Squatters Goes Wild!

Let's talk wild ales, shall we? If your not familar, these beers are introduced to "wild" yeast or bacteria, such as: Brettanomyces , Pediococcus or Lactobacillus.

This introduction may occur from oak barrels that have been previously inoculated, pitched into the beer, or gained from various "sour mash" techniques. Regardless of which and how, these little creatures often leave a funky calling card that can be quite strange, interesting, pleasing to many.

Often sourness in beer is viewed upon as a major flaw in a beer and is usually a sign of poor sterilization or unintended infection. But in some beers that are intentionally made this way they can be true art in a bottle. It's not easy to make a beer so bad it's brilliant.

We are very lucky here in Utah to have two such exquisitely done wild/sour beers made annually and we have Squatters' own Jenny Talley to thank. Jenny's obsession with wild bugs in beer has produced two world class, highly sought after beers. Squatters Fifth Element and Squatters 529.

Normally these two beers are released at different times of the year. 2011 will see them both hit Squatters and their bottleshop on June 1st.

Fifth Element Pours a cloudy apricot/straw color with a fizzy white head that reduced to a thin froth. The nose has a bit a of barnyard funkiness to it with hints of lemon. The tastes starts with light citrus notes then transitions into tart green apples, peach and white pepper. Next comes a dry oakiness that compliments the tartness well. The finish is a combination a champagne like dryness and bitter florals.

529 Poured a deeper amberish color with a small sized off white head. The nose is of of cherries, dust and some spiciness. The taste starts with notes of cherry tartness, caramel and brown sugar. Tobacco notes come next as well as lemon peel and sour grapes. The finish is tart, woody and dry.

Squatters has added a sticker on the Fifth Element bottles now so you know when it was released and they also changed the color scheme on the 529 label to indicate 2nd Vintage.

Don't be shy about trying these beers, they're a great local gateway to help get your funk-on.

Cheers!

Lions, Tigers & Beers? Oh My!

Last summer the Hogle Zoo opened up it's gates for an adult only event that paired Great local craft beer, fine cuisine and exotic animals.

It was a big hit. It was so successful, that the Zoo is doing it again this year and they've added an extra evening as well.

Different from last year, Zoo Pub will offer theme nights that spotlight specific breweries. On Wednesday, August 10th Epic Brewing will be pouring Smoked and Oaked - Spiral Jetty IPA (Full Glass) - Red Ale - Brainless on Peaches - Galloway Porter - Capt'n Crompton's - Pfeifferhorn Lager and 825 State Stout.

Epic Brewmaster Kevin Crompton will be on hand to answer your beer relathttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifed questions and Zoo volunteers ahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifnd keepers will also be around to answer your zoo related questions. Special appetizers, will be provided by the Zoo's head chef.

On Wednesday, August 24th Squatters Brewpub takes over the Zoo. Same as the previous event. Squatters' beer and their experts will be on hand to provide samples and answer questions. Beers for this event are yet to be determined.

Must be 21 or older, with ID, to attend both events. Tickets include food, a tasting of 8 beers, one full glass of beer, and Zoo admission. Must be 21 or older, with ID, to attend. Tickets must be purchased in advance online or by calling the Zoo's guest services at 801-584-1769.

Cheers!

There's No Beer in Heaven?

Tomorrow if all goes as divinely planned most of you will be sucked up into the sky to begin your new lives as wide-eyed, cloud-sitting harpists.

A few of us will not be going. I have it on good authority that there is no beer in heaven. As per the the prophetic lyrics of Ernst Neubach. Ernst wrote, "In heaven there is no beer. That's why we drink it here (Right Here!) When we're gone from here, all our friends will be drinking all our beer"!

Fuck that! I'm not going. Mrs. Mikey is sitting on stash of Russian River sours that need to be "biblicly molested" by one obstinate beer gnerd and apparently being raptured isn't good enough reason for "the Boss" to pop the goddamn corks!

Anyway... if your "head'n up to the spirit in the sky", I call first dibs on all abandon beer cellars. Tough shit, Dougie, Ed, Dal, Bonnie, Eric, Kent, Tiff, Geoff, Mike, Ricky, Craig, Jamie, Jared, Thy, Dave, Mark and all you other Rapture shitters. I called dibs first! Same damn rules as shotgun...

Once the "saved" are gone, I propose we have a Kegger at Senator Valentine's place. Trust me, he's not going anywhere, plus that poor mislead bastard is gunna need a beer. I don't know Where he lives, but he'll be the only one in Orem with booby glitter on his face. So look for that.

