Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. was born from a passion for hand-crafted, artisanal beers. They take inspiration from the stunning landscapes and rich diversity that make Arizona unique and each brew is a tribute to the natural beauty of the state, with flavors that reflect their deep connection to the land. As a company rooted in sustainability, they are dedicated to supporting Arizona’s thriving agricultural community while implementing eco-conscious practices that protect the state’s precious resources. For this partner spotlight, we talked with Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. to learn a little bit more about their commitment to sustainability and how they're making an impact!

Photo taken by Kyle Ledeboer

It doesn’t take long for anyone scrolling through the website to understand that caring for our natural resources is important to AZ Wilderness Brewing Co.… why is that?

At AZW, we are dedicated to putting Arizona first in everything we do and brew. We believe we have a duty to improve our community, state, and world through environmentalism, a focus on sustainability, and responsible stewardship. Through our efforts and our connection to the earth, we can be a force for good. 

We also believe that the time we take to get outside and experience nature is as important as the time we spend working. We hike, bike, climb, camp, and run in Arizona’s Wilderness because we are drawn to it. It’s this same passion that drives our desire to do our part to protect Arizona’s natural resources.

When did the “Drink Like You Care” campaign (and the “This Beer Saves Water” beer) begin and what has the environmental impact been so far?

Our “Drink Like You Care” campaign is a reminder that the way we make beer--and the way you drink it--matters. Through partnerships with Arizona's farmers, we've put the focus on locally grown ingredients, kept literal tons of waste out of landfills, and helped save millions of gallons of water for our state. 

While “Drink Like You Care” is one of the beers we brew with sustainability in mind, we actually use 100% Sinagua Malt in all of our beers. Sinagua Malt (grown and malted right here in Arizona) conserves water in the Verde River by getting farmers in the region to switch from traditional high water crops, like alfalfa, to barley in the hottest and most critical months for water conservation. For the year 2024, we calculated that our use of Sinagua Malt saved about 66,535,920 gallons of water in the Verde River, and we estimate that each pint of AZW beer consumed saves about 90 gallons of water. 

Photo taken by Kyle Ledeboer

It’s not very often that we see a brewery putting an annual Sustainability Impact Report together … can you share with the reader why that is important to you?

Every year we put together an impact report to show our customers our dedication to sustainability and the difference they are making by choosing our restaurants. We want customers to choose our brand not just for our incredible food and beer, but also for our dedication to sustainability and the positive impact we have on the environment. We want to be transparent with our narrative and give our customers a sense of pride.

Some highlights from this year’s impact report include:

• 14,200 plastic water bottles saved from the landfill through our partnership with Recover

• 215,500 lbs of dry grain sent to Heartquist Hollow Farm for animal feed

• 40,000 pairs of gloves recycled through Kimberly-Clark Recycling Program

• 246,000 stickers kept out of landfills by screenprinting our can labels

This eco-conscious approach is represented across all aspects of your business from locally sourced ingredients for the food and beer menu, 100% recycled apparel from Recover and more … What are some other Earth-first initiatives that you have implemented?

Beyond our menus and apparel, AZW also partners with local organizations making a difference in our community. One example is Natural Restorations (one of Recover’s 2024 Earth Month Fundraiser organizations), an organization dedicated to removing trash and graffiti from outdoor recreation and wilderness areas throughout the state of Arizona and revitalizing natural areas through replanting projects. Through partnerships, we are able to broaden our impact and ensure that the wilderness areas in Arizona are being taken care of.

We also partner with numerous local farms to showcase seasonal, Arizona-grown produce throughout the year. Our commitment to the use of local grain and produce reduces the carbon footprint that would be emitted from shipping those items across the country (i.e. many breweries use malts from other countries or states).

We also try to employ a “closed loop system” in our brewery, bars and kitchen. Any food scraps that are left over from brewery, cocktail or food prep get composted by our partners at Recycled City. They turn the food scraps into nutrient-rich compost soil, which they use to grow new produce, which we then use in drinks and fare. 

We try to utilize every part of the fruit to reduce food waste, such as using citrus peels from juiced citrus in oleo sacchrums and syrups for cocktails, and we also try to apply “secondary fruit use” wherever possible in brewing. 

Photo taken by Kyle Ledeboer

We’ve partnered on sustainable merchandise since 2022 … What has been the best selling Recover piece for you?

The best-selling Recover merchandise we offer is our Grey Trail Club Sun Hoodie. Customers rave about its comfort and versatility, making it the perfect choice for those who enjoy hitting the trails. Whether you're going for a hike, run, or simply relaxing after an adventure, the hoodie provides the perfect balance of warmth and breathability. It’s no surprise that it has become a favorite among AZW outdoor enthusiasts and casual wearers alike.

We are also proud to have joined Recover’s 360 closed-loop program. As part of this initiative, we recently recycled over 33 pounds of used clothing in our last shipment alone! By participating in this program, we’re doing even more to reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Photo taken by Kyle Ledeboer

Finally, we hear there is a new location opening up in the Miracle Mile District? When can people expect to enjoy more fresh beer and fresh merch from AZWBC?!

We are very excited for the grand opening of our third location: Miracle Mile. Located off of McDowell and 14th in the Miracle Mile neighborhood, we are excited to breathe new life into the area. The grand opening of Miracle Mile will take place in the spring of 2025! 

The McDowell Miracle Mile neighborhood was originally the first shopping district outside of Downtown Phoenix in the 1940s. Over the years, the neighborhood experienced high vacancy rates and blight, killing the area once driven by local business owners. Since 2014, there has been an effort to rejuvenate the area, making it safer and more walkable for residents. Arizona Wilderness Miracle Mile fits the mission to rejuvenate the old with the new, bringing a fresh community experience to the table.

Photo taken by Kyle Ledeboer