19 May 16th-May 22nd, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Windsor, Colorado. “I’ve learned a lot along the way. It’s been seven years in the making,” he says of opening Pinnacle. “If I wasn’t doing it for a job, I’d be paying to do it in my kitchen.” The Wilsons built the 10-barrel brewery in a former gas station. The 4,300-square- foot craft beer destination features an expansive indoor-outdoor space with black, wood and copper accents. An image of Pinnacle Peak covers the windowed wall on the east side of the building. Roll-up garage doors give way to the covered patio, which is equipped with misters and a sun shade. Taproom manager Christiane Arguello says to expect games on their TVs, rotating live musicians and happy hour. She adds that she’ll look to guests for other activity suggestions and requests. What’s on tap? Pinnacle Brewing opened with nine beers on tap with an emphasis on European styles, particularly lagers. “I consider myself a bit of a tradition- alist when it comes to beer,” Wyatt says. Among the opening lineup are a kolsch, maibock and helles. Wyatt has also brewed a much lesser-known Polish lager – grodziskie, a beer that dates back to the 14th or 15th century that Wyatt says is “very old school. It’s almost extinct.” The beer is made with oak-smoked malt, which imparts an earthy note of char against the crisp, light lager. Although Wyatt says he used less smoked malt than the Polish version, he describes the flavor it adds as akin to hickory or smoked meat. He wanted to craft the beer to “be adventurous” and put out some- thing other brewers aren’t making. “That’s what I’m trying to do with this place is really excel with as many European styles as I can. That’s where I have a lot of fun as a brewer,” he says. Also on tap is an English-style extra special bitter. It’s one of the first recipes Wyatt crafted as a pro brewer. “It’s one of my favorite styles,” he says of the rich caramel-colored beer that opens with malt-forward sweetness and has a lightly bitter, dry finish. The brewer has tweaked his recipe for Pinnacle’s version, Rupert’s Tower. Premier League fans will notice the name references the crest of Everton Football Club. Other beers on draft include a Mexican-style lager, a New England hazy IPA and a West Coast IPA brewed with Chinook and Simcoe hops. “I’m a huge Simcoe head. That’s my favorite hop,” Wyatt says. In addition to craft drafts, Pinnacle serves cider from Phoenix’s Six Byrd Cider Co., wine and nonalcoholic options. The brewery doesn’t serve food but plans to host food trucks. And the taproom has a partnership with Kale Chef Service, the brewery’s next-door neighbor. Pinnacle Brewing patrons can scan a QR code to browse the caterer’s options which include sandwiches and snacks, place an order and walk over to pick it up. How to visit Pinnacle serves pints seven days a week. The initial hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays. “I just hope to bring tasty beers to Scottsdale and hope to provide a good space where people can enjoy beer, enjoy company and have a good time,” Wyatt says. For Bob, his long-held dreams of opening a brewery are finally coming to life. Although now, he’s put the beer- making in the hands of his son. “As you can imagine,” he says, “I’m a very proud father.” Pinnacle Brewing Co. 15111 Hayden Road, Scottsdale Born to Brew from p 17 Pinnacle Brewing Co. was founded by Bob Wilson (left) and his son, Wyatt. The taproom, managed by Christiane Arguello (center), opened on May 3. (Photo by Sara Crocker)
