Chase Field
Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Affiliate: N/A
Ballpark Basics: An oasis in the desert.
Key Stats:
Parking: Official stadium parking starts around $15 and is cheaper than trying to park in a local garage. You can try to use apps like ParkMobile to reserve a cheaper space in advance.
Seats in the Shade: When the roof is open, third base side gets shade first, and the higher back and closer to home plate you are, the better off you’ll be.
Chase Field is a large brick box that sits on the southeast edge of downtown Phoenix next to the PHX Arena, the home of the Phoenix Sun and Phoenix Mercury. It can be a bit disorienting walking up to it since it is difficult to determine where you are entering the ballpark. While there are signs designating each entrance the shape of the ballpark makes it difficult to determine when walking up.
Once inside, it can still take a little time to get your bearings straight. The main concourse does wrap around the entire field and opens up with a view to the field in many places but there are also multiple stores, concession stands, and restaurants that can block your view. There are also points (typically in the corners of the building) where the concourse juts out away from the field.
With an average temperature of 99℉ during the summer months it is easy to see why the Diamondbacks opted for a retractable roof (if not an entirely domed Ballpark). While we have been lucky on our visits to other ballparks with retractable roofs in Toronto, Miami, Seattle, and Milwaukee to see the games with the roof open, our July visit to Phoenix did not allow for this luxury. However, the sheer size the ballpark still gives it more of an open feel than you would expect in a closed environment.
The size can also be a bit of a detriment to the ballpark. With the sheer size of the building comes a massive seating bowl, but the games have been far from sell outs of late. This maeans there can be large areas of open seating, and the team has shut down sections to make it feel less cavernous. The team works to make up for the lack of fan-supplied atmosphere with pregame light show and DJ set. The team actually warns fans that may be affected by strobing lights before the game.
The quirk that the ballpark is probably most known for is the pool in center field. The pool area can be rented out to groups and is probably one of the most unique ways to watch an MLB game. It has also become the de facto way to celebrate big wins for the Diamondbacks (and sometimes other teams). A great feature that does not get as much attention is the Diamondbacks Hall of Fame just behind the concourse in center field. Here you will find memorabilia from the first game in Diamondbacks history, their World Series wins and All-Star games as well as beloved Diamondback players.
Best Spot for Beer: There are a few concession stands dedicated to specific breweries such as Four Peaks and Hop Valley, There are a number of Grab and Go concession stands throughout the main concourse. Many of them have the same options, the main local options being from SanTan Brewing. On our visit, the Grab and Go located in Section 133 in the left field corner had the largest selection of local options, including Arizona Wilderness, Huss. Mother Road and Wren House (see below).
As Chase Field nears it third decade of service the Diamondbacks have begun to make the necessary renovations. The team recently had to fix the retractable roof and added a new back of LED lights to upgrade their light show. The team is currently looking to continue those upgrades with new suites, restaurants, bars, video boards, kid-friendly areas and new seats. With the recent on field success the team looks to continue to be an oasis in the desert.
Wren House
Rating: Home run!
Brew Basics: popular and tiny, with a communal vibe; leave your phone in your pocket and have a conversation instead.
Key Stats:
Good for Groups: That’s kinda the point
Food: Food trucks will visit but you’re welcome to bring your own
Dogs: Pet friendly, even inside
Wren House’s tasting room was once a cute 1930’s bungalow home. So saying the main gathering area feels like a living room isn’t much of a stretch. In fact, it’s right in line with the vibe Wren House is targeting. If you’re visiting the original Phoenix location, you’ll find about 10 stools around an L-shaped, bar that glistens with white subway tile. The wood plank ceiling has exposed beams, visible pipes and the decor includes numerous dinosaurs. Seating-wise, there is a patio, and inside are heavy wooden tables – some extra large for communal seating – and open space to promote gathering. And if you’re looking for the brew works? Check the garage, seriously.
What you won’t find is a tv. Wren House opened in 2015 with a view of craft beer as a community builder, something we can congregate around and something that brings groups together. While a jaded reader might find that a bit idealistic, it’s working for them and they’ve successfully since expanded to two additional locations in and around greater Phoenix. Although we’re sure the fact that their beer is varied, popular, and frequently bringing home awards also has something to do with their success.
Brew Breakdown:
You can check their website for a current tap list, but they usually seem to have at least 15 options available. On top of drafts, they have to go options, and at the Phoenix bungalow tasting room only, you can also request special items from the cellar. The cellar list is also available to view on their website. While intrigued, we needed to start with some of the basics:
Spellbinder with Strata (7%) Spellbinder is one of their flagships, a New England IPA that’s won gold at more than one craft beer show. This riff just substitutes Strata for the standard Citra and Mosaic combo of the original. It smelled wet, hoppy and a little oaty. It poured yellowy, pineapple juice color and was totally opaque. The palate was juicy at first, but very hoppy and overall a bit chewy.
Spring Training Frescas (7.5% ABV) Like the Spellbinder above, this beer was opaque but it is a fruited sour so it also happened to be a bright rosy-red crayon pink color. It smelled fruity, tasted like a fruited Berlinerweisse and finished tart. Though the main flavors of strawberry, raspberry and lime are all present, it’s the lime that really popped at the end.
Its All Gravy Hazy IPA (7.2% ABV) A hoppy grapefruit colored beer with a strong hop bouquet. This was a refreshing and complex beer with lots of tropical notes, but like many west coast hazies, our East coast palates found it quite piney. This of course isn’t to say we didn’t like it. It poured a pretty, lighter yellow color and the strong tropic aroma made this (and really any of the ones we had) the perfect complement to a 100° day. This one was a small batch we lucked into, and to give credit where credit is due, it’s worth noting Gravy is the brewery cat.
Wrenovation (6.5% ABV) Speaking of pine, this American IPA leans into its west coast roots with a strong hop backbone, and a crisp, dry delivery. The most burnt gold of the options we tried, and also the most clear. Wrenovation is a blend of locally grown Chinook, Mosaic and Cascade hops and while it’s smooth it’s also bitter.
2125 N 24th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85008