Uinta Coffee Pilsner

There's a very limited edition coffee pilsner on tap right now at the Bayou in Salt Lake City. The beer, made by Uinta Brewing - is an experiment using their 801 Pilsner and and an undisclosed blend of coffee from SLC's Publik Coffee Roasters. I haven't tried it yet, but I see it in my future this afternoon.

How limited is it? Well... one keg. If this seems like a beer that will be "right up your zip code" I suggest you make haste!

If you've tried it please share your thoughts.

Prost!

New Beer Friday 2/19/16

A big damn day for sour lovers. If you've never tried any of Cascade Brewing Company's sour ales, you day has finally come. If you've had them, you get it. They are for the most part simply sublime and not exactly easy to get. The Beer Bar managed to secure a special order and me thinks, things will never be the same. The following Cascade beers are only available at the Beer Bar and The Bayou. I'm not going to get into prices (I never do) but, they're not going to be cheap - that being said, they'll still disappear fast. Don't wait to long. 

Cascade Brewing Blueberry Ale - The nose has oak mixed with a tart blueberry and unripened cranberries The taste starts with a hit of blueberries, some lemon peel and vinegar. There are some raspberry notes creeping onto the sides of the tongue as well but it ends with blueberry. the finish is fairly dry and prickly. 7.3% ABV

Cascade Brewing Cranberry Ale - The nose has rich berries and is slightly yeasty. The taste follows with added oak present as well. The cranberry isn't necessarily strong in flavor but the layers of flavor consisting of tartness/sourness, oak, and some green apple was excellent. Complex and very drinkable. 8.0% ABV

Cascade Brewing Noyaux Ale - The nose is oaky with some raspberries and apricot. a slight nuttiness too. The taste starts with raspberry and mango. Apricot comes next with a good smack lactic sourness sourness to balance it out. Finishes with a bit of plum and drying oak. Very yummy! 8.5% ABV

Cascade Brewing Sang Noir - The nose is full of cherry and a hint of vanilla bourbon. The taste is similar to the nose starting off with a slight sourness and bourbon with more distinct sour cherry notes rounding out the end. The finish is long and drawn outwith mild acidity. Probably my favorite of the four. 9.5% ABV

If sours aren't your thing, 2 Row Brewing has something in the complete opposite direction in regards to the sours listed above.

2 Row Limited Release Beer #2 American Porter - The nose has rich roasted malt, coffee and light chocolate. The flavors are similar, but not quite as sweet as the nose. Dark roasted coffee, roasted and blackened malt, smoky notes and a touch of toffee. The body is medium/full and the carbonation is prickly. 7.0% ABV @ 2 Row, Beer Bar, BeerHive, Bayou

Ballast Point Pineapple Sculpin - The nose has pineapple and tropical fruits. The flavor has pineapple, of course but not too sweet at all. The best part of this beer is that the IPA is still identifiable underneath. Just a delicious tropical hop West coast IPA with a subtle addition of pineapple. 7.0% ABV @ BeerHive & Slackwater

Ballast Point Watermelon Dorado - The nose is all watermelon with some unidentifiable hops lurking beneath.The taste is pleasant watermelon with heavy bittering hops backing it up. The hops don't seem to compliment the melon very well. Beware, this dials in at 10.0% ABV @ BeerHive & Slackwater

Cheers!

Important Brewery Legislation for Utahans

This is very important. If you have the slightest interest in craft beer you need to contact your representatives asap and tell them to vote against HB0228. This goes to a vote tomorrow, Friday 2/19/16. Read it and you'll understand. Don't delay. Spread the word tonight!

Dear Representative ____________,

As a constituent of yours, I am reaching out to you today to ask that you vote against HB0228. This bill is bad for Utah’s small breweries. The bill contains a number of problematic clauses most notably:

1.       Unrealistic proximity restrictions

2.       Overzealous food requirements that turn manufacturing breweries into restaurants

3.       The elimination of the Off-Premise Beer Retailer Local Authority that would hurt off-premise sales for small brewers

4.       A service rule that is unenforceable (one visit per person every 24-hours)

5.       The addition of a “Zion Curtain” or masking tasting from public view

Please vote against this bill when it comes up for a 3^rd Reading in the House. As a small business owner, we cannot support a bill that creates undue burdens on our operations, forces us to become restaurants and decreases our ability to sell beer to go. 

Thank you for taking the time to hear our perspective and we appreciate your support by voting against this bill.

Sincerely,

Epic/Ska Skeptic Collaboration Ale

Epic Brewing Co. and Ska Brewing out of Durango, CO have teamed up to produce a beer specifically made for Colorado's Collaboration Festival. This fest is all about teaming up breweries from around the world to see what different minds can produce.

The Epic/Ska beer will be an American IPA aged in Peach Street Distillers' Peach Brandy Barrels. This beer will be available in Colorado before it hits Utah, but rest assured - it will be coming to Utah in a limited release. I'll let you know when that day gets close.

