| CHOW BELLA | t Café Raising the Bar These 8 metro Phoenix breweries serve outstanding food. BY GERI KOEPPEL top-quality ingredients, put fresh twists on old favorites, often with house-made brews, and devise signature recipes to pair with what’s being poured. Also, more vege- tarian and vegan options are available, and many places serve breakfast and brunch as well as extensive lunch and dinner selec- tions. So even if you’re not a suds fan, here are eight breweries around town worth a visit for their crave-worthy cuisine. A Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. 201 East Roosevelt Street and 721 North Arizona Avenue, Gilbert 480-462-1836 and 480-497-2739 The elote dip ($10) with roasted sweet corn, cotija, citrus, and “secret spices” scooped up with fresh tortilla chips at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.’s Gilbert brewpub is an ideal sweet and salty combo with or without your favorite IPA. The variety of fries — duck fat ($7), poutine ($10), bacon and beer cheese ($10), green chile pulled pork ($11.50) — are out of this world. The downtown Phoenix location’s menu is different, with an impressive list of plant-based options, including spicy buffalo cauliflower with vegan ranch ($10) and an organic tepary bean burger ($11). s the Valley’s craft beer scene has evolved, so has the food that accompanies it. Today’s brewpubs boast trained chefs who demand O.H.S.O. Brewery + Distillery The Angry Bird fried chicken sandwich at O.H.S.O. Brewery + Distillery. Four Peaks Brewing Co. 1340 East 8th Street, #104, Tempe 480-303-9967 Four Peaks Brewing Co.’s pub in Tempe, which has expanded over the years thanks to customer enthusiasm, was a vanguard in offering more than a burger and a beer. Brews are used throughout the menu, from sauces for the Brickhouse wings ($16.50) to the Peach Ale pulled pork sandwich ($15.50) to Golden Lager in the pizza crust. The crispy Kilt Lifter-battered fish and chips ($14.50) is an obvious go-to, but the chicken enchiladas ($15) are no slouch, either. Helluva Brewing Co. 3950 West Ray Road, #5, Chandler 480-664-6488 The tagline on the menu at Helluva Brewing Co. is “a fusion of suds & smoke,” and it’s no lie. Stellar starters include wings ($17.50) with a dry rub blend of 19 herbs and spices, slow smoked and served “naked,” and a smoked Buffalo chicken dip ($12.75) with chicken chunks snuggling in a velvety bed of cream cheese, onions, and hot sauce served with crunchy tortilla chips. Barbecued meats are stars as well, and co-owner Shawn Shepard says the cajun-rubbed grilled salmon sandwich ($15.50) with pineapple and beer glaze has been a runaway hit. O.H.S.O. Brewery + Distillery Multiple locations While fried chicken sandwiches are ubiq- uitous these days, O.H.S.O. Brewery + Distillery’s Angry Bird is a standout. It’s a hot-and-creamy rendition with buffalo sauce, spring mix, pickled apple, blue cheese crumbles, and dressing on a King’s Hawaiian bun ($16). This Valley favorite is also known for its smoked beef >> p 26 25 phoenixnewtimes.com | CONTENTS | FEEDBACK | OPINION | NEWS | FEATURE | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | PHOENIX NEW TIMES NOV 10TH–NOV 16TH, 2022
