Oktoberfest is the perfect time to raise a glass to new beginnings. This fall, North Scottsdale welcomes its newest brewery, bringing craft tradition and community spirit together in one inviting space. With seasonal flavors on tap and a nod to Oktoberfest’s timeless celebration, it’s a welcome addition to the neighborhood and a fitting way to toast the season.

What inspired your family to start Pinnacle Beer, and how did the journey begin?  While working for Seagram in the late 1980’s, Bob was encouraged to start homebrewing by the winemaker at Domaine Mumm, Greg Fowler. Shortly thereafter, Bob had the idea of opening a microbrewery on the island of Kauai. This was before the opening of Kona Brewing. The addition of children put a stop to that dream, as we concentrated on family and career. When my son Wyatt finished his first year at Chico State, he started homebrewing, under adult supervision, having been inspired by the proximity of Sierra Nevada Brewing. That summer he applied to the Brewmaster program at Olds College in Alberta, Canada, and started his professional beer journey that fall.

What makes Pinnacle Beer unique?  Style, expertise, and authenticity. Wyatt has crafted more than 300 proprietary recipes, many inspired by his travels through Europe’s renowned beer regions. While brewing “true to style,” he adds his own creative twists—like dialing back the smoked malt in his Rauchbier to make it more approachable. His experience with celebrated breweries such as Monkless (Oregon) and Dust Bowl (California), combined with academic training, gives him remarkable expertise at a young age. Even Scottsdale’s challenging water doesn’t stand in his way—Wyatt uses reverse osmosis and careful treatment to replicate the water profiles of classic brewing regions, ensuring every beer tastes as it should, from Munich-style helles to beyond.

How does your family work together in running the business—do you each have specific roles?  Wyatt runs the brewery operations. Mary works closely with our food partner, Fire & Braids. Bob is more of a ringmaster.

Our first gold medal winner was Druid, Where’s My Car? – Export Stout. That also won a silver medal at the London Beer Competition, and was voted Best of the Valley by Phoenix Magazine. Surveillance Pigeon – Double West Coast Cold IPA was named best of the Arizona Region by Untappd for that style and is also a London Beer Competition and Best of the Valley winner. But the one that we’re most excited about today is a new beer: Tori – Japanese Rice Lager. Tori has more depth and flavor than any Rice Lager we’ve tasted, while being almost unbelievably pale. It has been a huge hit in the taproom.

What has been the most rewarding (or surprising) part of building a family-owned brewery?   When we started the brewery construction, Wyatt was 25 years old with long hair, a backwards baseball cap, and wearing his “uniform” of too-well-worn work boots, Carhartt pants, and a brewery t-shirt. Watching him direct the architect and contractor of what his requirements were for the brewery was pretty interesting, and eye opening, showing a maturity level that I wasn’t aware of at that time.

What are your future plans or hopes for Pinnacle Beer as the business continues to grow?  This is Wyatt’s business. Our model for success was a brewery in the SF Bay Area named Fieldworks. They serve their beers in eight taprooms in Northern California. We hope to get to that level of success and recognition.

The family includes Bob, Mary, Wyatt, Zane, Lauren, Christina, Katy, and Nolan Wilson, along with pets Rocket and Teegan. Recently celebrating their 11th wedding anniversary, Bob & Mary first met on Match.com and now call Silverleaf Arcadia home. Originally from California, they’ve lived in the neighborhood for three years and love its community feel, access to great restaurants, trails, and the DC Ranch Country Club. Together, they enjoy golf, sailing, bridge, and swimming, while son Wyatt is always up for a beer tasting or a trip to Prague.

Family traditions include a Black Tie New Year’s Eve and enjoying feijoada, a Brazilian black bean dish passed down from Mary’s mother. With a condo soon to be completed in Cascais, Portugal, more adventures await—but for now, they are busy supporting Foothill Animal Rescue through their brewery and enjoying the friendships and lifestyle Silverleaf Arcadia offers.

Pinnacle Brewing Co.

15111 N. Hayden Road/Scottsdale