Skål!

Label found at Shipcomplient.com

Talisman Brewing is Making Beer

Around here when a brewery adds yeast to wort for the first time, it's officially new brewery time. That's exactly what has happened up in Ogden this week at Talisman Brewing Company. The first beer currently churning away in the fermenters is Talisman's Uplifted Scotish Ale. It's Talisman's only 4% beer that will be offered.
This and other new beers will be flowing our way sometime in March along with beers brewed in SLC at Proper Brewing Co. going on sale in just over two weeks!

Congrats to Talisman Brewing, Utah's newest brewery!

Just in case you're keeping score - the last time two breweries opened up in Utah within weeks of each other was back in 2010 when Epic Brewing and Shades of  Pale Brewing both went online just three weeks apart.

Of course we'll let you know when the beers go on sale.

Cheers!

RedRock Summer Ale

As the warm weather slowly approaches the crew at RedRock Brewing Company will be offering up a new limited release that's designed specifically for the summer heat. RedRock's Summer Ale is special Pale ale that will be brewed with tangerine and grapefruit peel.

The citrus peel will enhance the hops used that already have a similar natural bitterness. No release date has been announced yet. This beer will come in at 4% ABV and be packaged in RedRock's 500ml. bottles.

Prost!

An Irreverant IPA from Roosters Brewing Company

It looks like Roosters Brewing Company is amping-up it's counterculture game with the forthcoming release of their new Irreverent IPA. The label features two images of the Mormon religion's Angel Moroni, heralding a large angelic hop cone.

Roosters is no stranger to local counter culture kitsch, It was the first brewery in the state to use the "polygamy" branding on a local beer - Roosters' Polygamy Pale Ale. This new Session IPA will likely be hitting stores and bars in the next couple of months.

Look for an IPA full of Mosaic, Chinook and Zeus hops that will impart notes of mango, lemon and pine.It will be packed in Roosters' 500ml. bottles.

Today is also President's Day in the U.S. Many of you may not know that Presedente Numero Uno, George Washington was a homebrewer (who wasn't back then) besides being a lover of the suds he was also a strong advocate for American made suds. In 1789, Washington presented his “buy American” policy, stating that he would only drink beer brewed in the US. It didn't hurt that the pipeline of British ales was all but plugged up due to the end of the Revolutionary war. A great policy, that holds true today.

Cheers!

Image Provided by Shipcomplient.com

RedRock Franconian Rauchbier

Fans of Smoked lagers rejoice! RedRock Brewing Company is looking to bring a little bit of Bamburg, Germany to your fridge and favorite watering hole.

The Franconian Rauchbier will be a classic take on the German style Rauchbiers (Smoke Beer). Rauchbiers are typically dark in color and are similar to Oktoberfestbiers in sweetness. This beer will be made with birch wood smoked malts, that will give the lager a toasted grain and bacon like aroma. Imagine a smokiness so robust, so assertive, that it takes on the caracter of barbecue.

The Franconian will come in at 5.7% ABV and will be packaged in RedRock's German inspired 500ml bottles. We'll spread the word as it's release date draws near.

Prost!

Label found at Shipcompient.com

Talisman Beer Preview

A happy Monday to you all! This morning I was able to obtain the some of the labels for the upcoming beers from Ogden's (soon to be online) Talisman Brewing Company. The labels hold true to the brewery's Celtic themes, with names and images that reflect the history of the Emerald Island as well as our own local roots.

These initial offerings will all be "high point" beers with varying ABVs

Iron Age Oatmeal Stout (pictured above) will be a stout full of rich cocoa flavor with the added  silkiness from oats.

 Bel's Fury is a Red Ale that will shine with sweet fruity malts and a to be determined hop bill.

 Promontory Pale Ale will be a tradition American Style pale ale full of caramel, pine and citrus

 The Kreation Krystalweizen will be a filtered Wheat ale full of banana and clove esters

The Dagda will be a standard America IPA

Slainte!

Images Provided by Shipcompient.com

New Beer Friday 2/5/16

There are so many tasty option out there today, you'll never have time to work them in. I'm sure some of you will try.

Payette Apres Extra Pale Ale - Not tried this yet. It's described as having an orange/amber color with flavors or caramel malts and heavy piney hops. This beer is brewed exclusively for Snowbasin Ski Resort. 4.0% ABV @ Snowbasin

Shades of Pale Publican Pale Ale - Not had a chance to try this big boy version of Shades of Pale's Publican. It's got an ABV of 6% and is only available at SOP's bottle shop.

