Moab Beer Festival

The First Annual Moab Beer and Wine Festival is coming to of all places; Moab, Utah! It's part of  Moab's Arts Festival  that has been serving the citizens of Moab for the last 21 years.

The Beer and Wine Festival will be held on Saturday May 24th from 1pm - 5pm at the Swanny City Park and will feature local beers from Moab, Roosters, Bohemian, The Hop n' Keg, RedRock, Shades of Pale, Wasatch Squatters and Epic. Wine from Spanish Valley and Castle Creek will be available as well.

$25 get you a tasting glass and five drink tickets. Tickets for the festival can be purchased at the Moab Brewery or on their website.

Voting continues in the Utah Beer Challenge, ballots are in the column to the right.

Cheers!

Utah Beer Challenge - Sweet Sixteen Round

We've finally made it to Round Three of the Utah Beer Challenge. This is the "Sweet Sixteen" round. As you'll notice in the bracket above, the choices from here - on out are going to be difficult ones. Most of these sixteen beers have very loyal followings - not just here in Utah but nationally and internationally.

As the number of contenders have been reduced, the length of time in the individual rounds will also decrease. All of Round Three's voting will happen over the the next two days ending Friday morning (4/18/14).  Since it's a holiday weekend Round Four will begin on Monday 21st.

The breakdown for the final part of round is listed below. I hope your finding this enjoyable.

Cheers!

Total	Answer
66.67%	Epic Big Bad Baptist	64 (66.67%)
33.33%	Aves Proper - Proper Beer	32 (33.33%)

(96 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
46.08%	Dsrt Edge UPA	47 (46.08%)
53.92%	Squatters Hop Rising DIPA	55 (53.92%)

(102 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
86.17%	Uinta Sea Legs	81 (86.17%)
13.83%	Roosters Polygamy Pale Ale	13 (13.83%)

(94 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
20.62%	ShadesO'Pale Ready to Fly	20 (20.62%)
79.38%	Squatters Outer Darkness	77 (79.38%)

(97 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
16.85%	Hoppers Rockwell Porter	15 (16.85%)
83.15%	RedRock Cohoperation	74 (83.15%)

(89 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
54.26%	Epic IIPA	51 (54.26%)
45.74%	Aves Proper Oatmeal Red	43 (45.74%)

(94 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
73.12%	Squatters 529	68 (73.12%)
26.88%	Dsrt Edge LDS Stout	25 (26.88%)

(93 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
31.91%	Aves Proper Slainte Stout	30 (31.91%)
68.09%	Uinta Cockeyed Cooper	64 (68.09%)

(94 Total Votes)

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Huge Changes In-Store for Wasatch/Squatters

There are massive changes coming soon to Wasatch and Squatters in the coming weeks, some are already hitting shelves. Settle-in and get your ass comfy, we have a lot to cover.

First off, look for a new face for Provo Girl. This poor girl has gone through more changes than Mystique at a schizophrenic fashion show. The brand is moving from Squatters to Wasatch. The reasoning? it fits better with Wasatch's more irreverent branding. The beer will not change.

Your going to see a new look to the bottles and cans as well, the bottles will have a new shape and will be custom embossed and the cans and carriers will have a black background with new artwork.

Due to more legal bullshit, Wasatch Summerbrau is now "Last One in Lager" and Wasatch Winterfest will have a new name by next winter. They're still working on that one. 

Polygamy Porter is getting a new - big brother. Polygamy Porter Nitro will be a 6% bottled beer that will be nitrogen conditioned without a nitro widget in the bottle. No firm release date, as if yet. The original Polygamy Porter will still be available as well.

If you hang out at Squatter's Brewpub at all your probably familiar with their Wee Peat Scottish Ale on draft. This beer is also getting a big brother, a 5.6% ABV interpretation on the style. 

