New Beer Friday 7/8/16

We have a strong mix of local and nationally available labels this week. Pale Ale is the theme this week.

Proper Brewing Litha Imperial Saison:
The nose is earthy with some funky peppery saison yeast countered by zesty rye spices, bread, alcohol and light tropical fruit. The taste starts with a bit of pepper, clove and and coriander followed
by estery fruits. Brady malts come next witha touch of alcohol. The end has a nice balance berries and tropical hops. Finishes semi-dry. 8% ABV.  @ Proper Brewing

Goose Island Goose Green Pale Ale:
The nose has citrus and is heavy with orange rind and malt. The taste follows the aroma with a nice balance of orange and lemon zest and a solid bready malt backbone. Finishes light and dry. Overall a solidly session APA. Nothing to extraordinary but you'll be satisfied. 4.0% ABV @ Harmon's

Moab Pale Ale:
The nose has sweet, grassy malt, piney and herbal hops. Starts mildly grainy with a bit of caramel. The taste is a bit astringent herbal pine flavors come next with some heavy roasted flavors. Finishes very dry and hoppy. I really wasn't digging this one, I'm going to have to revisit this one again. It just seemed a little to dry with little in the way a malt character. 6.0% ABV. @ DABC

Full Sail Session Cream Ale:
Haven't tried this one yet. 5.4% ABV. @ DABC - Bayou

Prost!

Image found at Shipcomplient.com

Bohofest and Biketoberfest this Weekend

If you're looking for something to do this weekend we have a few suggestions that will likely meet you beer needs. 

First off - there's Biketober. In celebration of the 300 South 200 West Bicycle Intersection Completion, organizers are shutting it down for cars and bringing together the community to bike down and have a uniquely great time!  There will be local beers from Red Rock Brewery, Squatters Brewery, Bohemian Brewery & Grill, Moab Brewery, Wasatch Brew Pub and , Desert Edge Pub and Brewery
 
=====LIVE MUSIC=====
Bonneville - Noon
Sink the Seas - 1:00pm
Suburban Birds - 1:30pm
 BEACHMEN - 2:30pm
Vinyl Tapestries - 3:30pm

=====BIKE OLYMPICS=====
Bicycle Obstacle Course - 12:30pm
Bike Team Relays - 1:30pm
Bike Hoop Toss - 2:30pm
Last Bike Standing - 3:00pm
Freestyle Competition - 3:30pm
Bike Polo Exhibition 4:00pm
Teams encouraged, prizes rewarded.

=====FOOD=====
Cafe Shambala
Freestyle Foodie

=====PROCEEDS GO TO=====
Utah Brewers Guild
Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective
Revolution United
 
Next there's the 3rd Annual Bohofest. This event is held at the brewery's back parking lot and features Bohemian's unique styles of old world lagers - including Boho's Oktoberfestbier and brats. The fest runs from 2pm-7pm and is open to all ages. But bring your i.d. if you want beer. 

Both events run Saturday October, 17th only.

Prost!

Moab Pale Ale Coming Soon

It looks like Moab Brewing has a new Pale Ale headed to grocery stores and watering holes. Right now all we can tell you is that it'll be packaged in 16oz. (tall boy) cans and that it should be popping up before the holidays. This makes me happy! Loves me some session pales. Of course, when they pop up - we'll share where.

Cheers!

Utah's Winners in the 2015 Denver International Beer Competition

Three Utah breweries took home medals in the 2015 Denver International Beer Competition. The 2015 competition received more than 300 entries from brewers in more than 22 states and 6 countries. The judging took place on April 18 & 19, 2015, more than 24 professional beer judges and six beer stewards, participated in the 6th annual competition at the Omni Interlocken Resort, Broomfield, Colorado. The judges awarded a total of 217 medals in 41 style categories, plus Best of Show.

Here are what our local breweries came away with.

Dbl Gold - Epic Imperial Stout
Gold- Double Skull Dopple Bock
Silver - Escape to Colorado IPA
Gold - Santa Cruz Brown Ale 
Gold - Epic Imperial Stout
Silver - Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout

Silver - Moab Red Rye IPA
Gold - Squeaky Bike Nut Brown Ale
Silver - Rocket Bike Lager
Gold - Desert Select Export Stout

Bronze - Wasatch Devastator Dopple Bock 
Bronze - Wasatch Ghost Rider White IPA
Silver - Apple-A-Day Apple Ale

Congrats to all! If you wish to revisit some of these beers, all should be available to try around the state at various bars and eateries. Here the complete list of winner including the categories that the beers metaled in. 