Hopworks Urban Brewery Non Stop Hef Hop - Not really new, but this beer are now available at select grocery and convenience stores, so I thought it was worth a mention. This basically a White IPA. It has a dank piney/citrusy nose with a taste that follows. some doughy wheat is present beneath the hops. Light, hoppy and refreshing. 3.8% ABV @ Beer Bar - Grocery

Hopworks Urban Brewery Totally Radler - Looks like a witbier, smells like lemon rind and tastes lemony - but not too tart. If you're into radlers, you'll like this. The lemon isn't too crazy.  3.1% ABV @Grocery

Boulevard Tell-Tale Tart - Not tried this one yet. It's described as having subtle acidity with a soft, biscuity malt character, suggesting, rather than announcing its tartness. Beginning with a bracing sharpness at first sip, the ale mellows on the palate to a smooth and faintly lingering finish. 6.2% ABV @ DABC

Boulevard The Calling - This billed as Boulevard's most heavily hopped beer ever, bursting forth with unmistakable tropical fruit and pine hop aromas and flavor supported with a slightly sweet malt character, tapering to a crisp, dry finish. 8.5% ABV @ DABC

Sierra Nevada Tropical IPA - Clear golden color with a nice full head. The nose is full of citrus, mango and oranges with a toasty biscuit backbone. The taste is appropriatly bitter with a little bit of mango more orange and a little bit of lemon. This is damn delicious. 6.7% ABV @ Beer Bar

Laughing Dog 219 (two-one niner) Pilsner - Described as having a grainy aroma with some corn, color is light straw with brilliant clarity. Light malt notes are balanced with a very subtle Willamette hop presence. 4.8% ABV @ Slackwater

Laughing Dog The Dogfather - Described as being  one of the biggest brews Laughing Dog makes. Weighing in at a hefty 11% percent, the Dogfather has 7 malts and 4 different hops giving it a complex flavor profile of roasted malts, bourbon and dark fruits. @ Slackwater

Laughing Dog Alpha Dog - Described as true hop bomb brewed plenty of Columbus and Mt Hood hops for a piney hop character. Premium Pale, Honey and Munich malt make this beer a little less malty but packing plenty of hop punch. 8.5% ABV @ Slackwater

Be sure to join me today on the Freakshow with Mick and Allen on KBER 101 around 3:40pm as we dissect New Beer Friday's offerings further. 

Cheers!

New Vernal Releases Coming

Last week when we were discussing Vernal Brewing Company's new 50 Caliber IPA, we hinted that there would be more "high point" beers coming from the dinosaur country brewery. Today, we can confirm what those beers will be.

The first beer (pictured above) is She's a Peach - Peach Wheat Ale. I'd like to start off by saying, "nice use of the fruit in the silhouette"! . She's a Peach has been around as a 4% draft beer in the Vernal area since last summer. Now the peach ale is getting the full treatment - getting it's own packaging and wider distribution. She's a Peach has a huge peachy nose which continues throughout the taste. - there not much in the way of malt to it. If you like peach, you'll love this beer. The mouthfeel is quick and smooth.

The other beer is Not your Mama's Milk. We hinted that there might be an Imperial Stout looming. What I didn't know is that it would be an Imperial Milk Stout. So, what's the difference? Well - Milk stouts have enhanced sweetness and body, due the addition of  lactic (milk) sugars in the base beer. Lactic sugars are not fermentable, thus can add sweetness without adding to the alcohol content. Regular Imperial stouts have bolder char and roasted element and get their sweet flavors from the massive amounts of malt used.

This beer is expected to dial in at 8.5% ABV and will be packed in 12oz. cans. No word yet on an exact release date - I imagine you'll see one or both hitting shelve sometime in the next couple of month.

In other news, Barley's Angels, Shades of Pale and Millcreek Cacao Roasters are hosting a Mardi Gras - Fat Tuesday celebration Fat Tuesday is on February 9th. $20/person, which includes a Cajun Style dinner Gumbo, red beans and rice, and hush puppies. Beer and chocolate pairing and 1 glass of draft beer. There will be an open bar as well, so you may purchase additional beer and chocolate.

You need to purchase a ticket for entry and THEY ARE SELLING OUT. The Event will be held at the Shades of Pale brewery has a capacity of 50 which means this cannot be a "come-one, come-all" event. Don't miss your chance. The party goes from 7pm-10pm. Ticket info is here.

Cheers!

Labels found at Shipcompliant.com

Uinta 23rd Anniversary Birthday Suit

As the month of March approaches, Utah's beer drinkers begin to look forward to what has become a new tradition in the Uinta brewhouse. The annual Birthday Suit sour beers were Uinta's first foray into the world of sour ales. They've proven to be a good seller as Uinta has expanded their line to include more and more puckery beers.

This latest incarnation of Birthday Suit will be a 6.5% Raspberry Ale. It will come in Uinta's corked and caged 750ml bottles and should be available some time next month.

Local artist, Travis Bone who has designed all of the Birthday Suit labels (and many others) continues to provide the Birthday Suit's artwork.

Cheers!

Label provided by shipcomplient.com

Epic - Son of a Baptist (SOB)

Many of you have already tried some of Epic's Son of a Baptist (SOB) Coffee Stout via Epic's Thursday Growler program. Now the new stout has an official label and it will be packaging soon for your enjoyment.

