So, in case anyone doesn’t know, we’re living through the tasty brew movement. On my 2018 trip to Arizona, my craft brew journey led me to Helton Brewing Company. They have a reputation for outstanding traditional and boundary pushing beers. My friends, family, and I visited the brewery and were lucky enough to meet the founder, Brian Helton. Even with a backbreaking work schedule, Brian provided us with an amazing tour through his brewery.
Brian is from Indiana but was brewing in Phoenix decades ago. He’s tirelessly worked 7 days a week over nearly 6 years to see Helton Brewing succeed. The dude also recently worked extra during the Christmas holiday so his staff could spend time with family. What’s not to love? Helton Brewing is now helping lead the local industry and supporting fellow craft breweries. I recently discussed the past, present, and future with Brian. I left with an unmistakable feeling that the future is bright for Helton Brewing.
Brian spent 2 years of preparation before opening Helton Brewing’s doors in 2016. Those 2 years were filled with finding the perfect location to start and grow the brewery. Brian then built out a dream brewery with his partner, Rob Coate. Coate is a fellow Indiana native who Brian refers to as a “Salt of the Earth” type of person – Coate also shares Brian’s rare and unrelenting work ethic. Brian and Rob used reclaimed Indiana barn wood to build out the brewery. It brings a little feeling of home to the desert.
It’s no surprise that, from day one, the brewery was pumping out high quality beer. That’s because Brian began his professional brewing career over 20 years before. He began as an assistant brewer at Rock Bottom Brewery. Over time, he rose through the ranks to run the brew operations for Rock Bottom across state lines. Throughout that time, Brian honed his knowledge of the beer-making process, the industry at large, and made connections that will last a lifetime. It’s safe to say that, by the time Brian was ready to open his own brewery, he had been a brew master for quite some time. After all, he’s made recipes BY HAND for over 60 different beer varieties. Yoda would tell me to unlearn what I’ve learned.
When Brian arrived in Phoenix, he noticed a gap for an easy drinking, refreshing, and light craft beer. That’s totally needed in a dry desert that hits 120 degrees during the sweltering summers. From this void, the Valley Venom Pilsner was born rivaling some of Germany’s best pilsners. Brian takes pride in his pilsners because “Pilsners tell no lies,” as Brian said, noting that you cannot hide imperfections with aromatic hops or other secondary ingredients.
His great beers have brought the brewery success in the desert. In fact, Helton Brewing just signed with Hensley Beverage Company, a regional distribution company. Conscientious expansion was always the plan. Helton started out the brewery by finding a 10,000 square foot warehouse where there was room to grow. He relied on a front house restaurant, paired with world-class beers, for cash flow while the brewery increased production. In the meantime, the brewery added more and more production equipment. That included installing a custom-made glycol system to handle the Phoenix heat, more tanks, and a canning line. Brian’s now in a position to satisfy consumer demand state-wide.
For this year’s Arizona Beer Week, Helton brewed several beers in collaboration with local businesses. One was a sour brewed in collaboration with The Wondering Tortoise, The Sleepy Whale, Hops on Birch, and The Theodore. “Multiple additions of Raspberries and Pineapple leaves the palate refreshed and wanting more in this tart but balanced Sour Ale.” Would you ship any of that to New York, please? If only the laws allowed it. Next up was a hefty 11.8% alc./vol. Imperial Stout brewed in collaboration with Raged Fury Brewery and Bottleshop. Following that was a brew made with Shift Caffeine coffee. That is a Coconut Coffee Imperial Stout infused with hops in a cylinder tank salvaged from the Millenium Falcon. Can you tell I’m a Star Wars fan? Judging by Helton’s Instagram, all were huge hits.
Helton collaborates with other breweries often. That includes with Mother Road Brewing Company when they created a Pink Guava Gose. That relationship grew from respect for each others’ dedication to producing an excellent product. When Mother Road needed help brewing its Tower Station IPA, Helton lent a hand. It’s a testament to the industry when 2 great breweries work in harmony.
Brian has always kind of felt a trampoline-like feeling with Helton Brewing. Meaning that, if he fell, he’d bounce right back. That stems from his mid-west attitude of rolling up your sleeves and getting the job done. It also stems from the help he’s received from the craft beer world and Phoenix community. Grateful and also driven by an attitude of “why not help others?”, Helton Brewing is returning the favor. It just ran a holiday toy drive for the Sojourner Center, a non-profit that provides shelter for domestic violence victims.
Helton Brewing also brings locals together in several ways. One way is through the Helton Adventure Tribe. Each week, the Tribe gets caffeinated for a physical activity with some cold-brewed coffee by Shift Caffeine. They then sweat out a hard day’s work with fellow beer enthusiasts. What better way to reward that hard work than with some Helton brews at just $3 a pint? Ummmmm, yes, please! Keeping costs low for his beer and other offerings are a sticking point for Brian. He wants to remain accessible to the everyday consumer. He gives this special discount just for his Tribesmen though.
Shortly before we spoke, Brian took a moment to relax from his breakneck schedule. He reflected on the last few years. In pausing for just an hour, he was able to appreciate Helton Brewing’s progress. It filled him with joy when he realized that his vision for the brewery was playing out as planned. His voice was tinged with infectious excitement. Brian then got right back to work.
His dreams have already come true, but those dreams build on each other. Brian’s current aspirations include opening an additional location. It would be up in the Arizona mountains and his fellow brewers would come with their mixed fermentation beers to spray the new brewery walls. Helton’s spontaneous beer program would be born. In the meantime, Helton Brewing will continue putting smiles on beer drinkers’ faces. The future is exciting for this brewery and it couldn’t be happening to a better guy.