A New Concept for Utah

There is a very interesting concept that is slowly taking hold here in Utah, a concept that has been around since commerce itself.  It's the radical  idea of selling what you make where you made it.

Now stay with me... I know I'm talking about stuff that makes String Theory sound like nursery rhymes here, but believe it or not there are places in this world where people can sell the things that they make, when they want to - where they're made (within reason of course). 

If you'll recall a few years back your favorite brewery could not sell it's customers all the products they made, especially if it was over 4.0% ABV. Now thanks to a little bit of rational thought from some lawmakers most breweries can now sell every beer in their portfolio from the very place their made.

Sundays and Holidays were a big bone of contention for many in the adult beverage industry. Utah is a tourism driven state and it was maddening for many to have to shut their doors during profitable times.

The High West Distillery was the first to convince our liquor overlords that Sundays & Holiday sales were beneficial to patrons and sellers alike. All they had to do was do one thing. Sell food. 

Within months nearly every class five packaging agency had gotten on board. And recently Epic Brewing came into compliance when they completed their own restaurant area at the brewery. So now you can buy Epic's beer 365 days a year (if they choose) and get a tasty sandwich. So come this Sunday January, 1st it looks like you'll be able to buy a beer at Epic - on a Sunday and a Holiday. What a concept Even for Utah.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 12/23/11

Let's begin with Epic's second new release this week, Utah Sage Saison. The taste starts out bitter and peppery right up front. Herbal notes of sage come next with a hint of Rosemary. Underneath it all There are light malts with that unique Saison funk. I think it could use a little more balance. The herbal/hoppy character tends to dominate for the most part. The timing for this beer is perfect. It has a holiday feel without the intention of being a holiday beer. 

Next up is Boulevard Brewing's Bourbon Barrel Quad (B.B.Q). Tart cherries and a balanced bourbon flavor dominate up front, underneath there is more of what you'd expect from a quad - candi sugar, belgian yeast, and a big booziness. Hints of vanilla linger in the finish. Beautifully complex, this beer is a real joy to sip. It seems like the flavors that are present wouldn't work too well together but for some reason it comes together nicely.

Happy Holidays!

Dark Beers for a Dark Day

Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice. Whether you refer to it as Midwinter, The Longest Night or The First Day of Winter one thing is certain this one dark day.

On this day before the darkest day of the year, it seems appropriate that two unique dark beers should debut to warm our inner beer geek.

Today's first beer was born from Outer Darkness, an Imperial Stout that was first released two years ago today. Brewed over five months ago, Barrel of Russians Imperial Stout (B.O.R.I.S) takes that same beloved recipe and combines it with Utah's own High West Rye Whiskey barrels. The result is a complex blend of toffee, bourbon, oak, hazelnut, vanilla, caramel, milk chocolate, and alcohol.

The Winter Solstice lasts only a moment in time, the same goes for this beer. Only available at Squatters Brewpubs.

Our second release comes from what may be one of the most prolific breweries in the nation. Utah's Epic Brewing.

Epic seems to release a new beer every month, their newest release dates it's heritage back many centuries to Germanic monasteries who called this specially made beer" liquid bread", due to it's high caloric nature. When your mother told you, "don't fill up on bread"! This is NOT the type of bread she was talking about.

Epic's Double Skull is full of solid malt, dark fruit and fruitcake that fades very nicely into slight char and chocolates. There is a special release party for Double Skull, tonight at the Poplar Street Pub. It will subsequent be available everywhere Epic Exponential Series is sold.

Even though it's looking to be a dreary day, I have a feeling many beer lovers may not notice.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 12/16/11

One new beer for you today. Urthel's Samaranth Quadrinium is a beer that's dusky, light brown in color with a slightly off-white foam. In the nose, it's sweet and faintly spicy with notes of dried fruit, nuts, chocolate and marzipan.

On the palate, it's big and bold, massively malty and slightly warming from the 11.5% alcohol by volume. It is long and shockingly dry in the finish. Available at the Bayou.

Cheers!

Double Skull Dopplebock

First brewed by the Paulaner monks, Dopple Bock beers were born from a need to sustain the monks during times of fasting, particularly during the Lenten season, when solid food is not permitted.

Today's Dopplebocks have changed very little in the last four hundred years, they're still some of the strongest beers made—ranging from 7%–12% or more by volume.

Epic Brewing is carrying on the Paulaners traditions, producing it's own take on "liquid bread". The latest beer in the “Exponential Series” is Double Skull Doppelbock brewed from only four traditional ingredients: malt, hops, water and true lager yeast. The beer is malt driven and true to style with a dark brown color and packs a nice wallop for a lager, coming in at around 7.5%

Double Skull will debut on December 21st at the Poplar Street Pub in S.L.C.
This beer was designed for lent, but I think you'll find it hits the mark during the Holidays as well.

Cheers!

The New Moab Brewery

It was around this time last year that Moab Brewing announced that they were expanding their operations and changing their packaging from bottles to cans. Today it's all come to fruition, the expanded brewery is on line and cans of new Moab beer are hitting store shelves.

Moab's new packing revolves around 16 oz cans that come in 4-paks. The first two new offerings are Johnny's American IPA and Rocket Bike Lager. Johnny's IPA is described as a golden colored session-able IPA with four types of hops used and the Rocket Bike is a Steam style lager with roasted barley and Cascade hops.

In the near future Moab will start producing these brands in higher alcohol versions. The IPA will be 7% and the Steam Lager will be 5.5% abv.

And that's not all. In the coming months look for two new Desert Select styles a Rye beer called Hopped Rye and an Export Stout both will be upwards of 8% and bottle conditioned.