Like Big Bad Baptist, Epic has contracted with various coffee roasters in the different markets that the beers are sold. There could be as many as five different versions of SOB floating around that reflect the local flavor of the cities they're sold in.

If you're a hard core beer geek and really need those unique beer check-ins, you'd better start making contact with your fellow geeks in Texas, California, Colorado, Washington and Utah to keep you whole. Stay close for the release date.

Cheers!

Image provided by Shimpcompliant.com

Fireman's Brew Coming to Utah

Fireman’s Brew, a Los Angeles-based craft beer company founded by two California firefighters, today announced a partnership with General Distributing, to distribute its award-winning beers throughout Utah. Fireman’s Brew handcrafted beers will be available at the Beehive State beer lovers’ favorite on-premise and limited off-premise locations.

“Our goal has always been to establish Fireman’s Brew as a national, household brand and we’ve been rapidly growing and expanding from coast-to-coast over the last few years,” explained Rob Nowaczyk, founder of Fireman’s Brew. “With the addition of Utah, we’re just one step closer to achieving our goal.”

General Distributing, the exclusive distributor of Anheuser-Busch (AB) products in Salt Lake County and parts of Davis County, will coordinate state-wide distribution for Fireman’s Brew with the help of the other AB distributors in the state.

“Fireman’s Brew is a compelling and authentic brand with their firefighter roots. They also offer phenomenal, award-winning craft beers,” said Andy Zweber, President General Distributing. “We’re thrilled to introduce Fireman’s Brew to Utah and look forward to helping them establish their popularity in this market.”

“General Distributing has a solid understanding of the craft beer marketplace in Utah and we’re confident that they will help Fireman’s Brew grow a loyal fan base in the state,” stated Roger Baer, Chief Executive Officer of Fireman’s Brew. “Utahn’s are going to love our collection of micro-brewed blonde, brunette and redhead beers created using only the finest all-natural ingredients.”
In Utah, Fireman’s Brew signature beers will be distributed in 12-ounce bottle six-packs:

• Fireman’s Brew: Blonde (Pilsner-style Lager; 5 percent ABV)
• Fireman’s Brew: Brunette (German-style Doublebock; 8 percent ABV)
• Fireman’s Brew: Redhead (Amber Ale; 5.5 percent ABV)

I don't think I've tried any of these beers. If you have? Share your thoughts please.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday - Great White North Edition

Welcome to New Beer Friday in the Great White North-ish. How's it going, eh? Elsinore Beer is still not available in Utah, but I have a few beers that'll do 'til the storied Canadian lager finds it way here.

Uinta Flamingose - This new beer from Uinta goes on sale today at the brewery starting at 11am. I've not tried it yet - look for a slight briny lemon tartness at its base with fruity pineapple accents along with coriander spiciness. 4.0% ABV @ Uinta Brewing

Payette Hoop and Stave #3 Whiskey Barrel Aged Imperial Rye - Not tried this one yet. Look for whiskey notes along with cherries, vanilla, toffee and brown sugar. 8.2% ABV @Beer Bar

Sierra Nevada Otra Vez - Another fruity Gose beer. Look for a sweet tangy blend of Prickly Pear and grapefruit combined with a tart Gose base beer. 4.5% ABV @Beerhive

In other beer news: Proper Brewing Company's brewhouse went online yesterday and the brewers cooked up a batch of  their Brumblin' Brown Belgian Table Beer.  Congrats on becoming Utah's newest brewery!

Slainte!

Epic Tart and Juicy & Uinta Flamingose

Epic's Sour IPA has proven to be a big hit. I have to admit I was skeptical that a hybrid Sour/IPA would find an audience in Utah but it's gone from a seasonal draft to a full time Production beer in record time.

Now Epic is expanding on top of that success by creating Tart 'n Juicy Sour IPA. It's similar to the Utah Session Sour IPA in that it's a kettle soured beer, but Tart n Juicy has a slightly different hop bill with an ABV of 4.5%. T&J will be produced in SLC and Denver and be packaged in 22oz. bottles and 12oz. cans. Utahans will get the bombers while the rest of the nation gets the cans.

Look for Tart n Juicy in Utah sometime this Spring.

Speaking of sour beers, Uinta Brewing is releasing Flamingose tomorrow (1/29/16). Flamingose is a tart and salty German style Gose beer made with pineapple and pays tribute to Utah's own "Pink Floyd" the Flamingo. If your not familiar with Floyd, he was Chilean Flamingo that freed himself from his home at SLC's Tracey Aviary in 1990. Floyd took up residence at the Great Salt Lake immediately and somehow thrived. He's called the briny lake home ever since. Floyd's current whereabouts are unknown.

A new beer and a story, what more do you need?

Cheers!

