enjoy.
Throne Brewing, Glendale, AZ
https://thronebrewing.com/
Established in March of 2018, and previously known as Dubina Brewing, owner Carlos Toma focuses on providing a variety of craft beers for all beer enthusiast to enjoy. Throne Brewing provides a welcoming atmosphere for creativity, innovation, and comradery. A must try is the Thone Anniversary IPA. Released after their one-year anniversary, the ale is a West Coast Double IPA brewed with Equanot, Azacca, Citra, and Lotus hops for bold hop-driven notes and aroma. Named after the busy street in Glendale, Bell Road IPA is another west coast style IPA brewed with warrior, citra, simcoe, cascade, and Amarillo. Fans of sour beers will want to imbibe the Passion Fruit Mango Sour. If you find something you love, you can even take it home as Throne Brewing bottles their own beer too.
Grand Canyon Distillery at Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante
https://www.bottegaristorante.com/
Nick DeLillo opened Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in 2017 and combined his love for food and hospitality. Nick’s focus is on his guests, great food, and a great dining experience complete with heart. To get a taste of Arizona, try the IL MORO cocktail. Made with Grand Canyon Vodka, blackberries, lime and basil, the star of the drink is the vodka. Triple distilled from malted grain, Grand Canyon vodka has a distinct, slightly sweet aroma and finish. The vodka, produced in Williams, AZ since 2017, was the 2019 bronze medal winner at the American Craft Spirits competition.
Arizona Distilling Company at The Cuff
https://www.cuffglendale.com/
Check their website for updates on their new location and hours
The Cuff is a favorite local hot spot. Cuff’s signature cocktails infuse many of Arizona Distilling Company’s hand-crafted spirits. Start off your evening with the Glendale Thistle cocktail – a blend of Copper City Bourbon, Cynar, and figgy pudding bitters. Copper City Bourbon is named to honor Arizona’s mining past. Corn, rye, and barley are aged in white American oak form the bourbon’s mash. With notes of caramel, and hints of vanilla, this bourbon is smooth and balanced. Take flight with The Aviation, a blend of Commerce Gin, Giffard Crème de Violette, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice. Arizona Distilling Company’s Commerce Gin pays tribute to the five C’s of Arizona by mixing cardamom, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and citrus; the original five C’s of Arizona are cattle, copper, citrus, cotton, and climate. All five C’s, along with eight botanicals, are sourced from northern Arizona and make for an exceptional gin. If at a loss at what to start with, then drink among friends by sipping on Dry Goods; the gin based cocktail mixes Lillet Blanc Mist with olives and is dedicated to Mr. Heatwole, a regular patron of Cuff.
Local Craft Brews at Desert Rose Pizza, Gastropub, and Steaks
https://desertrosepizzaandgastropub.com/
Located in the heart of historic downtown Glendale, Desert Rose is a great place to grab a few drinks. The oversized chess board, cigar lounge, and ample patio seating add to the pub’s laid-back vibe. With a little bit of everything on tap, Arizona beer lovers can sample breweries from Scottsdale, Pine, Tucson, Lake Havasu City, Chandler, Tempe, Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Gilbert. Try THAT Brewery’s Strawberry Blonde, a light bodied blonde ale with exotic strawberry and flavor components of hibiscus, lilac, and vanilla. Or try Dragoon Brewery Company’s Dragoon IPA, a true West Coast IPA. With a sultry, herbal, and citrusy aroma, the beer is appropriately bitter and pairs well with spicy dishes. For something off the beaten path, taste Sonoran Brewing Company’s White Chocolate Ale. This unique wheat beer is light and refreshing with a subtle taste of white chocolate. Well-known Phoenix-Metro favorites like Papago Brewing, Huss Brewing, Four Peaks, and San Tan Brewery are also on tap.
O.H.S.O. at The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery
https://thelolaaz.com/
O.H.S.O., which stands for Outrageous Homebrewer’s Social Outpost is a local nano-brewery. The brewery expanded to include its own distillery, so it’s no surprise that the hip industrial-chic brewery is on tap at The Lola in the Westgate Entertainment District. Quench your thirst with a Maldives Mule. This cocktail features O.H.S.O.’s Arcadia Jalapeno Vodka with Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur, lime juice, pineapple real, and cilantro. Beer drinkers will enjoy a cold draught of rotational O.H.S.O. brews on tap. Fans of a good IPA will want to order Barrio Brewing Company’s Citrazona IPA. The Tucson made beer has a bouquet of citrus aromas, tangerine and lemon profiles, along with Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops, to create a medium-bodied brew.
Let us know what drink you think you’d like best. Share your favorite beverage in Glendale by posting a photo to Instagram or Facebook with #DrinkGlendaleAZ. Cheers!
Please drink responsibly. Be prepared and arrange for a safe ride home.
Written by: Sarah Brunson