Pinetop Brewing Company — Belgian-Style Beer and a Gastropub Menu in Lakeside

Pinetop Brewing Company, at 159 W White Mountain Blvd in Lakeside, is one of those spots that's easy to undersell if you just call it "the local brewery." It's actually Arizona's only dedicated Belgian-style microbrewery, which is a genuinely unusual thing to find tucked into the White Mountains. Pair that with a solid gastropub menu and a patio that welcomes dogs, and you've got a good answer for the adults in your group who want a relaxed evening out that isn't another sit-down dinner.

Not Your Average Small-Town Brewery

Most brewpubs you stumble into on a mountain trip are pouring the same handful of IPAs and lagers you can get anywhere. Pinetop Brewing Company is doing something different — Belgian-style beer as their focus, not a one-off seasonal release. If anyone in your group has spent time overseas or just appreciates beer that isn't following the standard American craft playbook, this is worth the detour on its own.

You don't need to be a beer person to enjoy it, though. It reads more as a comfortable gastropub than a brewery-first taproom — a spot where the beer happens to be excellent, not one where you're expected to know what you're ordering.

The Food Holds Its Own

The menu leans classic gastropub: burgers, sandwiches, soft pretzels, and beer cheese built to be shared across a table. It's forgiving food for a big, hungry group filtering in after a day at Rainbow Lake — nobody's waiting on fussy plating, and there's enough variety that pickier eaters aren't stuck choosing between two options.

It's also worth knowing they offer gluten-free and vegetarian options, which isn't something every casual spot in the area bothers with. If someone in your group is managing a dietary restriction, that's one less thing to plan around.

A Patio That Works for Everyone (Dogs Included)

The seasonal patio is a nice touch, especially on a warm evening when nobody wants to be stuck indoors. It's pet-friendly, so if your crew brought the dog along, this is a place where that's not a problem — nobody has to split off or stay back at the cabin on dog duty.

To be clear about what this place is: it's more bar and gastropub than a kid-focused restaurant. That's not a knock — it just means the vibe leans toward the grown-ups looking for a beer and a good burger rather than a spot built around a kids' menu and crayons. That said, the patio and food work fine if you've got teenagers or older kids along. It's just not the loud, high-energy family spot — think "relaxed evening out" more than "kid-first dinner."

Good for the Adults' Night Out

Big group trips need a mix of energy. Some nights call for everyone gathered around the table at the cabin; other nights, splitting off makes sense — maybe the parents and older teens head out for a couple hours while younger kids wind down with a movie back at the house. Pinetop Brewing Company fits neatly into that second category: a short drive, good beer, solid food, and a patio to sit outside on if the weather's cooperating.

If your group already did the big formal dinner at Charlie Clark's Steakhouse, this is a good change of pace the next night — more casual, less ceremony, and a chance to try something you can't get most other places in Arizona.

Getting There from the Cabins

Pinetop Brewing Company sits on White Mountain Blvd, an easy drive whether you're staying at Parkway Lodge, which sleeps 27, or the Mohave Cabin with a Treehouse, which sleeps 33. Close enough that a casual dinner out doesn't eat up the evening, and close enough to make a return trip for round two if the group's enjoying itself.

Good to Know Before You Go

Listed hours run Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 8pm, and Friday and Saturday from 11am to 9pm, but mountain-town hours have a way of shifting with the seasons, so it's worth a quick call or a check of their website before you build the evening around it. With a big group, especially if you're hoping to sit outside on the patio, calling ahead is a smart move.

Common Questions

What makes Pinetop Brewing Company different from other local breweries? It's Arizona's only dedicated Belgian-style microbrewery, paired with a gastropub menu of burgers, sandwiches, pretzels, and beer cheese.

Is it good for families? It leans more toward a bar and gastropub vibe for the adults, but the food and patio work fine for families too — it's just not a kid-first spot.

Do they have gluten-free or vegetarian options? Yes, both are available on the menu, which is handy if your group has dietary restrictions to work around.

Is it pet-friendly? Yes, the seasonal patio welcomes dogs, so you don't have to leave anyone behind on dog-sitting duty.

How far is it from the Lakeside cabins? Just a short drive from both Parkway Lodge and the Mohave Cabin with a Treehouse, making it an easy addition to any evening plan.

A trip built around a big group needs a few different kinds of nights, and Pinetop Brewing Company covers the one where the adults want a good beer and a relaxed meal without the fuss. Ready to plan the trip around it? Check availability for your dates, and if you want something more low-key and family-first the next night, Grumpy Jake's in Lakeside has you covered.