12 West co-founder & head brewer Noel Garcia parts ways with Gilbert brewery

12 West Brewing celebrates its third anniversary this weekend. It’ll do it without co-founder and head brewer Noel Garcia.

Garcia announced in a social media post today he has left the brewery:

‘‘Such is life. I have left 12 West Brewing Company as some of you may have heard by now. As much as it hurts it was time for me to go. I am forever thankful to the employees that made this company what it became to be. Those people are still working hard and are what make 12 West so great. I don’t know what the future has for me but guess I’ll start by looking for a job. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way or has enjoyed our beer. It’s time for the next chapter in my life.’’

Garcia and financial partner Bryan McCormick launched 12 West in 2016. Their 10-barrel brewing system was set up in McCormick’s garage in east Mesa.

In November 2016, 12 West opened a small taproom with a 1-barrel system at Barnone, a converted Quonset hut at Agritopia in Gilbert.

12 West is nearing completion of another larger, long-planned taproom in downtown Mesa in a building owned by McCormick. Its address in where the brewery got its name.