Utah Brewery Map

Monday, December 29, 2014

Hoptah IPA

Last May we informed you that Black Diamond Brewing Co. out of Concord, California was entering the SLC market with a session IPA designed especially for our area. Well, it's finally here.

It looks like Hoptah Session IPA just hit grocery store shelves a few days before Christmas. I haven't tried it yet, but a few of you have. It's described as being "brewed with large amounts of Citra, Centennial, and Chinook hops, this lower-alcohol IPA doesn’t sacrifice any flavor. A full body and slight caramel sweetness balance the pleasant, resinous hop bitterness". Please share your impressions if you've tried it and where you found it.

Thanks to Quentin for the photo!

Prost!

Friday, December 26, 2014

New Beer Friday: Boxing Day Edition

I hope, Santa was good to you... If not? Mikey will be! Every Friday is Xmas around here. My sleigh...er Volvo is always full of cheers for all of good girls and boys that are willing to pony up the quatloos for a bit of liquid happiness. If your burnt out on all of yesterday's stresses he's some relief for your body and mind.

RedRock American Session IPA - This showed up at limited grocery stores Christmas Eve, so I didn't have the opportunity to try it. My guess is that it's somewhat similar to RedRock's IPA Junior, a session IPA that's been poured at the brewpub for years. If you've already tried it let us know how it is. 4.0% ABV
 
Squatters: Take Out Rye IPA - Dark amber in color. Nice piney floral nose. A fair amount of fruity rye spiciness on the tongue. Hops are full and bitter. Mostly pine with some bitter citrus peel. Was hoping for a little more tropical hops to pair with the malt fruitiness. Good but not as great as some of their IPAs. 6.25% ABV @ Beer Bar, The Beer Store, Squatters Bottleshop. Wide distribution soon.

Mother Earth: Four Seasons Of Mother Earth - Winter (2014) Deep amber in color with some ruby highlights. The nose is very Christmas-y with cinnamon, pine and various dark spices. The taste is full of nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger blanced with a nice dose of toffee malts. Subtle hazelnut and rich spicy hops came next with a bit of coconut and Bourbon rounding out the back end. This beer reminds me of Bourbon gingerbread cookies. It's rich full flavors explode on the tongue. One of the few Holiday brews that truly hits the mark.  11% ABV @ BeerHive 

Returning Favorites

Epic Blue Law Porter -  Porter made with black berries and spruce tips picked from trees on Utah's Capitol grounds. This wasn't released last year, so it's been absent for a while. @ Epic, The Annex, some better beer bars.

Cheers!

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Squatters 529 Oud Bruin is Back!

Well you bought up all of the Fifth Element Wild Saison. I hope you're proud of yourselves! If you somehow managed to miss-out on that boat, round three in the Squatters/Wasatch sour hat-trick hits today.

Squatters 529 Oud Bruin is a blend of new and old and is finally being released today, just in time for the holidays. 529 generally denotes the number of days the base sour beer spends getting all funk-i-fied in oak barrels. If you haven't had the pleasure, 529 Pours a deeper amberish color with a small sized off white head. The nose is of of cherries, dust and some spiciness. The taste starts with notes of cherry tartness, caramel and brown sugar. Tobacco notes come next as well as lemon peel and sour grapes. The finish is tart, woody and dry. @ Squatters & The Beer Store.

Squatters has limited hours today (Xmas Eve). They are open from 11am to 3pm. These are very limited releases and are gone when gone. I guess this makes up for me getting denied on Van Winkle Day.

Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 15, 2014

Thank You!

Just wanted to say, thanks to everyone who was able to make it out to the Big Ass Holiday Tasting on Saturday. Your generosity and friendship was overwhelming and it's without a doubt the best time of the holidays for Krin and I.

I'm sorry I have to cap the number of people who can attend, it's just not possible to accommodate a massive gathering in a private home. Next year we are looking to expand into a larger venue where it will be possible for me to drink even more of your brilliant beers!