The 4-paks are said to be going for around $5.99 and are for sale now in select areas.

On a personal note, I'd like to thank everyone for coming out to the Holiday Tasting last Saturday. It was our largest event so far and the quality of the beer and the company was second to none. I'll post some pics from the party on the Utah Beer Facebook page today or tomorrow.

Cheers!

A Barrel full of Russians

Back in 2009 Squatters did something that the loyal beer gnerds of Utah had been pining for... Well, for years. A Russian Imperial Stout. Believe it or not, an Impy Stout had never been produced by a Utah brewery until that day. Today there are many. Uinta's Labrynth, Epic's Imperial Stout and a fourth and a fifth are due to be released soon from two other local breweries that I'm not at liberty to name... yet. 

Interestingly enough this beer style that bears the Russian name isn't "Russian" at all. It was brewed in the 18th century by Thrale's brewery in London, England for export to the court of Catherine II of Russia.

5 months ago, former brewer Jen Talley and current Brewmaster Jason Stock (by the way.. Congratulations Jason!!!) layed down a fresh batch of Outer Darkness into High West Wiskey barrels creating an Anglo-Russian-Utah-Kentucky hybrid, called Barrel of Russians. 

As is tradition, these the darkest of all Squatters beers is due to be released on the darkest day of the year. December 21st. 

This is a limited release of approximately 1200 - 750ml bottles. It has a potent abv of 10.5%. It's perfect (and recomended) for cellering and celebrating the holidays for years to come. 

Don't forget the 3rd Annual Utah Beer Holiday Tasting is tomorrow night. Those of you who managed to get in before the cut-off need to get your game faces on. It's gunna get biblical. Any questions or cancellations? Hit us up - utahbeer@gmail.com.

Cheers!!!

No More Sunday Beer in Pleasant Grove?

The city of Pleasant Grove, Utah is about to get a lot less pleasant if a new proposed ordinance to ban Sunday beer sales is adopted.

Tonight at P.G's city council meeting, the topic is scheduled to be brought up. Pleasant Grove Mayor Bruce Call says although Sunday beer sales are allowed now, a prior ordinance did prohibit beer sales on Sunday countywide. He says Tuesday’s vote is an option to return things to the way they once were.

“I like the idea of keeping things the way they’ve been in the county for years and years, ” Call said. “You know, that’s a tricky thing, some people say why ban anything? Leave it to the choice of the voters…and that’s fine. But, every community is different. Every community has its own unique personality, its own unique culture. I think a continuation of the ban on beer sales is true to our culture.”

Councilman Val Danklef says Sunday beer sales go against the city’s values, but worries what effect the ban could have on local businesses.

“I know that small business owners would be affected by it,” he said. ” I am leaning towards not allowing it to happen.”

The city council will also vote on a separate proposal to put a complete ban on alcohol sales at drive-through windows.

If you live in Pleasant Grove and you don't want your rights shit upon, I urge you to attend the meeting tonight.

Source: KCPW

New Beer Friday 12/2/11

Two new beers for you today!

First there's Desert Edge's Holiday Raspberry Stout. This beer comes on once a year for the holidays. It is a nice chocolatey malt stout with 165 pounds of fresh raspberries added in the fermenter. The fresh raspberries impart a nice tartness to the beer. The raspberries are subtle rather than strong and up front. A great beer to celebrate the holidays.

Sierra Nevada's Tumbler is a brown ale that has a faint, clean nose with touches of caramel, light chocolate and a little nuttiness. The taste starts with a roasted malt sweetness and a dark toasty breadiness. Next comes an earthy, nutty bitterness. While The finish starts in the sweetness of the malt, it gradually turns into a nicely bittered ending that leaves a nice dryness. Not overly complex, but the flavor blend and balance is quite pleasant. 5.5% ABV @ Beerhive and some liquor stores. I have seen it at 300 e. Wine Store.

Cheers!

Holiday Traditions in a Glass

Holiday beers, also known as Winter Warmers, are a tradition that stretch back over two Millenia, with the ancients making highly intoxicating brews to celebrate winter festivals.

As far back as 217 BC when the Roman's celebrated Saturnalia, an Ancient Roman festival held in honour of Saturn. Beer makers have been saving their finest ingredients for these special winter occasions.

With the advent of the Catholic church, this brewmaking evolved into what many considered the main staple of the winter solstice and other holiday celebrations. When medieval monasteries from all over Europe and the Middle East would combined best their fruits, spices and vegetables to produce soul-warming styles for the occasions.

If you've never given Holiday beers a shot, your likely missing out on a big part of European and Western Asian culinary culture. Now is the best time to get out and experience them. Most Liquor stores should have a few labels in by now. But the state's best and most diverse selection is at the Bayou in downtown SLC.

We've provided a new poll to find out which basic type of winter warmer makes your tongue the the happiest.

Cheers!

The Vernal Brewing Company

Yup that's right, Utah may be seeing it's 16th brewery pop up sometime in 2012. The Vernal Brewing Company is the brainchild of Vernal entrepreneurs Bill Zimmerman, his daughter Ginger and son-in-law Eric Bowden.

The whole idea came about after the Bowdens opened up a brand new home brew shop called The Bucket in Vernal, Utah last September. All three are avid home brewers who had always dreamed of starting their own brewery.

The Bucket located at 510 East Main Street in Vernal, is the beginning of a three part plan to bring locally made craft beers to the Uintah Basin. The second part is to construct a 5,000-square-foot brewery (with a tap room) on the property directly adjacent to the Home Brew shop that will be large enough for 20 or 30 visitors. The third part will include a kitchen and garden area for the brewpub.

