New Beer Friday 7/12/19

The heat is on, and the beers this week reflect it. I'm not saying these are all quenchers; I will say that if you need an attitude adjustment there plenty here to get the job done. Happy New Beer Friday!

Uinta - Tu Meka Tart: This has an herbaceous/fruited yogurt aroma with a lemony tart base. The New Zealand hop blend adds some perceived fruitiness and bitterness adding to the lactic twang. It finishes slightly puckering. Nice beer.  6.7% - Available at Uinta. DABC next week.

2 Row - Seeing Stars:. Pours a murky orange with thick white head. Aroma is tropical fruits with some grapefruit. Huge tropical fruit flavor with mango, papaya, pineapple and also some tangerine. Another excellent NEIPA from 2 Row. 8.3% - Available at 2 Row, Beehive, Dick n Dixie's

Shades - Tai Tom Kha: This may have already sold out, so make a call before heading out. The subtle tart base creates a nice platform for the coconut, ginger and lemongrass. A restrained amount of lactic sugar helps sweeten it up a bit - adding balance to it all. Another winner. 6.3% - Available at Shades 

Kiitos - Rimando Pale Ale: I missed out on it. I'll try to have something for you later on KBER 101 at 2:20pm 5.0% - Available at Kiitos, I also found it at the Bayou.

Mother Earth/Fremont - 4 Seasons Hazy IPA: It has a peachy nose with some peach/passion fruit vibes at the beginning of the taste. Pineapple and citrus peel round it out. Minimal bitterness in the finish. seems a little light in body for as turbid as it is. Nice. 7.5% - Found at Beerhive

Great Basin - Cerveza Chilebeso: Missed this one. I'll try to have something for you later on KBER 101 at 2:20pm. 5.5% - Found at Bayou. 

Kiitos - Hard Lime Setzer: Nice lime flavor. It looks like real fruit by it's appearance. Very refreshing. 4.0% - Available at Kiitos on draft only.

Cheers!

Speakeasy: A Better Way to Search the DABC

The Utah Department of Alcohol Beverage Control does a relatively fine job given the restrictions the Utah legislature forces upon them. Understaffed and over worked; I'm often surprised by how that ship manages to stay afloat. Their website is a prime example of a bureaucratic mess that focus more on licensing and underage drinking and less on the the people that spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year on buying their products. 

While the DABC website certainly has all the information you could ever want regarding the current products the state offers, It's not exactly geared toward getting people what they want in a quick and easy manner. Enter adult beverage consumer and code writing machine, Scott Peterson. Peterson found the current online system less user friendly and decided to give it a more consumer oriented focus. "I've never found it terribly useful unless I knew specifically what I wanted" Peterson told me, "I created Speakeasy to make that information discoverable and give users the tools to find new and interesting products – quicker and easier than they thought possible through the DABC's current site".

Peterson's Speakeasy site is an easy to navigate system that gets the consumer to their preferred beverage(s) in just a few steps while adding an interactive component. "I wanted to augment the information the DABC provides—like adding user generated reviews—and make it a more shopper friendly experience". Lastly Peterson wants Speakeasy to be collaborative websites or app, by being a central place where developers would have access to tools and a publicly available API to build from in the future.

I'm offering a link to Speakeasy here at Utah Beer in the column to the right. Feel free to look it over and give it a good workout. Positive input is already making it better than it was weeks ago. You can comment at Speakeasy's Facebook page. 

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 7/5/19

I hope everyone had a great Independence Day. I understand that many of you have today off as well? If that's the case.... I hate you. I'm glad we could get that out of the way. Due to the holiday, there wasn't a whole lot released, but there are come collaboration beer left from last weekend's festival – so there's that. Happy New Beer Friday!

Proper - Yellow Sour Ranger: Part of Proper's Sour Ranger Series - this pineapple infused beer has a lemony base with a good dose of pineapple twang to to liven things up. The fruit is the star of the show with most of the Sour Rangers and this one doesn't disappoint. 4.0% ABV - Available at Proper, Craft by Proper and I believe it's still on at Salfire Brewing as well.

Proper - Equal Pay Pale Ale: I missed this one due to the holiday yesterday, I hope to have tasting notes for this this afternoon on my New Beer Friday segment on KBER 101 at 2:30pm. 4.0% - Available at Proper.

Talisman - Mexican Lager: The aroma is bready with notes of crackers and grass. The taste starts of with malt and a hint of corn. It's not pronounced but seems to lend some sweetness to the beer. It's very malty with notes of toasted cereal at the end. This style isn't supposed to be super complex, but it comes off as being more than just a quencher. 4.0% - Available at Talisman.

