236 Best of phoenix 2023 | WWW.bestofphoenix2023.c0m | septemBer 28, 2023 Best Brewery WREN HOUSE BREWING CO. 2125 N. 24th St. 602-244-9184 wrenhousebrewing.com Wren House Brewing Co. continues to stay atop of a growing field of quality local craft brewers because it keeps upping the ante. It has plenty of acolytes for its outstanding IPAs, anchored by its award-winning hazy Spellbinder. Understanding the ever- changing preferences of its drinkers, the brewery now makes a nonalcoholic version of Spellbinder, too. Wren House has expanded its lagering program, adding excellent sessionable options like its Italian pilsner Upstream and its award-winning Festbier. Wren House’s bungalow on 24th Street — with beloved resident Gravy, its brewery cat — is warm and inviting. But the space is also cozy, and Wren House is growing. The brewers have already expanded to Prescott, they just opened Wren Südhalle, a European-inspired beer hall in Ahwatukee, and a taproom is planned in the redevelopment of the Paradise Valley Mall in 2024. Best New Brewery KITSUNE BREWING CO. 3321 E. Bell Road, Suite B-5 602-245-8593 kitsunebrewingco.com In a growing craft beer scene, Kitsune Brewing Co. has found ways to stand out from the crowd, from its comfortable, communal space in North Phoenix to its playful, ever-rotating sour series that packs familiar, fruit-forward flavors into every sip. Most recently those have included a sour that integrates the vanilla and pine- apple of a Dole Whip, or Bantha Milk, a blue raspberry smoothie sour that was inspired by the yak-like creatures from “Star Wars.” To say that owner Tyler Smith and his team are having fun with what they’re doing is an understatement, and they’re bringing that levity to your glass. But, if you’re more into straightforward styles, they’ve got you covered there, too, with the malty Fox Diver Brown or the juicy, citrusy Forager Hazy IPA. Best Beer Garden THE PARK AT O.H.S.O. BREWERY 335 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert 602-900-9004 ohsopark.com Although it’s technically a neighborhood park and not just a beer garden, The Park at O.H.S.O. Brewery is still the ideal place to drink beer al fresco thanks to its size, amenities, events and vibe, which is dog- and kid-friendly. Even if the beers and food weren’t top-notch, which they are, this place would be a hit because it offers a range of things to do. The immense area includes a grass lawn, live music on weekends, a 9-by-15-foot movie screen, arcade games and lawn games like cornhole, with competitions at 6 p.m. Mondays and a purse for the winning team. After opening in downtown Gilbert in August 2022, The Park became a central community hub and hangout for everyone from sports fans to families with kids and dog owners, who love the brew- ery’s house-made dog biscuits, off-leash area and “Puppies and Pints” nights from 7-10 p.m. Thursdays. Best Arizona- Inspired Beer DESERT ROSE CACTUS KÖLSCH Goldwater Brewing Co. 3608 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-350-7305 And other Valley locations goldwaterbrewing.com Goldwater Brewing Co.’s Desert Rose Cactus Kölsch predates the brewery. It comes from the days when a dad spent time brewing experimental batches of beer in their garage. Years later, his sons got involved, and the beer has become a staple of the expanding brewing company. Desert Rose is made with locally grown prickly pear fruits, which give the Kölsch-style ale a deep pink hue. It’s floral rather than