In a world with hundreds, if not thousands of "interesting" IPA names marketers for the Utah Brewers Cooperative have found it difficult to market a beer that's simply called Squatters IPA. So in the coming months look for Squatters "Off Duty IPA". Same delicious IPA - new name. 

Squatters Black Forest Schwartzbier: One of Squatters most award winning beers, is going into bottle production as well. The new version will be a 6% ABV companion to its predecessor. 

Squatters Bumper Crop Lavender was originally a small batch, bottle series produced at Squatters Brewpub. It proved popular and a 4% ABV version was also made - now it is also getting the full bottle treatment with a 5.5% ABV Version, that will be for sale outside of the brewpub. 

As many of you may already know, Wasatch has a new Brewpub coming to the Sugar House area. The pub will have its own pilot brew system - with added space for barrel aging beer. The section of the block where the new brewpub is located is still under construction - Not sure when it's scheduled to open. 

If you are a fan of Wasatch's Switch it's due back the second or third week of May. Switch started out as Wasatch White Label that was barrel aged in Obtuse Port Wine barrels. Not sure if this batch uses the same brand of port but it should be interesting. 

If you haven't completed voting on round two of the Utah Beer Challenge, it's time to get your shit together. It ends Wednesday morning, then the Sweet Sixteen round begins immediately after, that's when the choices start to really get tough. Ballots are in the column to the right.

Cheers!

Utah's 2014 World Beer Cup Winners

The 2014 World Beer Cup awards were held over the weekend. 4,754 beers from 1,403 breweries were entered from 58 countries. Utah's breweries managed to pick up three medals. Here are the beers that won, two of the three are still widely available, RedRock's may be around at some bars in limited quantities.  Congratulations all!

I've also provided a list of winning beers from outside of Utah, that are available for purchase at liquor stores, grocery stores or bars. 

Uinta Bristlecone - Bronze English style Mild
Moab Squeaky Bike Nut Brown - Silver Session Beers
RedRock Paardebloem - Gold Experimental Beer


Firestone Walker Wookey Jack - Bronze
Pelican Kiwanda Cream Ale - Gold
George Killian's Irish Red - Gold
Pelican Silverspot IPA - Silver
Delirium Tremens - Bronze
Anderson Valley Brother David's Double - Bronze
Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye - Silver
Lagunitas DayTime Ale - Gold
Asahi Super Dry - Gold
Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel - Bronze
Coors Light - Gold
Miller Genuine Draft - Silver
Coors Banquet - Bronze
Old Style - Gold
Icehouse - Silver
Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier Dunkel - Silver
Widmer Hefeweizen - Gold 

Here's a link for all of the winning beers http://www.worldbeercup.org/winners

Part One of Round 2 in the Utah Beer Challenge is over - Part Two of Round 2 begins today. Not too many surprises as far as the voting is concerned. I think Moab's Hopped Rye would have fared better if it was more widely available around the state (hint, hint).

Here's the breakdown from the last round of votes.

Cheers!

Total	Answer
61.25%	Epic Hopulent IIPA	49 (61.25%)
38.75%	Moab Scotch Ale	31 (38.75%)

(80 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
89.04%	Dsrt Edge Road Rage Rye	65 (89.04%)
10.96%	Hop'nKeg Pale Ale	8 (10.96%)

(73 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
8.75%	Moab Black IPA	7 (8.75%)
91.25%	RedRock Elephino DIPA	73 (91.25%)

(80 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
57.32%	Wasatch GhostRider WIPA	47 (57.32%)
42.68%	Wasatch Winterfest	35 (42.68%)

(82 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
25.64%	Dsrt Edge British Mild	20 (25.64%)
74.36%	Squatters Fifth Element	58 (74.36%)

(78 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
56.79%	Epic Elder Brett	46 (56.79%)
43.21%	BOHO Viennese Lager	35 (43.21%)

(81 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
77.63%	RedRock LeQuatre Saison	59 (77.63%)
22.37%	Moab Hopped Rye	17 (22.37%)

(76 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
66.25%	Uinta Labyrinth	53 (66.25%)
33.75%	BOHO Czech Pilsner	27 (33.75%)

(80 Total Votes)

New Beer Friday 4/11/14

Belive it or not, that is from a real ad. Need to shut that lil' brat up? Get that kid a beer and get some Zzzz! 

