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!

New Beer Friday 9/13/13

For this Friday the 13th edition of New Beer Friday we have a shload of local offerings to cancel out all the bad jou-jou the day may bring. 

Roosters Lightning 388: Named for the 388th Operations Support Squadron, the US Air Force’s largest combat-ready group of F-16 Fighter Falcons. Lightning 388 is light-brown ale brewed with seasonally available Carabrown malt that lends a toasty, biscuit-like flavor to the beer. It is hopped to compliment rather than overshadow the highlighted maltiness. @Roosters in Layton

Bonneville Brewing Peach Wheat Ale: is made with real peaches, select specialty malts and milk sugar for a deliciously creamy mouthfeel. @Bonneville


Squatters Emerson Ave Pale Ale: Pours a murky deep amber color with a sturdy two & a half fingers of beige foam. The nose is floral with light citrus and berry notes - clean toasty malts also present. The taste starts bitter with grapefruit/citrus rind notes. The toasty malts pop through for just a bit, but then the bitterness comes back to linger in the finish atop biscuity malts. 6% abv. Available at Squatters locations/Bottleshop.

Squatters Nachsommer Kristallweizen: Not had it yet, anyone tried it? @Bayou & Bars with a Squatters seasonal tap

Squatters Slap & Tickle: This is a simple, single malt - single hop ale made with Marris-otter and I think Kent Golding hops. @Squatters locations

Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale: The nose is as you'd expect, with loads of pumpkin spices. The flavor follows suit. Pumpkin notes are present, as is cinnamon and nutmeg. There is also some toffee and biscuit malt in the finish. Medium mouthfeel and carbonation. @Grocery stores & various tap handles.

There is a very, very limited batch of Utah Sage Saison at Epic's bottle shop and Uinta's Bristlecone Brown Ale is back as well and is in wide distribution.

For your Firkin Friday enjoyment today, look forward to Desert Edge's UPA aged in a neutralized bourbon barrel at the Bayou. Poplar St. Pub is pouring the UBC's Crimson Ale in support of the Utes in their game against Oregon St. Tomorrow. 

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!

Uinta's ALS Wheat Ale

There's one more new beer today that just slipped in under the wire. This one is a special beer from Uinta made in support of ALS Therapy Development Institute. Ales for ALS™ is a unique craft brewery-based fundraising initiative created to accelerate drug development for ALS patients today. As part of the program, participant brewers received a special blend of experimental hops donated by B.T. Loftus Ranches and Hopunion. With these hops, Uinta chose to brew a unique, Session Wheat IPA.

Uinta's ALS Wheat Ale combines the flavors and body of a wheat ale with the hop characteristics of an IPA.  Citrusy with subtle notes of pepper and white grape this wheat-IPA was brewed with forty percent malted wheat and dry hopped with the proprietary Ales for ALS™  experimental hop blend.

The limited amount (only 20 bbls were brewed) of Uinta's Ales for ALS brew can be found on draught in Uinta's Brewhouse Pub, Uinta's Beer Garden at Granary Row (Between 300 and 400 W, 700 S, Salt Lake City), and at select locations where Uinta beers are distributed.   A percentage of all proceeds will be donated to ALS Therapy Development Institute in support of developing effective treatment for Lou Gehrig's disease.

More information on the Ales for ALS™ campaign can be found at www.alesforals.com.

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!

Firkin Friday for 6/14/13

There's a fresh Kolschbier available today at Hoppers. The filtered and lagered version of the cask that Hoppers was pouring on cask in Idaho at the Mountain Brewers Fest. The same beer has been tweaked for the Bayou's Firkin Friday. It's described as a Weiss Kolsch.

It's an unfiltered Kolsch-style often just called weiss or white due to its hazy  appearance. Made with ale malt and a very small amount of Munich and wheat malt. Cool fermented in the high 50's F. Hopped with German Magnum for bittering, German Tettnanger late kettle - hopped, and dry hopped with Hallertau Mittlefruh. Cask re-fermented and conditioned. Only available today. Mark usually taps the firkin mid-afternoon, I'd call ahead.

Also Today, Uinta's Cahoots Double Rye IPA is now for sale (no really) at the brewery & Beerhive.

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!

New Beer Friday 5/31/13

Where up in Idaho Falls this week judging the beer competition part of the Mountain Brewers Festival. I fyou've got nothing going on this weekend, you really need to get your asses up here, there will be a lot going on. If you can't there are some new beers for you, maybe you can have your own little beerfest?

