New Beer & Fresh Cask Friday! 11/30/12

Today's new offerings cover the flavor spectrum. There should be something out there for every taste.

 Tenaya Creek Hauling Oats Oatmeal Stout : The nose has chococlate and esspresso notes with hints of oatmeal. The taste starts rich and malty with licorice, chocolate and coffee. The hops provide tobacco notes  mid palate, as it finishes with slightly smokey and woody. A nice oatmeal stout with a great name! @ Beerhive

Tenaya Creek Oktoberfest Lager :  The nose toasty & herbal. The taste starts with vanilla sweet malts, that balance well with cracker dry grains. The end is full of spicy, peppery & resinous hops. The finish is bready and dry. A much dryer & hoppier interpretation on the style. Quite tasty. @ Beerhive

Lagunitas Brown Shugga : The nose is sweet with brown sugar, toffee & piney/grapefruit hops. The flavor starts sweet and sugary with lots of bitter pine and grapefruit hops. Alcohol comes next with a big toasty bread and caramel finish. A very nice, hoppy brown ale. @ Bayou & Beerhive

Epic Blue Law Porter : This one is described as This is a medium-bodied porter to which we added blackberry puree at the end of primary fermentation and finished it with spruce tip extract harvested from Blue Spruce trees found on the grounds of Utah's State Capitol building.  It has a roasting profile with a fruity tartness and an aftertaste of resinous spruce. @ Epic, Bayou, Beerhive

Wasatch GhostRider White IPA is finally for sale! Pours a cloudy, light straw color with a nice sudsy white cap. The nose is full of citrus with hints of wheat and coriander. The beginning of each sip starts out like a wheat beer with notes of biscuit, coriander, lemongrass, and orange peel. Mid palate big citrusy tangerine hops "pop" adding a bit of bitterness to the back of the tongue. Swallowing the beer releases more of the soft and grainy wheat flavors with an emphasis on coriander & cloves in the finish. 6.0% ABV in 12 oz. bottles. Wide release.

Returning Favorites :
Sierra Nevada Celebration @ Beerhive & DABC

We also have Fresh Cask Friday! This evening at 5pm there will be a new version of Face Plant Wheat. An old German-styled amber hefeweizen. Made with dark wheat malt and caramel wheat malt. It has a nice yeast aroma and flavors of banana and light holiday spice and banana nut bread. Served in a large curvy .'sexy' wiessbier glass. Some of this beer went into firkins for this today's Fresh Friday's casks. Casks: one has lemon peel, orange peel and a small amount dry hops. The second has Face Plant with oak. Oak lending a nutty vanilla and toasted wood flavor. @ Hoppers

Cheers!

The Barley's Angels' Holiday Beer Cocktail Event

Ladies, we all know that men basically... suck. Let's be honest, the only reason that you guys keep us around is so that we tripods can help you populate the planet with more women.

When beer is mixed into the "man equation", I'm frankly baffled that y'all don't go sprinting for the nearest vomitorium.

To help you ladies enjoy a pint of suds without all of our knuckle dragging bullshit, The Utah Chapter of Barley's Angels was formed to help you, the fairest gender, delight in beer.

On behalf of our XX Chromosomed overlords, I'd like to invite all beer loving ladies to the Barley's Angels' Holiday Beer Cocktail Event. It takes place on Wednesday December, 5th at 7pm at the Kimball Arts Center in Park City. $5 gets you in.

To RSVP please call 801-719-0525 or email barleysangelsutah@gmail.com

Cheers!

A New Rumor for You to Chew On

I do my best not to spread rumors, unless I have something solid to back them up. For the most part they only fuel disappointment for a beer culture that's had it's ass handed to it more than a few times. That being said, I'm about to shit all over your fragile beer psyches.

In the late 80's a guy by the name of Gary Fish sold his share in his Salt Lake City restaurant and embarked on his dream to start his own brewery. Gary finally settled in Bend, Oregon and  Deschutes Brewery & Public House was born. Today Deschutes is the 6th largest craft brewer and the 16th largest brewer overall in the country.

Why am I telling you about Gary? Well... Remember a couple months ago when when we first told you about Deschutes' plan to make session beers for Utah? The rumor is that - not only is Deshutes planning on making some 4% beer for the Utah market, but they are also looking to building a Deschutes Brewpub in Salt Lake as well. Chew on that for a second.

Take it for what it is, I thought it was info worth discussing.

Cheers!

"Celebrate 40!"

Desert Edge/The Pub is celebrating their 40th Birthday! To help celebrate - head brewer, Chris Haas has put together a brand new beer just in time for Thanksgiving.