There's only one new beer today, it's Samuel Smith's Organic Chocolate Stout. The nose is cocoa, and not much more. It tastes much like chocolate milk with a hint of vanilla sweetness. The carbonation gives it a creamy feel. It's not too rich - well balanced. With the cocoa taste, you'd think there might be a bitter edge, but this is not the case. It's sweet, but not too sweet. 

Round One of the Utah Beer Challenge is finally over! If you thought there were tough choices before? Your panties will really start to bunch in the coming week. The first part of round two will end Sunday morning - the voting for part 2 of two will begin Monday morning. The results for the final beers of round one are listed below. 

Haven't heard a lot of feed back, everything working well?

Prost! 

Total	Answer
47.89%	Zion Canyon Springdale Amber	34 (47.89%)
52.11%	Hoppers Rockwell Porter	37 (52.11%)

(71 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
13.75%	Roosters Two-Bit Amber	11 (13.75%)
86.25%	RedRock Cohoperation	69 (86.25%)

(80 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
76.83%	Epic IIPA	63 (76.83%)
23.17%	Roosters Argo ESB	19 (23.17%)

(82 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
76.39%	Aves Proper Oatmeal Red	55 (76.39%)
23.61%	Zion Canyon Jamaican Lager	17 (23.61%)

(72 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
21.25%	Zion Canyon Hop Valley IPA	17 (21.25%)
78.75%	Squatters 529	63 (78.75%)

(80 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
30%	Wasatch Switch	24 (30%)
70%	Dsrt EDGE LDS Stout	56 (70%)

(80 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
36.36%	Hoppers Lil Pips Mild	24 (36.36%)
63.64%	Aves Proper Slainte Stout	42 (63.64%)

(66 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
28.05%	BNVILLE Landspeed Lager	23 (28.05%)
71.95%	Uinta Cockeyed Cooper	59 (71.95%)

(82 Total Votes)

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Round One Nears the End

Okay, we are finally nearing the end of Round One of the Utah Beer Challenge. Part 4 begins today and will end Friday around 5am. Part 3's closest race came between Shades of Pale's Ready to Fly Amber Ale and Bohemian's Bavarian Weiss. It teeter-tottered back and forth the whole time, but the beer dedicated to Women's Alpine Ski Jumping eked out the win.

Cheers!

Total	Answer
31.58%	BNVILLE BeeWild Honey Wheat	24 (31.58%)
68.42%	Epic Big Bad Baptist	52 (68.42%)

(76 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
13.79%	HopN'KEG Red Wash Stout	8 (13.79%)
86.21%	Aves Proper Proper Beer	50 (86.21%)

(58 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
76.92%	Dsrt EDGE UPA	60 (76.92%)
23.08%	Wasatch Pumpkin Ale	18 (23.08%)

(78 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
15.19%	VernalRedEyedWeimaWeizen	12 (15.19%)
84.81%	Squatters Hop Rising DIPA	67 (84.81%)

(79 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
27.4%	Hoppers Madame X Stout	20 (27.4%)
72.6%	Uinta Sea Legs	53 (72.6%)

(73 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
58.62%	Roosters Polygamy Pale Ale	34 (58.62%)
41.38%	Vernal Directional Porter	24 (41.38%)

(58 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
51.43%	ShadesO'Pale Ready to Fly	36 (51.43%)
48.57%	BOHO Bavarian Weiss	34 (48.57%)

(70 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
91.14%	Squatters Outer Darkness	72 (91.14%)
8.86%	Vernal Little Hole Lager	7 (8.86%)

(79 Total Votes)

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Game of Thrones Beer is Here, Just in Time!