 

 Uinta Brewing has finally released their long awaited Pro/Am collaboration beer Cahoots Double Rye IPA, brewed in with decorated local homebrewer, Chris Detrick.

In the summer of 2012, Uinta head brewer Kevin Ely in cahoots with (see what they did there?) Chris Detrick, began the research and development process for Uinta's first Cahoots.  Together, Detrick and Uinta developed a Double Rye IPA, a bigger, bolder, hoppier version of Detrick's award winning Rye IPA recipe.

Two types of malted rye and loads of malted barley combine with CTZ and Chinook hop varieties to create this subtly spicy and distinctly hoppy beer.  Bold and rich, Cahoots Double Rye IPA is bottle conditioned and has an ABV of 9.4%.  Scheduled to hit select shelves in early June, Cahoots is a limited release beer, only 120bbls were produced. For sale only at the brewery for now, if your attending the Mountain Brewers Festival tomorrow you will also find it there.

Epic's Escape to Colorado IPA: This a brand new IPA that was designed to be for sale for the Colorado market when their new brewery opens up there. I don't know much about it, I do know it was made with some Mosaic hops. No idea what the plans is as far as Utah sales are, however Mountain Brewers Fest attendees will be able to try it, as it be poured up here.

Samuel Adams Chainbreaker White IPA: Citrus and fresh hops in the nose, light notes of spice and funk. Crackery malts on the tongue, citrus and piney hops, acidic wheat profile, and spicy yeast. Good for the style. Light-medium body and easily drinkable. @DABC

Don't forget there's also the new Avenues Proper beers are out.  The Proper Beer, Patersbier & Slaintè Stout.

Cheers!

Mountain Brewers Festival 2013

Beer festival season is upon us, and there is no better way to get things rolling here in the mountain west than the North American Brewers Association's Mountain Brewers Festival. Droves of Utahans flock across the Idaho boarder ever year for this annual event that many consider Utah's best beer festival.

If you've never been, just ask someone that has attended, you'll find a festival with a small town feel with big time brewery representation. Look for 70 plus breweries pouring a variety of their beers with many food vendors and it all goes to charity.

The festival takes place June 1st from 12-5pm at Sandy Down Race Track in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Tickets are available online or can be purchased locally at Uinta, Roosters & Bohemian Breweries. $25 Advanced | $30 at the gate. Note you'll need cash or check to purchase tickets at the three Utah breweries.

We recommend getting a hotel for the night, there are many affordable hotels, motels & campgrounds in the area. we're happy to answer any questions about the fest.

Cheers!

Craft Beer Week in Utah 2013: Barley's Angels at Uinta

Ladies, The Barley's Angels have asked me to remind you that their Craft Beer Week event at Uinta Brewing is "a go" and it looks like a full evening of craft beer goodness.

The night will consist of a tour and tasting on Tuesday, May 14, starting at 6:00 PM. The cost is $10 prepay/$12 at the door" (Prepay via PayPal here). To RSVP please call 801.719.0525 or email BarleysAngelsUtah@gmail.com.

Remember this is a 21 and older event for ladies only, no tripods allowed! I'm talking to you Ray. Utah's Barley's Angels chapter also has a new website, check it out here.

As I stated above, today begin American Craft Beer Week. Here are some of today's event that are open to all chromosomes or click here for the entire weeks schedule.

RedRock Brewing Co.
May 13th- 6:00pm National Toast to Craft Beer @ Downtown Brewpub

 Bohemian Brewing Co.
May 13th - Heffeweizen Release Party @ Bohemian Brewery

Epic Brewing Co.
May 13th - 6:00pm - Craft Beer Week Kickoff Party at The Beerhive. Join the Epic Brewing staff to kick off American Craft Beer Week. Staff will be on hand to discuss thier philosophy on craft brewing and what makes our beer unique. Try a new style and learn more about your favorites. 

Uinta Brewing Co.
May 13th - 6pm - Uinta Can release party @ Gracies

Cheers!

Photo: Carla-Boecklin

Utah's 2013 Craft Beer Week Events

Gather around children, we have the skinny on all (well, most of) the beer goings-on here in Zion for Craft Beer Week 2013! CBW is celebrated May 13-19 and it brings craft beer connoisseurs and beginners alike together to toast the more than 2,400 small and independent American craft brewers who continue to make the U.S. the world’s most diverse brewing destination.