They will brew four flagship beers available year-round along with specialty beers only available seasonally.

Architectural plans have been drawn up already and groundbreaking scheduled for sometime this spring.

Both the city and county recently passed ordinances for a brewery. Local ordinances for a brewery were written specifically for their venture, because none previously existed in Vernal or Uintah County. The best of luck to Zimmerman and the Bowdens on getting Utah's newest brewery up and running!

And if that's not enough, I have more great news for you. Today is New beer Beer Friday as well and we have some new beers to tell you about.

First up is North Coast Brewing's Grand Cru. This a Belgian pale ale aged in bourbon barrels with agave nectar. The nose is faint with fruity notes, booze and yeast. The taste starts with estery apples, oranges and faint hint of pear. Hint's of Bourbon come next, then a blast of boozy agave in the finish. It's a big full bodied beer. Very nice. 12.90% ABV. @Beerhive.

Next is Tenaya Creek's Monsoon Imperial IPA. The nose is piney and floral with a touch of citrus. The taste starts with citrus and flowery hops. Sweet caramel and candied fruits come next. The finish is crisp with notes of green tea and a slight alcohol burn. Tasty! 8.5% ABV. @Beerhive.

Also, the Bayou's remaining seasonals have arrived. Struise Tsjeeses Reserva, Mikkeller Santa's Helper, Criminally Bad Elf and Insanely Bad Elf. All are limited in quantity... you know what you need to do.

Cheers!

The above representation of Vernal Beer and Ale is not necessarily connected to Vernal Brewing or The Bucket

Locally Made Pairing Options for Your Turkey Day

We have some pairing options for you today. If your like me, there are some foods that end up on your plate that you like more than others. Here are some great locally made beers that go well with nearly everything on your traditional Thanksgiving meal.

We particularly loved Hopper's Bière de Garde called the First SnowAle, which has a nutty caramel flavor that This beer is smooth but a little funky, with hints of sweet fermented apple. It's a little musky and toasty—very nice with food. Pairs well with sweet potatoes along with the crisp caramelized skin from the turkey.

A slightly less funky option for Thanksgiving pairing is a good American amber. We liked how Squatters' Big Cottonwood Amber Ale complemented the earthy flavors in the meal, particularly mushrooms and the stuffing.

Another surprise was Epic's Brainless on Cherries. It's subtle dry cheery sweetness sweetness goes well with the turkey and the stuffing and it is a great substitute for cranberry sauce.

Uinta's Barley Wine also deserves a place at table. This local institution is an intense blend of herbal, citrus and piney flavors with lingering toasted malt. The complex flavors are a great companion for your turkey and stuffing as well.

And finally, as dessert beers go, your favorite pumpkin ale with a slice of plain cheesecake is a great combo. Your favorite stout & cherry pie, as well as a nice roasty porter with your pumpkin pie. RedRock's Saison with apple pie is heaven as well.

Please share your holiday pairing ideas and have a great Thanksgiving Day weekend.

Cheers!

A Little Rye on Rye Action

The Beer Yogi, Kevin Templin and the RedRock Crew have simply outdone themselves on their newest release, Secale (Se*ca"le).

This new creation is a 100% local collaboration between RedRock and the High West distillery. Secale, latin for rye is hybrid Dopple Bock/Rye Beer aged in High West Rye whiskey barrels for over three months. The combination of complementary styles and and wood character creates a beer full of personality and depth.

Pours a dark ruby color with a moderate two fingers of off-white head. The nose has a dry roasted malt aroma along with a light rye spiciness. It's rounded out with a mild caramel malt and vanilla aroma. The taste starts with Caramel malts and toffee. Chocolate covered raisins come next come next with a dry rye spiciness. Hints of vanilla and whiskey come next in the end, as well as a subdued hop bitterness that balances the malty sweetness in the finish. The body is full and the whiskey notes become a bit more pronounced as it warms. The 8.5% abv is well hidden but sneaks up you quickly.

This one damn fine lager. It has an outstanding aroma with a great taste and smoothness. It is a good traditional representation of the Bavarian style with a nice blend of rye malt - that is there, but not overly done - Traditional, yet unique. Highly recommended! In 500ml bottles. Available at starting today at RedRock locations. As always, call first.

Prost!

New Beer Friday 11/18/11

Looks like the weekend weather is gunna be crap. So we've found a nice diverse selection to help you trudge through it.

Rogue: Good Chit Pilsner - The nose has a subtle note of pear and grass. The flavor is malty with a strong floral and grassy edge, a fair amount of bitterness, a metallic tang and a whisper of fruit. A good Czech style Pils. @Beerhive

Lagunitas: Dopple Weizen - The nose is fruity, but dense. Lots of banana and peach. Some clove and pepper. Very nice. The taste follows suite with a healthy banana presence, as well as peach, apple, and fig. Herbal with a faint tart spiciness in the finish. Very nice! @Bayou, Beerhive

Deschutes: Fresh Hop Mirror Pond Pale Ale - The nose is fruity, grainy, and deliciously hoppy. This is a well-balanced pale ale. All of the flavors are there. It's hoppy, but not too much, has a significant malted barley flavor, mango citrus, and pine notes. Delicious! @Beerhive

Shades of Pale: 4 Play Porter - Just released. 4-Play Porter is a tribute to aviators across the ages for their courage and sense of adventure, especially friend of the brewery Marilyn, an acrobatic pilot, that flies a plane nick named 4-Play. It is a traditional English style porter right down to the top fermenting yeast. Brewed with high quality brown malts which gives this ale a light caramel, black liquorish, peat flavor porter fans love.. @412 Bistro, Park City.

