The East Valley’s newest craft brewery, Flying Basset Brewing, has opened in the former Famous Sam’s space on the northeast corner of Cooper and Ray in Gilbert.
The 5,000-square-foot brewpub features 25 beers on taps, a full food menu, and seating for about 200 people, including a small covered patio.
The owners are Rob Gagnon and Sara Cotton, who leased the space last May and did much of the demolition and renovation work themselves over the past eight months.
Gagnon, a pilot, was an award-winning home brewer before he worked for a couple of years as a brewer at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse in Chandler.
The brewery is named in honor of the couple’s basset hounds, Lieutenant Dan and Angela Basset.
The food menu, under the direction of chef James Porch, offers all the brewpub basics, including nachos, wings, street tacos, burgers, sandwiches, and a few entrees.
The 10-barrel brewing system won’t be operational until next month, so its first beers won’t be available until March.
Until then, Flying Basset is offering a house Copper Ale (4.7% ABV), brewed off-site. The rest of the 25 taps are guest beers.
A grand opening party will be scheduled for sometime next week.
A happy hour will run from 3-6 p.m. weekdays.
Flying Basset Brewing is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.