By the way, be sure and saves all the kegs. We'll need them for the coming Zombie Apocalypse. More info to come.

By the way, Mark has a few Cantillons at the Bayou.

Cheers!

Hop Syndrome

Before Epic Brewing had even set up shop they were promising that craft beer lovers would get some crazy - out of the box - extraordinary beers from their Exponential series.

And they've delivered. Their peach and cherry infused Belgian style triples come to mind. Now Epic is preparing to blow your minds with their next style bending beer.

The latest in the Exponential Series is a lager that has got caught up in the American hop craze. Hop Syndrome is a new lager that uses all Wyermann German Pilsner malt and true lager yeast. In the boil Calypso hops are used up front and at end of boil Crystal hops.

Calypso is a nice, Simcoe-esqe, high alpha hop and Crystal is an American derivation of Hallertuar (think Sierra Nevada). These hops provide a pleasant bitterness on the back of the tongue with some nice grass and citrus notes.

The beer will also be dry hopped with just a little Crystal and Calypso so that the nose shines more than in a standard lager.

The first production batch is being dry hopped this week and will be ready for bottles in about two more weeks. I'm really geeked to try this one.

Cheers!

2011 Snowbird Brewfest

If you thought that we were done with beer festival info, then my guess is you've been spending more time under your bed than Osama Bin Laden's porn collection.

The 2011 Snowbird Brewfest will feature a dozen of Utah finest local breweries including Bohemian, Desert Edge, Red Rocks Brewing, Uinta, Hoppers, Ruby River, Moab, Wasatch, Squatters, Roosters, Four +, Park City, Shades of Pale and Epic Brewing.

The breweries will be pouring two to three different beers, plus food music and other vendor's will be on hand. $1 per 3 ounce sample (prices vary for beer above 4.0%)

Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19, 2011 is the date for one of the most picturesque beerfests around. This as usual takes place on Father's Day weekend. So prove to the old man that you still love him. He did raise you for Christ's sake... and even if he didn't, at the very least - let him know you appreciate the fact that he still let's you pretend that your that Ninja drifter wannabe you still obsess over and crash in his basement. More info to come.

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!

New Beers from Mikkeller

Thanks for hanging in there y'all. This is the the slowest it's been here at Utah Beer for a couple of years. There's Just not a lot of local beer news happening right now.

I could throw a lot of national and international stuff your way, but let's face it. If it doesn't affect you, should I waist your time with it?

What I have for today does affect you if you live around the Wasatch Front. Two hard to get beers made their way to the Bayou, they sound fantastic.

"Better late than never", I say that a lot and it's true. We often get seasonal beers a little late for the Holiday they're meant to coincide with. This first beer is was meant for Easter, it will also work for the odd Wednesday in May.

Mikkeller Funky (e)★ [fung’ke e’st r] (Funky Easter). This is a wild fermented Belgian ale similar to Mikkeller's beer "It's Alive".

Compared to the It's Alive, the Funky e*star is higher in alcohol and fuller in body. If you are a fan of the wild ales then this one should be right up your back door. The Bayou only received 72 bottles, enough said.

I've had Mikkeller's Beer Geek Breakfast and Beer Geek Brunch and they are both exquisite, so I have high hopes for Rauch Geek Breakfast (also known as Mikkeller Beer Geek Bacon). This beer is brewed using the same recipe as their Beer Geek Breakfast Stout but with all the base malt replaced with smoked malt (Rauch).

The flavor is dominated by smoke, as a well as some coffee and chocolate. Many people shy away from smoked beers. This super full bodied beer is likely not for the timid.

Only 4 pallets of this beer came into the US so we are quite lucky that Mark got his nerdy little beer paws the minuscule 5 cases he got.

Cheers!

Un Gotero Panty de una Cerveza!

Happy Cinco de Mayo! If you plan on celebrating or not, Squatters' newest edition in their Small Batch Series is available today. Pequeño Imperial is a Super Sized (in more ways than one) somewhat tradition Mexican style lager.

I haven't tried it yet, but sources close to the brewpub call this one "a real panty dropper". My innocent mind doesn't know what such a thing could mean. But me thinks I'm gunna like it!

Out of the Bottle Shop for $5 and at the table for $9.95. with an ABV of 6.5%.

Salude!

2011 City Weekly Utah Beer Festival

Utah's beer lovers got a "wee bit of the shaft" during this years legislative session when Senator John Valentine saw fit to change poorly written beer laws to comply with his anti-normal, soul-saving views.