Cheers!

Firm Recomends Liquor in Utah Grocery Stores

Bonneville Research, a private firm that helps state and city agencies be more fiscally sound was hired by the state to come up with a business plan to find out how to save liquor stores from further closures and to make more money.

They will present their $100,000, 83-page report to a legislative committee today to the Business and Labor Interim Commission. Bonneville proposes to expand the sale of alcohol in grocery stores. One of sections titled "Immediate Recommended Actions" lists one action for a test Package Agency program using grocery stores.

So what does this mean?

In all likelihood, nothing. Senator Valentine, the chairman of the Business and Labor Interim Commission has made his position very clear that access to alcoholic beverages is something that must be a difficult as humanly possible and hidden from everyone at any cost. This part of the meeting will likely be white noise in his ears because his mind is clearly already made up.

When asked, Sen. John Valentine, told FOX 13 news he is curious and wants answers. Republican Rep. Ryan Wilcox had proposed the state get out of the business of selling alcohol, but keep the state's liquor control status.

Bonneville Research's plan also includes consolidating stores; re-opening the Cottonwood Heights liquor store; hiring a new DABC director with significant retail experience.

I'll be at that meeting this morning and will hopfully have some info on it later. So what do you think, Is this all just minutia or a real possibility?

 

Cheers!

More Praise for Labyrinth

Over 1800 of some of the finest beers and ciders were sampled at The Ninth Annual Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer in Chicago last Saturday. The country's first and largest beer festival dedicated to the art of wood and barrel aging.

62 different breweries across 22 States participated. 30 awards were handed out, and no surprise Uinta Brewing Company's Labyrinth Black Ale walked away with a Sliver Medal in the Strong Porter/Stout category.

I know many of you have already had Labyrinth but in lieu of it's recent praise on the world stage I felt it was due another mention.

Labyrinth pours black with a two finger brown head that left good lacing. The nose is of chocolate, coffee, roasted malts, molasses and a touch of vanilla. The flavor starts rich, big and slightly sweet with dark chocolate, caramel, dark roasted malts next comes black molasses, coffee, oak and some notes of vanilla bourbon with a sticky full body. Finishes slightly dry and warm.

Labyrinth is in wide distribution around the state and this is the perfect time of year to take in big, bold beers such as this.

Cheers!

The 2011 Holiday Tasting is Full

Thank you all for your RSVP's to Holiday Tasting. We reached capacity in record time.
Unfortunately we are out of room and the invites are now closed. If you've RSVP'd and find you can't make at some point, please let us know so someone can take your spot.

Again I apologize, the venue just won't allow more people than we already have.

Cheers!

The Holidays: Euro-Style

If there's one thing to be said about Europeans, they don't mess around when it comes to beers that celebrate the holidays. Every region of Europe has it's own style and flare.

If you'd like to get to know the Holidays "Euro Style" I suggest you head over to the Bayou, ASAP and partake of the most diverse holiday beer selection in the state.

Some are new, some are returning favorites. All are incredible and in limited supply.

New This Year:

Struise Tsjeeses Reserva - Struise took four barrels of Tsjeeses and gave it a 6 month vacation aging in oak barrels. Mark must be having an affair with someone at the DABC. How else could he manage to get such a hard to get beer? 10.0% abv. Coming Soon

Fantome Noël - A very dark and entirely unique holiday seasonal beer. Reportedly spiced with honey, caramel, coriander, black pepper, and other secret ingredients. 10.0% abv.

La Choulette de Noël - Stronger, fuller flavored version of the classic bière de garde. The New York Times anointed this beer the ultimate bière de garde, and rightly so. It’s a rich, rare treat from one of France’s old guard craft breweries. 7.0% abv.

Reindeer Droppings - Falling from the sky like little bombs of flavor come the Reindeer Droppings! Each one is sweet like California raisins, but bitter and pungent like a freshly peeled grapefruit, lip-smackingly tasty...then 'pow!' it's gone. 6.0% abv.

Returning Champs:

Ølfabrikken Kloster Jul - Ølfabrikken (The Beer Factory) is a small experimental brewery on the vibrant Danish beer scene. Kloster Jul is a hoppy Christmas Ale brewed with large quantities of American Chinook hops and wonderfully spiced with coriander and cinnamon. 8.0% abv.

Mikkeller Santa's Helper - A Belgian quadruple style ale. Delicious with big flavors of cookie dough, chocolate, figs and spice. The addition of actual cocoa powder makes this one incredibly special. 11.0% abv. Coming Soon

Mikkeller From/To - The dedicated guys at Mikkeller have simply outdone themselves with this holiday version of a Baltic Porter. Earthy and hoppy with hits of coffee, dark fruit and a full roastiness. A great example of the new hoppy Belgian artisan beer movement. 8.0% abv.

Struise Tsjeeses - (unoaked) A deep blonde abbey-style trippel that has been aged for 8 months over different stone fruits. Once you try one you too will say “Tsjeeses, what a beer”. 10.0% abv. Coming Soon

Thiriez Bière de Noël - A beautiful red-gold wheat beer, with quite subtle all-spice and orange peel added. A slightly tart and quite refreshing festive brew. Champagne for the true beer lover. 6.0% abv

Bad Elf - Old England meets the new world in this strong, warming winter IPA. 6.0% abv

Very Bad Elf - A Special Old Ale brewed from a 1795 recipe using specially-grown ingredients. 7.5% abv

Seriously Bad Elf - An English Double Ale with a bit of Belgian character. Unique for the U.K. 9.0% abv

Criminally Bad Elf - A boffo Barley Wine. Same basic recipe as Thomas Hardy's Ale. 10.5% abv. Coming Soon

Insanely Bad Elf - Billed as an Imperial Red Ale this is a gorgeous and tasty beer. 12.0% abv. Coming Soon

Warm Welcome - A stronger brown ale with more hops than you'd expect. 6.0% abv

Santa's Butt - Strong porter. The original name for porter was Entire Butt, meaning the whole barrel. 6.0% abv

Pickled Santa - Amber, spiced Christmas Ale. 6.0% abv.