Labels courtesy: Shipcompliant.com

Vernal .50 Calibur IPA in Cans

Vernal Brewing Company's .50 Caliber IPA made a brief appearance via growlers to those of you living in the Vernal area late last year. The promise of it being packaged in cans has been on the horizon for months. Now, 50 Caliber is packaged and headed out to liquor stores. It's Vernal Brewing's first "high Point" offering and the buzz on it so far is quite good.

Look for more higher ABV selections to come out of Vernal as well. I'm hearing rumblings of an Imperial Stout possibly in the coming months. If you see 50 Cal hit stores before I do please share the "beer love".

Cheers!

Uinta Brewing’s Kevin Ely Resigns As Brewmaster

Uinta Brewing Company announced today that Kevin Ely is resigning from his role as Brewmaster to pursue life on his family’s Appalachian farm in Eastern Ohio.

“Brewing at Uinta has been a tremendous opportunity,” says Ely. “My nine years here have been filled with great experiences and learning, and my time as a member of the Uinta family has been fantastic.  I look forward to tasting the upcoming innovative new beers and appreciating the future successes of the Uinta team.”

“We fully support Kevin’s decision to begin a new chapter in Ohio,” says Steve Mills, CEO. “Kevin will always be a part of the Uinta clan, but taking this step was important to him and his family.  We discussed the timing of his decision, and Kevin felt it was right due to our fantastic brewing leadership and talent at Uinta. I agree with his assessment. It’s worth noting our Founder and original Brewmaster, Will Hamill, has been heavily involved with brewing operations since Uinta’s inception and will remain so moving forward. We will miss Kevin, but Uinta is in a great position to live our purpose—to responsibly craft beers that inspire today’s and tomorrow’s beer drinkers.”

Uinta Brewing Company is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and is a Top-50 craft brewery in the U.S. by volume, selling over 80,000 barrels of beer last year.  An extensive search to find Uinta’s next Brewmaster is currently underway.

Best of Luck, Kevin! Your knowledge and dedication has really help raised the bar, not only in Utah but around the world. You will be missed.

Prost!

Uinta Cucumber Farmhouse

Uinta Brewing has been unconscious as of late, adding a shload of new and inventive beers to their portfolio. The latest beer on the horizon is the Cucumber Farmhouse. Yes, this 6.2% beer is made with cucumber and if you haven't tried a cucumber infused beer? they can be quite refreshing - if done right. Another thing that will make this beer stand out is that it is also being aged in Beehive Distillery's Barrel Reserve Gin. This should make for light, yet complex Farmhouse Ale.

It's not due out for a while as it's currently aging. Of course, I'll pop it up as soon as it hit's Uinta's bottle shop.

Prost!

Label provided by Shipcompliant.com

New Beer Friday 1/22/16

It was a busy week with all the new brewery talk. Now it's time to decompress with pant loads of new beers. You can't go wrong this week!

Uinta Farmhouse Saison - The nose has orange peel, pepper, clove, and Chardonay grapes with a Brett like funk. The taste tends to follow. Upfront you taste Belgian yeast with good notes of black peppers, clove, and a funky taste that is akin to Brett. Chardonay grapes shine throughout giving it a nice tart vinious taste. Also some notes of pear, apple and orange zest. Hops are very subtle. If your a saison fan, you'll love this. 5.6% ABV @ Uinta Brewing 

Uinta Cutthroat+ - This version of Cutthroat pale ale (called Cutthroat "plus") is made with cocoa nibs, orange peel and cayenne pepper. Sadly I've not tried it yet. Please share your thoughts! Only available in Utah. 4.0% ABV. @Uinta Brewing

Bohemian Bremish White - Not tried this yet. Described as incredibly smooth and drinkable. Orange and lemon citrus in the nose . Smooth malt and a wee bit of lacto. (thanks Zach Bells) 4.0% ABV @ Bohemian

Heretic Brewing Shallow Grave - This porter is described as a big, dark ale with a complex and rich chocolate and caramel malt character followed by a touch of warmth and light malt sweetness, leaving you ready for more. 7.0% ABV

Heretic Brewing Evil Twin - This blood-red ale is described as a malty and hoppy craft beer. Evil Twin has a rich malt character, without being overly sweet. It has a huge hop character, without being overly bitter. It is a great example of a bold, rich, balanced craft beer, without being heavy and hard to drink in quantity. 6.8% ABV   

Heretic Brewing Evil Cousin - Heretic's take on a West coast imperial IPA is described as a bold, in-your-face hop monster. It has a light, easy drinking malt character that allows the hops to stand out. The hop character in this beer is intentionally on the dank side; big, sticky, and aggressive. This beer is for those of you who can't get enough hops. 8.0% ABV

Heretic Brewing Chocolate Hazelnut Porter (CHP) - Is described as dessert in a glass. It is a rich, robust porter bursting with luscious chocolate and hazelnut. Notes of coffee and caramel round out this delicious treat. 7.0% ABV

Heretic Brewing Torment - This 10% Belgian-style dark ale is described as a rich beer with lots of caramel, malt, dark fruit, and Belgian candi sugar notes. The luscious fruity character is full of caramel apples, candied pears, and chocolate covered oranges. Torment is the dark counterpart to Heretic's Worry Belgian Golden Ale.

