Drawing Inspiration And Ingredients From The Land, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. Is An Homage To The Grand Canyon State
By Sarah McCosham|Published July 08, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
In the American West, it’s hard not to be inspired by the Great Outdoors. For proof of this, simply look at the dozens of national parks scattered across states like Utah, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Arizona. Especially Arizona. Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, glorious mountain ranges, and waterfalls so blue they don’t look real, the Grand Canyon State is a place of divine inspiration. The views are astounding, and the land itself reveals an abundance of opportunity for those who view it with respect and adoration. Like, for instance, Arizona Wilderness founder Jon Buford.
You’ve heard of farm-to-table restaurants, but what about farm-to-glass breweries? One of the best breweries in Arizona, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. sources almost all of its ingredients from local farms. The best part? Every pint of beer saves water thanks to the usage of barley instead of crops such as alfalfa and corn. Arizona Wilderness is a sustainable brewery in the draught-prone West that’s set a standard both aspirational and accessible for others breweries and businesses to follow suit.
Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
With locations in Gilbert and downtown Phoenix, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. is unlike any other brewery in the state.
Their motto is "Drink Like You Care," and every aspect of the business embodies the spirit of the phrase -- and the passion and depth of its founder's vision.
Explains Arizona Wilderness founder Jon Buford: "One of my first backpacking trips into a designated wilderness area, I saw the National Forest Wilderness sign letting you know that you were crossing into a Wilderness. That moment had a profound effect on me: an imaginary line that we all respect which allows nature to stay perfect and unkempt."
Meanwhile, back in what Buford calls the urban sprawl of Phoenix, "craft beer was entering the zeitgeist of our culture. I certainly dreamt of ways to combine both communities and highlight things that I find necessary for our world to thrive."
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His vision? Arizona Wilderness Brewing, a "community-driven, outdoor-loving" sustainable brewery... in Arizona, a state that's been in a long-term draught for decades.
So Buford did his research, rolled up his sleeves, and got to work on plans for the Arizona brewery, which would open its first location in 2013.
He conceptualized a brewery that would practice sustainability in many ways: sourcing seasonal, locally-grown ingredients from Arizona farmers *and* using a technique that saves water thanks to the usage of Sinagua Malt, which swaps summer crops like corn and alfalfa for barley.
The effects of this crop-switching practice are a beautiful domino effect of sustainability. It results in less precious water diverted from the Verde River during periods of high demand, yet low flow, ultimately conserving more water for people and wildlife.
To that end, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. also regularly partners with organizations such as Audubon Southwest, furthering its mission to protect and preserve the planet and all of its inhabitants.
At this point you may be wondering about the beer... what's it like? Does taste or quality come at the cost of sustainability? Absolutely not.
Using fresh, local ingredients really make a difference when it comes to the taste of the beer. Inspiration, too, is a key ingredient. The first beer brewed at Wilderness by the new head of production, Brad Miles, West Clear is a modern take on West Coast IPA. It has a clean, subtle malt base and slight bitterness that makes for a perfect sip.
Of course, you never know exactly what will be on offer, as the tap list is ever-changing -- but rest assured there's a perfect drink for everyone.
This applies to the food menu, too. Specials vary by what's in season and available, as with this Red, Wagyu & Blue burger that boasts wagyu beef from TERRA farm, fresh baby arugula and strawberry jalapeño jam. It's the perfect bite of summer.
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Across the street from the Gilbert taproom, Woodnotes Cellar is also owned by the brewery. This is their private fermentorium, where they create unique, sour, and fruit-infused beers. It isn't open to the public, but they do occasionally host special events there, like yoga classes that include a post-Savasana pint.
Having a company that does not compromise on its values is a difficult journey, but Buford wouldn't have it any other way.
This community-minded ethos is at the heart of everything Arizona Wilderness is and does. "You have to know, understand, and appreciate your community," says Buford.
"Whether it's a neighborhood, a block, a street, or a whole city, you must learn to understand what the people are asking for. That all starts with making sure that your employees are in a position to find themselves in a great position. Mental health, fair wages, and access to programs which benefit their lives is the place we start," he says.
From there, a business is in a position to better serve the community. "We work with organizations that we feel are filling a need or highlighting a cause that we can champion," he adds.
At the end of the day, Buford admits that having a company that does not compromise on its values is a difficult journey, but ultimately, it's the pathway to success.
"You can witness success in real time when employees, customers, and vendors are all equally thriving together in a healthy ecosystem," he says. To that end, I'd add that very ecosystem -- the land and soil and climate and earth -- is an inextricable part of this successful and sustainable equation, too. It's a beautiful, wonderful balance.
Arizona Wilderness Brewing is proof that Mother Nature is the best inspiration, that small steps can affect big change, and that a sustainable brewery a draught-prone region is, with proper research and gumption, well within reach. Let’s raise a glass to that!
Many thanks to Arizona Wilderness founder Jon Buford for sharing the story of this exceptional Arizona brewery. Learn more about Arizona Wilderness Brewing at its website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
Of course, Arizona Wilderness is just one of the many small businesses doing big things in Arizona; please nominate your favorite attractions and businesses for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Only In Arizona article. And be sure to follow Only In Arizona on Facebook and Instagram to learn about the the Grand Canyon State’s most incredible places, attractions, and events.
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