The final component of this burger was the bun. Both smoky and tart, the tender green pepper elevated this burger to a new level.
No southwest burger would be complete without spicy, salty pepper jack cheese and a roasted Anaheim chili pepper. This was especially true with the red onions which added a crispy texture and sharp bite. Each topping added both flavor, color, and texture to the burger. Topping this burger were thick slices of red onions, fresh lettuce, a slice of tomato, a spicy and sweet jalapeno dressing, and a slather of creamy mayo. The flavor of the grill really came through. After being cooked over an open flame, the patty was both smoky in flavor while crispy and crunchy on the outside. No fillers or seasonings were masking the flavor. While seasoned well, I could taste all the beefy flavors of the meat. The ruby red patty looked beautiful and fresh, a perfect medium rare. While this burger wasn’t cheap, its certified Angus beef patty was thick, so I felt I was getting my money’s worth. It seems like burgers these days are getting smaller and smaller while prices go up. Southwest Burger The Southwest Burger with a side of friesĪlmost every time I visit Four Peaks, I end up ordering the Southwest Burger ($14.25) made with an Anaheim chili, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, and sweet jalapeno dressing.
The full Four Peaks Brewing Company menu can be viewed at. Appetizers included pretzels, chicken wings, spinach dip, and nachos. Other than the Kilt Lifter, Four Peaks offered a wide variety of craft beers including seasonal beers.Īs for food, the menu featured typical brewpub fare such as burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and salads. If this is your first visit, I recommend trying their award winning Kilt Lifter, a Scottish-style amber ale. There was something for everyone on the menu at Four Peaks Brewing Company whether it was food or craft beer. While it can get warm on the patio, the large awnings keep the bright desert sun from being an issue. This is where I like to sit on my visits, especially after a spring training game. If the weather isn’t too bad, I always ask for a table on the expansive outdoor patio. More tables could be found in the narrow room adjacent to the main room. If you aren’t planning on sitting at the bar, you will find tables scattered around the room. Brewing equipment, along with large metal brewing vessels, were visible on the northern section of the building behind the bar. Dominating the interior was a large rectangular bar, perfect for those dining alone or for those who just wanted a beer. And, as a history nerd, I found this interesting. With its tall ceilings, red brick walls, and open interior, the space felt like it used to be a factory. You can experience some of this past history by walking inside the building. In 1997, Four Peaks Brewing Company moved in and opened their first location here on 8th Street in Tempe. Years later, the iconic building was used as a recording studio by acts including Stevie Nicks and The Gin Blossoms. Hough’s Ice Factory operated a creamery and dairy operation in this building. The Mission Revival-style brick building which houses the brewery dates back to the 1890s, two decades before Arizona became a state. While Four Peaks is known for their craft beers they also serve typical pub food including burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, fish and chips, and salads. Their signature beer, a Scottish-style amber ale known as Kilt Lifter, can be found in eight states. Though Four Peaks is a small, neighborhood brewpub, they are well known in the Southwest. They also have a location just to the south on Wilson Street and another location at Sky Harbor International Airport. Their original location, which I recently visited, is located on 8th street in Tempe just east of ASU. Founded in 1997, Four Peaks Brewing Company currently operates three locations in the Phoenix area.