The people behind the pour
Family comes first.
One family. A shared obsession. A brewery of our own.
About
Arizona roots / Since 1986
From the family archive / Where it all started
Chapter one / The garage
It started at home.
Before Goldwater was a brewery, it was our dad's homebrew setup.
Greg started brewing in 1986. Chad and Dillon grew up around the process, the experiments, and the idea that good beer was worth making yourself.
Years later, Chad returned from traveling through beer cultures around the world. With Greg, Dillon, and Jimmy, the family hobby became something bigger. On May 1, 2015, we opened Goldwater in Old Town Scottsdale.
Four partners / One shared obsession
Built by four.
Different strengths. The same goal: make something we're proud to put our name on.
01 / The builder
Jimmy
Disken
From the daily operation to new locations, Jimmy helps turn the next idea into reality and keeps the whole thing moving.
02 / The brewer
Chad
McClelland
From recipes to the brewhouse, Chad leads the craft behind every pour. His curiosity keeps the beer moving forward.
03 / The creative
Dillon
McClelland
The artwork, packaging, merchandise, and spaces. Dillon gives Goldwater a visual personality as distinct as the beer.
04 / The foundation
Greg
McClelland
The homebrewer who started it all. Greg brings the experience, belief, and financial backbone that helped turn a family idea into a brewery.
The family archive / 1986 to today
A story still brewing.
Chapter / 1
Where it started
Greg begins homebrewing, starting a hobby that would eventually become a family tradition and the foundation for Goldwater Brewing Co.
Chapter / 2
Labor of love
Greg's hobby gets passed down to his two sons Dillon and Chad as they watch their father develop what would become one of the most important recipes in Goldwater's history; Desert Rose Cactus Kölsch.
Chapter / 3
The turning point
Chad returns from his travels through craft beer scenes in Europe, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand and with the desire to turn the family hobby into a business.
Chapter / 4
Dream come true
The original 10-barrel brewery and flagship taproom launch with support from Greg, Dillon, and Jimmy Disken, at the corner of Scottsdale Road and Goldwater Boulevard in Old Town Scottsdale.
Chapter / 5
National recognition
Goldwater receives their first medal at the Great American Beer Festival for their Machine Gun Teddy American-style brown ale.
Chapter / 6
Back to our roots
Second location, 30 taps, in the Longbow Marketplace near Recker and the Loop 202 opens its doors. A homecoming for the brothers, who were born and raised in East Mesa.
Chapter / 7
Expanding our community
The team opens up their third taproom, at the bustling corner of Priest Dr. and Ray Rd in South Tempe.
Chapter / 8
More hardware
Oats M'gotes Oatmeal Stout wins bronze at the World Beer Cup, and Phoenix New Times names Goldwater Brewing Co. one of Phoenix's Top 100 Bars.
Chapter / 9
Ten year anniversary
A decade of Goldwater Brewing Company. The team celebrates 10 incredible years of serving quality craft beer to the state of Arizona.
Chapter / 10
Gilbert
A new brewery, taproom, and beer garden is on the way. More room to brew, gather, and keep growing the Goldwater family.
Next up / Gilbert
Still just us.
More room to brew. Same family behind it.
We've grown from one Scottsdale brewery to three Arizona taprooms. Gilbert is the next chapter: a new brewery, taproom, and beer garden built for more of the good stuff.
The place may get bigger. The people behind it haven't changed.