New Belgium Blackberry Barleywine -  Pours a ruby color with golden highlights. The nose has a mild combo of caramel, malt and berries. Sugary malt up front with a lot of berry syrup. Some boozy clove and oak flavors round it out towards the end. Finishes cloyingly sweet. This beer lacks balance. English barleywines are sweet as it is - the berry fruitiness just turns this beer into "diabetes in a glass". Too sweet for my wussy palate. 10.0% ABV

Augustiner Bräu Maximator - Ruby/brown in color with a nose of caramelized sugar, pumpernickel and allspice.. The taste starts with caramel, dark cake and toasted malt. Next comes a bit of vine fruitiness. More toast and oak in the end - slightly warming. Complex and sweet not at all like the Blackberry Barleywine. 7.5% ABV

Laughing Dog De Acheste Hond - Pours a golden amber color. with a peachy nose with a hint of tart strawberry. The taste is mildly tart with some peach and more strawberry. The tartness has a yogurt like sour profile. The end has some tangy citrus flavors. There's an odd flavor in here that I'm having trouble identifying. It's not offensive, but it takes me away from the enjoyment of the beer. 7.0% ABV @Bayou

Samuel Adams Winter Snap - Described as an unfiltered White Ale with smooth wheat with the bright snap of spring spices. From the subtle sweetness of orange peel and plum to the peppery bite of fresh ground coriander, the blend of spices creates just the right refreshing kick to signal that spring is on its way. 5.3% ABV @DABC

Pelican Saison Du Pelican -  The nose is strong with musty yeasty pear and apple. The taste is somewhat herbal and phenolic with some peppery notes. A bit of lemony tartness comes through in the end. The finish is herbal and dry. Alcohol is noticeable. 6.0% ABV @Bayou

Cheers!

Proper Brewing Co. Preview

Since we've been on a bit of a new brewery kick lately, I thought you guys would like to see what's coming from some of these new brew houses. The girls and boys over at Proper Brewing Co. were nice enough to share their entire debut line-up with us so that we can get to know some of the new and familiar beers that Owner/Brewmaster Rio Connolly has in-store for the coming months.

All of the labels say 4.0% ABV. This is not necessarily the case - some beers will have a higher gravity, we won't know the exact ABV on some of these until they're for sale.

Look for some of these beers to start popping up sometime in March 2016. We'll update you on the what and when in a month or so.

 

 Cheers!

Strap Tank Brewing Company

If you thought I was happy little beer gnerd yesterday while debuting Kiitos Brewing to the world - how do you think I feel today doing another new Utah brewery announcement? Well, I'm feeling a lot like an ice cream shop owner on Conference weekend. Not only is there a new contender in the Utah Craft beer game -It looks like there will be a whole other race to see who will be Utah County's first brewery - since the start of Prohibition.

Now, we've been reporting on our friends in Provo from Maple Mountain Brewing Co. since 2014 - the boys are still on track for a 2016 opening, but a new entry into the "Happy Valley" beer game has emerged and is looking to jump into the lead.

Strap Tank Brewing Co. is the brainchild of owner Rick Salisbury. Rick has made his name as a home builder and is also the owner of Salisbury Homes in Utah. This leg-up in the building industry will be of great benefit as he is building, from ground up - what looks to be an amazing Brewery and Restaurant in Springville, Utah. Strap Tank (the rarest of all Harley Davidson motorcycles) will be located across the street from the Indian Motorcycle shop that Rick also owns and will opening sometime in the first half of 2016.

They will be brewing handcrafted, quality ales and lagers on a 10bbl Specific Mechanical system. The menu will be a classic brewpub menu, highlighting locally sourced ingredients. The brewery will be located at 1715 n. 500 w. in Springville, UT.

Jennifer Talley of Squatters Brew Pub fame has been hired on as a consultant for Strap Tank. Jen was an integral part of SLC's craft beer scene in the 90's and 2000's. Jen is currently (and happily) employed as the head of Brewery Development for Auburn Alehouse and living in Grass Valley, CA. If you have the skills, Jen is looking for a Head Brewer to run the brewhouse at  Strap Tank. Any one who is interested can email Jen directly at jtalley@xmission.com or see her recently re-posted ad on Probrewer.

For scoring purposes - we now have Talisman, Proper and Kiitos breweries coming on-line in the next month or so. Now we have Strap Tank a month or two after those and Maple Mountain later this year. That's a lot of new 2016 beers my friends. Chime in, will ya?

Prost!

Kiitos Brewing Company

Kiitos - Pronounced "Kee-Tose" is Finnish for "Thank You".