Wasatch - Gruit: This beer has no hops. It uses mint, dandelion, spruce and holyhock flowers. It fermented with a unique strain of wild yeast. 4.0% - Only available at Wasatch Sugar House.

Wasatch - Classic American Pale Ale: American malt and hops create a citrus/pine dream. 4.0% - Only available at Wasatch Sugar House.

If you missed last week's Brewers Guild Fest, you may still have the opportunity to try some of the collaboration beers that are left. Here are some tasting notes on some of the collabs that have managed to stick around. Due to the limited amount produced, check with the respective breweries before making the trip to acquire these.

Toasted Barrel/RoHa - Gin Barrel Saison: Flowery and woody aroma. There's a faint gin in flavor to start then it transitions to juniper and clove with a hint of pepper. One of my favorites from the festival. 4.0% - Available at the respective breweries.

2 Row/Bohemian - Galaxy IPL: Think of a hoppy pils with more of a spicy grapefruit zest feel. Super crushable.  4.0% - Available at the respective breweries.

Squatters/Saltfire - Key Lime Pie Milkshake: A subtle mix of "pie" adjuncts make this a super drinkable representation of the famed dessert. 4.0% - Available at the respective breweries.

UTOG/Zolupez - Madarina Kolsch: The hop in this beer give it an intense pineapple, lemon and citrus flavor with a resinous, herbal finish. Tasty AF! 4.0% - Available at UTOG.

Hoppers/Bonneville - Smoked Cherry Ale: Super subtle smoke keeps the malt and fruit in check. The result is a toasty ale with cherry accents that comes off as clean as a lager. An excellent beer that you need to try. 4.0% - Available at the respective breweries.

Shades/TF Brewing - Berliner w/guava coconut and Mint: The aroma is big with coconut but the taste is more subtle with mellow lemony tartness and a hint of guava. The mint is tea-like which gives it a refreshing finish. 4.0% - Available at the respective breweries.

Vernal/Moab - Route 191: This session IPA delivers on all fronts with a nice caramel base backed with ruby red grapefruit zest and tangerine peel.

Level Crossing/Wasatch - Zappa's Ancient Enigma: Excellent pale ale with a nice caramel base that provides a solid foundation for the tangerine and piny hops. Very nice. 4.0% - Available at the respective breweries.

Salt Flats/Hopkins - Chile Mangose: The chilies provide more flavor than heat in this sour based beer. Ever tried mago dusted with chiles? it's very much like that; with less intensity. A wonderful beer. 4.0% - Available at the respective breweries.

Strap Tank/Uinta - Sour Brut IPA: Dry, sour and hoppy. This beer will disappear in moments if your not careful. It's dry tartness and citrus twang get those salivary glands pumping. Not 100% sure if any of this is left. 4.0% - Available at the respective breweries.

Epic/Red Rock Cucumber Lime Lager:The cucumber and lime are used in moderation here; it creates a refreshing pool-side beer that will or won't work for you depending on your love for cucumber. 4.0% - Available at the respective breweries.

Kiitos/Roosters - Key Lime Milkshake: This one is much more 'in your face than the previous Key Lime beer. Loads of lactose and graham cracker here, gives this beer more body and intense flavor. Which did you like better? 4.0% - Available at the respective breweries.

Fisher/Desert Edge - Ancient Sour of the Future: A fruity sour with a good dose of tartness and hops. 4.0% - Available at the respective breweries.

Proper/Zion - NXSW Pale Ale: A fruity American Pale ale with a bit of tartness. 4.0% - Available at the respective breweries.

Also, please beware of increased DUI patrols all weekend. 

Cheers!

Don't Forget the Beer!

Remember, if you don't snag the 'high point' suds you crave for Independence Day today, you may be sad little beer nerds come Thursday. Some breweries may have their beer shops open on the 4th, so there's that option, but let's face it, you probably have better things to do with with beer time... like actually drinking it - instead of hunting it down. Have a great and safe Independence Day!

Cheers!

Belching Beaver Heads to Utah

Lookie here! On the heels of the announcement of Founders' entry into the state, comes word that San Diego County's Belching Beaver Brewery is coming to Utah. Look for beers like Me So Honey Blonde, Phantom Bride IPA and of course the beer that put them on the map, Peanut Butter Milk Stout to debut. I'm sure others will follow but this is what they will launch with. 

Cans of these super popular beers will be hitting bars and restaurants as special orders in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on on us here at Utah Beer for the exact dates; not to mention the where and when. Whatdaya think, beer folk?

