Spellbinder
Wren House Brewing Company
My first thought when I saw the blurry can that carries one of Arizona top hazies was, “Wait, I haven’t even had ANY yet!” Realizing the illusion was actually just the outstanding can art took a few moments. Still, years after seeing the first can of Spellbinder my mind still plays tricks on me. One of the most special parts of Spellbinder is the hop blend. As with many hazy IPAs, this brew uses citra and Mosaic hops to bring a citrus punch to the brew. To balance the beer, a calculated use of Cascade hops accent the fruity flavors. This brew is a sure contender for the top AZ Hazy. Don’t take our word for it, though. Spellbinder just won gold at the world renowned great american beer festival.
Northeast IPA
Helton Brewing Co.
The Northeast IPA from Helton is the most bitter of the hazy IPAs on this list. It still sports the opaque orange hues a drinker would expect, but with a distinctly less juicy take on the style. That’s precisely why this beer is so special. In the age of juice bombs, fruited sours, and other crazy sugary beers, this brew walks a fine line. For beer lovers who tend to shy away from hazy IPAs, this brew might convert you. Because of the classic brewing style that Brian Helton employs, his Northeast IPA is somewhat of a blend between old-school and new-school beer flavors. Drinkers will appreciate the thick mouthfeel and fruity flavors expected in a hazy, balanced by a background bitterness reminiscent of more traditional IPAs.
La Ciudad
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.
When Arizona Wilderness Downtown PHX opened, I asked myself, “why would a brewery with the word ‘wilderness’ in their name open a new location in the city?” After speaking with founder Jon Burford, it all made sense: the people who need the most education about Arizona’s natural wonders are probably those in the city. “Balance” is an overused word when describing beer (guilty!) but this one is worthy of the moniker. There’s just enough hop dankness to provide drinkers of the classic IPA character, but the fruity, hazy hop combo of Citra and Mosaic take center stage. Since Arizona Wilderness brews this beer with locally grown SinAgua Malt, along with all of their other beers, this brew has a true taste of Arizona.
Church Music
The Shop Beer Co.
This flagship brew from The Shop Beer Co. is a fan favorite for sure. Over the few years Church Music has been around it has steadily grown its draft presence across AZ. Much to our satisfaction, cans of Church Music are now making their way into bottleshops and grocery stores near you. This hazy sports a very full body, a beautiful color, and a bouquet of aromatic fruity flavors. Tropical tastes of mango and pineapple are some of the most prominent in this brew. A light bitterness allows some of the malt flavor to shine through the hops, contributing to the sweetness of this hazy. We highly recommend making the trip to The Shop’s taproom, where visitors can enjoy the freshest Church Music around on a beautiful patio.
Hazing Arizona
Walter Station Brewery
For all those that think Arizona is just a dusty desert, sorry friend. Our central valley is filled with JUICE! Walter Station, despite being one of the new breweries on the block, is already making waves in the valley’s sea of hazies. Hazing Arizona, a triple dry hopped hazy IPA, is Walter Station’s ticket to gold. This Phoenix-based brewery adds so “many hops to this beer that you can almost walk on it”. The flavors that appear on your tongue 5-10 seconds AFTER you take the drink are the best part. As each sip settles, more tart flavors like lime and grapefruit develop. With its affordable price per 4pk this Arizona brew makes it a pleasure to support local!
Check in with each place before visiting to ensure they are open or serving during COVID.