I love new brewery announcement day. It's like I'm Vishnu, and I'm in one of those cash tornado machines - flailing and grabbing cash. It's like I can't loose! You should probably take a moment and absorb that image... Anyhow, I have the pleasure to announce Salt Lake City newest brewery - Kiitos Brewing Company. Kiitos is the state's newest entry into Utah's craft beer scene and is the long time dream of founder and Utah native Andrew Dasenbrock. Their Head Brewer, Adam Bulson, while originally from Michigan has spent the last ten years at various great breweries in mountain towns throughout the United States.

Kiitos will start with a capacity to produce about 7000 barrels per year and will launch with five varieties of ales in 16 ounce cans, and will then introduce additional ales, lagers, and unique brews as time goes on. In short the specially designed brew system that Andrew is currently installing will allow their brewers to produce high quality recipes using much less water and fewer inputs. This will help the brewery keep their environmental footprint lower than most craft breweries in the nation and world. This system will also allow Kiitos to produce highly unique beers that standard systems would choke on, like completely gluten-free sorghum beers, or 100% wheat ales.

Another of Kiitos' primary goals is to become the greenest brewery possible, and not just in their brew-house. They will strive for a low impact philosophy by only packaging in cans to avoid using excessive amounts of energy consumed while transporting the extra weight of glass. Cans are also highly recyclable, and great for taking camping, hiking, or on any other outdoor adventures. The brewery will also offset all of their electrical use with wind credits, and regularly invest in improving and increasing the energy efficiency of the brewery.

Kiitos Brewing is located at 608 w. 700 s. in Salt Lake City. They hope to start brewing by February/March 2016. And just in case your keeping score, Proper Brewing Company and Talisman Brewing in Ogden both have similar timelines. 

Pretty cool endeavor, eh? Kiitos looks to be a great addition to Utah's exploding craft beer scene. Congrats to Andrew and his team!

Skol!

Heretic Beers Are Here

I believe it was October of 2014 when we broke the news that Heretic Brewing Co. out of Fairfield, California were bound for Utah. I knew it would take a while but fifteen months later they are finally here. As with all new product entries into our market the better beer bars in town get them first. This is to gauge what labels the patrons are most interested in. It will be a few weeks before you'll start seeing them in liquor stores. They are apparently already in some DABC stores! thanks, Edmanster!

If you can't wait that long, The Beer Bar and BeerHive have them right now. The following beers may not be available at both locations. I suggest looking to their social media accounts for their selections. Are there any labels I missed?

Heretic Shallow Grave - An American Porter
Heretic Evil Twin American Red Ale
Heretic Evil Cousin - West Coast Style IPA
Heretic Chocolate Hazelnut Porter - Duh
Heretic Tomrment - Dark Belgian Style

Drink 'em up and enjoy them fresh. If you want them to stick around? That's up to you.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 1/15/16

Uinta Biere de Mars -  This French-style spring ale combines toasted malt character with a floral hop aroma. Aged in chardonnay barrels, Uinta's Biere de Mars boasts a flavorful earthiness and unique complexity. 7.2% ABV - Available tomorrow (1/16/16) @ Uinta Brewing

New Belgium Side Trip - Described as having a crystal clear golden color with a nose of banana and tree fruits. The taste has lemon, clove, banana esters, fruits, yeast, and honey-based malts. Think of it as a low abv Belgian Tripel. 6.0% ABV @ select DABC and better beer bars.

Shades of Pale Beer X Espresso Stout - Coffee flavors exploded and overtake the palate. There's a light roasted malt flavor among the coffee flavors and a high amount of bitterness in the end. The finish was semi-dry. Nice coffee stout. 5.0% ABV @ Shades of Pale Brewing
 
2 Row Random #3 Red Rye - Described as having citrus and pine in the nose. The taste follows with a semi dry malt sweetness and more citrus peel and pine. The rye comes through in the end adding a nice spiciness. 8.5% ABV @ 2 Row's bottle shop and better beer bars

Avenues Proper Beer on Weck - This is a brand-new Gose is described as having notes of caraway and rye. A little less sour than AP's Gose the Gozerian, with slight earthiness from the rye and just the right amount of lingering caraway. 4.0% ABV @ Avenues Proper

Epic Son of a Baptist (SOB) - The nose is full of coffee, dark chocolate and molasses.  The flavor is bittersweet dark chocolate with lots of roast, coffee and toffee. There's a bit of ash in the finish. I had this on nitro so sweetness may seem higher than the CO2 version. 8.2% ABV. @ Epic Brewing in limited growers.

Hopworks IPX Simcoe - Pours a nice, bright medium copper color. The nose is all simcoe, full of citrus and pine. You get a punch of bitterness with a slight amount of malt. A real nice single hop IPA . 6.0% ABV. @ Beer Bar, BeerHive 

Utah Brewers Cooperative/Oskar Blues ~ Banana and clove in the nose with a bit of apple and ginger. The taste follows with a more pronounced yeast spiciness. This a collaboration beer made with Oskar Blues in Salt Lake City. 4.0% ABV. @ all Squatters/Wasatch/UBC locations.

