Freshly Brewed in Mesa

The art of brewing coffee may not have much in common with the act of brewing beer, but the makers of these two craft beverages often find a place side by side in our neighborhoods. With both having such a wide range of flavors and ways to enjoy, the drinks are the perfect morning-to-night combination. Whether you’re looking for a latte or a lager, Mesa has a growing brew crew ready to serve and even share some knowledge about what makes each drink so special.

Desert Eagle Brewing Company
Home brewers Joe Campbell and Jeff Bryant opened Mesa’s first microbrewery in 2012. With a nod to Campbell’s German heritage, Desert Eagle beers go beyond IPAs to include rare and popular European styles like the Main Street Blonde, the Golden Eagle Wheat and the Das Dunkel.
150 W. Main St., Mesa

12 West Brewing Tap Room
12 West Brewing’s mantra “crafted for the community,” holds true as they make excellent use of local ingredients, from blood oranges picked from trees at Agritopia and a blend for their coffee stout from Spirit Mountain Coffee in Mesa. 12 West Brewing in Mesa aims to provide guests with a new concept that combines a taproom, cocktail bar, full kitchen, and takeout service, which includes beer, wine, spirits, and food in one location on Main Street in Mesa.
12 W. Main St., Mesa

Jarrod’s Tea & Coffee Gallery
Owner Jarrod Martinez has created a cultural hub in downtown Mesa with a unique cross-section of coffee, tea, art and live performances. Enjoy espresso drinks, smoothies, Italian sodas and light eats from the café, while taking in an ever-changing selection of local art on the walls. Most nights, there’s live music or a chance to get in on the performance yourself with a weekly Open Mic Poetry and game nights.
154 W. Main St., Mesa

Old Ellsworth Brewing
As Queen Creek’s first brewery and taproom, Old Ellsworth Brewing is meeting the demand for craft beer in the far East Valley. Home brewers and friends Brian McKean and Ryan Bostrom offer a changing rotation of brews like bocks, barley wines and farmhouse ales that go beyond the ever-popular IPA. Complimenting the beers is a deep pub menu that is known for its wings and poutine.
22005 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek

Superstition Coffee at Queen Creek Olive Mill
Closed March 2021

The Beer Research Institute
Thanks to a recent expansion, the Beer Research Institute is one of Mesa’s largest breweries and taprooms, and is a perfect meeting spot for groups large and small. The brewery specializes in hop-forward IPAs, but be sure to check out its seasonal offerings that are often paired to its made-from-scratch menu.
1641 S. Stapley Drive, Mesa

Barrio Brewing Co.
One of the state’s original craft breweries, Tucson-based Barrio Brewing opened a taproom near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in 2017. Valley visitors can now sip on its flagship Barrio Blonde, the longest continually brewed beer in Arizona, or try a pint of its two Great American Beer Festival-winning styles Barrio Rojo and Nolan Porter while watching the planes come. Other seasonal brews and a full menu round out the experience.
5803 S. Sossaman Road, Mesa

Oro Brewing
Nestled in a 1920s brick building on the edge of Mesa’s original business district, nanobrewery and taproom Oro Brewing offers diverse beer styles from its 12 taps and to-go packaging. The passion project of two long-time friends, Oro is rooted in the neighborhood. Its “Community Tap” dedicates a portion of sales to a different local non-profit or awesome cause each month.
210 W. Main St., Mesa

The Nile Coffee Shop
Once the lobby for the recently renovated historic Nile Theater, The Nile Coffee Shop is now a central meeting spot for businesspeople and creatives alike. With downtown Mesa’s signature brick walls and cozy seating, the café offers a 100-percent vegan food menu and a full range of espresso drinks, cold brew and drip brewed from beans provided by local roaster Passport Coffee.
105 W. Main St., Mesa

Cider Corps
Cider may not be brewed, but the drinks Josh and Jason Duren are making in the state’s first cidery and taproom fit right with the craft beverage community. The brother’s craft cider styles have included everything from a seasonal pie series with pumpkin, cherry and strawberry rhubarb, to chef-inspired collaborations like the 40 Myke-Myke with honey, arbol and ancho chile to pair with its in-taproom pizzeria.
31 S. Robson St., Mesa

Pair Cupworks
Located inside the Cider Corps taproom, Pair Cupworks has quickly gone from a quiet weekend pop-up to downtown Mesa’s first roaster. Kimhak Em serves his small-batch roasts as pour-over coffees and partner Eugenia Tia brews their artisanal teas. Open five days a week, Pair plans to expand to a full espresso bar in early 2020.
31 S. Robson St., Mesa

Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.
Arizona Wilderness quickly rose to international cult beer status when it opened in 2012 thanks to a social media buzz backed by innovative brews. Wilderness continues to deliver on its reputation and commitment to honor Arizona’s resources. Its small batch beers typically highlight Arizona’s agricultural and foraged ingredients.
721 N. Arizona Ave., Gilbert

Chupacabra Taproom
This tucked away gem in the center of Downtown Mesa is a great aprés-show stop if plans have you in the area for the myriad events held at the Mesa Arts Center and the other museums within walking distance. Featuring a global selection of wines and craft beers, and some Arizona mainstays also on tap, head to this friendly haunt and set a spell. Can’t make up your mind, their knowledgeable staff offer up spot-on recommendations based on your personal flavor profile.
14 N. Robson, Mesa

Angela Muñiz is a food and beverage marketing specialist who has been writing about Arizona’s beer, coffee and independent restaurant scene for more than 20 years. She starts her mornings with a well-pulled espresso shot.