The change I refer to was the short lived, one price gets unlimited 3 oz samples admission in beer festivals. The first and last time it was tried was during the inaugural 2010 City weekly Utah Beer festival.

Just because the one ticket system is gone, doesn't mean there can't be a beer fest. There have been beer fest going on in Utah since the early/mid 90's. We're just going to have to go back to the old token system.

Anyway, The City weekly is going to try the beer fest again this year. Last year, they got a lot of flack for "lack of planning". I think those comments were slightly harsh. Considering they'd never tried putting on a beer fest before. I'm confident that the CW kids learned what did and didn't work and are implementing those changes.

The date is Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011 and will likely take place again at Washington Square (the Salt Lake City & County Building). At this years fest look for 3 oz samples of over 40 of Utah's award winning brews, including full strength brew varieties. As the event gets closer, we'll update all info.

What changes would you like like to see implemented for this year's fest?

Cheers!

Altus Altbier

If you've ever spent much time at the Bohemian Brewery, you know that their focus is on four lagers done very well.

It's always a treat when Bohemian comes out with a new beer. They don't come around as often as most, and when they do their quite different than many in the market.

One of those "different" beers is available today, and I'm happy to say it's one of my favorite styles with a twist.

Altus is an Altbier. Alts are different in the sence that it's an Ale, that's also Lagered after fermentation. This leads to a cleaner, crisper beer than is the norm for some other top-fermented beers such as Pale Ales.

Altus is available right now at the Bohemian Brewery in Midvale.

Cheers!

Privatizing Liquor Store is an Option?

What would you rather have, a privately run liquor state liquor store that will tack-on upwards of 30% more for your beer wine & liquor - or the current state run liquor system?

Some lawmakers are actually considering these options to save money. The proposal in question aims at getting Utah out of the business of running liquor stores. Instead, the state would control the supply of liquor at the warehouse level, but it would essentially franchise the retail liquor sales to private operators.

Now that all sounds fine and dandy until you realize that these proposed store operators are going to have to make a buck just like any other small business owner.

Utah currently imposes an 86 percent markup on liquor and wine. The state could continue to take that markup — which would mean an increase in retail price — or, with the reduced overhead from not running stores, could shrink the markup, maintain profits and let franchises keep a portion of the sales.

Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden, who presented his proposal to the state's privatization board Wednesday, said he is uncomfortable with the state profiting from liquor sales at all, but it is impractical to think the state would give up control over the distribution.

And I think that's the rub. Unless Utah is 100% committed to getting out of the liquor business, Utah's consumers will continue to get screwed both in price and availability.

What do you think, is this a practical idea? Is it worth it paying more for your beer in exchange for a privately leased liquor store?

3rd Annual Evanston Brew Fest

If Pioneer Day is not your thing and "Beer and Pie Day" festivities are too small, I have a great alternative for you.

The 3rd Annual Evanston Brew Fest is happening on Pioneer Day Weekend and will offer Utah's counter culture victims an opportunity to celebrate our own brand of Pioneers; Craft Brewers.

This is a great town to hold a beerfest. It's proximity to the Wasatch Front provides a quick & easy drive, the city has plenty of lodging, the town is full of bars and most importantly it doesn't have Utah's bullshit beer restrictions. You could actually get a high abv Utah beer on tap! Wahoo! Not to mention other great regional craft beers to sample. We'll keep you up to date on all the particulars, who's going to be pouring etc, but for now just mark Saturday, July 23, 2011 on your calendar.

The Fest runs from 1:00 pm until 10:00 PM on Main Street in Downtown Evanston. Microbrews from 1:00 - 6:00 pm and then street party until 10:00 PM!

Cheers!

Bad Business and Politics in Utah

Who the Hell is running this state? I just don't get it!

Just in case you've missed it thus far, the state legislature had directed the very profitable Department of Alcohol Beverage Control to cut $2.2 million from their annual budget. The DABC found the only way to comply was to shut down a dozen liquor stores across the state and cut the remaining store's hours.

Then came the public outrage. Suddenly these lawmakers, who couldn't give one tenth of one shit about these liquor stores closing were suddenly outraged that the DABC couldn't come up with a better way to cut the money.

Now, with two days to go before the recommended liquor stores are to shut their doors comes new word that House and Senate leaders may be willing to sign off on a one-time $1.4 million appropriation to keep the stores in business – at least until next February.

So let me get this straight... four months ago they (DABC) were forced to cut $2.2 million and now they get a gift of $1.4 million from the very people that took the money away in the first place.