Here are the happenings that I was able to dig up for next week (starting Monday). If there is anything I've missed please add it to the comments section of this post or shoot me an email.

RedRock Brewing Co.
May 13th- 6:00pm National Toast to Craft Beer @ Downtown Brewpub

May 14th - Blind Horizontal IPA Tasting with 4 of Salt Lakes favorite Chefs. Chef Ryan Lowder of Copper Onion, Chef Zane Holmquist of Stein Eriksen's Lodge, other two chefs TBA. The chefs will be blind folded and will rate 5 IPA's from RedRock, Squatter's and Wasatch Brewery. Q&A from chefs. 6:00 at the BeerHive. downstairs.

*May 15th - Hops Storm @ The Bayou. IPA Jr on a Randall TBA.

 May 16th - 10pm RedRock Brewery & Bohemian Brewery Sponsor "Strange Brew" @ Brewvies.

*May 17th - Bar X has the Golden Ticket" featuring 4 Gold Medal Winners. Nut brown, Swartz Bier, Pilsner and Paardebloem. @ Bar X. 6:00- 12:00

 May 17th-May 19th - Living Traditions Festival Downtown.

*time to be determined



Bohemian Brewing Co.
May 13th - Heffeweizen Release Party @ Bohemian Brewery

May 14th - Food/Beer Pairing @ MacCool's in Layton

May 15th - Seasonal Release Party @ Slackwater Pizza in Ogden

May 16th - Bar X Tap Takover & Meet the Brewers Party -

Movie Night @ Brewvies, "Strange Brew", 10pm

May 17th - Patio Party @ Woody's Tavern in Moab

May 18th - Ameri"Can" Craft Canned Beer Festival in Scottsdale, AZ. Noon - 6pm

May 19th - Closing Party & Brunch @ Bohemian Brewery



Epic Brewing Co.
May 13th - 6:00pm - Craft Beer Week Kickoff Party at The Beerhive
Join the Epic Brewing staff to kick off American Craft Beer Week. We will be
on hand to discuss our philosophy on craft brewing and what makes our beer
unique. Try a new style and learn more about your favorites.

May 14th - 5:30 - 7:00pm - Sip and Savor, Bambara Beer Dinner
Featuring small plate pairings of French inspired cuisine and Epic's Belgian
beers. Limited seating available.


May 15th - 7:00-8:00pm - Lumpy's South Beer Class
Our brewers will be discussing the brewing process, different beer styles,
and how to best serve and appreciate craft beer. Discover new pairing ideas
and learn what makes each beer unique.


May 16th - 6:00pm - National Toast & Rock - Paper - Scissors Tournament at Dick N' Dixie's
Raise a toast with the rest of the nation's craft beer lovers and sign up
for the Rock - Paper - Scissors Tournament. Tourney starts at 8:00 pm. Peruse a large selection of Epic beers between bouts.

May 17th - Hop Syndrome Lager Release
Just in time for grilling season, Epic is releasing Hop Syndrome Lager. A
deliciously hoppy lager that is clean and spicy with hints of fruit. It's sure to quench your summer thirst. Available in the cold case on Friday.


May 18th - 12:00 - 6:00 - In-depth Brewery Tours
If you haven't gotten a behind the scenes look at Epic Brewing now is the perfect chance. We will be leading in-depth brewery tours describing the brewing process, ingredients, and equipment. Limited to groups of 10 and running every hour. Call ahead to reserve a spot.


May 19th - 12:45 pm - Salt Lake Bees vs Nashville Sounds
Brewmaster Kevin Crompton will be throwing the first pitch at the Spring Mobile Ballpark. Salt Lake Bees vs Nashville Sounds. This will be worth the price of admission just to see if Kevin can get the ball into the catchers mitt without killing himself or anyone else.

5:00pm - First Pitch After Party at The Bayou
Join the Epic Brewing staff for a post-game party at The Bayou. If you
haven't had the chance to meet the makers of your favorite brew come on by
and share a pint.

