Ask any small business owner about summertime in Tucson, and chances are most will greet the question with frowns, evil stares and maybe a little profanity.
The city’s slow summer months can suck something awful.
But the people running the show at Sentinel Peak Brewing Company see things differently.
Owners of the rapidly expanding midtown brewpub are spending their summer prepping for three newly ordered 10-barrel fermenters and a 10-barrel bright tank, equipment that will allow them to create even more beer in a shorter amount of time.
“We’ve been getting our infrastructure ready,” said co-owner Jeremy Hilderbrand. “It has been good that we’ve been a little slower. It allows us to get ready for the fall.”
The expansion is the latest giant leap for the brewery, which opened its doors in 2014 in an old Philly’s Finest sandwich shop at 4746 E. Grant Road and has been growing ever since.
In its short time in existence, Sentinel has bulked up from 2,200 square feet to 3,500, with an additional 1,500 square feet of patio space.
The brewery has spread its beer reach, working with Young’s Market Company for statewide distribution.
Sentinel Peak can now be found in bars, restaurants and hotels across Arizona, from Yuma to Flagstaff, including at the Sheraton Grand Phoenix in downtown Phoenix and RoadHouse Cinemas in Tucson and Scottsdale.
The midtown spot recently scored some national press with an article in The New Brewer magazine for its techniques on maximizing product output.
Using methods like employing a second brew kettle, and using two inline, on-demand hot water heaters, ideas implemented by former Sentinel brewer Sam Diggins and local engineer Walter Diaz, Sentinel has been able to shave significant time off of its brewing process, upping its capacity from six kegs a day to up to 27 kegs a day.
The article showcases the intricacies of the process.
“If you are creative, you can do a lot of things without having to spend a lot of money,” Hilderbrand said.
In addition to statewide recognition, Sentinel Peak will soon be the brewery behind the beers for the new Dove Mountain Brewing Company, which will open later this year in the former Lo Esencial restaurant space, 12130 N. Dove Mountain Blvd.
Sentinel Peak will create two to four beers for Dove Mountain, which the restaurant will sell under its own name.
“It is a good relationship,” Hilderbrand said. “That is a side of town where we don’t have a lot of exposure, so we are looking forward to that.”
All of the increased demand means hiring a few more brewers to help as production picks up.
Not a bad problem for any business to have.
“We feel pretty blessed to receive so much support from the community,” Hilderbrand said. “Managing growth is a challenge, but we think we are headed in the right direction.”
