If you’ve spent any real time drinking beer in Phoenix over the past decade, there’s a good chance Pedal Haus has been part of the story. What started as a slightly unconventional idea—leaning into European beer styles at a time when IPAs ruled everything—has grown into one of the Valley’s most consistent, thoughtful, and flat-out beloved breweries.
Pedal Haus Brewery was born from familiarity with Mill Avenue and a willingness to zag when everyone else zigged. Founder Julian Wright originally opened a craft beer bar, but quickly saw an opportunity to create beer that wasn’t widely available in Arizona at the time. Instead of chasing trends, Pedal Haus built its identity around well-executed classics—styles like Bière Blanche, Czech Pilsner, Dortmunder, and English ESB—beers that reward patience and precision when brewing, and welcome repeat pints.
The commitment to “true-to-style” brewing has paid off. Over the years, Pedal Haus has quietly racked up serious hardware, including multiple gold medals at nationally respected competitions. If you want proof that clean beer is often the hardest beer to make, look no further than Day Drinker Light Lager, which has earned repeated recognition and remains one of the brewery’s most popular pours. It’s easy drinking without being boring—a theme Pedal Haus nails again and again.
Growth hasn’t dulled that focus. The move into production brewing and the opening of a larger facility in Chandler marked a major shift, especially with the recent launch of cans. Initially not part of the master plan, canned beer quickly became the fastest-growing part of the business once demand—and some killer branding—made the case. Fans can now grab staples like Day Drinker, White Rabbit Hazy IPA, Beach Cruiser Mexican Amber Lager, and German-Style Pilsner beyond the taproom.
Equally impressive is how each location manages to feel familiar without feeling copy-and-paste. The downtown Phoenix spot comes with rooftop energy that’s hard to beat on a cool evening, while Mesa’s walkable downtown area feels tailor-made for an afternoon that accidentally turns into dinner and another round. Tempe, the original home base, remains a neighborhood anchor—and proof that vibes matter just as much as what’s in the glass.
The food follows the same philosophy. This is not a place trying to reinvent the wheel; it’s a place trying to make sure the wheel tastes great. Burgers, pizza, and comfort-forward plates dominate, built to pair easily with beer rather than compete with it. If you want one simple order that never fails: pizza and a German-style pilsner. Clean, crisp, and endlessly compatible—kind of like Pedal Haus itself.
Looking ahead, there’s plenty brewing beyond the fermenters. A bottled, nine-month-aged Imperial Stout is on deck at the time of writing, Pub Club memberships continue to roll out perks via the app, and spring will bring back the Rabbit Ride—Pedal Haus’s wonderfully weird, dress-up, bike-centric celebration.
At its core, Pedal Haus succeeds because it never forgets why people show up in the first place: to relax, drink something well made, and feel like a regular—even on their first visit. That’s a tough balance to pull off, but Pedal Haus does it with the same confidence it brings to its beer. Grab a pint, grab a slice, and stay awhile.
written by: steven larson
photographed by: luke irvin
𖡡 730 south mill avenue, #102 tempe, az 85281
𖡡 201 west main street, mesa, az 85201
𖡡 95 west boston street, chandler, az 85225
𖡡 214 east roosevelt street suite 4, phoenix, az 85004