Last year at this time, Brewery Ommegang out of Cooperstown, New York released a series a beers based on Game of Thrones, the hit HBO Series and novels created by George RR. Martin. If you know the show and the books, your hooked. It's one of things I look forward to most that pops up on my plasma.

Just in time for last nights Season Four premier, we (Utah) finally received a fresh shipment of the new Ommegangs, including the newest beer Take the Black Stout. They are popping-up in some liquors stores, Ed Spotted some Fire and Blood at the 300 w. Wine Store. Thanks, Ed! The Bayou, Beerhive, Slackwater Pub and Beer Bar also received some as well. So now you have something to enjoy while playing the Game of Thrones Drinking Game!

Ommegang Game Of Thrones #1 - Iron Throne Ale: Blonde ale with malty sweetness and a touch of fruity spiciness, Noble Hops aromas and notes of citrus. Suitable to serve to kings, or pretenders to the iron throne. Pour slowly so as to not disturb the yeast sediment, but with enough vigor to create a luxurious head and release the rich bouquet.

Ommegang Game Of Thrones #2 - Take the Black Stout: Take the Black Stout is a 7% beer, brewed with base, caramel, chocolate and roasted barley malts. Hopping includes Northern Brewer and Columbus; spices are licorice root and star anise. Hue is black with full tan head. Aromas include chocolate, caramel, and earthy hops, light roastiness, a touch of fruitiness. Tastes include chocolate, coffee, rich malts, and balanced roastiness. Clean hop bitterness joins with slight woody character and spiciness; the finish offers sweet malt character leading to spicy, earthy, hop bitterness.

Ommegang Game Of Thrones #3 - Fire and Blood:  Fire & Blood is a 6.8% ABV Red ale, brewed with pilsner, Cara-60, Midnight Wheat, flaked rye and spelt. Assertive hopping includes CTZ, Styrian Golding and German Tettnang hops. Spiced with de-seeded Ancho chilies. Fire & Blood has a deep, dark red hue with a persistent, creamy, off-white head. Aromas of ripe fruit, raisins, malt & slight spice, followed by a slightly floral and spicy hop character. A fruity, sweetish malt taste gives way to faint drying provided by the hops & rye.

Round One keeps on coming, as part 3 begins in the Utah Beer Challenge today. A break down of part 2 of Round One is below. Sir Malcom and Hopped Rye were really damn close the entire time. Take a look at the bracket at the top of the page. This is a great time to familiarize yourself with some of the beers that may be available right now. Sir Malcom's Stout may be out of the running but should not be missed. 

Today is also Nation Beer Day. I don't think I need to tell you how to celebrate.
Cheers!

 

Total	Answer
36.46%	Roosters Choco Stout	35 (36.46%)
63.54%	Dsrt EDGE British Mild	61 (63.54%)

(96 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
42.86%	Uinta Dubhe	45 (42.86%)
57.14%	Squatters Fifth Element	60 (57.14%)

(105 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
30.3%	Hoppers Pale Morning Ale	30 (30.3%)
69.7%	Epic Elder Brett	69 (69.7%)

(99 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
13.73%	Zion Canyon Virgin Stout	14 (13.73%)
86.27%	BOHO Viennese Lager	88 (86.27%)

(102 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
65.38%	RedRock Le Quatre Saison	68 (65.38%)
34.62%	Aves Proper Gose the Gozerian	36 (34.62%)

(104 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
48.84%	BNVILLE Sir Malcom’s Stout	42 (48.84%)
51.16%	Moab Hopped Rye	44 (51.16%)

(86 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
19.59%	ShadesO'Pale 4-Play Porter	19 (19.59%)
80.41%	Uinta Labyrinth	78 (80.41%)

(97 Total Votes)

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Total	Answer
88.04%	BOHO Czech Pilsener	81 (88.04%)
11.96%	Vernal Dinobite	11 (11.96%)

(92 Total Votes)

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