Huss Brewing to take over former Rio Salado Brewing site in south Tempe, also will brew Papago beers

Huge news today for the Valley’s craft beer industry: The long-defunct Rio Salado Brewing site in south Tempe is being taken over by newcomer Huss Brewing, which plans to open in mid-2013.

If the Huss name sounds familiar, it should. Jeff Huss was the award-winning head brewer at BJ’s in Chandler. His wife, Leah, is general manager at Papago Brewing in Scottsdale.

Jeff Huss will be president and brewmaster at Huss Brewing, which will produce and package two lines of beers – one for itself and the other for Papago. The latter will include cans of Papago’s popular Orange Blossom ale.

For the past few years, Papago’s beers have been produced by Sun Up Brewing in Phoenix and Oak Creek Brewing in Sedona.

Leah Huss will continue working at Papago as a co-owner and GM, according to the announcement on Facebook.

The Huss brewery site, located off Priest Road between Guadalupe and Elliot roads, housed Rio Salado from 1996 to 2005.