Thanks again to everyone, hope your holidays are filled with beer. Looking forward to great beer year in 2015!

Cheers!

Friday, December 12, 2014

New Beer Friday 12/12/14

Widmer - Alchemy Pale Ale: The nose is citrusy and piney with some earthy caramel malts. The taste follows with toasty and medium sweet malt followed by some fruity tropical hops in the middle. The end is mostly bitter with piney notes. 5.8% ABV @ Beer Bar, DABC 

Widmer - Brrr: Deep copper in color with two fingers of white foam. The nose is dominated by dank malts and grapefruit, florals and a hint of skunk. the flavor starts citrusy with grapefruit, tangerine and herbal notes. A moderate amount of toffee and caramel comes in next with a bit of toasty grain. The is slightly piney and dank. This one is pretty nice, don't drink it too cold. A little warmth brings out some of the malt's complexity. 7.2% ABV @ Beer Bar,  DABC

Firestone Walker - 18 Anniversary Ale: Haven't had a chance to try the XVIII yet. This year's blend is 38% Parabola aged in bourbon barrels, 16% Helldorado aged in bourbon & brandy barrels, 16% Bravo aged in bourbon & brandy barrels, 14% Stickee Monkee aged in bourbon & brandy barrels, 5% Velvet Merkin aged in bourbon barrels, 4% Hydra Cuvee aged in bourbon barrels, 3% Wookey Jack, 2% Ol' Leghorn aged in new American oak, 2% Double Jack.13.0% ABV
If that sounds like it'll shoot a breeze up your skirt, then you can look for it a better beer bars and in select DABC stores.

Returning Favorites

Epic - Old Sage Brett Wild Ale
Epic - Santa Cruz Brown Ale

If you've RSVP'd to the party tomorrow, don't forget your taster glass and a plan for your ride home. Looking forward to seeing you!

Cheers!

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

A New Direction at the Annex & Tots for Tots

The Annex is teaming up with Yelp and Toys for Tots to bring you "Toys for Tater Tots"! Bring in an unwrapped new toy for donation and recieve a free order of the Annex's gourmet tater tots and a $3 firkin pint. The firkin will feature the Annex's Wheat Ale with Hibiscus and Lemon. Tapping is at 3pm

Speaking of the Annex, if you haven't been by recently you've probably missed the new upgrades to the brewpub. First off, that damn Zion Curtain/Beer Burka is gonzo! The remodeled bar is much more comfortable and appealing. 

Another great benefit that many people may not be aware of is that you can get damn near every beer Epic Brewing makes by the glass. You don't have to buy the entire bottle. 

Their new license means more than just doing away with the Zion Curtain it also means that you don't have to order food, just to get a beer, though you may be doing yourself a big disservice by not trying the new menu. 

Many have commented that the Annex's food was not very approachable to the masses. It was just too "foo-foo" for the casual beer crowd. The new menu offers comfort food with an emphasis on fresh ingredients combined with technical prowess. Their fried chicken and burgers and incredible, well worth the trip. 

Cheers!

Monday, December 08, 2014

Rebranding at Shades of Pale

Over the coming weeks you'll start to see a fresh look from Shades of Pale Brewing Co.. Not only will there be new artwork adorning the bottles but the bottles themselves will undergo a change. Look for new 12oz bottles to start popping up in grocery and convenience stores in the coming weeks.

The new brewery in South Salt Lake is also evolving as a new tap house and package agency is in the works. And since they're applying for a package agency license that mean higher ABV beer is on the way. Keep checking back for news on SOP's higher alcohol version of their new Misdirected IPA, coming soon. The 4% version is out right now, and is current being poured at Poplar St. Pub. (see previous post)

Cheers!

Friday, December 05, 2014

New Beer Friday: Repeal Day Edition

On this day in 1933, Utah cast the deciding vote to ratify the 21st Amendment of the Constitution,  which brought to an end the era of National Prohibition in the United States. Appropriately, it's also New Beer Friday. It's the perfect opportunity to celebrate beer's legal return to our lives with something new to share. Happy Repeal Day!

