Party at Rob's House err..Idaho!

Believe it or not, June is less than 40 days away. Big deal, right? Yes! it is a big deal - June is the beginning of summer, and summer is beer festival season! To christen beer fest season we start with one of Utah's best beer festivals.... Now before you start lathering yourselves up into a frenzy, there's a slight problem with our beer festival; we have to hold it in Idaho. I know, I know it's a bit confusing but look at it this way.

Remember when you were younger, and you wanted to throw a huge 'rager' of a party? Sadly you couldn't because you lived with your parents. Of course mom and dad always said, "no". Then you'd go over to your buddies house (let's call him Rob) and ask him if it was cool if you could do it over at his dump. Of course good ol' Rob says, "fuck ya"! and the party would commence. Well, that's kinda our situation here. The state of Utah is "mom and dad", and "Rob" is Idaho.

Well, the Party at "Rob's House" is Saturday, June 2nd from 12-5pm at Sandy Downs in lovely Idaho Falls. To keep it formal we'll call it the Mountain Brewers Beer Festival. One of the great things about this event is that it's not just a beer fest, the preceding week will see dozens of judges, critiquing beers from all over the world, looking to praise the best suds out there.

You'll be able to sample hundreds of different unlimited beers from over 60 breweries! The ticket price is $40 and there are no 'day of' ticket sales. Tickets must be purchased online here, or in advance at select Utah breweries. As of this writing the breweries have not been named, but in the past they have been sold at Uinta, Bohemian and Roosters. More festival info can be found here - and please keep checking back for updated info. So, who's planning on going?

Cheers!

Mountain Brewers Beerfest Ticket are Here & Day 4 of American Craft Beer Week

Tickets for the Mountain Brewers Beer Festival have arrived locally. You can find them at Roosters locations, Uinta Brewing and Bohemian Brewing. They will disappear fast, so if your planning on going, I'd snag some pronto. You can purchase them online as well, but beware. There are NO ticket sales at the gate this year. Tickets are $40 - this gets you unlimited 4oz. pours from 100 different regional, national and international breweries. 

Thursday - May 18th:

Uinta Brewing: Trivia Night in the Uinta Brewhouse Pub. Enjoy beer and Uinta themed questions as well as questions on a variety of other topics. 7pm in the Pub – prizes awarded to the top three teams.
• $5.00 for Flights of Four – Blind Taste Test. Guess ¾ of the beers correctly and you will be entered into a daily raffle for a limited Uinta swag item.
• Thursday – Prix Fixe On-Demand Beer Dinner. Enjoy a three-course meal – each course paired with a different beer. Available all day.
Bohemian/Brewvies: The "Little Lebowski Urban Achiever" release party and tap takeover, featuring the Big Lebowski film sponsored by Bohemian Brewery. We will be releasing our new Brewer’s Stache beer "The Little Lebowski” (This beer really ties the room together) and offering all Bohemian beers for $3/pint. Dress up like the Dude or one of your favorite characters from the movie for fun prizes and giveaways. Tickets are available on eventbrite for $6 in advance of time or $8 at the door day of.
Squatters Downtown: BEER 101 CLASS Sample your way through the art of drinking craft beer with an intimate class with a brewmaster. $20
Wasatch/Squatters locations: $2.50 12OZ DRAFTS ALL WEEK
West Side Tavern: Tour our breweries and end with 2 samples, 1 full pint of beer and glass to take home.
Wasatch Park City: Tour our breweries and end with 2 samples, 1 full pint of beer and glass to take home. $10 - 5pm.
Shades of Pale Brewing: Release of Brett Saison Brewed with Tart Cherries and aged in Wine Barrels. 6.5% ABV
RoHa Brewing Project: Back stage brewery pass - Time TBA
RedRock Downtown: 4PM beer class hosted by Cameron Jones.          
o Limited seating.  Inquire at RRBC to purchase your spot.
o $10 a head.  Includes beer & finger food
o The class will be approx. 1 hour
Daily food/beer pairing special
½ off 1 appetizer if you mention Craft Beer Week to your server.
Featured draft beer every day.  $2.50
Featured bottle beer of the day.  $2 off
RedRock Fashion Place: 
Featured bottle beer of the day.  $2 off
Featured draft beer every day.  $2.50
Check in on Untapped, earn the new ‘This is the Place’ badge (that we created after we became Utah’s first Untappd Verified Venue Brewpub) and earn 10% off your meal.
Talisman Brewing: $8 Growler fills
Epic Brewing: Get hear early on Thursday to grab your growler of our Citralush New England Style IPA. This release will sell out quickly, so don't wait!
Proper Brewing: $10 Pitchers and Firkin Thursday
Strap Tank Brewing: Ypres French Saison with 100lbs blueberries/50lbs blackberries. On tap for American Craft Beer Week 5/15-21.
2 Row Brewing: Special re-release of the Falconers Flight Random IPA. This recipe was a huge hit last year and is back by popular demand.