Uinta Brewing Co.
May 13th - 6pm - Uinta Can release party @ Gracies

May 14th - 6pm - Uinta Can Release Party @ Green Pig.
6pm: Utah Barley’s Angels Event @ Uinta Brewing Co.  https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/140571342794835/

May 18th - Uinta Can Release Party @ No Name Saloon 5-9pm.
Beer Dinner and Pairing @ Harmons SLC





Squatters Pubs
Craft Beer Week Brewmaster DinnersMay 15 – Squatters Brew Pub-Downtown SLC147 WEST BROADWAY . SLC . UTAH . 84101 - CONDUCTED BY BREWMASTERS DAN BURICK & JASON STOCK.
6:00- 9:00 p.m.

May 16 – Squatters Roadhouse Grill-Park City1900 PARK AVENUE . PARK CITY . UTAH . 84060 -CONDUCTED BY BREWMASTER JASON STOCK.
6:00- 9:00 p.m.
First Course
Ginger and Carrot Soup
Paired with Squatters Full Suspension Pale Ale

Salad
Arugula with Roasted Red Peppers, Blueberries & Goat Cheese
With a Reduced Balsamic dressing
Paired with Squatters American Wheat Hefeweizen

Main Course
Steak and Shrimp. Hand cut Niman Ranch top sirloin with panko crusted jumbo shrimp, asiago potatoes,
asparagus, red peppers and jalapeno mint jelly.
Paired with Squatters Organic Amber Ale

Dessert
Black and Tan Brownie
Paired with Squatters Captain Bastard’s Oatmeal Stout

$50 per person + Tax + Gratuity
($34 Food/$16 Beer Pairings)
Reservations: Lauren Boyack
party@squatters.com or 801-328-2329 x 238


Wasatch Brew Pub
Craft Beer Week Brewmaster DinnersMay 14 – 250 Main . Park City
6:00- 9:00 p.m.
CONDUCTED BY BREWMASTERS JON LEE & MATT BEAMER


First Course
Ginger and Carrot Soup
Paired with Wasatch White Label Belgian-Style White Ale
Salad
Arugula with Roasted Red Peppers, Blueberries & Goat Cheese
with a reduced balsamic dressing
Paired with Wasatch Apricot Hefeweizen

Main Course
Steak and Shrimp
Hand cut Niman Ranch top sirloin with crunchy coconut shrimp, asiago
potatoes, asparagus, red peppers and jalapeno mint jelly.
Paired with Evolution Amber Ale

Dessert
Black and Tan Brownie
Paired with Wasatch Polygamy Porter 
$50 per person + Tax + Gratuity
($34 Food/$16 Beer Pairings)
Reservations: Lauren Boyack
party@squatters.com or 801-328-2329 x 238

If your going to be out of town and want to find out what's happening nationally, follow this link.

You thought I forgot that it's New Beer Friday, didn't you? Bohemian Brewing has something new to help ring in the warm weather

Noble Hefeweizen is a Bavarian-style hefeweizen. White wheat and Munich malts give this beer a rich, sweet body while staying light and easy to drink. But the star of the beer is the traditional yeast, originating from the Bavarian monastery of Andechs, adding banana, clove, and bubble gum characters. It's going to be hot this weekend, sounds like the perfect beer to enjoy in the sun!

Cheers! 

New-ish Beer Friday 5/3/13

The following are technically previously released beers, but have been modified for a special release or  have been reformulated for abv adjustments.

Let's start with Shades of Pale Brewing. Not often does this brewery make appearances on New Beer Friday. They make three beers and they do them very well. Now they're releasing beer number four, that some of you may have tried in early 2012.

Ready to Fly Amber Ale was originally brewed to help promote the documentary “Ready to Fly” and to help raise awareness and support for Women’s Ski jumping. I fell in love with the beer and begged for it to go in to full production.  I guess it sometimes pays to be a pain in the ass. Ready to Fly will debut tomorrow at the Tour de Brewtah & will be poured at the Gallivan Center.

Starts with spicy malts, hints of graham cracker. The hops are piney with citrus notes beneath. it has a really nice balance. It's Amber Ale, not trying to be a Pale Ale. Very nice. Bottles should be hitting the SOP bottle shop within the next couple of weeks, draft will be available at various locations starting next week.  Check the SOP website for details on where to find Ready to Fly.

Desert Edge Citra in Red: If your a fan of Citra hops this beer will make you squeal like a school girl at a Bieber sighting. The fruitiness from the malts pairs perfectly with the citrus bitterness in the hops. The result is a quenching full flavored red ale that's like fruit salad in a glass. Haas, I would be very happy to see this on the menu every day. @ Desert Edge, Beerhive.

