Reminder: Beerfest This Saturday!

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

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

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

Cheers!

Thirst Fursday Historic Pub Crawls

Believe it or not, Utah has a long history with beer. That history may have been stunted by prohibition and post prohibition self righteousness, but the fact remains; beer has always been here.

If your a history buff or just enjoy a little beer with your history, the Utah Heritage Foundation is offering  "Thirst Fursday Historic Pub Crawls" this summer.  

On the first Thursday of every month, participants will learn the history of beer in Utah by taking tours of three well-known watering holes. It's a "pub crawl" of sorts. The next "Thirst Fursday" is on June 7, the following dates are July 5 and Aug. 2. 

The Pub crawls begin at 5 p.m. and the cost is $15 for foundation members or $20 for the public. A special T-shirt is included. the locations will be provided when you register at www.utahheritagefoundation.org/.

The Pub Crawl tour also is available to private groups with advance notice, payment, and a minimum of 10 people.

Cheers!

More Liquor Licences May Free up

Well it looks like pressure from local businesses may be starting to have an effect on the amount of liquor licenses available to local entrepreneurs. In typical fashion; your evil stepmother, Sen John Valentine has been working behind closed doors to secretly craft a plan that will free up an unknown amount of liquor permits  for restaurants.

The news came yesterday in a comment from Utah Liquor Control Commission Chairman Richard Sperry. Sperry told dozens of applicants who applied for permits, but went away empty handed — because the state has run out of club and restaurant liquor licenses.

Sperry said when he had a conversation with Sen. John Valentine, who had "sworn him to secrecy" in the matter.

While this is good news, you will have to pay for it in some other way at another time. likely next in the next legislative session.

Cheers!

New-ish Beer Friday

Hop Syndrome is not a new beer, but Epic's latest version has a new quality that makes it unique from it's predecessor versions. Aramis.

Aramis a new hop variety from the Alsace region of  France that has been rarely used in the states. Epic used five pounds per 10 barrel batch of whole leaf Aramis in the hopback to impart an earthy, light lemon aroma to the bright tropical flavors of the calypso hops to make Hop Syndrome an even better summer lager.

Available now at the brewery and where Epic's Exponential series is sold.

Cheers!

Let the Bidding Begin!

Well it looks like Utah's "liquor lord", Sen. John Valentine's Paulianna dream world may soon stifle Utah's economy.
 
In a legislative interim meeting yesterday commercial developers testified that the state’s acute license shortage will cause existing permits to be priced artificially high — pushing small business and entrepreneurs out of the mix. It’s simple economics, when there is no supply [of licenses] but a great demand, costs will increase significantly.

Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, who sponsored SB314, which allowed licenses to be sold on the open market, said the intent was to make it easy for restaurants to sell all assets when they closed. He acknowledged the need for him to bring back proposals to the committee to free up more licenses. But administrative rules or proposed legislation could take months to enact.

A year ago, commissioners at the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control were so opposed to permit holders selling licenses that they took the unprecedented — but unsuccessful — step of asking Gov. Gary Herbert to veto SB314. The bill also freed up a few restaurants licenses, but it didn’t take long for the supply to run dry. This month, 45 applicants have filed for a variety of liquor permits — but only one, a full-service license allowing all types of alcohol — is available.

If this situation becomes reality getting a liquor license of any kind would be like winning the lottery since they can turn around and sell it for a huge profit. All applicant will likely acquire a license just to profit from it's resale.

Source: Salt Lake Trib

SLUG's 5th Annual Beer Issue

I'm sure most of you have check this out by now, but if you haven't SLUG Magazines Beer Issue is out. The issue is full of stories related to Utah's craft beer scene, but most importantly it has the best pictorial layout of the boys that make our suds.

SLUG needs to make a calendar of this "masculine mess" before I do! Imagine; ringing-in the holidays to a 16x9 of Squatters brewer, Jason Stock sitting on the shitter - slamm'n IPAs and the like. Now that's cheesecake!

Cheers!

Pictured above: RedRock's Kyle Trammel

American Craft Beer Week Begins!

Today begins American Craft Beer Week and we have more stuff to help you find the events that'll best fit your schedule.

Starting today (Monday 05/14/12 through Sunday 05/20/12) Squatters will be offering a 10% off coupon that will be good tword any food item at either Squatters location. Just print the coupon above or simply show the image on your hand held device.