Cheers!

Nouvelle Bière Vendredi!!! (New Beer Friday)

I only found one this week new beer this week it's a local seasonal full of roasted goodness.

Moab Coffee Porter - This is a new seasonal offering from Moab. It has a pleasant coffee nose with hint of malt in the back. The taste is cold pressed coffee with raw and roasted grain some minor bitter cocoa bitterness. Finishes bitter and dry. If you're not big on coffee you may still enjoy this one. I drink a lot of coffee so I wouldn't mind it being a little ramped up coffee wise. 4.0% ABV On draft where you'll find Moab's seasonal taps.

Last week I screwed up the Bayou's firkin offering. This week is the much anticipated Annex IPL with Swedish Fish. So once again, if you feel your not not getting enough gelatin in your beer, today is one hoof smacking day. It goes without saying (but I'm gunna) these "gummi beers" are not Vegetarian/Vegan friendly. The Bayou taps at 3:30

The Annex is providing a "Lovers Day Firkin on Saturday (not Friday). They will be pouring The Annex Irish Red with whole leaf Amarillo and Rose Hips. The tapping will be on Valentines Day afternoon. call ahead for an updated time.

The Sockeye beers were much delayed for some reason. Here's the what and where that I could find.  The Beerhive has the Galena Gold, Hell-Diver Pale Ale, Dagger Falls IPA and Power House Porter. The Beer Bar has the Sockeye High Lakes Session IPA on draft and it's definatly been spotted at some Harmon's Grocery Stores.

Sante!

New Beer Friday 9/12/14

It's not easy getting your butt out of bed before the ass-crack of dawn. Especially when I have so much "research" to do on Thursday evenings. I do it for you, to see your smiling and often grimacing faces each Friday evening. Here's this week's New Beer Friday offerings.

Bonneville - Ton Up Nut Brown Ale. This is a Northern English Brown Ale. It is made with carmelized brown malt and a small amount of chocolate malt for a lovely reddish-brown color and touch of roast in the finish. Hints of toasted malt, graham cracker and nuttiness define the flavor profile, which is accented by a slight hint of earthy English hops.

Bonneville - Peach Wheat: A creamy, crisp wheat beer with the flavor of fresh peaches. Carawheat and honey malts plus milk sugar lends this beer a sweet complexity and delightful mouthfeel.

Moab - Red Rye IPA: Cittrus and florals dominate the nose. The flavor starts with Honey and caramel malts. Big rye spiciness comes next with a nice citrus and herbal hoppiness rounding out the end. 7.0% ABV. Now there are two versions of this beer. the other is a 4% that is on draft and should be popping up in grocery stores. This one is only availble in Moab for now you can buy it in Idaho and California. If you want to change this, start beating down their door. My inquiries have gone unanswered.

New Belgium - Tour de Fall: Dark ruby in color. The nose is citrusy and herbal. The taste starts with caramel malts and a bit of roastiness as well. The end is quite bitter with some citrus and pine resin. It's a nice solid pale ale a little high in ABV for the style (6%) but it's highly drinkable. @ Beer Bar

Payette - Mutton Buster - As with the Red Rye IPA above there are tow versions of this beer in the market right now. You can find the other version on Payette tap handles labeled Ales of No Return. This is a rotating handle so it may change. The original Mutton Buster is a nice American Brown Ale that has a nice roasty and piney nose. The taste is nutty and toasty with some earthy hoppiness. Cocoa notes are also present toward the end. A solid brown ale. @ Beer Bar, Beerhive

The Annex - Ella IPL: The nose has lemon, pine and wheat crackers. The taste is very similar with citrus, pine and spicy grass. It has a lighter body than most, but it's highly drinkable. 4.0% ABV @ Beerhive, The Annex

Epic is also releasing a new version of their Hopulent IPA today. This latest version is made with Lemon Drop Hops. I haven't tried it yet.

