Four Peaks on 8th Street in Temp, Ariz. is pretty much where my beer taste began and evolved. It’s amazing it’s taken me so long to write about it. By far one of my favorite breweries, it holds the highest rank in brewery and brew pubs on my list—from food, to services and of course, beer selection.
Of course Tempe is the center of Arizona State University, which is where I went to undergrad. Most bars, restaurants and clubs have a short life, however Four Peaks is there to stay. I began going there on Thursday nights after rock climbing at PRG. We’d hop over the back wall and through the back entrance (which is no longer—we actually have to go to the front and have a hostess as you if you want a table!). Years ago, if you were a local you knew how to get in (through the back), where the empty seats where, and how to get the quickest round of drinks. I actually get annoyed when the “new guy” at the door asks for my ID—he doesn’t know how long I’ve been coming here!
But nonetheless, the food is to die for. Nachos, fries, pizza and burgers. I can’t say I’ve had a bad or sub par dish. Now the beer…Kilt Lifter a Scottish-style ale is malty sweet and amber colored. The 8th Street Ale (one of my faves on a hot AZ-summer day—and the street Four Peaks is on) is an award winning English-style best bitter, slightly sweet with mellow bitterness. I’m going to skip over the Hefeweizen, Arizona Peach and the Sunbru—they’re tasty, but Four Peaks serves better brews in my opinion. Raj IPA or Hop Knot IPA, can I say OMG! Need I say more? I love stouts, but the Oatmeal Stout is one of my favorites and my Dad can attest to that as well, we’ve thrown back a few of those together.
Four Peaks seasonal beers are always phenomenal. Winter Wobbler, Hopsquatch Barleywine and my favorite, favorite, favorite…Pumpkin Porter. Pumpkins Porter makes my taste buds dance! Oh and if you get a chance to try it (it’s available for a short time from mid-October to whenever the batch runs out in Nov.) mix half-and-half Oatmeal Stout and Pumpkin Porter. Delicious.
Four Peaks Brewpub aka “Where It All Began”
1340 East 8th Street #104
Tempe, Arizona 85281
(480) 303-9967
Four Peaks Grill & Tap
15730 North Pima Road
Suite D5-7
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
(480) 991-1795
www.fourpeaks.com