With September 28 designated as National Drink Beer Day, it’s the perfect time to explore Tucson’s local brewery scene. And while you may just be enjoying a pint, these neighborhood mainstays positively affect the local economy, impact tourism, and help rejuvenate neighborhoods in both small and mid-size communities, according to iGrow. Luckily, Tucson has a growing brewery scene with a variety of establishments. And there’s no better to celebrate this made up holiday than by heading to these neighborhoods for some of the city’s best breweries.

Downtown

Photo courtesy of Pueblo Vida Brewing Company

The highest concentration of breweries in Tucson can be found in Downtown. The lively neighborhood offers a mix of local breweries, each providing its own unique take on craft beer. Borderlands Brewing Company implemented techniques that were introduced to the region by German settlers in the 1800s. With recipes inspired by the community around them, you’ll taste the difference in their amber ale Santa Rita or vanilla porter Noche Dulce. Located on Congress Street, Ten55 Brewing and Sausage offers fine craft beer and scratch-made sausage. Try their Ten55 Brewing Betts’ Brown or Cherry Oat Stout while sampling bites from their impressive sausage menu that caters to both meat eaters and vegan. Pueblo Vida Brewing Company is a smaller, rustic brewery serving world-inspired beers that are locally crafted. Day drinkers may want to try their Breakfast Stout that’s brewed with midnight wheat, malted oats, and chocolate malt with a cold brew concentrate of Yellowbrick Coffee. Best of all, Pueblo Vida’s taproom is dog-friendly so you can have a beer with your favorite pet.

Iron John’s Brewing Company is a small batch brewery where they mill barley onsite and use whole grains, flavorful hops, spices, and a wide variety of locally harvested ingredients. And if you need to grab a bite, the 35-seat bar lets patrons bring in their own grub, according to This is Tucson currently features eight taps with two of their own beers on tap: Stone Face Pale Ale and Hop Backed Amber. Crooked Tooth Brewing Co. features a 1,400 square-foot beer garden and community tables throughout. Current flagships include Archmagus Ale, 18 Hour IPA, Crooked Light, and Lazer Soundwaves (a sour Saison). And finally, Public Brewhouse, located just off 4th Avenue,is a nanobrewery that’s popular for live folk and blues music as well as a rotating selection of craft beers.

Silvercroft

Located just outside of Silvercroft is Dragoon Brewing Company. This microbrewery has an on-site tasting room, where you can sip on year-round beers like Dragoon IPA, Stronghold Session, and Santa Cruz’r. Or check out their seasonal releases like Ojo Blanco, Saison Blue, and Whetstone Wheat. Then, head out front for a variety of rotating food trucks throughout the week. Check out their calendar for monthly events including Brewery Bootcamps, special beer releases, and happy hour events.

South Tucson

Photo courtesy of Copper Mine Brewing Company

South Tucson is known for its authentic eateries and diverse brewery scene. Harbottle Brewing Company offers a decent variety of brews for both novice and experienced craft drinkers. They also offer seasonal beers like the Lonestar, a German style schwarzbier, and Bummer Summer, a watermelon beer with lemony tart hibiscus flowers. Copper Mine Brewing Company features 10 beers on tap including local favorites Copper Mine IPA, Watermelon Gose, and Imperial Stout. Also, Green Feet Brewing is a craft microbrewery with a vibrant atmosphere, where most nights you’ll find the owner behind the bar serving up IPAs.

El Rio Acres

On North Forbes Boulevard, adjacent tothe El Rio Acres neighborhood is 1912 Brewing Company. Thisbreweryis known for their sour beersanduses only local ingredients to produce their craft brews. Enjoy one of their 20 beers on tap, like Weiz the Hell Not, Ta Weno red ale, or Got My Mojito Working sour ale, while sitting at their authentic copper bar. The brewery also hosts numerous events throughout the year such as Taco Tuesdays, free yoga for Veterans, Beermosa Sundays, and Gold Canyon Candle parties. And if you need a break from the brews, walk across the street to Hamilton Distillers, a whiskey single malt distillery that welcomes whiskey connoisseurs.

Warsaw

Photo courtesy of Sentinel Peak

A quaint neighborhood with ranch-style homes and mature landscaping, Warsaw residents are within walking distance to the local brewery Sentinel Peak Brewing Company. A nanobrewery offering a rotating selection of craft beers along with a few house favorites, this casual spot is where you’ll find beer lovers lost in conversation and discussing all things beer. Blonde lovers will want to try their 1811 Desert Blonde always on tap, while their rotational Heatwave Hefeweizen is cloudy, crisp, and satisfying.