Background
Historic gunfights and horse-drawn carriage rides, whats not to love. The Wild West is alive and well in Tombstone, Arizona, an hour southeast of Tucson. The tourist destination’s newest attraction, Tombstone Brewing Company opened in October 2016. They began creating some excellent IPAs, sour ales and barrel-aged stouts that would make the Earps proud. The breweries location at 107 E. Toughnut St. previously served as Tombstone’s city hall and Helldorado Brewing Co.
Tombstone Brewing Company founder and co-owner Matt Brown owned a law firm in Tempe, but followed his wife to Tombstone, where she had family job opportunities. She’s also is a fifth-generation Cochise county resident and her great-great grandfather was a judge in Tombstone. With 14 years of homebrewing experience under Brown’s belt, he followed his heart and opened the brewery with the help of brewmaster Weedy Weidenthal. Weidenthal, brewed for four years at Blue Pants Brewery in Madison, Alabama, where he won some of the first awards for an Alabama brewery. Though just 27 years old, Weidenthal is well-trained, having attended the Siebel Institute’s World Brewing Academy during his time at Blue Pants.
Tombstone has not been able to keep up with demand. Brown had a wonderful opportunity when Helio Basin owners in Phoenix contacted him. The Helio Basin owner in Phoenix explained that the business couldn’t make it through the financial struggle of the pandemic and was willing to sell the Phoenix brewery in its entirety. Tombstone Brewing North kept all the Helio staff and opened in October 2020.
Experience
We have been fans of Tombstone for years and were excited when the news broke they were finally moving up to Phoenix. The tasting room layout has not changed much since Helio Basin. For the most part the facility is accessible. Two large tables holding up to 8 friends as well as many smaller tables and a bar. Down a few steps and in view of the Fermentation Cellar is an overflow section of the tasting room.
Tombstone North does offer several small plates as well as a variety of burgers. Closed during COVID, the kitchen will be open again June 4, 2021. The day we visited there were 16 different beers available. Plenty of IPAs available both triples and doubles and all unfiltered. In addition, two Berliner Weisses, a Farmhouse, a Pale, a Dubbel, a Bitter and a Stout.
When in the area check out Helton Brewing Company and Wren House Brewing.