Are you into single hop beers? Then today is your lucky day. Epic has four versions of Hopulent out right now. Hopulent Lemon Drop - Hopulent Centenial - Hopulent Amarillo and the standard Hopulent. These are at Epic's Brewery in SLC and The Annex. Speaking of the Annex they'll be tapping a mystery firkin this afternoon around 4:30pm. Adventurous? Then get your ass over there!

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 5/30/14

Happy New Beer Friday! The theme of the day is apparently Belgian-ish Quadruple Ales. Seems like an odd time of year for big boozy barrel age beers, but fear not  - there are a couple of locally made "quenchers" to help keep the balance as well.

Bohemian Rheinländische Bitterbier: The Bohemian Reasearch Team uncovered this forgotten lager style in an ancient, Rheinland tomb. It’s a hop driven lager that boasts 45 IBU’s and has an orange unfiltered appearance.  This Rheinlandische Bitterbier is dry-hopped with Tettnang for a fruity and herbal aroma that continues into subtle citrus notes for a beer that finishes clean and crisp with a pleasant bitterness that lingers long after the last sip. 4.0% @ Bohemian and select Boho accounts

Moab Little Steamer: The nose is bready with grass, pine and floral notes. The taste follows the aroma, with a sweet breadiness combined with nicely balanced floral and pine hops. The end is a bit earthy but it finishes toasty, grassy and dry. 4.0% @ Moab and Whiskey Street

Firestone Walker Stickee Monkee: The nose is big with Bourbon and oak and has a bit of a spicy Belgian notes. Slight alcohol burn as well. The taste starts with big toffee up front. Grape, plum and vanilla come next, with molasses and a hint of chocolate rounding out the end. Finishes sweet and slightly boozy. It's like a Quad had a freaky three-way with a case of Scotch and Bourbon. Delicious! 13.4% ABV @ Beerhive

Deschutes Not the Stoic: The nose has big, big malt and toffee with licorice and bourbon notes. The taste starts with Bourbon toffee and dark fruits. Cherry and grape come next with vanilla and dank barrel notes rounding out the end. For a big beer the alcohol is kept to a moderate roar - not too hot. This is on the fringe of what a Belgian Quad should be, it's quite frankly a barleywine. None the less it's complex and a brilliant beer. 12% ABV @ Beerhive

For Firkin Friday today at the Bayou, Shades of Pale is offering up their 4 Play Porter dry-hopped with Cascade and Centennial hops. Think, "Cascadian Porter".


If vodka is in your plans this weekend, the bottleshop at the Sugarhouse Distillery opens today as well. Located at 2212 South West Temple, Unit #14, Salt Lake City - the new local distillery is only offering their debut vodka for now with more labels coming down the road. The distillery's bottleshop is open from 11am to 7pm daily, closed Sunday. Drink local, People!

Prost!

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'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)

____________________________________________________________________________________________

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

(73 Total Votes)

____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

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

(80 Total Votes)

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 

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

(82 Total Votes)

____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

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

(78 Total Votes)

____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

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

(81 Total Votes)

____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

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

(76 Total Votes)

____________________________________________________________________________________________
 

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

(80 Total Votes)

Squatters/Wasatch Release Cans

Remember this ad? It contained the aptly named slogan, "Nice Cans"! It was for the old St. Provo Girl brand from Squatters (now just Provo Girl) that had to go away in 2001 because tiny micro breweries were such a threat to international conglomerates. Yeah, we're talking about you St. Paulie Girl!

These were some of the first canned beers to feature products from the state of Utah since the 1960's. They were a little ahead of their time, while they sold - they never really caught on with beer snobs and they eventually went away.

Now craft cans are much more widely accepted with "reglar folk" and "beer dorks" alike. It's a better package for the product and it's much more conducive to Utah's active - high desert lifestyle.

Lead by Bohemian Brewing, Moab, Uinta and now the Utah Brewers Cooperative are now offering canned beer. Four local favorites (new & old) are (and will be) for sale now and ready for consumption. Hop Rising Double IPA and Full Suspension Pale Ale are the first beers from the Squatters camp and Ghostrider White IPA from the Wasatch side. Look for Wasatch's Apricot Hefeweizen in cans as well soon.

As of today, just Full Suspension and GhostRider are available and they're at the Beer Store - 1763 South 300 West, Salt Lake City. What do you think, Are you down with this canned beer trend?

