Award-winning Mexican craft brewery makes US debut in metro Phoenix. Here's what to order

Bahar Anooshahr, Arizona Republic
·4 min read

Buqui Bichi, an award-winning craft brewery based in Hermosillo, opened its sixth taproom, the first in the U.S., in Chandler in July.

The brewery was founded in 2016 by brothers Ramon and Luis Osuana. The pair started as homebrewers before launching a taproom in the Sonoran capital city, then expanding with the opening of four additional taprooms in Hermosillo and Culiacan. Buqui Bichi was recognized as Best Medium Brewery in Mexico in the Copa Cerveza México 2019 and  Mexico’s best large brewery by Copa Cerveza in 2022.

We visited the new Chandler location on Friday night less than a month after the business opened. The parking was packed, as was the alley behind it. From the outside, the taproom looked quiet, but the door opened to a buzzing space. Our wait without a reservation was quoted as an hour, but the lively energy inspired us to wait.

I wandered around the industrial space. The DJ's music made it a challenge to hear a person standing next to me. A gymnastics competition played on TV screens near a pair of blackboards — one listed the happy hour specials, the other displayed the Buqui Bichi credo: "Freedom, escape, authenticity, independence, life without worries, the constant and curious search for a meaning. In Sonora we call this: BuquiBichi."

By the time we took our seats, blessedly far away from the DJ booth, the sound was dampened enough to have a conversation at the table, where we promptly began debating over the menu of Mexican-style bar foods, draft beers, wine and cocktails.

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What's on tap at Buqui Bichi?

According to our server, nearly all of the beers come from the Buqui Bichi brewery in Hermosillo, aside from five local brews they keep on rotating taps.

I was looking forward to trying Bitachera, their hazy IPA, but, by the time we arrived, the taproom had run out of a few selections, including that one. There was still no shortage of options to choose from as the brewery generally offers around 18 beers on tap in styles that include Kölsch, IPA, light lagers and coffee stouts.

Buqui Bichi sampler consisted of 5-ounce servings of ultra bichi, banquetera, chucata, sahuaripa and talega.
Buqui Bichi sampler consisted of 5-ounce servings of ultra bichi, banquetera, chucata, sahuaripa and talega.

I was on an exploratory mission, so I opted for the beer flight, which included five 5-ounce pours.

  • Ultra Bichi was a light lager reminiscent of Coors light.

  • Banquetera was a Kölsch style that offered a richer, fruity and more bitter flavor.

  • Chucata was an amber ale with a smooth fruity flavor and sour notes.

  • Sahuaripa was an IPA with fruity, heavier bitter notes.

  • Talega was a classic stout that smelled of coffee and tasted of coffee, charred oats and molasses.

Just before asking for the bill, I noticed a sour beer on the menu, I asked our server if she recommended it. Without hesitation, she brought me a sample of ice-cold Kickflip. It was one of many examples of the excellent service we enjoyed throughout the night. The beer itself had a citrusy, kombucha-ish taste that alone is reason enough for me to return.

What's on the food menu at Buqui Bichi ?

Sopes de chicharron arrived in a set of three.
Sopes de chicharron arrived in a set of three.

The two-page food menu is divided into international pub grub on one side and Mexican options on the other. It features appetizers like gyozas and French fries, pizzas, burgers and a variety of tostadas, sopes, aguachile and tacos.

The dishes arrived quickly, starting with the La Respondona burger ($16.50) is made with Angus beef and served on a brioche bun with American cheese, bacon, arugula, red onion, fried egg, chipotle mayo and is served with fries. But let me tell you, the fries stole the show. Get an order, with or without the burger. The spuds are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside and dressed with just the right amount of salt.

Tiradito de Atun ($12.50), a sashimi-style tuna in chiltepin aguachile with fresh cilantro, was delicious and refreshing. The sopes chicharron ($9.50), which comes in an order of three, offered a balanced umami of crispy pork meat, pickled onions and spicy crema.

But of all the dishes, the tostadas de aguachile tatemado ($12.50), which also come in an order of three, had the most impact. Each bite of the mini tostadas, piled high with shrimp, avocado, red onions cucumbers and cilantro, gave a refreshing, tart hit of herbal flavor that kept me coming back for more.

All in all, the Mexican side of the menu shines brightest, but everything we tried was good.

The tostadas de aguachile tatemado ($12.50) are made with shrimp in aguachile, avocado, red onion, cucumber, cilantro and mayonnaise.
The tostadas de aguachile tatemado ($12.50) are made with shrimp in aguachile, avocado, red onion, cucumber, cilantro and mayonnaise.

How to visit Buqui Bichi Chandler

If the taproom were closer, I'd go back more frequently for the upbeat vibe, but what will make me drive the distance are Buqui Bichi's sour beers, my desire to try the sold-out bitachera and those flavorful shrimp tostadas.

Lucky for me, the brewers plan to open a second taproom in downtown Phoenix at 21 W. Van Buren in mid-September. Until then, I'll just have to make the trek to Chandler.

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Sunday.

Details: 301 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. buquibichi.net.

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Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Buqui Bichi Chandler taproom serves award-winning Mexican beer, food