Blasted Barley Beer Company closes after 4-plus years in downtown Tempe

Blasted Barley Beer Company, an unusual combination of brewpub and college nightlife hotspot, has closed its doors after four-plus years in downtown Tempe.

Taking over the 5,000-square-foot Hayden Square building that previously housed the longtime Balboa Cafe and then the Tavern on Mill, Blasted Barley opened in late 2014.

It originally was going to be called Wasted Grain, only to discover a soon-to-open Scottsdale bar already had the rights to the name.

Blasted Barley offered 30 beers on tap and a creative menu of elevated pub grub.

Its house beers included Orange Bomb chocolate stout, Red White and Boom amber ale, and Strawberry Bottle Rocket cream ale.