We have more cool beer news set for tomorrow- Stay Tuned!

Cheers!

Snowbasin Beer Festival

Help Snowbasin Resort close out the last weekend of their summer season with an ‘Oktoberfest’ style party this Saturday October 5th!  8 Local craft brews will be “on tap” to satisfy all your beer needs and wants. German food staples like bratwurst, special sausages and home-made sauerkraut will be ready hot off-the-grill while summer BBQ favorites like brisket, burgers and pulled pork will be available for purchase.

Entrance to the event is FREE. Beer Tokens will be available for purchase (must be 21 + with valid ID) at $2 each that can be redeemed for one 6oz sampler beer.  2 Tokens will get you 12oz of beer. Seasonal, specialty & high point beers will all be available to token holders.

Participating Local Utah Breweries:
Roosters Brewing Company
Uinta Brewing*
Bohemian Brewing
Moab Brewery
Red Rock Brewing
Squatters Beers
Unsacred Brewing
Wasatch Brewing

*Unita brewing will  be serving its Limited Reserve Beer called Wet ‘n Wyld for the first time in Utah!
No outside alcohol or outside food.  Tokens not redeemed at the end of the event will be considered void – no cash value.

Cheers!

Squeaky Bike Coming Soon

Moab Brewing continues their canned assault in the grocery store isles with the coming release of their Squeaky Bike Nut Brown Ale. A long time staple in Moab, this malty, toasty, nutty American brown will be a welcome addition to the local fall lineup.

It has a nose of rich toffee with a touch of roastiness. The flavors starts with hints of chocolate and a toffee that carry through to a piney hops bitterness in the end. Very well balanced. Light bodied, with a clean, crisp finish. The aftertaste is rich, sweet, and roasted. Very good beer and very sessionable.

It should start popping up where other Moab labels are available in the next couple of months.

Cheers!

New Squatters Cans

If you go back a few years you may recall seeing Squatters Chasing Tail & Provo Girl in cans. They weren't around too long, they may have been ahead of the game or they may have been stuck with the old "can stigma". For whatever reason they're gone, but the Utah Brewers Cooperative will soon be breathing new life into the Squatters/Wasatch can program with the debut of the brewery's new canning line.

Look for two new canned brands to hit shelves sometime in the next few months Full Suspension Pale Ale & Hop Rising. I believe this is the first canning line at the UBC, the previous canning program was packaged out of state.

Uinta, Bohemian and Moab has all seen great success with their canning lines, what other Squatters/Wasatch brands would you like to see in cans? 

Cheers!

Another "Can" Do Attitude

If you had any doubts, cans are the thing right now. Every local brewery that has embraced them has found success with the once shunned containers. Bohemian Brewing started with 'em, Moab Brewing came next, with Uinta close behind; now the Utah Brewers Cooperative is entering the game (again) with their own canning line.

The Wasatch/Squatters brands are no stranger to cans, it wasn't too long ago that you may remember seeing some of their canned products on grocery store shelves around the state. They may have been slightly ahead of the curve and people were likely hesitant to trust their craft brands to packaging that had a bad rep. Those canned beers were not packaged in Utah, these will be.

It looks like the new cans will have a new look and they'll be starting with two Squatters brands, Full Suspension Pale Ale and Hop Rising. What do you guys think of the new trend and what beers/breweries would you like to see in cans? 

Cheers!

Snowbird's Fifth Annual Brewfest

It's Father's Day along the Wasatch Front, that mean it's Beerfest time! Snowbird's Fifth Annual Brewfest returns to Little Cottonwood Canyon this weekend, bringing with it the best local breweries and some of their best suds. The Brewfest runs June 15 - June 16, from 11 am - 7 pm on the Plaza Deck. Take the old man out for a craft beer or if you happen to be the "old man" like me, make your loved ones take you!

Participating breweries include:

• Red Rock
• Roosters
• Uinta
• Wasatch
• Squatters
• Epic
• Unsacred
• Moab
• Bohemian

Cheers!

