Four Peaks; Love vs. Hate

Four Peaks has great beer. Not just great beer but locally brewed great beer. Nestled at once was an off the beaten path locale on 8th street in Tempe, it now lies sandwiched between several local businesses and an avalanche of college student housing. And here is where the problems begin.

HATE:

Parking is beyond nightmarish and this is where the torment begins. The lot upon which 4 peaks is situated holds enough parking for roughly 20 cars. Sure you can also park on what used to be part of the Santa Fe railroad, but even these coveted spaces fill up quickly. The neighbors are not amused by the amount of traffic that the brewing eatery produces and as such you cannot park in any of the close by business lots even at off hours without your car disappearing via a towing service in a matter of minutes. The over flow of students and 4 peaks rise in local lore means that you will very likely end up parking either around the corner or so far away that you have to walk several minutes before you can even glimpse the well lit patio exterior.

The walk is brutal in the summer time and frustrating any other time of year, but many a times I had made this walk knowing that the ample interior and patio would always have a seat waiting for me. But no longer. Such is the crush and menagerie of the populace that now even on some week nights hostesses now hold sway over seating and my last attempt to simply stop in for a quick Pumpkin Porter were dashed by the half hour wait time and a bar full of people I wanted nothing to do with. So how did my once beloved out of the way Tempe chill spots suddenly turn into a family dining establishments that draws from every age, creed and social base the valley has to offer?

Simply put; 4 Peaks really is that good.

LOVE:

It is a beer lover’s paradise with a massive selection of locally made suds offered up all year round. From heavy stouts to warm and keep at bay the nights chill to light, easily quaffable ales to chase away the summer’s heat 4 peaks has it all. While there are certain styles that I personally shy away from, you can’t go wrong no matter what you order. Not sure what you fancy, then grab a sampler platter. Not a beer person, then order up your favorite mixed drink. One of the first things I did upon returning to this sun drenched paradise was swelter in the noon time heat sipping an apricot ale. More recently I through on a hoodie and made a late evening dash for something with a little more moxie to it; the seasonal heavy weight of Pumpkin Porter.

Pumpkin Porter might just be the greatest beer ever. Ok, so that is totally not true but the fact that it is A) good B) Seasonal and thus only available this time of year and C) Popular because it is so good makes it a highly coveted drink. So obsessed with this brewed beverage are I and my friends we are known to stalk the few local bars that buy 4 peaks beer by the keg and once the brewery is out we mercilessly descend upon these other locales like a pack of vampires and suck the taps dry.

But alas, man cannot live on beer alone and 4 peaks offers up a wide and varying range of excellent food to go with the hand crafted brews. Think pairing food only works with wine? Not so and the folks at four peaks have been doing it for years upon years. After all what good is ordering a semi-gourmet lunch if you don’t have the proper pint to go with it?

Pricing for the beer is decent and most of it can be ordered by the pitcher or even taken home in one of four peak’s custom growlers (not so for the Pumpkin Porter). Food is a bit pricey (this is after all a brewery) but worth the money. No cover and proper attire is never required. Be warned, as mentioned parking is horrendous and if you want to relax and enjoy yourself pick off days and weekend days for the best experience.

And in case anyone wants to ask the answer is no I’ve never been to the one in Scottsdale and probably never will; I’m so not that guy.

Vio Don Dios
The Midnight Rider