Sad news for the Valley craft beer community. Greg Fretz, co-founder of Phoenix Ale Brewery, has passed away after a short battle with throat cancer, the brewery announced.
Fretz launched Phoenix Ale Brewery with George Hancock in 2010 and served as its sales director. The brewery’s flagship beer is Fretzy’s Unfiltered Ale.
Fretz, who graduated from Northern Arizona University, worked for two acclaimed breweries, Pyramid and Deschutes, prior to starting his own.
Diagnosed with throat cancer in October, Fretz began intensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments in December. The local beer community rallied around him with several fundraisers.
Condolences to his wife Stacie, daughters McKenzie and Kennedy, son Ryley, and the rest of Greg’s family.