Cheers!

23rd Annual Mountain Brewers Festival

Listen up! One of our favorite "local" beer festivals, the Mountain Brewers Festival in Idaho Falls, Idaho is just around the corner and there are some big changes that you need to know about.

First off. The ticket sales ($40) are advance purchase only and are limited to 5,500 attendees – no ticket sales at the gate. Here is the link to get your tickets. There will be tickets available at some of our local SLC/Ogden breweries. When those go on sale, I'll give you the when and where. They're usually at Uinta, Roosters and Bohemian.

Hotels: They are aware that this is a big weekend in Idaho Falls and their pricing is starting to reflect this. Start shopping around and book your rooms soon!

The week prior to the beer fest is Idaho Craft Beer Week (May 28 - June 3). If you can go up early you'll find a shload of special events, special tappings and tap take-overs. If you want to get you beer geek on, there's plenty happening.

There will be free buses to get you to and from the festival on saturday. Locations in Idaho
Falls/Ammon:
Bowlero
Buffalo Wild Wings
Hilton Garden Inn
LaQuinta Inn
Firehouse Grill
The Frosty Gator
Sam’s Club
Shilo Inn
Snow Eagle Brewing
The Zone

This is still a 21+ event, so don't bring the papoose(s). I hope to see you there!

We're now in the Sweet 16 Round of the Low Point Utah Beer Challenge. This is when things start to tighten up in the voting. There are quite a few tough choice this round and there is a rainbow of styles represented. Voting for this round will last 48 hours as well and will end Saturday morning. As you can see, the ballots are in the column to the right.

Cheers!

Photo Credits: Crafty Beer Girls (top)  Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune (bottom)

In Case You Need Some Incentive...

Here's the list of some of the breweries that will be pouring their fine suds at next week's Mountain Brewers Festival in Idaho Falls, Idaho. One of the great things about this festival is that most of the participating breweries are regional. These are places that your most likely to encounter on your travels throughout the mountain west. Luckily for you they're all in one place on Saturday June 7th. Hope to see you there!

Idaho 
Crooked Fence Brewing

Ram Restaurant & Brewery

Highlands Hollow Brewhouse

Bertram's Brewery

Idaho Brewing Company

Kootenai River Brewing Company

Laughing Dog Brewing

Grand Teton Brewing Company

McCall Brewing Company

Payette Brewing Company

Portneuf Valley Brewing

Rocky Mountain Home Brew Supply

Salmon River Brewery

Sawtooth Brewery

Selkirk Abbey Brewing

Slanted Rock Brewing Company

Snow Eagle Brewing & Grill

Trickster's Brewing

Wallace Brewing

Wildlife Brewing Company

Wild Hops Home Brew Club

Woodland Empire Ale Craft

Utah

Avenues Proper Restaurant & Publick House

EPIC Brewing

Bohemian Brewery

Bonneville Brewery

Desert Edge Brewery

The Lauter-Day Brewers

Moab Brewery

Red Rock Brewing Co.

Roosters Brewing Company

Shades of Pale Brewing Company

Uinta Brewing Company

Utah Brewers Cooperative

Montana

Carter's Brewing

Big Sky Brewing

Bitter Root Brewery

Flathead Lake Brewing Co.

Canyon Creek Brewing

Dog Tag Brewing

Kettle House Brewing Co.

The Great Northern Brewing Company

Madison River Brewing Company

Phillipsburg Brewing Co.

Quarry Brewing Company

Oregon

Arch Rock Brewing Co

Gilgamesh Brewing

Breakside Brewery

Deschutes Brewery

Humm Kombucha

Mazama Brewing

Ninkasi Brewing Company

OakShire Brewing

Pelican Pub & Brewery

Rusty Truck Brewing

10 Barrel Brewing Co.

Widmer Brothers

Wild Ride Brew

Wyoming

Altitude Chophouse & Brewery

Luminous Brewhouse

Melvin Brewing Company

Snake River Brewing

Wind River Brewing Comapny

California

Anchor Brewing

Lagunitas Brewing Company

Lost Coast Brewery

Stone Brewing Co.

Colorado

Coors

New Belgium Brewing Company

Odell Brewing Co.