Lump of Coal - Liquid consolation for a depressing holiday. Considering how bad you have been, this bittersweet chocolate stout is more than you deserve. 8.0% abv.

Reindeer's Revolt - A golden amber, hop-accented, English “winter warmer” brewed without spices. 6.0% abv.

And speaking of Europe. A couple of Utah breweries shlepped their suds all the way to Munich, Germany for the European Beer Star Awards and came away with a couple of trophies.

In the Ultra Strong Beer category, the Silver went to Uinta Brewing Company's Labyrinth Black Ale. No surprise there, eh?

And in the Imperial India Pale Ale category Epic's Hopulent IPA came away with a Bronze. That's two bronzes for two of Epic's IPAs in two months.

Nicely done Epic & Uinta!

Please note that not all of the above mentioned beers are available today. Some will be released closer to the end of November.... Can't have all the damn Holiday beer gone before the holidays even get here! right?

Also, a lot of RSVP's were received yesterday for the Holiday Tasting. Don't put it off, this party will defiantly fill up sooner than expected.

Prost!

The 2011 Holiday Tasting

*****My apologies, but the Holiday Tasting has filled up in record time and we are no longer taking any more RSVP's*****


What started as a good excuse to get together for a little holiday cheer has blossomed into one of the best lil' beer festivals in the west.

If you enjoy the great diversity that craft beer has to offer, I invite you to participate in the 3rd Annual Utah Beer Holiday Tasting on Saturday December 10th.

The concept is simple. Bring a nice beer, cider or mead. It can be in a bottle, can, jug, keg or jeroboam as long as it's "special" to you and you think it would be nice to share. It doesn't have to be rare - expensive or outrageous. Just something that you enjoy.

Homebrew is absolutely welcome! If you've got something that you'd like to share please bring it. Give us a heads up if it's kegged so we can make sure we have the appropriate amount of room.

If you have a tasters glass or a piece of stemware please bring it, you'll be glad you did. Plastic cups will be provided but I'd hate for anyone to have to use them.

The Tasting will not be held at the Irving Schoolhouse as it has been in previous years. It will be held at a private home and it's location will be given out only to those who RSVP. We will have to put a cap on the number of people attending due to the size of the venue. So get your RSVP in ASAP.

We'd ask that this be limited to "Beer People". People who know beer or are interested in learning more about craft beer. Please feel free to bring a guest if you don't want to come solo.

Speaking of "Beer People". Some of our local craft brewers will be in attendance as well as industry professionals. It'll be a nice opportunity for you to get to know them - and they you.

Please RSVP to utahbeer@gmail.com

Absolutely no one under 21.

So here's what we have.

What: 1-2 bottle for tasting - tasters glass or stemware - some Beer & snacks provided.

Where: Draper, Ut

When: Saturday December 10th at 7:00pm

Questions & RSVP: utahbeer@gmail.com

Don't hesitate to RSVP or ask questions!

Cheers!

DABC Show Episode 3 - Squaters Pt 1

Bill and Steve go into Squatters to talk with former Brewmaster Jen Talley and Head Brewer Jason Stock about sour beer and the delights of being a big brewery making small craft beers. They also go to The Beerhive and tell you which local beers you should be drinking.



Also, a big announcement for you craft beer lovers tomorrow

Cheers!

More New Beer Friday 11/4/11

As per, Mark Alston.

"New beer friday just got newier and fridayier. Deschutes Stoic and Boulevard White IPA just came in (collaboration). "

The Boulevard White IPA was listed as a top 25 beer for the year in Draft Magazine.

Thanks, Mark!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

New Beer Friday 11/4/11

Besides Epic's Fermentation Without Representation, which was released yesterday there is one more new beer available for you today. Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Wild has arrived at the Bayou.

I really enjoyed the sumpin' sumpin' ale over this past summer so was excited to try A Little Sumpin' Wild. The nose is floral with peach, plum, and some farmhouse aromas. The taste starts with sweetness at first and hits tongue with citrus, peach, yeasts, malts and alcohol. Large spice backbone, with grassy yeast. The finish is bread-like and faintly sour. Overall - Pretty tasty and flavorful. It seems to want to fit in the saison family to me. 8.85% ABV.

Cheers!

Fermentation Without Representation

A little more than a month ago DC Brau Brewing's head brewer Jeff Hancock came to Salt Lake to brew a special collaboration beer with Epic's head brewer Kevin Crompton called Fermentation Without Representation.

The same beer was produced a week later back in D.C. Today this collaboration from two distant breweries, a pumpkin porter will be released at a special release party tonight at Gracie's in downtown SLC. And your invited!

I think you'll really like this one. Tastes of bittersweet chocolate, caramel, ginger bread, and roasty grains. Vanilla pops in next with allspice, cinnamon rounding out the back end. Medium bodied with creamy carbonation.

After tonight's release look for Fermentation Without Representation at Epic Brewing and wherever their Exponential Series is sold.

Cheers!

Time to Get Your Pucker On!

