Oro Brewing reverses course, reopens in downtown Mesa

🍺 After a whirlwind few months, Oro Brewing is back open in downtown Mesa.

The award-winning brewery, which closed in January near the northwest corner of Main Street and Robson, announced on social media that it has reopened after previously planning to sell the business.

That earlier plan came after owner Dave Valencia partnered with Nicky’s Barbecue pop-up operator Chris Figueroa to launch Golden Oak Barbecue & Taproom in downtown Phoenix. The new venture opened in October, prompting Valencia to shutter Oro on Jan. 25.

But Golden Oak abruptly closed last month following a dispute with the surrounding Artisan Lofts on Central apartments, whose residents complained about smoke from the barbecue smoker.

Meanwhile, Tacos Chiwas owners Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin were expected to take over Oro’s space and launch Mesa Brewing Company, but those plans presumably are now off the table.

In a social media announcement, Oro acknowledged the recent uncertainty and said the attempt to sell the business hit repeated roadblocks.

“We cannot begin to express how much everyone’s support means to us,” the post reads. “A common thing we heard was how you felt about the idea of Main Street without Oro.”

For now, Oro will operate primarily as a taproom, pouring through its remaining beer inventory – originally destined for Golden Oak. The brewery says it still has a substantial amount of fresh beer on hand, though it’s unclear how quickly new production will ramp back up.

That’s partly because longtime brewer Jesse Kortepeter has moved on, leaving the brewery to chart its next chapter.

In the meantime, Oro says it’s leaning into its recent community-focused taproom model, offeriing bodega-style snacks and other small retail items while also planning to feature other local beers alongside its own.

Oro opens at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and noon Friday through Sunday.