Oskar Blues Brewery

Upslope Brewing Company

Alaska

Alaskan Brewing Co.

Missouri

Boulevard Brewing Company

Hawaii

Kona Brewing Company

Washington

Elysian Brewing

Georgetown Brewing Company

Laht Neppur

No-Li Brewhouse

Northwest Brewing Company

Paradise Creek Brewery

Red Hook

Arizona

Prescott Brewing

Nevada

Ruby Mountain Brewing Company

Massachusetts 

Samuel Adams

Cheers!

The 20th Annual Mountain Brewers Festival

When the weather gets warms and Memorial Day passes us by, Utah's best beer festival in Idaho marks the arrival of summer. It's hard to believe that it's been twenty years, but this year celebrates two decades of great a beer competitions and beer festival.  

If you love beer, and have never been your really missing out. This annual event gives attendees the opportunity to sample hundreds of different beers from 70 -80 breweries from around the west as well as various import breweries from various countries. Here's a list of some of the breweries.

This year's Mountain Brewers Festival will be held on Saturday June 7th from noon - 5pm in Idaho Falls, Id at Sandy Downs 1860e. 65th St. Locally you can buy tickets at Bohemian Brewing, Rooster's Brewing and Uinta Brewing - $26 for general entry or $6 for a designated driver ticket.

Hotels are plentiful and the rates are pretty good, I'd highly recommend grabbing a room.  

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!

Reminder: Beerfest This Saturday!

Remember the 18th Annual Mountain Brewers Festival is this Saturday (June, 2). I was given an update on the number of breweries participating this year event.... it's huge!!!

There will be 82 breweries participating and that doesn't include contributions from Idaho Falls' local distributors!
There could be upwards of 90 breweries represented. Look for beers from breweries such as Stone, 21st Amendment and Elysian. Plus a shload of  regional favorites.

The weather is looking to be perfect and I believe Utah's allotment of tickets are close to being sold out. Check with Uinta, Bohemian & Roosters to see if they still have any; if not? they can be purchased at the gate; the day of the fest. Who's going?

Cheers!

The 2012 Mountain Brewers Festival

I was going to spend this time talking to you about the 2012 Mountain Brewers Festival, then I realized that there's really no need. If you've attended the annual event you know what it's all about and you've likely already made your plans and have made your reservation at the place that will shelter your hangover.

If for some strange reason you've missed one of my million posts on MBF, let me just say these four things. Approx 35 breweries, 140 different beers, less than 3 hours away & most importantly, no Utah bullshit! Yup, that right all that shit that pisses you off here, ain't happening in Idaho Falls. That right there is worth the price of admission.

Speaking of admission, tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the gate. Tickets will be available for purchase after April 20 at Bohemian Brewery, Rooster's Brewing & Uinta Brewing. This will get you access to unlimited 4 oz. pours from at least 35 breweries.

This is mostly a festival for western breweries, but look for offering from as far away as the eastern U.S., Germany and Belgium.

So save the date. June 2, 2012. Hope to see you there!

Cheers!

A Beer Lovers Mimosa

Epic's award winning Witbier returns this today. And if that wasn't enough, starting today (April 10th) the brewery will be offering a brewery only special. A Blood Orange Wit. If your not able to get to the brewery to try it, Brewmaster Kevin Crompton will be doing another blood orange Wit in a cask that will be making it's way to the Mountain Brewers Festival in Idaho Falls, June 2nd. Sounds like my kind of Mimosa!

There's only a few more hours left to vote on Utah's Elite 8 beers. Tomorrow morning, we go straight to the final four, with the final beginning next Monday. Brackets are here.

Cheers!

The Mountain Brewers' Beer Festival is Getting Close

Tickets are now on sale for this year's Mountain Brewers Festival. You can pick them up at Bohemian Brewery, Rooster's Brewing & Uinta Brewing. Tickets are a very reasonable $20 or $25 the day of. This will get you access to unlimited 4 oz. pours from 35 breweries (as of today).

This is mostly a festival for western breweries, but look for offering from as far away as Vermont, Germany and Belgium.

So, who's going? Check in at the Polling section on the right side of the page. By the way, you can bring the rug rats.

Cheers!

The 17th Annual Mountain Brewers' Beer Festival

Saturday, June 4, 2011. Save the Date (I'm talking to you Ed). It's 17th Annual Mountain Brewers' Beer Festival.

This is a great Beer fest. Not only is the perfect excuse to get out of town and enjoy some great suds, it's also one of the preeminent beer competitions in the west. Breweries from all over North America will compete and offer-up some of their brews to sample. Proceeds go to local charities.