Now I ain'ts the most educated of folk, but my "cifer'n" skills show that to be an actual budget cut of $800,000. On April 5th of this year Senator Mike Wadupps said, "They're not being treated different than any of the other agencies of government, but they're asking for a different treatment. They're not the favored stepchild,"

Well, Mike. Apparently they do need to be treated differently, These aren't children who throw tantrums because they're not being treated fairly. They're department who are supposed to not whine and do as their told. Right?

This beast (DABC) that the state has created has to be run like a business not a department in some kind of neo-prohibitionist religious organization. You don't penalize arms of your business for making you/us a shit-load of money.

Senate President Michael Waddoups told FOX 13 News Monday afternoon he will “absolutely” sign off on the $1.4 million appropriation. If the stores are saved the DABC will not have to layoff the employees that currently work at the stores.

Keep your eyes on these legislative douche-bags. I guarantee this will come around again in 2012, and their going to try to pull the same ol' shit that didn't work-out so well this year. In the name of over-consumption of course....

A New "Direction" for Uinta

I've been suck'n down Uinta beers for most of my adult life. There was always something comforting about seeing their trademark bottle cap logo. Simple and to the point, Like Tabasco. I see it, I recognize it, I know what to expect. Now Uinta has introduced a new logo to complement the same ol' beer we've known for so long and I'm a little sad.

The new logo; as you can see is a symbol that closely represents the meaning behind the name “Uinta”. The logo depicts a mountain range circumscribed by a compass dial highlighting the East and West coordinates. If your familiar with the Uinta Mountain range at all, you know it's unique because it's the only major East-West running mountain range in the continental United States.

The Compass is a tool which represents Uinta Brewing in several ways. The Uinta family prides itself on its sense of direction and focus on brewing quality, consistent beers.

I get it. As Uinta expands their brand across the U.S., they need to let people know who they are and where they/we come from in a simple way. And that's smart. People in Georgia can barely pronounce Uinta (you-in-tah) let alone know it's meaning.

After eighteen years worth of brand-identity it's going to take a little while for the new images to make their way into the market. Change sucks. I know after time I'll get used to the new logo, maybe a Cutthroat will help. What do you think of it?

Cheers!

2011 Beehive Brew Off

-Link to winners list-
It's competition time! The date for the 2011 Beehive Brew-Off has been announced. August 20-21 will be the judging days with awards being given out on the 21st.

Entries will be accepted August 1-15. One entry consists of three (3) bottles. To assure the anonymity of brewer, bottles must be standardized to the current AHA competition requirements: 12 oz bottles with no paper or inked labels, raised glass brand-name designs or any identifying or distinguishing marks on the bottle or cap identifying the brewer. Be sure that you enter your beer into the proper style category. Styles accepted include all styles listed in 2008 AHA Category Descriptions. Entries become property of The Beer Nut and will not be returned.

The Beehive Brew-Off is open to all recognized beer categories. The 2008 edition of the BJCP Style Guidelines will be used to judge entries. It is the brewer's responsibility to determine the correct category/subcategory to enter their beers, and to provide additional information where required. Depending on the number of entries and category distribution, categories and subcategories may be combined or separated for judging and awards purposes. These judging table breakdowns will
not be available prior to the competition and will be determined by the
competition committee once all the entries have been processed. Five bucks per entry. Entries will be received at

The Beer Nut
1200 South State St.
Salt Lake City, Utah
84111

Please contact The Beer Nut for any questions at (801) 531-8182 or jamie@beernut.com.

Some of this info could change, so keep checking back here or check the Forum.

Cheers!

The 2nd Annual Festival of Flavors

Southern Utah's best excuse to get up into the mountains and sample local beer, wine and spirits, is a go!

The 2nd Annual Festival of Flavors will be held once again at Brian Head Resort and will be hosted by the Grand Lodge and Cedar Breaks Lodge.

The festival will feature beer and wine from many of Utah's breweries and wineries, possibly even Utah's two newest wineries, Hive and Kiler Grove.

Food, music and lodging will also be available.

Festival of Flavors will be held August 12th & 13th, 2011. I missed last year's festival, but everyone I talked to who did attend said it was a great event.

More info to come.

Cheers!

A bottleing Line for SOP

It's been brutally slow around here this week, but there is some light to close out this Friday.

Shades of Pale Brewing: Utah's newest brewery has announce the purchase of their long awaited bottling line. 45 days from now their custom bottler should arrive and start pumping out 22 oz bottles of SOP.

