[CrestedSaguaro]

One closes down and 1 is coming up. Huss coming to Phoenix Convention Center.

This award-winning Tempe brewery is coming to downtown Phoenix. Here's what we know
Tirion Morris, Arizona RepublicPublished 7:00 a.m. MT Jan. 7, 2020

Huss Brewing, one of Arizona's largest independent breweries, announced plans to open a two-story taproom and restaurant in downtown Phoenix this fall.

The new location, Huss' third along with existing taprooms in Tempe and uptown Phoenix, will be built into the Phoenix Convention Center on Monroe Street between Second and Third streets.

The location will be Huss' first full-service restaurant and will feature two floors of indoor and outdoor seating. Located on the north side of the convention center, the new Huss taproom and restaurant provides an opportunity to introduce out-of-town visitors to the Arizona brand.

Why Huss wanted to expand downtown

Husband and wife team and brewery co-owners Leah and Jeff Huss have been contemplating a downtown location for some time. Huss ran a three-month-long pop up in the now-closed Roosevelt Row food hall DeSoto Central Market to test the waters.

After making the decision to move downtown, the Convention Center location was the perfect opportunity, Leah Huss says.

"Because it's so far south of Roosevelt, it's kind of in its own world over there," Huss says.

Due to the convention center's proximity to sports stadiums, hotels and downtown events, the stretch in front of the Convention Center is one of the most walked pedestrian areas downtown, she adds.

Huss hopes to draw in some of those pedestrians for a beer and dinner at the two-story tap room on their way to a game or concert.

Look for a 'Southwest feel' at the taproom

The first floor of the new location will feature a bar, roll-up garage door windows and a small outdoor seating area.

The indoor-outdoor theme will continue to the second floor, with a "super temperature controlled patio," Huss says.

The entire space is intended to represent Arizona. When designing the space, Huss didn't want the taproom to look like it could fit in anywhere around the country. To ground it here in Phoenix, the restaurant will feature copper finishes and Southwestern tile.

Representing the state they call home was important for the Huss' especially at the Convention Center, a hub for out of town visitors. The local Arizona influence will be represented not only in the design of the taproom but in the food as well.

Here's what to expect on the menu

The taproom at the Huss brewery in Tempe doesn't serve food; the uptown location serves a small menu of shareable flat breads and boards. The downtown location will offer the most expansive menu yet.

Some favorites from uptown such as the pretzel and sausage boards will make their way onto the downtown menu, which will continue to have a focus on shareable options.

Huss Uptown currently sources a lot of its food items including as locally made bread and sausages from Arizona purveyors. Huss hopes to expand this local connection even more at the new restaurant with the expanded menu.

Along with a new menu, some new beers are also in the works for all three Huss taprooms.

In anticipation of the downtown location, Huss ordered a new seven-barrel brewing system, which will allow for production of small-batch experimental brews specifically for the taprooms.

The downtown location will feature at least 20 beers on tap, Huss says, including Husstler Oktoberfest, Magic in the Ivy Pale Ale, Copper State IPA and Scottsdale Blonde.

Source: https://www.azcentral.com/story/ente...ll/2824687001/