Idaho Falls is an easy, 3 hour drive... 2 1/2 if your spouse doesn't have a pea sized bladder.

Tickets Will be available beginning Monday April 25th at Bohemian Brewery, Rooster's Brewing & Uinta Brewing.

Cheers!

The 2010 Mountain Brewers Festival

For nearly the past decade we've been referring to the Mountain Brewers Beer Festival in Idaho Falls, Idaho as Utah's best beer festival. It really is. It's proximity to northern Utah and wide range of participating breweries makes it a great one-two punch.

As if all that good beer wasn't enough to get you to IF, the Fest is also home to the The North American Beer Awards. The Awards are a unique event sanctioned by the North American Brewers Association. The competition provides an opportunity for the beers you love to be judged by qualified judges against the best beers in the country. Last year over 1,200 beers were judged!

This years beer fest will be held rain or shine on June 5th, 2010 at the Sandy Downs. Besides beer there will be tons of food, music and free shuttles to take you to and from the fest.

Advanced tickets for the beer fest are available now at the Bohemian Brewery, Uinta Brewing and Roosters Brewing. Tickets are $20 ($25 at the door) Also, the breweries have asked for cash only for ticket sales.

If you think your going to make it, post a yea or nay in the comments section or on the Forum. It's by no means an RSVP. I just thought it'd be nice to give people an idea of who to look for there.

Cheers!

24 Hours in a Day - 24 Beers in a Case - Coincidence? I Think Not.

Just a reminder for y'all that this Saturday, June 6th is the 15th Annual Mountain Brewers Festival in Idaho Falls, Idaho. This is the best damn deal going. $20 in advance, $25 at the door get you hundreds of different beers from over eighty breweries.

I'm headed up tomorrow to participate in the judging, so posting at Utah Beer may be sporadic. Hopefully, I'll have some good updates about the beerfest and info about after parties to attend and the like.

Here's a partial list of some of the participating breweries. Hope to see you up there. Cheers!

Alaskan Brewing Company
Barley Browns
Bayern Brewing Inc.
Big Sky Brewing
Bohemian Brewery
Carters Brewing
Dillon Dam Brewery
Fish Brewing Company
Four Plus Brewery
Grand Teton Brewing
Hales Ales
Hoppers
Madison River Brewing Company
Michelob Specialty Brewing Group
Moab Brewery
New Belgium Brewing Co.
O'Dell Brewing Co.
Portneuf Valley Brewing
Pyramid Breweries
Red Rock Brewing Company
Ruby River Streakhouse
Sierra Nevada Brewing
Snake River Brewing Lander
Sockeye Brewing
Wind River Brewing
Wildlife Brewing
Uinta Brewing

Brew-tah

19 Medals! That's what Utah's suds-meisters managed to compile at this years Mountain Brewers Festival in Idaho Falls, Idaho. From Smoke to Root Beer, our brewers dun-did-us-prowd! Here's a list of the local winners and a link to all medalist. Congrats to all!

Bronze: Bohemian Brewery - Czech Helles.

Gold: Desert Edge Brewery - Anniversary Amber.

Gold: Hoppers Grill & Brewing Company - This is the Pilsner.

Silver: Moab Brewery - Scopian Pale Ale.

Bronze: Moab Brewery - Merrimack.

Gold: RedRock Brewing Co. - Bamberg Rauch Bier.

Silver: Red Rock Brewing Co. - German Pilsner.

Bronze: Red Rock Brewing Co. - Bohemian Pilsner.

Bronze: Ruby River Steakhouse and Brewery - Ruby's Root Beer.

Bronze: Four Plus Brewing Co - Monkshine.

Gold: Uinta Brewing Company- Kings Peak.

Gold: Uinta Brewing Company- Blue Sky Pilsener.

Bronze: Uinta Brewing Company - Solstice Kolsch.

Bronze: Uinta Brewing Company - Bristlecone Brown Ale.

Gold: Wasatch (Utah Brewers Cooperative) - Squatter's Hefeweizen.

Silver: Wasatch (Utah Brewers Cooperative) - Wasatch Evolution Amber Ale (Irish Red).

Silver: Wasatch (Utah Brewers Cooperative) - Wasatch Polygamy Porter.

Bronze: Wasatch (Utah Brewers Cooperative) - Squatter's Organic Amber Ale.

Bronze: Wasatch Brew Pub - Polygamy Porter.

Rodney Scores a bottle of Grand Tetons' Double Wheat Utahns represented a good portion of the crowd