The taps are open again
Seventh Street watering hole, Corbett Breweryis back and its bartenders are eager to serve the mousse to thirsty Tucsonians.
After a long pandemic-induced hiatus, the brewery reopened its tasting room and terrace to the public on Friday July 15. Now the brewing team has big plans to be better than ever as we roll into the sweet spot of fall here in Old Pueblo.
Photo courtesy of Taylor Noel Photography
Corbett Brewing, which shares ownership with Fourth Avenue stalwarts The hut and O’Malley’s Bar & Grill and the sixth street bar Bob Dobbshas been in its current location since opening its doors in 2018.
Store closure during pandemic, says general manager Patrick Scupin, gave the owners time to dream about the future of the brewery and strategize for massive upgrades to better serve the community. These improvements and changes will also be gradually introduced in sync with the expansion of opening hours.
When it all comes together, “it’s going to be huge,” Scupin said.
Patrick Scupin, General Manager of Corbett Brewing Co. (Photo courtesy of Taylor Noel Photography)
First step: a good beer
Currently, Corbett Brewing serves six in-house brews: an IPA, a pale ale, a lager, a vanilla-tangerine wheat beer, a porter, and a hazy cream ale. Plus, they offer a full bar for customers who prefer something other than beer to wet their whistles.
In early October, the brewery will welcome Kingman, born in Arizona and transplanted from Minnesota, Josh Estensenas the new head brewer.
Photo courtesy of Taylor Noel Photography
With six years of commercial brewing experience, including time with BRU Handcrafted Beers (Boulder, CO) Mother Road Brewing Company (Flagstaff, Ariz.) Big Ax Brewery (Nisswa, Minnesota), and Snarky Loon Brewery (Jenkins, Minnesota), Estensen is now finding his roots here in the desert.
As for his favorite types of beer, he enjoys brewing classic German ales and lagers. Although he has other nifty recipes in mind once he gets things done here in Tucson.
“I always like a good American IPA,” Estensen said. “I hope to bring my Midwest flair to the Southwest and continue to create great beer.”
Second step: a space and a slice for each
Corbett Brewing currently serves and seats customers in its lobby lounge, main tasting room and large outdoor patio.
Photo courtesy of Taylor Noel Photography
The patio is also the current venue for the brewery’s live music offerings, which will energize the scene every Friday and Saturday night.
Photo courtesy of Taylor Noel Photography
For the future, the brewery is planning major improvements.
These include the creation of a spacious indoor music room with a full-size stage for bands, a secondary indoor bar and windows giving patrons a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the brewery.
Photo courtesy of Taylor Noel Photography
Moreover, not a but two dining concepts (one will be pizza, the other TBD) will be integrated into the space, allowing guests to dine with their beers.
These additions will increase Corbett Brewing’s footprint by multitudes and will likely put them on the map as a premier location for live music, craft beer and dining. Plans for these impressive upgrades are currently underway and should be completed in early 2023.
Photo courtesy of Taylor Noel Photography
Third step: more time to hang
While Corbett Brewing’s hours are currently limited to Friday and Saturday nights, Scupin tells me those hours are on a growth trajectory. If mid-week beers are your thing (and I know they are), you can expect to be able to serve them in the dining room by fall.
With its prime location adjacent to Fourth Avenue and its focus on quality craft beer, the brewery just might be your new favorite place to enjoy a beer.
Photo courtesy of Taylor Noel Photography
Once construction is complete, this Tucson brewery is poised to be the destination for music lovers looking for a night out on the town. Reopened and reinvented, the future looks bright for Corbett Brewing and for Tucson beer lovers.
Current hours of operation are 4-10 p.m. Friday and 5-10 p.m. Saturday.
Corbett Brewing Company is located at 309 E. Seventh St. For more information, visit corbettbrewingcompanyaz.com.