The Hive Winery is releasing Stinger and Stinger Dry, Utah’s first hard ciders. Made entire with Utah grown apples custom pressed by Rowley’s Red Barn Cider in Santaguin and hand worked and aged in small batches. Stinger will be available to purchase tomorrow, Saturday May 4^th at The Hive Winery. Currently this cider is only available at the Winery or at MacCool's Starting May 5^th. Coming out in 22 oz bottles and carrying a 6.95% ABV.

Going Away: Squatters' Nitro Cream Ale will no longer be in their regular line-up. Look for rotating beer on their nitro tap handles.

Also, congrats go out to some of our local home brewers for placing in the first round of the National Homebrew Competition. Winners of this round qualify for entry into the NHC Final Round competition in June during the National Homebrewers Conference. Here are the local award winners. I hope I didn't miss anyone. Here's a link to all winners.

Category 2 : Pilsner
2nd Place: Travis Grimm of Sandy, UT - Zion Zymurgist Homebrew OPerative Society (ZZ HOPS)
3rd Place: Brian Coleman of Draper, UT

Category 14 : India Pale Ale (IPA)
2nd Place: Chris Detrick of Salt Lake City, UT with Shawn Margetts, Daniel Schulz  - The Brewing Network

Category 22 : Smoke-Flavored and Wood-Aged Beer
2nd Place: Chris Detrick of Salt Lake City, UT - The Brewing Network

Category 1 : Light Lager
1st Place: Michael Johnson of Salt Lake City, UT   Zion Zymurgist Homebrew OPerative Society (ZZ HOPS)
2nd Place: Michael Johnson of Salt Lake City, UT   Zion Zymurgist Homebrew OPerative Society (ZZ HOPS)

Category 15 : German Wheat and Rye Beer
2nd Place: Michael Johnson of Salt Lake City, UT   Zion Zymurgist Homebrew OPerative Society (ZZ HOPS)
3rd Place: Michael Johnson of Salt Lake City, UT   Zion Zymurgist Homebrew OPerative Society (ZZ HOPS)

Category 8 : English Pale Ale
2nd Place: Tracy Johancsik of Murray, UT

Category 9 : Scottish and Irish Ale
2nd Place: Mike Mirabella of Salt Lake City, UT
  
Category 13 : Stout

1st		Chris Detrick of Salt Lake City, UT	The Brewing Network
2nd		Chris Detrick of Salt Lake City, UT	The Brewing Network

In an added note: Chris Detrick's & Uinta's Pro/Am beer from last year's Great American Beer Festival is finally going into production soon. Cahoots Double Rye IPA will be part of the Uinta's Crooked Line & should hopefully be available sometime June.

Cheers!

It's Tastes Like Sum'r in a Can!

Well, Uinta's canning line is at full steam now and it looks like it's time to start expanding their line once again. The newest beer to be released in cans is Sum'r. You won't miss this one on your grocery store shelves this spring/summer, that bright green can will scream at you from down the isle.

Sum'r has a slightly fruity, herbal nose with a crisp and malty front leading into a mild lemon/herbal hop flavor and mild bitterness. Finishes crisp as it began, dry and very clean.

Sum’r cans will be available in 6 packs as well as together with Wyld Extra Pale Ale in Uinta’s new canned Duo pack and are planned to hit the market in about  a week or two.  Sum’r will also be available in Uinta’s proprietary 12 oz. Compass Bottle.

Cheers!

A Great One-Two Punch

A preview of Uinta's new Duo twelve pack for their cans. Thoughts? Two of my favorites!

Cheers!

Uinta Birthday Suit Sour Brown

Last year to help celebrate Uinta Brewing's 19th Birthday, the brewery released Birthday Suit Sour Cherry Ale. This year Birthday Suit is back for Uinta's 20th, but this year it's a Brown Sour Ale.

This beer is said to have more balance than the previous version with more malt sweetness. It will go on sale today at the brewery (2/25/13). Call before making the trip. Can't wait to try this one!

Cheers!

Birthday Suit: Sour Brown Ale

In celebration of their 20th Anniversary, Uinta Brewing Company introduces 20th Birthday Suit, a Sour Brown Ale.

Following the release of their 19th Birthday Suit in March of 2012, Uinta began research and development on this year's Sour Brown Ale.  Birthday Suit will be packaged for the first time on Valentine's Day and will be bottle conditioned before being released to the market.  Just in time for their 20th Birthday.

