O.H.S.O. Brewery + Distillery (Paradise Valley) Review
| Location | 10810 N. Tatum Blvd. #126 Phoenix, AZ 85028 |
| Phone Number | 602-900-9003 |
| Hours | M-Th 11am-10pm, F 11am-Midnight, Sat 9am-Midnight, Su 9am-10pm |
| Website | https://ohsobrewery.com/paradise-valley/ |
I once worked for a boarding kennel where one of the regulars was a crazy Husky named Oso which means “bear” in Spanish. One of my co-workers called the hyperactive dog “Oso Stupid.” That ruined the name for me… until I moved to Arizona and now when I think of Oso, I think “OHSO DELICIOUS.”
What’s fizzy, cold and OHSO delicious? A fresh craft beer from O.H.S.O Brewery + Distillery, of course. The multi-location company with a name that’s fun to say even if it is a bit cryptic.
O.H.S.O. stands for Outrageous Homebrewer’s Social Outpost. Owner Jon Lane had spent a large part of his life working in the restaurant business. He and Pat Walsh opened the first O.H.S.O. location in 2011. In addition to homebrewing, their interests included bikes and dogs. So they incorporated the three passions into the original location on Indian School Road in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix.
They focus on sustainable production techniques. The spent grain may end up feeding livestock or as an ingredient in the dog biscuits you can buy in the restaurants. O.H.S.O. has also experimented in conserving and reusing water in their production facility.
The Paradise Valley location opened in 2015 and was the third restaurant in the O.H.S.O. portfolio. It sits in the same shopping center as Trader Joe’s at the corner of N. Tatum Boulevard and E. Shea Boulevard. You’ll find plenty of free parking out front, but sorry–not many shady spots are available!
The Place
Outdoor Facilities
True to their brand, they have an outdoor patio that is absolutely humongous. Scattered around the outdoor bar are lots of rustic wood booths and tables. Overhead hang dozens of charming basket lights. The whole thing has a very “Saturday barbeque and beer with your neighbor” feel.
Of course the patio is dog-friendly. Don’t worry that the weather will be an obstacle to enjoying the patio. Not only is it covered with translucent roofing material, there is plenty of shade. They’ve also installed a misting system for hot weather and propane heaters for cold weather.
While you’re hanging out, you might want to partake in a game of corn hole or ping pong with your own party or make some new friends with other patrons. This is a “social outpost,” after all!
Indoor Vibe
The indoor part of O.H.S.O. Paradise Valley comprises more than 3600 square feet of interior space. It’s moderately dark, high-ceilinged and has a chill sports bar feel. The room has a large bar in the center with stools all around it. The rest of the room has enough booths and tables to hold, I’m guessing, more than 100 patrons.
There are plenty of large-screen TVs inside so you can keep up with sports, if that’s your thing. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy the classic rock stylings of Led Zeppelin as well as a little ska and alternative rock playing on the sound system.
Food
The menu at O.H.S.O. offers many pub food standbys like a Buffalo chicken dip appetizer, burgers and tacos. But there are a few interesting items you won’t find elsewhere. Check out the chicken and waffles and the salmon BLT if you’re in the mood for something different.
The food we’ve had at O.H.S.O. is consistently high-quality and well-executed. It’s not just another mediocre sports bar serving reheated commissary food as an afterthought.
The Beer
The beer menu is vast. They could be pouring as many as 39 varieties of mostly their own creations and a few from other brewers. At the time of publication, O.H.S.O. in Paradise Valley listed the following beverages on tap:
- 7 regular beers
- 11 seasonal
- 9 AZ beers from other breweries
- 8 national or international beers from other breweries
- 3 non-alcoholic brews
- 1 gluten-free beer
The bar offers serving sizes of 3 oz. samplers for $2, 16 oz. glass for $7 or 32 oz. pitchers for $13. You can also take advantage of the $8 pitchers during happy hour every weekday from 11 am to 6 pm!
If someone in your party is not into craft beer, they’re in luck. In addition to their wine list, O.H.S.O. distills vodka, gin, whiskey and rum under the Arcadia label. They specialize in flavored vodkas that range from coffee to rosemary.
Here’s what we’ve tried so far…
Beer Reviews
| Beer-ABV/IBU | Notes |
|---|---|
| BOOM Dynamite American IPA 7.0%/60 | Clear, med. Gold; fresh aroma of fruit; flavor: bitter w/distinctive grapefruit and mango notes; lighter body. One of the most popular beers here. |
| Hop Mobster Imperial IPA 8.5%/30 | Slightly hazy lighter golden color; grassy and piney aromas with flavors of pine nuts, hoppy bitterness and a tiny bit of nuttiness. Hop bomb-IPA lovers will be in heaven. |
| 89Ale California Common Ale 5.6%/26 | Clear amber, malty and citrus aroma; flavor: nutty, toffee, malty; med. body. |
| [More to come…] | |
See how we rated some of these beers on Untappd.
Check out this video review of O.H.S.O.’s 89Ale beer by our friend Marcus at 602Brewing:
Overall Impression
O.H.S.O. Brewery + Distillery of Paradise Valley, AZ is not just a craft brewery–it’s a food and drink experience. The proprietors have gone out of their way to create a neighborly atmosphere that will make you want to hang out for hours.
The beverage situation will not disappoint. With over three dozen interesting and well-made craft beers, you can surely find at least a few to your exact liking.
The highlights of this craft brewery and restaurant are definitely the awesome patio, vast beer menu and amazing happy hour deals!
Additional Details
Here are a few more facts about O.H.S.O. Brewery + Distillery to prepare you for your visit:
- Other locations: Arcadia, Gilbert, Scottsdale and a licensed location at Sky Harbor International Airport’s Terminal 2.
- They have ping pong tables and corn hole games outside at the PV location.
- Free wifi–no password needed!
- They have beer brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm.
- Happy hour Mon.-Fri. From 11 am until 6 pm. The $8 menu includes any glass of wine, signature cocktail or pitcher of AZ beer.
- Group dining is available and they do take reservations for parties of 12 or more.
- It’s kid friendly and even has a kid’s food menu
- Saturdays, you can tour the brewing operation at the Gilbert location.
- Reserve a spot to “Brew with Us” for a nominal fee at the Arcadia location.
- Want to make a day of visiting craft breweries in the area? Check out Fire and Fury and North Mountain Brewing Company.
Map
Sources
- Hahnefeld, L. (2011, November 7). Owner of New Restaurant and Nano Brewery Coming to Arcadia Talks Beer, Why Tempe Didn’t Work Out, and Explains What O.H.S.O. Stands For (Kinda). Phoenix New Times. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/owner-of-new-restaurant-and-nano-brewery-coming-to-arcadia-talks-beer-why-tempe-didnt-work-out-and-explains-what-ohso-stands-for-kinda-6534866
- OHSO: The Dog Friendly Brewery, Restaurant, and Distillery | Glass Half Full. (2022, June 15). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9c4jIKunzM
- Saria, L. (2015, February 23). O.H.S.O. Brewery to Open Third Location Near Paradise Valley Next Month. Phoenix New Times. Retrieved August 6, 2022, from https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/ohso-brewery-to-open-third-location-near-paradise-valley-next-month-6525784
