We had the good fortune of connecting with Dillon McClelland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dillon, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for Goldwater Brewing Co. came from our family’s deep love for brewing. My brother Chad McClelland and I grew up surrounded by the process, thanks to our dad, Greg McClelland, who has been an avid homebrewer since 1986. We spent countless weekends in the garage with him, learning the ropes and developing a real passion for craft beer as a family hobby.

Chad took it a step further when he traveled around Europe, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand during and after college, visiting craft beer bars and breweries. Those experiences opened his eyes to the potential of what we could do with our own future brewery. When he got back, he became so excited about the idea that it quickly became a shared dream for our family.

In 2014, we decided to go all in. We started by putting together a solid business plan, finding the perfect location, and experimenting with beer recipes that would make the cut for what would be served at our first taproom. It wasn’t easy—there were plenty of challenges along the way, and a lot of good, great, and bad beer was made—but we kept pushing forward. Finally, on May 1st, 2015, we opened Goldwater Brewing Co. in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Our journey from those garage brewing sessions to running a 10bbl brewery with three locations has been truly remarkable. Each of us, Chad as the brewmaster, me (Dillon McClelland) as the creative director, our dad Greg handling the backend operations, and our brother-in-law Jimmy keeping everything running smoothly in the taprooms and self-distribution, plays a crucial role. It’s not just a business for us-it’s a labor of love, a family effort that we are all incredibly proud of.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Goldwater Brewing Co. is a family-run brewery rooted in a genuine love for craft beer. Our deep commitment to quality, innovation, and the unique family dynamic that drives our business sets us apart. Each member of our team brings their own strengths to the table, creating a synergy that fuels our success.

Our journey began with my brother Chad and me learning the art of brewing from our dad, Greg, who has been a passionate home brewer since 1986. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong love for craft beer. Chad’s travels across Europe, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand further fueled our desire to create something special. When he returned home, we knew we wanted to turn this shared passion into a professional endeavor.

Starting Goldwater Brewing Co. in 2014 was far from easy. We faced numerous challenges, from perfecting our beer recipes to finding the ideal location and navigating the complexities of running a business. However, our family’s unwavering dedication and support for one another helped us overcome these obstacles. We learned to adapt, persevere, and continuously strive for excellence.

Today, we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. We now operate a 10bbl brewery with three locations, offering a range of unique, high-quality beers. Our success is a testament to our hard work, passion, and the incredible team behind Goldwater Brewing Co.

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned along the way is the importance of staying true to our roots while embracing innovation. Craft beer is all about creativity and pushing boundaries, and we’ve always aimed to reflect that in our brews. From our staple beers to our experimental limited releases, we take pride in offering something for every beer lover.

What we want the world to know about Goldwater Brewing Co. is that we are more than just a brewery—we are a family dedicated to the craft. Our story is built on a foundation of love, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of quality. We’re excited to continue this journey, explore new horizons in the craft beer world, and share our passion with our community and beyond.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When my best friend visits, I like to keep things spontaneous because the Valley has so much to offer. We’d definitely start with a tour of Goldwater Brewing Co. and enjoy some beers on the house. After that, it’s all about exploring—whether it’s checking out the artsy spots and cool bars in Downtown Phoenix, wandering through historic districts, or hitting up some local breweries and great restaurants (too many good ones to name).

We’d also squeeze in a round of golf because the courses here are top-notch and a great way to enjoy the weather (not in the summer of course…). Basically, we’d hop around to the best spots, soak in the vibes, and have an awesome time with good beer.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my dad, Greg McClelland. His unwavering support, mentorship, and love have been instrumental in shaping who we are today. From a young age, he shared his passion for brewing craft beer with us and guided us in all aspects of business. His dedication and wisdom have been the foundation of our success, and we wouldn’t be where we are without him. Cheers, pops!

Website: https://goldwaterbrewing.com

Instagram: @goldwaterbrewingco

Twitter: https://x.com/goldwaterbrew

Facebook: https://facebook.com/goldwaterbrewingco

Yelp: https://yelp.com/biz/goldwater-brewing-scottsdale-6

Image Credits
All shot by me, Dillon McClelland. (besides the photo of me and my brother, Chad – also the Co-founder/brewmaster.

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