Are you a fan of sour beers? If you are your definitely in the minority of beer drinkers, but don't worry - our numbers are growing and the Bayou's own Mark Alston is on a crusade to educate us all on the finer points of some of the most un-beer-like-beers you've ever had.

This Sunday November 6th at 5:00 pm. The Bayou will be hosting their first ever mini-beer festival, the theme? Sour and Wild Ales.

For $25 you will get a wrist band and a 20 beer punch card that will enable you to sample all the festival beers. You must have both the wrist band and the punch card to be served. No sharing with non-participants!!! Anyone found sharing beer with people without a wrist band will have their wrist band removed and they will be barred from continued participation. As this event is all about sampling high quality beers in a responsible manner, all samples will be served in 2 ounce pours.

Quantities of some of these beers are quite limited so there is no guarantee they'll lasting throughout the entire fest.

9:30 pm is the cut off time so don't be late. The Bayou's menu is also available at it's normal cost. Seating and tables will be available only for those planning on eating.

If sour and wild ales are not your thing, Mark plans on having other mini beer festivals on a semi-regular basis with varying themes.

Whatdaya think? Any takers?

Here are the beers available at the sour fest:
Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere
Jolly Pumpkin Bam Noir
Jolly Pumpkin E.S. Bam
Jolly Pumpkin Weizen Bam
Jolly Pumpkin Luciernaga "The Firefly"
Jolly Pumpkin La Roja
Jolly Pumpkin La Parcela
Deschutes Dissident
Mikkeller USAlive
Mikkeller Funky (e)* (funky e-star)
Red Rock Reve
Squatters 529
Squatters Fifth Element
Bacchus
Orval
Boulevard Saison-Brett
Boulevard Tank 7
De Ranke XX Bitter
Lindemans Faro
Lindemans Cuvee Rene

Cheers!

Mo, Mo'Town Brown

If you live outside of Utah your most likely to equate Mo'Town with the city of Detroit. If you've been in Utah long enough you may have heard it as a reference to Salt Lake City. In our case the "Mo" is short for Mormon.

Enough of local pop culture. This returning champion from Squatters is an American style brown ale from their Small Batch Series. It's subtle with Chocolate, caramel and roasted malts balanced with big American citrus hops and have an ABV of 5.8%.

$5 per bomber out of Squatters' bottle shop and $9.99 at the table.

Cheers!

Winter Organic Mix'r

Here's a "first" for local beer lovers. Uinta is now packaging their Organic Line in 100% organic 12 packs called the Organic Mix'r.

The first of the seasonal "mix'rs" is the Winter Organic Mix'r, featuring Wyld EPA, Baba Black Lager and Hazel Amber Wheat They should be hitting grocery store shelves anytime now.

Baba Black Lager: A wonderful blend of chocolate, coffee, and toffee combine with a swirl of caramel and vanilla build a nice complexity. The finish has a slight hop bite that brings a great balance. Very tasty black lager!

Wyld Extra Pale Ale: Floral hops with a nice grapefruit bite up front. A touch of orange peel which adds to the moderate bitterness of the beer. Toasted malts and bread give a decent amount of sweetness. One of my favorite session pales.

Hazel Amber Wheat: The taste is a classic wheat with a light twang of wet citrus along with some white grapes. A touch of honey-bread in the finish. Nice, crisp and clean.

Cheers!

Slackwater Pizza

Weber County has a new beer-centric restaurant that's gunna make a lot of northern beer lovers happy.

Slackwater Pizza, located at 1895 Washington blvd in Ogden offers a varied menu that specializes in pizza of course, but also has beer menu that boasts nearly one hundred beers.

The only drawback for the casual craft beer lover is that this is a restaurant not a bar. Go in with that mindset and you should be fine.

If you love your beer it makes sense to patronize businesses that cater to you. It better for your community and it creates a demand for quality beers in areas that may get overlooked otherwise.

Cheers!

New Fall Beer News

The Bayou just got a shload of great new beers in. If your in a funk and are looking for something unique to help get your groove back - listen up!

Jolly Pumpkin

La Roja: Crabapples and sour apples are the flavors that comes to mind, along with a little fruit juice and other bits of delicious sourness.

La Parcela: Sour apples and lemon peel combine along with a hint of funk. Pumpkin and light nutmeg spices really only come through in hints toward the end.

Bam: Taste is very tart and fruity with strong lemon notes upfront and lighter notes of orange and pear in the back along with light spice.

ES Bam: A great balance of hoppy and tart-funk. Like a funked-out Belgian IPA. Dry and tart; guava and exotic fruit flavors are also noticeable, they meld with the tropical-fruity hops.

Luciérnaga: Nicely tart, with tropical fruit notes of apple, banana and tangerine. Next comes a long spicy clove and coriander finish with some wild yeast funkiness and wee tangerine rind bitterness.

Mikkeller

Barrel Aged Chipotle Porter (Texas Ranger): A nice roasted malt flavor. There are some great coffee and chocolate flavors, along with a nice chipotle bite with very little heat. The finish has some lingering roasted bitterness and a bit of chipotle flavor.

Achel

Trappist Extra: Caramel, over-ripened fruits, plums, prunes and raisins. Sweet up front, but a little spicy in the finish. Alcohol flavors in the aftertaste. Moderate bitterness, medium bodied with moderately high carbonation.

Blonde: Grainy, with sweet honey, peach, apricot and spicy coriander. Light hoppy and dry aftertaste.

See something you like? I thought so.

Cheers!

I've Got a Bad Feeling About This...

If you've ever had any dealings with the Utah Department of alcohol control you know that "shit happens when it happens ". And if you don't like it you can go somewhere else... and as we all know we can't go anywhere else. So we deal with it.