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 6/28/19

Dust off that cassette case and get out your favorite make-out tape because you're definitely going to get frisky and loose after checking out this week's New Beer Friday offerings. Yes, I know that I'm dating myself....
 
TF Brewing - Rye or Die: So, I’m just going to say it. This beer absolutely looks different. Rye is an oily grain; much more than barley or wheat. If you take the time you’ll notice that this beer has a different groove in appearance and flavor. This lager has fuller mouthfeel that has a hint of spicy rye rye up front. Toasty grains and herbal hops round it out; providing a clean finish. Super drinkable. This is an excellent summer lager. 4.0% - Available at TF Brewing. 

TF Squirrel: This “fruity” IPA is a straight up New England style IPA that has that super turbid appearance that the fans of haze crave. The aroma is full of wonderful citrus peel qualities (mostly grapefruit). Taste wise it follows the nose pretty close with addition of orange pith, mango and pineapple. There’s very little bitterness, but what bitters I do detect come off as dry ruby red grapefruit peel. Alcohol is well hidden. Very nice. 6.5% - Available at TF Brewing starting today.

Roosters - El Doce: I missed out on this Mexican style lager. 4.0% - Available at Roosters' locations

Epic - Baptist Reserve 2019: This is a blend of all of the BBB variants that were made in 2018, the standard BBB, Baptista and Quad Barrel BBB. Look for a silky fudge brownie beer with coffee and bourbon that offers up just a tinge of cinnamon in the finish. 11.7% - Available starting today at Epic in SLC.

Epic - Pakka Berry Seltzer: Pakka is a new brand of alcoholic seltzers that are coming soon from Epic. This has a deep Rosé color and has a flavors that is full of vague berries. Like many alcoholic seltzers this is very light and dry with prickly carbonation. It was gone before I knew it. Made with real berries. Best alcoholic seltzer I’ve had. 4.5% - Limited growlers available at Epic Brewing.

Hopkins - Solstice Lager: There's a heavy amount of toast here that almost comes of as roastiness. The hops are mostly floral with some citrus peel qualities. It has a somewhat vegital finish that is somewhat dry. 4.0% - Available at Hopkins.

Wasatch Top of Main Belgian Dark Strong Ale: Missed out on this one. Look for it later today at Wasatch's Park City brewery and possible the UBC's West Side Tavern in SLC. 10.3% only 160 cases available. So... don’t “F” it up. You'll probably want to get on this one sooner than later.

Wasatch Treeline Mountain IPA: Screw New England and screw the West Coast. Wasatch is contributing to the exploding "Mountain Style IPA". Yes, I said Mountain IPA. These IPAs are more pine & berry based; reflecting the flavors of the Rockies for this new and emerging style. This IPA has medium to light body with a lighter hop profile that has notes of melon, berry and piny/resinous finish. It's super crushable and a welcome change of pace. 6.0% - Found at the UBC's West Side Tavern in SLC.

Wasatch Devastator Brandy Barrel: Boozy aroma with dark fruits. The taste follows with more brandy that transitions into chewy Christmas fruit cake and toffee. A big dose of raisin and dates hits the tongue next with cocoa and bread pudding rounding out the complex flavors. This is a wonderful barrel aged dopple bock that really is really worth checking out. 10.8% - Found at the UBC's West Side Tavern in SLC.

Don't forget that tomorrow is the Utah Brewers Guild Festival. Get your tickets online or at the gate 

And in a programing note: New Beer Friday on KBER 101 is moving to 2:30pm on Fridays instead of 3:30. Check us out on the radio or online.

Cheers!

Founders Is Coming to Utah

Better late than never, eh? Founders Brewing Company announced Wednesday that they were adding Utah to their distribution footprint; making the beehive state their 49th territory (only Hawaii remains).

Founders will be partnering with two wholesalers, General and Wasatch Distributors,” said CEO and Co-Founder Mike Stevens. “For years, craft beer enthusiasts have been asking us to bring them Founders and, with the recent changes made by the state legislature to increase allowable ABVs to 5%, that time has come. Founders is a perfect fit for Utah’s recreational climate and gives us more reason to spend time in such a beautiful state.”

When the ABV law changes this November, you can count on seeing (at the very least) All Day IPA in grocery and C-stores in addition to draft at on-premise retail accounts. Look for other other Founders favorites include, Backwoods Bastard, Dirty Bastard and Rubaeus Raspberry Ale to eventually hit bars, restaurants and DABC stores. 

You can plan on seeing Founders' suds in the next few weeks (mid July). Anyone one have thoughts on this new entry into the market?

Cheers!