Fate Brewing South to open Aug. 23 – here’s your 1st look at what you’ll find

Fate Brewing South, the much-anticipated sibling of popular Fate Brewing, will open its doors Sunday, Aug. 23, in Scottsdale.

The sprawling new location is at the south end of the Papago Plaza on the southwest corner of Scottsdale and McDowell, about six miles from the pint-sized original.

At 11,000 square feet (not counting the 2,500 square-foot patio), the newcomer will dwarf the original (just 2,250 square feet).

Although there’s a east entrance facing busy Scottsdale Road, the north entrance (pictured above) is expected to be the most used.

It’s closest to the 145-spot parking lot and leads visitors past the brewing equipment (shown below) before entering the front of the house.

The new brewhouse has a 15-barrel system, compared to a seven-barrel at the original, with two 30-barrel fermenters and two 15-barrel fermenters.

Owner Steve McFate (pictured below) points to the seven-barrel mark – his previous capacity limit – on one of his new fermenters.

The original Fate has struggled at times to keep six of its own beers on tap. Fate South will allow both locations to keep eight “core” beers on tap at all times.

The core beers McFate has chosen so far are Fate’s Cream Ale, American Pale Ale, Double Oatmeal IPA, Stout, and Irish Red.

Besides the core beers, McFate wants to devote several taps to the brewery’s seasonal and specialty ales.

“We’ll be three years old in November, and we’ve brewed 170 varieties of beer on our seven-barrel system,” he points out.

With head brewer Adam Schmeichel working both locations, Fate also will be able to keg more of its beer for limited self-distribution at select bars, restaurants, and brewpubs.

“I don’t have any grandiose plans to get picked up by (distributing giant) Crescent Crown or anyone else, but it’s important to get the name out,” McFate says. “I want to get the beer out to people who have supported us.”

Inside the cavernous brew pub, the community tables and four-top tables have butcher-block tops. The chairs have a matching bare-wood design.

The indoor dining/drinking area will seat 260 people, with another 209 on the front patio (more on that in a moment).

There are four large TVs mounted over a long banquette along the north wall and another six over the bar, a concession by McFate.

“We’re not a sports bar,” he says. “But at the same time our customers dictate what they want.”

About two-thirds of the rectangular concrete bar sits inside, while the other third protrudes onto the patio.

Not yet installed is the ceiling-mounted draft tower with 18 double-sided taps, a total of 36 handles.

Here’s the view from the south side of bar looking back toward the banquette to give you an idea how big this place is.

Notice the glass windows on the left that allow guests to see the tanks and watch the brewers in action.

While the original Fate only has a pizza oven, Fate South has a huge kitchen with fryers, grills, and flat-tops.

So in addition to seven pizzas, the new menu will offer four smash-style burgers, six sandwiches, four salads, and some other pub-friendly noshes.

The front patio between the brewpub and Scottsdale Road is divided into three areas: grass, gravel, and concrete.

You can barely make out the outdoor fireplace at the far end of the shot above…

… so here’s a better view of the fireplace, outdoor bar, and picnic-style tables. Altogether, Fate South comprises 2.5 acres. Did I mention it’s huge?

In fact, there are several other areas I haven’t even mentioned yet. One that I just have to point out is…

… Fate South’s barrel room, which you will walk past as you enter the north doors.

The cool-looking room also will be used for beer dinners. And it’s already been booked for two weddings in September.

If you’re like me, you can’t wait to see this place filled with people and activity. I feel confident in saying it’s going to be awesome.

Fate South will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.