Background
Matt Wright and Marshall Norris opened Simple Machine Brewing in north Phoenix in November 2019. The pair converted a former auto body shop on the southwest corner of Seventh Avenue and Deer Valley and opened with a small 3 barrel system Marshall had purchased from Dubina Brewing.
As observed with so many of my reviews, Marshall caught his fascination with beer after he and his roommate started brewing with a Mr. Beer kit. Marshall started in the craft beer industry as an unpaid cellarman at Borderlands in Tucson in 2014 while still working his corporate job. His first paid brewing job was in 2015 at Dubina in Phoenix, which at the time was just one year old. A little more than a year later, he got the opportunity to work for MobilWest Canning, where he learned the ins and outs of a canning and met a lot of brewers in Arizona, Nevada and California.
In 2017 Marshall worked as brewer in charge at Helton Brewing, which at the time was just one year old, and that is where he connected with Matt Wright. After about a year, both went to help out at Borderlands, then to Pueblo Vida. Returning to the Phoenix market, Marshall went to help out Phoenix Ale and stayed through their transition to PHX Beer Co. During this time Matt and Marshall were planning a new Borderlands site in Phoenix.
Originally the pair were going to be licensed by Borderlands and the new facility would become Borderlands Brewing and Public House. As construction dragged on over the summer, though, the pair decided a franchise agreement with the Tucson brewery would constrain their future plans and they set out on their own.
The name of their brewery is a reference to the simple machines: inclined plane, lever, wedge, wheel and axle, pulley, and screw.
Experience
We first visited Simple Machine Brewing in January 2020 just after they opened. They offered a Red Ale, an IPA, two NEIPAs and two Porters and we had to try them all. The tasting room has several tables and an L shaped bar. The garage doors were open, so we could enjoy our beer while looking into their brewing area. Originally there was also a snack area, which we loved. Very cool facility, friendly staff and we got to meet Marshall Norris.
We next paid a visit in June 2021. Their beer offerings grew to 12 varieties and they have certainly upped their game. We enjoyed some excellent beers and their brewing area has gotten a lot more equipment. Canned beers to go are available. We were thrilled to see Tom from Scottsdale Beer Co is now working with Simple Machine! They have also created a patio. Parking is sufficient and the tasting room is accessible. There is no food available in the tasting room but next door is Habanero Fresh Mexican Grill.
When in the area check out Front Pourch Brewing, Throne Brewing, and State 48 Brewing. No nearby lodging noted.
