News Summary
Arizona’s craft beer scene expands with the launch of the Sonoran Sipper, a limited-edition cream ale created by OHSO Brewery in collaboration with Local First Arizona. This refreshing brew features hibiscus and lime zest, made with locally sourced ingredients. Set to debut on November 8 at the Arizona Fall Fest, it supports local agriculture as proceeds benefit Local First Arizona. The event showcases over 250 vendors and highlights the growing recognition of Arizona’s craft breweries, celebrating local flavors and community connections.
Arizona has welcomed the launch of a new limited-edition cream ale named “Sonoran Sipper,” developed as a collaboration between Local First Arizona and OHSO Brewery & Distillery. This unique brew boasts a refreshing flavor profile, featuring hibiscus and lime zest, and is crafted entirely from locally sourced ingredients.
Scheduled to officially debut on Saturday at all OHSO locations, the Sonoran Sipper is already available on tap at OHSO Sunnylope. Beer enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to enjoy this special brew at the upcoming Arizona Fall Fest on November 8 at Margaret T. Hance Park. The Fall Fest is set to highlight an impressive array of over 250 local vendors and 70 restaurants, alongside numerous Arizona breweries and distilleries.
All barley used in the Sonoran Sipper comes from Sossaman Farms’ Homestead Malting in Queen Creek, while the hibiscus flowers are sourced from Shamba AZ, located in north Phoenix. The initiative supports Local First Arizona, as proceeds from all sales will contribute to the organization’s mission during OHSO’s “Give Back” campaign. Notably, 100% of the sales at the Fall Fest and a portion of the launch-week sales will be donated directly to Local First Arizona.
Recent Recognitions in Arizona Craft Beer
The debut of Sonoran Sipper comes amidst a successful period for Arizona’s craft beer industry. Several Arizona breweries recently gained recognition at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival, held on October 11 in Denver. With 8,315 entries submitted by 1,555 breweries from across the nation, a total of 374 medals were awarded.
Arizona breweries that stood out included:
- OHSO Brewery in Gilbert for “Sudoku,” which won a Bronze in Herb and Spice Beer.
- Pinnacle Brewing in Scottsdale for “Ludwig,” awarded a Bronze in German-Style Maerzen.
- Saddle Mountain Brewing in Goodyear for “Clandestine,” also awarded a Bronze in Scottish-Style Ale.
- Six Byrd Cider in Tempe won Bronze for “Cranberry Spice” in the Botanical or Spiced Cider category.
- Dragoon Brewing in Tucson received Silver for “Tequila Barrel Aged Saison Blue” in Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer.
- Slowbody Beer in Tucson earned Silver for “Pal” in American-Style Lager.
- Lazy G Brewhouse in Prescott received Bronze for “M.O.E.” in Italian-Style Pilsener.
Notably, five Arizona breweries also received awards at the World Beer Cup, a prestigious global competition often referred to as the “Olympics of beer competitions,” where 8,375 entries from 1,761 breweries were submitted. Pinnacle Brewing Co. was proudly recognized as the Brewery of the Year at the Arizona Craft Beer Awards in 2025, having only opened in May 2024. Its Novo 11° Czech Dark Lager was honored as the USA Beer of the Year. Wren House Brewing also excelled, earning runner-up status for Brewery of the Year and collecting a total of five medals. Saddle Mountain Brewing’s ClanDestine was celebrated for winning “Best in Show” at the Arizona Craft Beer Awards, further highlighting the region’s strong competitive spirit in beer craftsmanship.
Supporting Local Through Beer
The launch of the Sonoran Sipper aligns with a growing trend in the craft beer community to foster local agriculture and businesses. With OHSO Brewery’s emphasis on community and collaboration, the new brew embodies the unique flavors and spirit of Arizona. Local First Arizona continues its commitment to supporting local enterprises, and the partnership with OHSO Brewery exemplifies this dedication to enriching the local economy and promoting regional products.
As the craft beer scene in Arizona continues to grow and gain accolades on both state and national platforms, initiatives such as the Sonoran Sipper reflect a dedication to celebrating local resources and fostering community connection through quality beverages.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Phoenix Magazine: Arizona Craft Beer Awards
- Mouth by Southwest: OHSO & Local First Team Up for Limited Edition Ale
- AZ Central: Great American Beer Festival Winners – Arizona
- Craft Brewing Business: Huss Brewing and PHX Beer Merge
- Phoenix New Times: Arizona Craft Beers Named Among Best in the World
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
