Papago Brewing Company

No Longer In Business

Stop for a pint at the brewery in Scottsdale, near ASU Facility: lots of parking and ambience is very good, spacious , dark though Quality is ok Service: very good service, prompt Selection: more than 15 beers on tap, multiple on bottle Food: not applicable Value: Good value beer Overall: very good experience but not something to look for

When we approached this bar it was not inherent that it was even still in business. It’s in an old strip mall and all the front windows are covered up with faded beer ads. I assume this is to help with the blistering sun. Inside, it’s expansive and old. It reminds me of going into a few dingy bars around the country a decade ago which were owned by someone who was really into beer and wanted everything that they could carry. The tap list here is pretty broad, representing a good mix of locals and imports. A fairly extensive cooler is full of bottles and cans available for on or off premise consumption. Only two of their own beers were on tap and they were both fruit or spice beers. The main draw here would be the guest taps and bottles. Papago Brewing Company felt like stepping back several years into the craft beer scene of old times.

Large place, not particularly visible in a large strip mall you would no otherwise think of approaching. Obviously a pretty decent selection with 30+ taps inclusing several locals and the fridges that are as interesting or almost than the best beer stores’ in the area. Nevertheless, this feels overrated and a top place from another era with the - in my limited experience - not particularly friendly service, crowd that seemed mostly interested at watching the basketball game and generally depressing, dark-lit, browned walls atmosphere. The pizzas were a bit subpar. Nostalgic perhaps, but I’m not sure this is even a must in the Phoenix area.

Large place located in a strip mall. About 16 beers on tap, when I visited they only had 1 house beer. Also coolers with tons of cans and bottles. Good selection and decent service. Prices in line . Totes McGoats

Located in a huge strip mall, this was a cool stop. Lots of taps, well-chosen, but only 3 of their own beers and the rest guest taps. You can order flights of their own 3 for $5, with 4 oz pours available for the rest with varying prices. Had the hummus plate to snack in, which was simple but tasty. Pretty good selection of bottle available to go as well. Friendly service and quite quick. Wouldn’t say it’s a mandatory stop despite the rating, which I think is inflated due to their having been here so long. Still, nice stop in southern Scottsdale.

Dark dive bar hidden in middle strip mall. Lots of metal brewery advertising signs and statues of monks around the inside. Took a bus there and spent nearly 10 mins trying to find it once at the mall as i turned right from the water feature in the middle instead of left (Signage low key). When drinking at the bar, I heard the barman explaining to a caller how to find the place, having already also arrived at the mall - so be patient in your search ! Draft selection was fair and good quality and additional beer fridges expanded the range available - included Belgian and UK stuff. Service slow even though not busy on a Thursday afternoon. Its worth a visit if in the neighbourhood or passing, but not sure if its a "must" to go well out of your way for. I’d rate Angels Trumpet and OHSO a tad better on all fronts.

Had dinner and beers in this great place for drinking. In a strip mall, good food great staff, nice selection. The papago beers were not great. Bought a six to go- was gonna get a few-the waitress said- you get 3 more for $1.50. I love this place! All beer drinkers should stop in if in the area.

Lucked into a Lagunitas night on my first visit here a few months ago. They were promoting their new "Same Day IPA" which was awesome! It’s possible that my rating is a bit higher than if I’d have visited on a normal night...because Marissa from Lagunitas who was running the promotion was a lot of fun. Nonetheless...Papago is a great place with a large selection of beers. One of the best in Phoenix...which is not overly deep for a city relatively close to that craftbeer monster 5 hours to the west (you’d think some of that would spill over...or they’d at least share...lol!). The food was good...the staff was great...and the atmosphere pretty decent. In addition to the taps...there is a large bottle selection. All in all...a worthwhile craftbeer stop in Phoenix.

I’m amazed this place is the highest rated place in Arizona. Do not go expecting a quality brewpub. This is at its core a blue collar beer bar with a decent selection across a broad range of taps. They also have a wall of bottles in coolers. But a date check on just a couple bottles resulted in beers over 8 months old (and not selections you’d want to age). We sample all 3 house-brewed selections they had (among 40-ish taps) and they all were lower end homebrew quality. Brewery #721.

Visited early evening on a Wednesday. Located in a beat down strip mall that appears to be 85% dead, tucked in a corner and looks like a gritty dive bar from the outside. Fortunately, the interior is quite nice and inviting, well decorated with plenty of space. A bit worn perhaps, but nice character. Beer selection is two house beers (which aren’t brewed in house) and 28 guest drafts. The guest drafts offer a nice range of styles though nothing really local or hard to find. Bottle selection is in coolers that you can peruse immediately across from the bar. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. Food looked decent, though I didn’t eat here. Interesting place, seems like a top beer spot 7-8 years ago that has been passed by.

70 = ★★½ (Locals should check it out, visitors with extended time)

I only use the total score, not the component parts.