How Four Peaks Brewing has impacted Arizona
The craft beer industry in Arizona has grown exponentially since Four Peaks Brewing opened in Tempe in 1996. Back then, only seven microbreweries were licensed in the state. Today, there are 122.
Taking the name from the iconic mountains located in the Tonto National Forest, the founders of Four Peaks — Andy Ingram, Jim Scussel and Randy Schultz — have kept close to their roots, investing time, money and mentorship into the local beer industry and the wider community.
“It's always amazing, and humbling, to see how far Four Peaks has come,” Ingram said. “We certainly didn't see it from the beginning. We were just some young guys trying to do what they loved with no money and even less experience. We never really looked too far into the future. We were having too much fun.”
As Four Peaks grew in popularity — Kilt Lifter is now the second most popular amber in the country behind Fat Tire — the number of employees in Arizona expanded to 300, Ingram said.
“When we started hiring other people who trusted us and whatever vision we had, I think it made us want to succeed even more,” he said. “It's also largely because of all the people we were lucky enough to hire that Four Peaks has continued to be successful today.”
Four Peaks in the community
Giving back to Arizona nonprofits and communities is important to Four Peaks. “I love Arizona, and it's my home,” Ingram said. “Arizonans built and lifted up Four Peaks Brewing over the first years of our launch, through amazing community and local support. Four Peaks wouldn’t be where we are today with that support. Today, we are flipping the script and doing all we can to support Arizona and the community.”
The company has donated over $1.5 million in the last 10 years in four fundamental ways:
Schools: “Four Peaks for Teachers” has provided more than 50,000 kits with classroom supplies like post-it-notes, paper and markers, plus individual grants, to teachers throughout the Southwest over 13 years.
Cancer support: Proceeds from Wow Wheat sales generate funding for The Joy Bus, a charity that delivers fresh, healthy meals to people fighting cancer.
Environment: Through its “Peaks and Parks” initiative, the company organizes two volunteer desert cleanups per year plus a signature event each November called “Save Our Saguaros” that restores cacti and native plants to areas damaged by wildfire and erosion.
LGBTQ+ community: For each Phoenix Pride, Four Peaks concocts a specialty beer and donates proceeds to ONE Community, a LGBTQ+ organization. This year, the limited release was Rainbow Daydream IPA, a hazy featuring notes of tropical fruit.
Local businesses working together
Four Peaks also prioritizes partnering with local businesses.
The company’s beers are distributed by Hensley Beverage Company, one of the largest locally owned businesses in Arizona and a member of Local First Arizona. The newly expanded Hensley Beverage Garden at Local First’s Arizona Fall Festival on November 9 will include offerings from Four Peaks and more than 25 other local breweries, wineries and distilleries for attendees to sample.
“When it comes to distribution and partnership with Hensley, the value all comes from trust, transparency and the greater goal of lifting up Arizona,” Ingram said. “Hensley has not only been an amazing partner for Four Peaks Brewing, but they have been an even stronger partner with each of the Arizona businesses and organizations that they work with on a daily basis. Hensley truly makes the beer industry localized.”
Four Peaks sources all the beef for its Tempe pub from K4 Copper State Reserve, a fifth-generation family ranch in Prescott and member of Local First. The brewing company also works with Denmark Foods, Arizona’s largest sausage company, to make Kilt Lifter, Golden Lager Jalapeño Cheddar and Peach Ale Habanero beer brats.
Other Arizona vendors used by Four Peaks include Noble Bread, Big Marble Ginger Beer, Arizona Distilling, Below the Rim Meadery, Cider Corp, Infusion Coffee & Tea and Arizona Distilling.
“By supporting Four Peaks, you are supporting the lives of the 300-plus people that work at Four Peaks, along with all the local vendors, suppliers and partners that we work with,” Ingram said.
Four Peaks’ influence on Arizona microbrewery growth
Four Peaks has also influenced one of the fastest growing beer scenes in the country. Former employees have gone on to be key players in at least 13 local beer businesses plus several out of state, Ingram said, including:
Arizona Brewing Co., Beer Research Institute, Brewer’s Connection, Grand Avenue Brewing Company, Helio Basin Brewing Co., Hundred Mile Brewing Co., O.H.S.O. Brewery & Distillery, Old World Brewery, PHX Beer Co., SanTan Brewing Company, Saddle Mountain Brewing Company, The Shop Beer Co. and Two Brothers Brewing Company.
As for the future, Four Peaks will continue championing Arizona, supporting fellow brewers and serving customers with regionally inspired beers, Ingram said. He’s eager to share with the world the company’s newest flavor: Wow Berry, a tart, fruity twist on Wow Wheat, infused with natural wild berries.