Birthday Suit is scheduled to hit shelves in Utah in late February and nationwide in mid March, 2013. Birthday Suit Sour Brown is a limited, single release brand, only 2,000 cases were produced for distribution. 

This bottled conditioned American Style Sour Brown Ale flaunts significant acidity balanced by flavorful Abbey and Chocolate malts and a modest amount of hops. A distinct tartness on the palate combines with notes of toffee and earthiness. 20th Birthday Suit Sour Brown Ale has an ABV of 7.4%.

Keeping with Uinta's Crooked Line tradition of supporting local art talent, Birthday Suit's label art was produced by Travis Bone, a local show print artist (Furturtle Show Prints).  Travis is also the creative force behind the art adorning Uinta's Cockeyed Cooper bottle as well as the label art from 2012's 19th Birthday Suit.

Cheers!

Uinta Canning Update

Amid the completion of their new 34,000 sq. ft. facility, Uinta Brewing Company welcomed a state-of-the-art canning line and a 600 bbl brite tank.  These pieces are the first of the brewing equipment to take residence in Uinta's new building, which sits immediately south of Uinta’s existing facility. 

The new canning line, manufactured in Germany by Krones AG, is able to fill and seal 400 cans per minute.  To introduce its new form of packaging, Uinta will can four mainstay brews:  Cutthroat Pale Ale, Hop Notch IPA, Wyld Organic Pale Ale, and Baba Organic Black Lager.  Canning these will not take from the brands’ traditional packaging outfit, they will continue to be available in the proprietary Compass Bottle, the novel design Uinta adopted as part of its major 2011 aesthetic revamp.  The Uinta team, comprised of outdoor enthusiasts, was eager to add a package that pairs well with exploration. Cans will allow Uinta product to join consumers on outdoor adventures, a reality that aligned with the heart of Uinta.  

Uinta's can art was designed to integrate smoothly into the current packaging.  Aside from some creative modifications, to help the bottle-to can transition, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.   And each can, like each bottle, is adorned with Uinta’s trademark compass, ensuring that you'll never get lost with a Uinta beer in hand.

With the installation and commissioning of the canning line scheduled for late February, Uinta hopes to get these cans rolling out in early March, 2013

Uinta has broadened its market and can be found in 24 states from coast-to-coast, and has even ventured to other countries around the world. 

Uinta Debuts it's New Cans

Here are some mock-ups of a couple of Uinta's new cans. Thoughts?

Sea Legs Baltic Porter

There's a new addition to Uinta's Crooked Line of beers; a Baltic Porter with a hint of something extra, Rye Whiskey.

These porters were traditionally made to be stronger, more robust versions of regular porters, they were to be shipped across the North Sea, hence the name "Baltic Porter". In general, the style’s dark brown color covered up cloudiness and the smoky/roasted brown malts and bitter tastes masked brewing imperfections. The addition of stale ale also lent a pleasant acidic flavor to the style, which made it quite popular. These issues were quite important given that most breweries were getting away from pub brewing and opening up breweries that could ship beer across the world.

Sea Legs pours a very murky, dark brown, almost black color with a small tan head. The nose is brilliant! full of toffee with some chocolate biscotti, a hint of Bourbon and espresso. The taste starts with sweet chocolate with some biscuity malt flavors. A bit of dark fruits with vanilla and subtle whiskey come next with a bit of dark chocolate and toffee in the finish. The alcohol is well hidden in this 8% beer. 

The mouthfeel is medium bodied and the drinkability is very high. What a great Porter! A perfect addition to Uinta's Crooked line. For sale in Utah in the coming days. Some markets on the east coast are already selling it but Utah's DABC has yet to approve it. We'll let you know when it goes on sale.

That's not all! For the Eighth Beer o' Xmas that the Beer Gnerd pushed on thee, we have another winter warmer. Deschutes Jubelale.
 
Pours a chocolatey brown color with a decent size off white head with better than average lacing. 

The nose is spicy, but not overdone with caramel, dark fruits, chocolate and some nice citrusy notes. The taste starts with caramel and Chocolate notes. Dark dehydrated raisins and currents come next with spicy and earthy hops rounding out the finish. VERY tasty, a good quality beer.

Drink this one warmer rather than cold to get the most out of it. This one is going very fast may not be around after the holidays. @ Liquor Stores & "Better Beer Bars"

Cheers!