Vernal Brewing Company to Open Soon

In one of the shortest reigns as "new kid on the block" Bonneville Brewing will soon acquiesce it's title to Vernal Brewing Co. The Bonneville gang will be celebrating their grand opening on April 26, at the same time Vernal Brewing will have their soft opening on The 25th-28th. VBC is urging interested patrons to make reservations, but I don't think they're required. Reservations will be taken online @ vernalbrewingcompany.com

Also in local beer news. On April 13 & 14, 2013, more than fifteen beer judges and six beer stewards, participated in the 3rd Annual Denver International Beer Competition in Broomfield, Colorado.

The judges awarded a total of 91 medals in 48 style categories, plus Best of Show.
Here are Utah's 2013 medal winners. The full list is here.

Gold - (American IPA) Hopulent IPA Mosaic, Epic Brewing Company
Bronze - (Black IPA) Black Imperial IPA, Moab Brewery
Bronze  - (California Common) Rocket Bike Lager, Moab Brewery
Bronze  - (Strong Scotch Ale) Scotch Ale, Moab Brewery
Silver - (Tripel) Tripel, Moab Brewery

Can't say I'm surprised about the Mosaic Hopulent, that beer is the shizzle. And it's nice to see Moab getting some well deserved hardware.

Cheers!

The Third Beer o' Xmas 2012: Johnny's IPA

For the Third Beer o' Xmas that the Beer Gnerd pushed on thee, we have Johnny's IPA from Moab Brewing. 

After two big chewy beers you'll need something on the lighter side to prove to you tongue that your still friends. Johnny's pours a hazy dark golden color with white head. The nose is of biscuit malts and some citrusy hops. The taste starts with light malt toasy grains next comes a nice citrusy and grassy bitterness that balances nicely. The finish is crisp and moderatly bitter. Light to medium body. More of an American Pale than an IPA but it found a perminent place in my fridge. 

Cheers!

National Drink a Beer Day

Yup. Would moi lie about something like that? Hell no! Since there is no new beer today, you must take it upon yourselves to enjoy at least one pint and try to convince the nearest Appletini enthusiast to try a beer instead. I'd recommend a Sour Apple Saison from epic or a Unibroue Éphémère to ease them into bliss.

I've always said, "There's a beer style for everyone, just identify what you don't like your beer to taste like and move on from there".

And if you need some extra help with something new?
Epic's Big Bad Baptist returns in all of its coffee/bourbon glory - Deadhorse Amber from Moab has been reborn in cans and Uinta's Wet 'n Wyld makes appearances on tap at Beerhive, Bayou & Brewvies.

Cheers!

Massive Moab Update!

There's a lot of beer stuff going on in Arches Country, so we'll cut the crap and get right to it.

Moab's Brewmaster Jeff Van Horn has been teasing us all with hints of new beers for quite a while, now it looks like he'll be able to deliver on his promises. We'll start with what's happening now and move on from there.

Moab has been planning on re-releasing their Deadhorse Amber Ale in their popular 16oz. cans for quite some time. These 4% beers should be hitting store shelves any day now.

JV and the crew have also canned Johnny's IPA at 7% and the Rocket Bike at 5.5%. They are available at the restaurant and the brewery's bottle shop. The high gravity Deadhorse is still in development.

These will be shipping to Boise, Idaho this week but none will be headed to Utah's Liquor Stores. The DABC has opted  not to carry them, so Moab is the only place in Utah you can buy them. I urge you all to call or write the DABC & help change this. It's bullshit that you should have to visit a neighboring state to drink a locally made beer. In the meantime, they will be expanding into Arizona by the end of the year, then in to Nevada.

In the next two weeks the next addition to Moab's Desert Select Series is due out. The Hopped Rye will be released at the brewery and (this is for you Douglas) the Export Stout will be available around the first of the year. Again, only in Moab.

The Hopped Rye will be in the massive 1 liter flip tops, but it will be the last. The brewery is expecting new .5 liter bottles in December from Italy. They are still flip-top style bottles as well. The Export Stout will be the first Desert Select Series beer in the .5 liter bottle, then they will change out the Imperial Black IPA, Triple & Scotch Ale to the new bottles.

To produce all these new beers, the installation of an additional four - 30Bbl fermenters is happening in the next couple of weeks, this will bring their annual production capacity up around 10,000Bbls.

Me thinks a Moab day trip is on the horizon.

Cheers!

Photo: Slug Magazine/Chad Kirkland