Wren Südhalle — Restaurant in Phoenix

The Wren organization exceeded expectations with their exceptional Südhalle taproom. The place is a lively and welcoming space at the end of a strip mall with plenty of parking and seating. They assembled an outstanding bar setup with about 15 taps, 8 of which are Lukr side pull faucets. Their options of brews are a mix of Wren House’s award-winning beers and expert German and Austrian selections, including many we’ve rarely or never seen in Arizona, plus a sizable to-go cooler with plenty of bring-home choices. They have something for everyone. I rarely enjoy German wines, however, the Dr. Loosen Red Slate Dry Riesling my wife ordered was a nice dry wine I’ll enjoy anytime. I tried three brews, and all were tasty and served perfectly with the right amount of head, and the glass wiped clean before serving. They take care in serving the beer with perfection every time, and in the correct glass.

On my first visit, I tried the Brat Burger; I’d give it a strong 8.5. On my second visit, I ordered the Käse Burger, which contains smashed käsekrainer sausage and aplenhorn cheese. This burger is a solid 9.5. Both the onion rings and pretzel were absolutely fantastic. The rings boasted a delightful crunch and a pleasant sweetness from the onion, showing that the cook cooked them to perfection. The pretzel had a wonderfully crispy exterior and was accompanied by a distinctive goat cheese dip that created a sharp contrast to its sweet and chewy interior.

What’s missing? I would like to see some traditional German options on their menu, such as a traditional wiener schnitzel (deep fried veal cutlet), sauerbraten, German potato salad, and such. I know they’re going for a unique twist, but having something familiar in a German/Viennese theme might go a long way too. Waiting in line to place your order is not very efficient, especially during peak service hours. Repeatedly returning to the bar for your next drink is a drag. Implementing wait staff serving multiple tables, as most restaurants do, and having an adequate staff in the back of the house to handle the rush should be considered.

That being said, I look forward to my next trip, my next brew, and my next...

I am a butcher's daughter - born and raised. So I have always been picky about my meat. As I have added on the years, however, I have become less and less a fan of meat, especially the red kind, as all those calories come with a price. Consequently, I rarely order a burger cuz, when I do, it always (always) disappoints.

Smash burgers, in particular, are a farce to me. In my not-so-humble opinion, I imagine they were named such when some rube ruined a burger by overcooking it and the restaurant owner, to make margins, renamed the carnage, slapped it on the menu, and thus began a fad. I have never had one I liked ... until today.

My partner and I stopped at this location for the first time today. Contrary to my burger experience, Wren House has never ever disappointed me with their beer. In fact, I rank them in the top of my all-time breweries. For reference, my partner and I have visited over 1200 breweries, including the more renowned ones in France and Belgium. I've got street cred.

Today, I suggested we order the Valley Burger - a smash beef and Käsekrainer patty with various and sundry condiments - hoping beyond all hope I wasn't making a mistake.

Omg. It was amazing! My only regret is that my partner and I split the burger. I would have loved one all by me onsey.

And the Lustige Frites? The absolute best accompaniment. Thank you, Wren House, for not just making my beer day, but my burger day as well. We will...

Wren Südhalle is a gem for beer lovers, offering some of the best brews in the valley, with a standout selection of German-style beers that make every visit a treat for enthusiasts like me. Unfortunately, the food doesn’t match the quality of the beer. I ordered the chicken schnitzel sandwich, expecting a flavorful, authentic experience, but it fell short. The “schnitzel” was essentially a deep-fried chicken breast—lacking the thin, crispy texture and seasoning that define a true schnitzel. The bun, a soft smash burger-style roll, felt out of place for a schnitzel sandwich; something heartier, like a pretzel bun or kaiser roll, would have elevated the dish. Worse, the sandwich was sparsely topped with just a pinch of shredded lettuce and a scant teaspoon of sauce, leaving it dry and uninspired. I didn’t try other menu items, but based on their presentation and descriptions, they didn’t seem particularly enticing. My partner doesn't eat meat, and they did offer fried mushrooms, but were out of stock so there wasnt much her to eat besides nuts. This is a deal breaker for dinner unfortunatley. In summary, Wren Südhalle’s beer selection is exceptional and worth the visit, but the food, especially the schnitzel sandwich, needs a serious overhaul to match the brewery’s high...