About

High Tanks Brewing Company is a family owned and operated destination brewery and venue centered in the heart of one of North America’s harshest climates; The Sonoran Desert! After years of dreaming, home brewing and low-key ‘brew club’ testing, High Tanks finally came to life in early 2022. At HTBC we are committed to paying homage to the history and legends of our Sonoran Desert home with others with quality food, beverage, atmosphere and experiences unique to our desert oasis environment.

Our name is taken from a nearby natural watering hole and source of life in the harsh desert mountains. Near Arizona’s southern border, along the infamously unforgiving El Camino Del Diablo, hidden between the rugged crags of the Tinajas Altas Mountains lies the High Tanks.
For centuries prior to the completion of the railroad, native tribes, conquistadors, missionaries and prospectors traveling between Sonoyita and Yuma counted on this series of natural catch basins referred to as ‘tinajas’ as one of the only sources of water along Arizona’s most remote and undeveloped travel route across the Sonoran desert. The Popago Indians are said to have used the original trail for making trades and waging war over 1000 years ago!

“The Devil’s Highway” earned its name and reputation with scorching ‘hot as hell’ temperatures and harsh conditions which accounted for hundreds of recorded fatalities. The actual number is believed to be in the 1000’s. Many gravesites are still visible along the road, 40 of which can be found near High Tanks. Legend has it that it was not uncommon for travelers to reach the lowest tank only to find it dry, then succumb to dehydration while attempting to ascend the steep basalt slopes to the upper tanks. To those who weren’t so unfortunate, this watering hole served as the last chance to refresh and refill before heading deeper into the desert mountains or making the long haul for the Colorado river depending upon direction of travel.

Modern day desert explorers will find High Tanks Brewing Company as a new watering hole located more conveniently at the foot of the Gila Mountains along a western stretch of El Camino Del Diablo near Dome Valley. This unlikely oasis serves as a perfect rendezvous point for the start or end of a long day of desert adventure. Located on the Naked Dates organic medjool date farm, High Tanks Brewing Company offers regionally inspired small batch craft brews and scratch made food in a picturesque desert setting, surrounded by date palms and rugged desert mountains. 15 minutes from Fortuna Foothills or less than 10 minutes from the small town of Wellton, HTBC can easily be accessed by car via HWY 80 and 25E, however our more adventurous guests make their way along canal roads, through Cipriano or Woodcutters pass, from US95 through dome valley or a slight detour from the Arizona Peace Trail. All routes do require a short journey down an unpaved but easily passable portion of Ave 25E.

The property borders the Barry Goldwater bombing range, is roughly 30 miles east of the Yuma Proving Grounds, and is only a handful of miles away from a large USBP base. These combined factors lead to an almost constant display of interesting military operations both in the sky and on the ground. Sonic booms and low flyovers are a common occurrence.

High Tanks expanded upon the unique and popular offerings of the Naked Dates Bistro Menu. The addition of house-smoked meats, homemade salsas and sauces as well as a few standard favorites create a menu with enough diversity to offer something for everyone while maintaining quality, consistency, and speed capable of efficiently serving large crowds of guests.Our unique setting serves as a spectacular venue for live music, weddings, parties, small campouts and retreats. We present a weekly concert series featuring both local favorites and touring artists. We also offer partial and exclusive rentals of the space for weddings and private events, and can even offer some basic quality catering options! We also schedule small group tours of our organic farm. “Daphnie’s Sleepover” is our annual weekend-long Volkswagen camp out, and will be hosting a few excursions into the desert to visit the actual High Tanks, as well as short trips to a nearby rock labyrinth.

Our mission here at High Tanks is to share the unique flavors and beauty of our desert home with friends and neighbors, winter visitors and desert adventurers alike! We look forward to hosting you here on the farm!