Just a month before opening its third East Valley location, Scottsdale-based McFate Brewing says it has reclaimed its original name, Fate Brewing.
In a second surprise, the brewery also announced founder Steve McFate (pictured) is leaving the company.
Fate, which launched as a small brewpub on the southeast corner of Scottsdale and Shea in 2012, settled a legal dispute with a similarly named Colorado brewery by agreeing to change its name to McFate in 2016.
The dispute had escalated when Fate added a huge production brewery and restaurant on the southwest corner of Scottsdale and McDowell in south Scottsdale in 2015.
‘‘We could have defended the lawsuit in federal court, which would have cost us an enormous amount of time, resources, and energy, but we’d rather put those efforts into our beer,’’ McFate told MXSW at the time.
Fate Brewing in Boulder, Colo., ended up filing for bankruptcy in November 2018, paving the way for McFate to become Fate again.
The re-rebranding will take place as Fate prepares to open its third location – on Southern just east of Mill in Tempe – in May.
Next month also will mark the exit of Steve McFate, who is selling his share of the business to his partner in the south Scottsdale location.
“I’m exploring options,†he says. “I have been fortunate to work in a variety of careers, from launching a bicycle shop with a childhood friend, to being a finance partner with that same childhood friend, to founding a brewery.
‘‘Every venture has taught me valuable skills and prepared me for each new chapter. I started the brewery because of my passion for craft beer and the community. I look forward to putting the same passion into whatever the future holds.â€