Shades of Pale - Misdirected IPA: This is a brand new label from Shades of Pale's new South Salt Lake brewery. It's a session IPA that will be available soon in 12oz bottles. Right now if you want to try it it's only available on draft at the Poplar Street Pub. Pours a slightly hazed golden amber color with a sturdy foamy head. The nose is a nice blend of citrus peel and flowery hops. The taste starts with some muted carmel malt and toast. Tropical fruitiness comes next adding some nice balance. The end is similar to the aroma - floral and citrusy. Finishes fairly dry. A strong contender for your session IPA dollars.
4.0% ABV

Wasatch - Cherry Coconut Porter: This is a new draft only seasonal from Wasatch. Pours black with a minimal amount of tan head. The nose is mostly of cocoa, coffee and roast. The taste starts with dark bakers chocolate and a hint of espresso. It's fairly dry. A slight cherry/prune tartness comes next to counter the dryness of the darker malts. The end has a hint of malt sweetness, but finishes mostly dry. I get no hint of coconut at all. Kinda reminds me of a stout but it's a nice wintery porter that you will likely find enjoyable. @The Beer Store, Poplar St. Pub and should be popping up where Wasatch/Squatters has seasonal taps. 4.0% ABV

For Firkin Friday at the Bayou, Hoppers has the New Zealand Draught with winter warming spices juniper berries, allspice, and star anise. Base beer is much like an English mild but fermented with lager yeast. Hopped completely with New Zealand Rakau, which have a pepper, pine, citrus and tropical fruit like flavor.

Cheers!

Monday, December 01, 2014

2014 Fifth Element is Finally Here

Alright kids listen up, that Fifth Element beer that we all cherish so damn much is being released today (12/2/14). You had better go buy some before Kent buys it all up. If you think I'm joking? I'm not... and he will, So.... Tally-ho, beer nerds! 

There's a one case limit and it'll probably be going for its standard price of $12.95 a bottle. Please call first before making the trip and remember the girl at the counter may not a fucking clue about what your geeking-out about so go easy on her. Capiche?

And to answer you next question.... "yes", Squatters 529 is likely being released early next week, so don't blow your 'beer wad' today or you'll be so very sad come seven days from now.

Cheers!

Talisman Brewing Company

If you think the new brewery trend is slowing down around the Wasatch Front, think again. Ogden is about to get a new brewery to fill the limbo-esque gap that Ruby River has left open. Husband and wife team: Dusty and Joann Williams have been craft beer enthusiasts for several years and are now ready to take their shared passion to the net level.

Talisman Brewing Company is currently working with Ogden City officials to iron out all the zoning requirements for the brewery. Dusty says, Ogden officials are eager to have their operation in their city. The operation will initially be operating at the Nano level on a 3bbl system and will have some 6bbl fermenters. The brewery will likely expand as demand grows.

Expect to see five flagship beers as well as a 6th beer that will be a season/rotational. Talisman will  initially start off with ales but will incorporate lagers as the brewery grows. Their five beers will be a Hefeweizen, Red Ale, Pale Ale, IPA, and a Porter. The ABV will range from around 4.5% - 8.0%. Dusty says they will be specializing in high point craft beer. "We aren’t messing around with the low ABV stuff". Look for this to be a production brewery with an onsite beer store, "tap room" for tastings and small menu food. Their main focus will be to sell onsite as well as distributing to select restaurants and bars. Once they build their volumes, the intend is to expand distribution to state liquor stores and Military installations.

Once the property has been nailed down they'll have a better idea of when brewing can commence. We'll (of course) keep you updated. Please feel free to join their social media accounts. Cheers!Congratulation, Dusty and Joann!

Facebook- Talisman Brewing Company
Twitter - Talisman@Talismanbrewing
Instagram- Talismanbrewingco
Website- www.talismanbrewingco.com (still in the works)
email- Info@talismanbrewingco.com

Cheers!