Oskar Blues OB IPA - Light golden color. The nose has a fresh pineapples and tangerines aroma. The taste is full of citrus and tropical hops, a fairly dry maltiness. Great IPA. @ Slackwater

Also this week: Epic's Utah Session Series hits Harmon's downtown locations as well as Whole Foods at Trolley Square. 

Cheers!

Uinta Tangerine Hop Nosh

Building on the success of Citrusy enhanced IPAs like Ballast Point's Grapefruit Sculpin - Uinta Brewing has announced that they are coming out with a tangerine enhanced version of their Hop Nosh IPA. This 7.3% ABV beer called Hop Nosh Tangerine will be coming soon in 12oz bottles and cans.

In other Uinta news - Ready Set Gose is getting it's own packaging and is now for sale at the brewery. The sour and briny German style beer has been on tap handles around the Wasatch Front since last summer. Now you can take it home with you! It should be popping up in grocery and convenience stores in the next week or so.

Cheers!

Hop Nosh Tangerine image provided by Shipcompliant.com

Oskar Blues/Wasatch/Squatters Collaboration Beer

Now that Oskar Blues has enter the Utah market the Colorado brewery is looking to challenge the taste buds of Utahans with a new collaborative beer made with their cousins over at the Utah Brewers Cooperative.

Oskar Blues along with Wasatch and Squatters is set to release a new session beer called Utah Blues. The brew boasts a malt base with slight caramel malt profile, apple juice, ginger root, mosaic hops and fermented with a Weiss yeast. The innovators behind this new style, including Oskar Blues' head brewer Tim Matthews and 18 year Squatters veteran and Head Brewmaster Jon Lee, are calling it an Apple Ginger Hopfenweiss.

The brew will be available at the Utah Brewers Cooperative, Wasatch Brew Pubs (Park City and Sugarhouse), Squatters Salt Lake City Pub, and Texas Roadhouse (Taylorsville). Stay close for the actual release date.

Also start looking for Oskar Blues Beerito Vienna Lager on draft at select craft beer bars around the Wasatch Front and Back. if you'd like to get familiar with or re-antiquated with Oskar Blues and their initial Utah line-up feel free to stop by one of these pubs beginning tomorrow. 

January 7, 5-8 PM - Poplar Street Pub (242 200 W.)

January 8, 5-7 PM - The Green Pig Pub (31 E. 400 S.) 

January 9, 5-7 PM - Beer Bar (161 E. 200 S.)

Cheers!

New Beer Year Friday!

Yea, the first day of 2016 just happens to be New Beer Friday! To ring in the new year there is a great new selection of classic styles that are fresh and ready to go. Happy New Year!

Oskar Blues Beerito - Haven't Tried this new Vienna Lager Yet. 4.0% ABV @Limited Grocery stores for now.

Oskar Blues Pinner - Pours a chazy golden color with a cap of nice foam. The nose is piney and floral. The taste has nice tropical fruit and grapefruit with a subtle malt foundation that doesn't get in the way. Finishes very piney and bitter. A great session IPA. 4.9% ABV @Beer Bar

Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale - Pours an amber color with a sturdy white foamy head. The nose  has citrus peel pine and some malty metallic aroma. Tastes of bright grapefruit hops balanced with honeyish malt. Mouthfeel incredibly smooth and pleasant. A great, accessible pale ale. 6.5% ABV @Beer Bar

Oskar Blues G'knight - Pours an amber red with a thick head that lingers. The nose is subtle with malt and some citrus. The taste is great with notes of orange peel and lemon as well as caramel from the malt, and a bit of grapefruit pine from the hops. Complex yet with a style behind it. Damn tasty! 8.7% ABV @Beer Bar

Oskar Blues Old Chub - The nose is roasty malt with coffee and a bit of molasses. The taste is like the aroma but more pronounced, resulting in a very deep and rich flavor. There is no hops presence. The carbonation was perfect as was the full/medium body. 8.0% ABV @Beer Bar

Oskar Blues Mama's Little Yella Pils - Pours a straw yellow with a little foamy head The nose has sweet malt with a light grassy aroma The taste starts out with a clean grassy bite with large sweet malt balance, light hint of lemon zest in the finish. 5.3% ABV @Beer Bar

Santa Fe Gold American Golden Ale - I haven't tried this yet. described as cracker base with floral and lemony hops. 4.0% ABV @Grocery/Convenience stores

Full Sail Pub's Powder Stash Pale Ale - Haven't tried this one yet either. Described as a Simcoe based Pale Ale. 5.0% ABV @DABC

Wasatch Rescue Dog Brown - The nose is nutty with toasty caramel and herbal hops. The taste follows with toasty biscuit and mild caramel, some dark breads and piney hops in the end. wet. Semi-dry finish. 4.0% ABV @Wasatch - Seasonal Tap Handels.

Cheers!