AZ Beer Week 2022: Goldwater Brewing Goes Bananas

For 35 years, the McClelland family has been brewing beers in some form. Greg, the patriarch of the clan, started their beer making journey in the garage of their Mesa home. In 2015, his sons Chad and Dillon opened Goldwater Brewing Co. in old town Scottsdale. In January 2020, Goldwater expanded to add a second Valley location in the East Mesa Longbow area. Today, the brewery is among the favorites of craft beer lovers across Arizona and regularly churning out new beers for its fans.

Our Johann Warnholz recently talked to co-owner and creative director Dillon McClelland about the several new releases planned for Arizona Beer Week (Feb. 17-27) and what Goldwater is pouring for Strong Beer Fest on Saturday, Feb. 19.

Goldwater’s offerings at Strong Beer Fest and new releases during Arizona Beer Week:

• A Bit Nippy, a cold IPA collaboration with Great Divide Brewing in Denver.
• Rye Bock aged for 6-months in Superstition Meadery barrels.
• Monkeys Don’t Cramp, a 12% ABV imperial stout with added bananas, peanut butter, cocoa nibs and more bananas.
• The Valley to Cali hazy IPA is already on draft and in cans and is extended for Arizona Beer Week.
• Longbow Lite will also be available at Strong Beer Fest.