The first bottled beer is still up in the air, it will likely be Jack Wagon Wheat, Publican Pale Ale or Perfect Stranger Kölsch. If you can't wait until then, Bistro 412 and Good Karma (both in Park City) are current selling SOP's Jack Wagon Wheat.

Personally I'm eager for a new pale ale. I'm sure it'll be worth the wait.

Cheers!

Squatters Pequeño Imperial

Ah Mexican beers. Many beer geeks are prone to poo-poo them others simply don't acknowledge them at all, which is a shame because they are a true North American beer style.

There have always been fermented alcoholic beverages in North & South America but it wasn't until the Spanish conquest of Mexico that European beer hit the scene.

Beer in Mexico had a tough time catching-on, unlike it had around the rest of the world. Ingredients were generally expensive, combined with highly regulated alcohol consumption laws and competition from native beverages... it took decades for breweries in Mexico find a market.

It wasn't until a large influx of German immigrants to Mexico in the 1900's that beer finally started to find a rhythm south of the boarder.

Almost all beer produced in Mexico is Pilsner style. But the introduction of Bohemian style beers through the giant brewery Cuauhtémoc would define Mexican Pilsner beer as the Pilsner.

Mexican beer is distinctive for its lager-like properties, being generally light-bodied with a mild taste low hop profile and is meant to be drunk cold.

To honor Utah's Latino community and to help celebrate Cinco De Mayo Squatters has brewed up a tributary special edition Mexican Style Lager called Pequeño Imperial.

They took American craft beer exuberance, united it with the traditional crisp and refreshing Mexican lager styles. Add some trendy craft brewing "super sizing" and you get a beer fitting of the name Pequeno Imperial.

Pequeño Imperial will have an ABV of 6.5% and will be made available around the first of May.

It is common to serve light Mexican beers in North America and Europe with a wedge of lime on the bottle and/or squeezed down the neck. The practice is less common in Mexico, outside the tourist areas. From the conversations I've had while visiting Mexico, this is all just gringo bull shit. It's simply to keep flies off the bottles rim and for disinfecting.

Try it without the lime. If you've gotta have one, I'm sure something can be worked out.

Saludé!

Sharia Law in Utah

So yesterday one DABC Douch-Bag announced that he wants beer gone from gas/convenience Stores. While all this is going this is going on some State Legislators are suddenly backtracking on their positions that mandate the DABC close liquor stores due to the Legislatures imposed $2.2 million budget cut.

Senate President Michael Waddoups says he does not want to see any state liquor stores close or their employees laid off. He says the DABC needs to come up with a new business plan to minimize costs without cutting jobs and closing doors.

Now you'll notice none of this was said during the legislative session. It's only now after droves of pissed-off constituents have threatened their cushy elected jobs, they finally listen.

Lawmakers dolled out $100,000 to hire a consultant to come up with an alternate business plan for the DABC.

"They've got time to get this business plan done, to hire their consultant, to find out the what the best way to do. They don't have to close stores on April the 28th, they shouldn't close stores on April the 28th. I think they failed their duty in this instance," said Waddoups.

Waddoups proposes that if the DABC has no other solution but to close stores and force layoffs that they should consider raising the liquor prices by 1%.

Oh, and there's a new poll.

Cheers!

A Propossed Ban on Convenient Store Beer!

As we all know the urge to consume a beer immediately after purchasing is so strong that we as beer consumers will do anything, kill anyone who prevents us from enjoying our sweet mistress, the 3.2 beer. Luckily there is man among us who is capable of saving us from ourselves and our inability to make rational decisions.

At the March 24th DABC meeting, DABC Commissioner Gordon Strachan hinted that he may soon propose a ban on selling all beer at Utah convenience stores. Strachan made it very clear how he feels about beer being sold at gas stations and convenience stores.

Because Strachan may only have a few months left as a DABC commissioner, sources say that he could bring up this ban at the DABC's April 28th hearing. Judging by his comments at that March DABC meeting, Strachan apparently feels that it's simply too easy to buy a big, cold beer and then simply drive away, "I have long been an advocate of the fact that beer should not be sold at gas stations."

However, Commissioner Strachan faces some obstacles. Not only is there a lot of opposition to his ban, but there are also questions about how much authority DABC has in this matter.

The sale of low point beer makes up nearly 40% of sales for these store. Many say that they can't stay in business without a beer license. A ban like this would absolutely devastate most gas stations and convenient stores, not to mention the hit to our small local breweries.

Pure and simple; this is a tiny, little man who wishes to show his "masters" that he's a good and obedient little sheep.

Here's the story that KTVX did last night.