It wouldn't be craft beer week if they didn't have a beer to go with it as well. Squatters is also offering a new seasonal beer; Apollo 13. This is a single hop Red Ale. It's Refreshing, malty and hop forward with big tropical hop notes.  Named for the Apollo hops which were the only hops used throughout the brewing process.

This one won't be on tap too long, don't wait 'till the end of the week.

And a reminder the Epic tasting at the Bayou is tonight only. Every Epic beer the Bayou has will be on hand including one case of the very rare Brainless Corruption. Tickets are limited to 60 people so don't wait to get your tickets. Tickets are available only at The Bayou and are available now. You must present valid ID at the door for admittance both to purchase tickets and to attend the mini-festival.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday (Wookey Jack)!!!

Yup! That my boy up there. People often confuse us for brothers. I personally don't see it. I'm much hairier.  When I heard Firestone Walker was naming a beer after my Kashyyyk, kinfolk. I called my favorite bandoleer wear'n space mammoth... And as you can see; he got a little excited. As did I!

Wookey Jack pours black with a fluffy but sturdy beige head. The nose is full of Citrus and Amarillo with hints of rye malt beneath. The Taste starts with big citrus and pine. Thick "chewie" caramel and toffee malts are next. Spicy rye punches the tongue and rounds out the hops. Hints of pumpernickel, cocoa and Wookey pelt round out the end. Finishes slightly dry and peppery.

This beer is very well balanced. Masterfully made. A limited edition treat you absolutely must try. It's a great time to be a rye beer lover!

8.3% ABV. Available now at the Beerhive, Bayou and possibly State Liquor stores in the coming weeks.

Cheers!

It is very likely that Hoppers Brewmaster and Secret Agent, Donovan Steele will not get any of these, Star Wars references (sad, I know). Tiffany, please help the poor lad out.

More Craft Beer Week Stuff & Award

More beer related stuff for the beer minded next week. Desert Edge will be having a Beerbreak/Meet the Brewers on Tuesday from 6 pm till 8 pm. Come on out and tip back a pint, get to know Head Brewer, Chris "Santa" Haas, talk, ask questions and sample three (3) brand new beers.

As it turns out, another Utah brewery came away with some awards at last weeks Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego, CA. Moab Brewery brought home two trophies from the first annual "Canny Awards," which recognizes excellence in beer can design. Moab's Johnny's American IPA can, took first place in the "Shelf Presence" category and third place overall in the "Best Can Design."

Congrats to Moab and we'll see you Tuesday at Desert Edge.

Cheers!

Chris Haas Photo Courtesy: City Weekly

Utah's "Epic" Craft Beer Week Happenings 2012

Next Monday begins American Craft Beer Week". Seven days set aside for lovers of craft beer to "geek on" their favorite beverages while hopefully educating the minds of those who still see beer as  just a fizzy - tasteless beverage

Many of Utah's breweries have events planned and we will give their plans as they roll in. Today we have Epic Brewing's list of events starting next Monday and it looks to be...well... Epic!

Monday, May 14 5-10pm – Mini Beer Festival at The Bayou: The Bayou will be opening every Epic beer they have on hand including one case of the very rare Brainless Corruption brewed in collaboration with DC Brau. If you missed-out on purchasing a bottle, this may be your only opportunity to try it - in the near future. Tickets are limited to 60 people so don't wait to get your tickets. Tickets are available only at The Bayou and are available now. You must present valid ID at the door for admittance both to purchase tickets and to attend the mini-festival.

Wednesday, May 16 7-10pm – Hop Syndrome Re-Release Party at Slackwater Pub: Ogden and Northern Utah Beer lovers, this is for you! Hop Syndrome has be tweaked with this newest release. This version has been " Hop backed" with a new hop from Europe but still dry hopped with Calypso and Crystal.

Thursday, May 17 6-10pm – Two Year Anniversary at The Beerhive Pub: This special party will feature a very special collaboration beer between RedRock Brewing and Epic. No idea of what it will be, but the word "cask" has been mentioned.

Friday, May 18 4-7pm – Beer Week close-out at Epic Brewery: For the final event of the week, Epic’s inviting everybody out to brewery for a summer cook-out. There will be something for everyone – grilled hamburgers and veggie burgers will both be available along with the re-release of Epic’s Hop Syndrome Lager. In addition to the beer and food, we’ll have a drawing for some pretty Epic prizes – no purchase necessary.

