In a surprise announcement, longtime Phoenix brewpub SunUp Brewing announced it will close its kitchen Saturday, April 20.
On Monday, April 22, the brewery will reopen as a taproom, according to a media release:
‘‘All of your favorite SunUp craft beers, including the state’s largest cask beer selection, will be available to beer lovers both new and old. … As we continue to expand as a brewery, the taproom will offer us the ability to share our newest beers, as well as the flagship beers we are most proud of.’’
The brewery will close one of its two main public spaces – the western-most one commonly known as the Front Bar (pictured above), which includes the kitchen. The other room, known as the Brewer’s Den (shown below), will become the taproom.
‘‘Our transition is happening now, and our kitchen will offer our traditional fare until April 20th. On April 22nd, we will open with new hours, and in the taproom as our new local experience launches.’’
SunUp was launched as a pub called Sonora Brewhouse in 2001. It added on-site brewing equipment in 2005, and rebranded itself as SunUp in 2009.
Under well-regarded brewmaster Uwe Boer (pictured below), it typically has more than a dozen of its own beers on tap, including its flagship Trooper IPA and critically acclaimed White Russian imperial stout.
In 2015, SunUp added a 15-barrel production brewery next to the brewpub. It includes a canning line that allows the brewery to package several of its beers.
The original brewing system now is used for small-batch specialty beers and, increasingly, contract-brewing of branded beers for other restaurants and bars.
While SunUp’s beer production has been growing, its neighborhood around Camelback and Third Street has seen the opening of numerous restaurants competing for the lunch and dinner crowds.
So I guess it makes sense for SunUp to concentrate on its core business. But I will miss its delicious burgers and comfort-food entrees like green chile pork and aged cheddar mac ’n’ cheese.
The pub regularly hosted fabulous beer dinners, and its weekly Drag Brunch Bingo on Sundays has been one of the Valley’s most unique events.
No word yet on what SunUp’s new hours will be or whether it plans to bring in food trucks.