But I don't think that any of us had the slightest clue how screwed up things really are over there. A new audit of the DABC released Tuesday describes a climate of incompetent management, and possible criminal activity.

The audit accuses the former director Dennis Kellen of bid rigging, falsifying financial documents and sending hundreds of thousands of dollars in DABC business to his son's company, Flexpak, without the knowledge or approval of DABC commissioners.

In some cases the department was paying twice as much for products through Flexpak compared to what other vendors offered, according to audit details. The audit says there was so little oversight that thousands of dollars in taxpayer money went out the door.

I guarantee you that those in the legislature, who already look upon alcohol as burden on society will be plotting behind closed doors, to concoct irrational policies and laws to overcompensate for what Kellen's alleged bad management has wrought.

I fear 2012 will be good for the DABC, but another bad year for Utah's beer lovers.

Here's a link to the complete audit.

Cheers!

Golden Halo: Reborn

Remember Golden Halo Blonde Ale from RedRock Brewing? It arrived nearly a year ago to mixed reviews. Some loved the extreme blend of Nobles hops and Pils malt, while others found the bitterness and earthiness too overwhelming.

Personally I liked it, but that damn label really made for some sleepless nights.

Beer Yogi, Kevin Templin has re-invented Golden Halo Blonde Ale and RedRock's art department has provided us with a more tranquil bottle to stare at.

The all new Golden Halo has a bright golden color with subdued malty character and Nobel hop aroma. Its crisp, clean flavor comes from a balance between German malt and Czech hops. It comes in RedRock's perfectly sized 500ml bottle with a 5.8% abv.

The reborn Golden Halo will debut today (10/18/11) at 5pm at RedRock Place (Fashion Place Mall).

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 10/14/11

Today's new beer Friday brings early Xmas gifts for everyone, even non beer drinkers.

Hum Bug'r: This seasonal offering from MacTarnahan's has toasted sweet chocolate ans hints of mild hops up front. Mild sweet soft black malt light Porter body with light biscuit coffee cocoa hints. Mild hop spice clean smooth end. @ Beerhive.

For those of you that like beer but can't enjoy it because it's full of all that "gluten crap" - your in luck. Utah's first locally made gluten free beer is on tap right now for a limited time at Squatters.

Kick in the Glute: This is described as a pale ale-esq brew that incorporates both sourgum and rice along with cascade hops. Bitterness is kept on the mid range and it is also dryhopped.

Don't forget that the Wasatch 25th Anniversary party is tomorrow (15th) from 11am to 6pm at the City Park in Park City, Utah. There is no cost to attend the party. There will be a selection of seven Wasatch Beers, including a specially brewed batch of their inaugural beer, Wasatch Premium Ale. The cold beer will be a cash bar – 16 oz. draft beers are $3 and high alcohol Beers are $5 each. A commemorative pint glass will be available for $6 as well. The weather should be perfect!

Cheers!

"This One Day at Beer Camp"....

About a year-and-a-half ago Sierra Nevada established "Beer Camp". The idea was to bring amateur brewers from all over to brainstorm & learn in an "an all-inclusive, hands-on, high-octane beer education bonanza!" It's been described by brewery officials, as nothing short of a Willy Wonka experience.

Those who were selected came up with many unique beers. Some of them are now available and for sale at the Bayou.

Called "The Best of Beer Camp," the pack includes a California common, double IPA, weizenbock, and American black ale. The following are SN's descriptions.

The California common (6.5 percent ABV) -- also known as a steam beer -- has a bready aroma with hints of sour apple. Orange-yellow in color and mildly hoppy, it has a bit of a citrus bite. The weizenbock (6.8 percent ABV) is a superb take on the style. Quite cloudy with a big, frothy head and an aroma that boasts lemon, bananas, and clove, it's incredibly tangy and somewhat spicy.

The Double IPA (8.50 percent ABV) -- Hoppy smell, with citrus the obvious primary sniff. A good combination of grapefruit and pine with some lemon battling to make some noise. Citrus hops dominate the initial taste, with grapefruit and pine battling for supremacy. Fairly bitter aftertaste. The bitter taste kept coming back, but it was pleasantly bitter. Medium body with moderate carbonation.

The Wiezenbock (6.60 percent ABV) -- Differnt from the normal Wiezenbock -- The aroma is sweet and malty with some spices (clove), banana, and yeast. There is no sign of alcohol in the nose whatsoever. The taste is equally as good as the aroma. The taste starts out with a lot of sweetness with some wheat and banana. The clove flavors come in next along with some yeast and a touch of warmth from the alcohol in the finish.

The Black Ale -- called Juniper Black Ale (8 percent ABV), because it's brewed with juniper berries -- provides healthy doses of malt and hops. Dark brown with a strong scent of roasted malts and notes of burnt chocolate, it offers sweetness up front and bitterness on the back end. The double IPA (8.5 percent ABV) has a big citrus nose and a hops assault that brings to mind fresh oranges and pineapples.

All are at the Bayou now and possibly state-wide soon.

Cheers!

Epic & DC Brau Collaboration Beer

There are two places in the United States notoriously known for their lack of representation. Washington D.C., which has none - and Utah, who's minority drinkers are a nuisance more that constituents.

It seems likely that factions from both places would find some common ground and rage against those that choose not to hear them. Leave it to the beer industry to rock the boat.

Last week, Jeff Hancock, the head brewer at DC Brau Brewing Co., was in Salt Lake City working on a “collaboration” beer with Kevin Crompton, the head brewer at Epic Brewing Co.

