It is a bit of a challenge to hear Brian McBride, the soft-spoken owner of Arizona Beer House, over the chatter of customers during an interview on a recent Friday afternoon.
Since opening a year ago, craft beer enthusiasts have flocked in droves to this popular spot, the east side of Tucson’s answer to Tap & Bottle, with 35 taps and nearly 400 bottles to choose from.
The Beer House, in the old Original Santa Fe Tile Company at East Broadway and South Kolb Road, can get slammed on weekends.
It’s been that way since the beginning.
“It was crazy when we first opened,” McBride said. “We were busy our first week and it hasn’t slowed down. The support we’ve seen has been overwhelming.”
In honor of its one year in business, McBride and his crew of east-side beer slingers are throwing an all-out anniversary bash this Saturday, July 30.
The family-friendly party will feature carnival games and an hourly dart throw for prizes, a stilt walker, balloon artist, a 21-and-older scavenger hunt and even a water slide.
On hand to assist will be Ellen McBride, Brian’s sister and manager at the Beer House. David McBride, Brian’s brother and business partner in the venture, lives in California, but will be there in spirit.
Arizona Beer House is a family affair nearly a decade in the making. Brian is a longtime craft beer aficionado.
Many a family trip over the last 10 years has been planned around potential visits to far-flung breweries.
“I’ve always loved chasing down beer,” Brian said. “It got to a point where my kids would ask which breweries we were going to see before vacations.”
Brian, who sold plumbing supplies before entering the business, said he and his brother had long talked about opening a place in Tucson that served craft beer and wine, with a particular focus on what was being created in Arizona.
The goal was simplicity.
“We wanted a place where people could come and relax with no televisions, no Wi-Fi,” he said. “People could sit with each other for hours and just talk.”
Arizona Beer House seems to fit the bill.
“On Fridays and Saturdays, you look across the bar and no cellphones are out,” he said, his voice barely audible amid the packed house of customers. “Everyone is socializing. It is great.”
