232 B EST C O F F E E ROAST E RS Peixoto Coffee Roasters 11 W. Boston St., Chandler480-275-2843 3150 E. Ray Road, #100, Gilbert 480-597-7584 peixotocoffee.com With locations in Chandler and also Epicenter at Agritopia in Gilbert, Peixoto Coffee Roasters keeps the East Valley buzzing. The Peixoto family have been farming coffee beans in Brazil for more than 100 years. Their family coffees are the highest quality and burst with a variety of flavor profiles including fruity, nutty, choco- late and honey. The stores also sell a limited amount of “extended family” coffee beans which hail from nations such as Ethiopia, Peru and Colombia. The atmosphere at the coffee shop is bright and airy, with lots of open spaces for working, networking or just relaxing. But the best part is bathing in the smells of freshly brewed fair trade coffee. 22222 B EST M ATC H A Driftwood Coffee Co. 8295 W. Jefferson St., #6514, Peoria 602-756-9051 driftwoodaz.com Nestled into a corner in downtown Peoria, this coffee shop’s drinks are as pretty as its view. The ambiance is cozy year-round, but the matcha is a bright spot, and we’re not talking about its bold green hue. To begin with, baristas use organic Japanese ground unsweetened matcha, but the rest of the order is up to you. Get it big or small, hot or iced then add espresso or flavor it with options such as vanilla or caramel. We like it best with honey and lavender to add a soft botanical flavor that’s just perfect. For a unique treat, try the Coronado Forest, a matcha latte with house blueberry blue agave puree and your choice of milk. 22222 B EST B R E W E RY Wren House Brewing Co. 2125 N. 24th St., Phoenix 602-244-9184 Wren Sudhalle 4025 E. Chandler Blvd. wrenhousebrewing.com Although Wren House Brewing Co. only celebrated its ninth anniversary this year, the Phoenix brewery is the torchbearer of outstanding craft beer in Arizona. It carries that status in part because the brew team continues to experiment, introducing drinkers to different styles, hops and flavors along the way. While Spellbinder continues to be one of our favorite hazy IPAs, with the accolades to match, we also appreciate the brewery’s moxy in crafting lesser-known styles, such as a rich, smoky rauchbier. And, we have to hand it to Wren House for always knowing how to create anticipation with annual rollouts of Las Frescas, its fun fruited sours, and big IPAs with its dog and cat mascots Wally and Gravy. While you can find Wren House beers at bars and liquor stores around the Valley, it’s hard to beat the comfort of its home base, a bungalow on 24th Street. And, if you’re seeking a bit of European flare and fare, head south to Wren Südhalle, its Old World-inspired beer hall in Ahwatukee. B E ST N E W B R E W E RY Catalyst Crafted Ales 1845 E. Broadway Road, Tempe catalystcraftedales.com Catalyst Crafted Ales may be new to the Valley, but its brewer’s fingerprints are all over the state. Will Walthereson worked at craft havens including Wren House Brewing Co. and The Shop Beer Co. before opening up his own spot, Ad Astra, in Prescott. Luckily for local drinkers, he’s brought his talents back to the Valley, opening Catalyst Crafted Ales in Tempe. The sleek taproom is comfortable and shares space with S.A.L.T. (short for Sea and Land Tacos). There’s also an expansive, dog-friendly patio out front. Walthereson makes beers that are big, bold and sometimes a bit irreverent. Catalyst Crafted Ales boasts a massive tap list that includes playful fruited sours, outstanding IPAs, such as the New England-style hazy Expects in Checks, and imperial brews of all stripes, including of the higher-ABV seltzers that drink like a cocktail. You’ll also find well-made pilsners among the selections. No matter what your preference, Catalyst has something for every type of craft beer drinker. 22222 B E ST B I K E- F R I E N D LY B R E W E RY O.H.S.O. on Central 8525 N. Central Ave. 602-844-1186 ohsobrewery.com/ohso-north-central Casual and friendly, O.H.S.O. on Central is a refuge for bicyclists. You can bike along the canal before you park and take a break to grab a beer and have some pub fare. Choices include burgers, sandwiches and typical bar food. Bicyclists don’t have to worry about where to park their bike, since there are several racks to house your wheels. The inside of the restaurant also is a homage to bike riders, with fun bike decor acces- sorizing the walls. The point is you don’t have to stop your bike ride to refuel — you can grab a bite to eat, enjoy the patio and then go for another ride along the canal. O.H.S.O.’s laid-back, community-focused vibe, combined with its playful nod to cycling culture, makes it a welcoming haven for active locals and visitors alike. B E ST FO O D AT A B R E W E RY Peoria Artisan Brewery 10144 W. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria 623-572-2816 peoriaartisanbrewing.com This West Valley brewpub takes its food as seriously as it does its craft beer. Peoria Artisan Brewery has served its beers since 2013 and has partnered with executive chef Michael Mahalick on scratch-made gastropub fare since 2015. The menu includes staple bar bites that are all made in-house with care, including crisp dry- rubbed chicken wings, fat pretzels with cheddar fondue and Kennebec fries dusted in the brewpub’s spice blend. Get a side of them alongside one of Peoria Artisan’s thick Arizona Angus beef burgers. The namesake PAB is a must-try, featuring bacon jam, muenster cheese, aioli, lettuce, tomato and onion. Like any great bar, the brewery offers a bustling happy hour and weekly specials, including its Burger Wednesdays that can help save a buck or two. But, if you’re looking to splurge, you can see what Mahalick and his crew have up their sleeves in the brew- ery’s new speakeasy. Tucked behind the brewpub’s kitchen, the chef’s table-style kitchen and bar is serving elevated eats and cocktails worthy of a special night out. 22222 B E ST P L AC E TO P O U R YO U R OW N B E E R Tap That Downtown 909 N. Fifth St. 602-812-3222 tapthatbeer.com At Tap That Downtown, the slogan is “for the love of beer.” And that sentiment is embodied at this unique concept where customers are invited to pour their own pint. The bar features 35 different taps, which pour a rotating selection of craft beer and wine. Not sure what to try or don’t want to commit to a full pint? Tap That is perfect for those who want to taste their way through the menu. Pour yourself a little taste and move on to the next. Make sure to check out the food menu, as this bar offers much more than beer. Share a plate of wings or poutine or dig into a hearty burger or bowl of pasta. Pick a seat inside or on the mural-decorated patio at this fun and customizable experience. 22222 B E ST A R I ZO N A W I N E S E L ECT I O N FnB 7125 E. Fifth Ave. #31, Scottsdale 480-284-4777 fnbrestaurant.com When FnB opened in 2009, many applauded chef/owner Charleen Badman and co-owner/sommelier Pavle Milic for their