The brewers collaborated on the recipe for a new Imperial Pumpkin Porter, which will be called Fermentation without Representation. While the brewers will follow the same recipe, they don’t expect the beers to taste exactly the same.

Crompton heads to the D.C. brewery soon to help Hancock make batches of the new fall-flavored brew for their market. Collaboration beers are a big trend in the brewing industry, said Crompton. He said it’s a great way for brewers to get together, learn things from one another and of course build unity.

Both beers will be released in Salt Lake and D.C. on Nov. 3.

I love the name. Too bad it will only be seen seasonally instead of daily - as a reminder to lawmakers of their failings.

Cheers!

Head Brewer Wanted at Squatters

We are all sad that Jen is leaving Squatters, but somebody has to step in and take on the task of keeping the beer flowing.

If you think you have the nads to fill her rubber boots - Squatters is taking applications for the position of head brewer.

Salt Lake Brewing Co., LC / SQUATTERS is an innovative restaurant group rooted in world-class beer, exceptional food and service, a welcoming atmosphere, and an ongoing commitment to people, planet and profit. We are seeking a HEAD BREWER to join our team. Check us out at www.squatters.com.

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental, long-term disability insurance, 401(k) plan, paid time off policy, bonus program and much more.

The HEAD BREWER has total oversight for the brewery operations and facilities. Responsibilities include, but, are not limited to:

Inventory and scheduling
Maintenance and sanitation
New beer design and recipe formulation
Wort production, cellar operations, carbonation, yeast handling
Supports brewing, cellar and bottling operations
Supports removals and filtration
Quality assurance and quality control
Festival and competition participation

The role includes beer education, service and training for all staff. The Head Brewer is a member of the Support Management Team, plays an active role in product development, promotes the Squatters brand in various mediums, and participates in a wide range of cultural, community, business and media events.

REQUIRES:
Minimum 3 years in a professional brewing/equivalent experience.
1+ years of supervisory experience, preferred.
Financial and computer skills.
Ability to work under pressure and independently, as well as in a team-oriented environment.
Works flexible hours - whatever it takes to get the job done.
Troubleshoots and solves problems re product or equipment.
Physical demands.

Interested and qualified candidates can send their resumes to carol@squatters.com.

Cheers!

THANK YOU, Jenny!

It's a sad day for Utah's beer community. One of it's brightest and most innovative stars is leaving us after 20 years of enthusiasm, passion & perfection.

Squatters' Brewmaster, Jenny Talley has accepted a tremendous opportunity with the CRAFT BREWERS ALLIANCE, INC., an organization comprised of Widmer Brothers, Red Hook, and Kona Brewing Co. operating breweries in Portland, OR, Woodinville, WA, Portsmith, NH, and Kona, HI.

Jenny and her family will be relocating to Washington to become the Brewing Operations Manager at the Woodinville brewery where she’ll work in close coordination with the Plant Manager, Packaging Manager, and respective teams of employees to produce approximately 170,000 barrels of beer annually.

Jenny has always been hungry to learn and pursue new challenges, this opportunity will provide her with the knowledge to take her art to the next level.

I don't want this to sound like a eulogy, because it's not. No doubt there will be a hole in our hearts and mugs but life and the brew schedule goes on. The beer will flow and it will do so with a new equally talented brewer at the helm.

Jenny will be around Squatters for another week or so. Stop in, I'm sure she'd appreciate the well wishes.

Personally I'd like to thank Jenny for her friendship and for keeping my tongue so very happy. Also, please send me a growler of some of that killer Widmer Alt!

Cheers!

Photos: Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune

Attack of the Märzens!!!

A long time ago in a place far far away there were these people who made this incredible beer for a royal... Sorry. Can't do it. I had this plan for a cheesy-ass sci-fi story to go with the awesome title up there, but I just don't want to put you through it. So let's get on with it.

Yes, that's right the Märzens are attacking! they come from Squatters, Epic & Hoppers.

First up is Squatters' Oktoberfest. It pours a warm orange brown color with a firm, creamy white head. The nose is full of clean toasty malts with a bit of subtle nutty character. The taste starts with lots of crisp, smokey malts, biscuit tones and a good citrusy hop twang. Vanilla, orange peel and a spices lingering towards the finish. The bitter hops meld with a slight malt smokiness into the after taste. Very well balanced and highly drinkable with an ABV of 5.5%. 500ml bottle.

Next up is Epic's Oktoberfest. Look for it under the Festdevious label - batch #6. Pours a clear orange and amber with a moderately sized near-white head. The nose is grassy with an earthy hop character combined with a touch of caramel malt. The taste starts with quite a bit of toasted and caramel malt with a bit of vanilla sweetness. Next comes some sharp, grassy hops. Finishes slightly earthy. Overall, this is a classic, very drinkable Oktoberfest. 22oz. bottle

Finally we have the the 2011 Gold medal winning Märzen from the Great American Beer Festival. Stein Knocker from Hoppers. Pours an orange/copper color with a finger of white foam. The nose is of vanilla, earthiness, caramel, and a slight fruitiness. The taste begins on a caramel malty note, evolving to a vanilla/malt note, and then finishing with a clean and edgy orange peel dryness that cleanses the palate just as the malt elements start to compound and sticks around. Crisp and clean. This is a pretty solid interpretation on the style. 12oz. bottle.

Your best bets for all are at their respective locations. Though some may be available at you finer beer bars.

Also. The City of Provo has approved the sale of beer on Sunday in grocery and convenience stores. This has not happened in the span of most of our lives. I suspect that life will go on without a hiccup. Congrats, Provo beer lovers!

Prost!