More events to come.

Cheers!

4th Annual Beehive Brewoff Date Changed!

Heads-up! Judging for the 4th Annual Beehive Brew-Off was supposed to take place Saturday-Sunday August 25-26. It has been changed to August 18-19. The reason? City Weekly decided to put the Utah Beer Festival on the same weekend. Not a major change, just thought you should be aware. Qualified judges please contact Jamie at the Beer Nut, jamie@beernut.com if you'd like to help out.

Cheers!

Utah's 2012 World Beer Cup Winners

Brewers from around the world received awards from an elite international panel of judges in the 2012 Brewers Association World Beer Cup. The ninth bi-annual competition boasted the strongest field of entrants on record, with 799 breweries from 54 countries and 45 U.S. states entering 3,921 beers in 95 beer style categories. A 17.7 percent increase over 2010, the entries were eligible for gold, silver and bronze awards in their respective categories. Judges presented a total of 284 awards.

Normally, Utah's brewers do pretty well at the bi-annual competition. This year, the only medals were awarded to Squatters and the Utah Brewers Cooperative. Here are the winning local beers with the complete winners list a well. Congrats!

Session Beer
Gold: Vienna Lager, Squatters Pub Brewery, Salt Lake City, UT

American-Style Amber/Red Ale
Gold: Big Cottonwood, Utah Brewers Co-op, Salt Lake City, UT

Belgian-Style Sour Ale
Bronze: Fifth Element Vintage 2011, Squatters Pub Brewery, Salt Lake City, UT

http://www.worldbeercup.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/WBC12-Winners-List.pdf

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 5/4/12

When RedRock's Secale came out last year, it really altered my perception of rye beers. I've always liked them, but the combination of rye beer and rye whiskey really brought the style to the next level.

While Secale is on hiatus (aging in barrels), there's a new offering at the Bayou that will tide you over 'till it returns.

Part of the Smokestack Series, Boulevard's Rye-on-Rye takes advantage of the assertive spiciness of rye to provide spicy sweetness, giving way to notes of caramelized wood and the citrusy tang.

It just came in last night, I haven't had the pleasure yet, but guaranteed I'll be sampling and comparing this evening.  750ml. 11% ABV.

Cheers!

(note: that is not Mark Alston from the Bayou pictured above. It is in fact master illusionist and warlock, Doug Henning. I can understand the confusion.)

Brainless Corruption

Yup, it's just like it sounds. Epic has taken a classic Belgian style golden ale and corrupted it with a little American-style-bending-flair to produce something akin to a Belgo-IPA.

Corruption is Epic's second collaboration beer with DC Brau (the first was Fermentation w/o Representation).  Epic brewed a batch of Brainless Belgian Golden Ale and let DC Brau corrupt it with four types of hops. Chinook and CTZ in the boil with more CTZ for aroma. Whole leaf Centennial in the hopback and Citra in the dry hop. The result is a spicy/tropical IPA.

Pours a murky orange color with two thick fingers of white head. The nose is of citrus hops, mango, tropical fruit, pine hops, and fruity malts. The taste starts with piney and citrus hops. Estery yeast, mango notes and fruity malts come next with, pineapple, peach and orange peel rounding out the end. It finishes bitter and reasonably dry. 6.2% abv

DC Brau and Epic, have both been honored with invitations to SAVOR, will be serving this beer in Washington DC as a celebratory beverage during the craft beer and food event in June.

Brainless Corruption is bottled in the standard Brainless Belgian bomber. The only indicator that beer is the "corruption" version is the print on the date/batch area of the bottle.

 This beer is an EXTREMELY LIMITED release, so only 2 bottles per customer. Only available at the brewery! 

Cheers!

The Hop 'n Keg Brewery: Update

Just thought I'd share this photo with y'all. It's a shot of new "stainless" be delivered to the Hop 'n Keg Brewery located in the Quarry Steakhouse in Vernal, Utah. Looks like Utah's seventeenth brewery will soon be a reality.

These boys are definitely serious about getting this brewery up and running! If all goes as planned, Vernal residents and vacationers should be sucking down locally made suds in a few months. Congrats!

Cheers!