"Celebrate 40!"  is a light, filtered ale made with oats and aged on plain oak. The carbonation for this ale is much brighter than the typical D.E. beer, it mimics the effervescence normally associated with Champagne. Haas' new seasonals usually don't last long, It was on tapped yesterday and will be on till it ain't.

Might be worth grabbing a growler for dinner tomorrow, eh?

Also on tap: Downtown Nut Brown, Centennial Steamer, Munich Lager & their standard line up of Utah Pale Ale, Pub Pils, Happy Valley Hefe, and Latter Day Stout.

Cheers & Happy Thanksgiving!

AllStar Beers Now Available

As of last weekend, All Star Beers are being poured at AllStar Bowling Centers. At this point they are just named by style under the All Star title.

The West Jordan location has a Pale Ale, Amber Ale , Golden Ale,  Hefeweizen and Stout.

Tooele  has the Pale Ale, Amber Ale , Golden Ale and  Hefeweizen.  Note: this is All Star Lanes in Tooele, not the Brewpub. The Brewpub is still,undergoing it's remodeling. When they start popping up in other places, we'll let you know.

There's also talk of a name change for the brewery and brand.  Do you have a great name for the brewery? If so, let's hear 'em!

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 11/16/12

Normally I try to keep this shit relatively short and concise but this has been a big beer news week and it looks like it's ending that that way too. So here we go.

The following are from the Bayou's Holiday lineup. The Bayou doesn't mess around when it comes to holiday beers, this year is no different. these are their newest, brand new beers in the market from Mikkeller.

Ris A La M'Ale: This ale boasts of cherry and almond. Pours nice, pinkish gold with two fingers of pinkish head. Fruity aroma with some noble hops. The taste starts with a bit of sour cherry and some malt sweetness. Piney hops come next with very subdued almond notes. Light bodied. If your a fan of marzipan your gunna be happy. @ Bayou

Hoppin Loving XMAS: Lots of cinnamon in the nose with nutmeg, and clove. Some sweet, caramelly, biscuity malts, but you really need to look for them beyond all the spices. The spices carry over to taste as well, though the sweet malts do hold their own here better. Plenty of dark fruits in the finish, with a hint of alcohol adding to the beer's powerful spiciness. I'm not the biggest fan of unbalanced sweetness but this beer's spicey flavors help it pull it off. @ Bayou

Returning Holiday favorites are as follows:
Ridgeway
Bad Elf
Very Bad Elf
Seriously Bad Elf
Criminally Bad Elf
Lump Of Coal
Santas Butt
Warm Welcome
Pickled Santa
Reindeer Droppings
Reindeer Revolt

Mikkeller
Santa's Helper
From/To

Serafiijn Christmas Angel
Sruise Tsjeeses  
Thiriez Noel

Also Back and unaffiliated with Christmas

Thiriez
Amber Farmhouse Ale
Blonde Farmhouse Ale
Extra Farmhouse Ale

Geants
Geants Goliath Triple

Achel
Achel Trappist Extra
Achel Bruin

Jolly Pumpkin
Jolly Pumpkin Es Bam

De MolenHemel & Aarde
Rook & Vuur
Amarillo
Storm & Aneji

These will go fast, it's all on you if you miss 'em. Available today.

Now if that's not enough there are some returning favorites that you will be happy to hear are back as well.

Our favorite "Elder" returns to us today from his mission in the barrels. Elder Brett is a collaboration beer made at Epic Brewing Co. with input from Crooked Stave Brewing out of Colorado.

Brettanomyces or "Brett" is a bacteria yeast used by brewers to produce sourness to the beer. In most cases it's a dangerous addition for beer, it's presence in traditional beer styles can ruin a beer and is banned in many breweries. But when purposely added to a beer that can properly use it souring properties the results can create astonishing delicious sour, tart or funky beers.

Elder Brett's barrels were inoculated with a blend of four different types of Brettanomyces. Aging for over nine months in the barrels allows the character of the unique wild yeast to fully express itself in the beer. The result combines all the elements for a truly sublime complexity.

This batch of Elder Brett is a little less yeasty and the Brett seems a little less forward, very dry and delicate if a Brett beer can be called that.  This beer was made by spreading around the bugs from last years casks into some additional barrels allowing the brewers to produce nearly twice as much as the previous years batch.

The aroma is rich with the musty, barnyard-like character that “Brett” is famous for as well as some remnants notes of white wine. The flavor also has wonderful amounts of fruity notes both from the yeast and hints of the peach from previously used barrels, all rounded out with a pleasant and refreshing acidity and incredible drinkability for an 9.5% ABV beer. There aren't many Brett beers made in the market, get some while you can. And please buy a few extra for "cellering". these beer benefit greatly from a little age. The 2011 version was an entirely different beer after just five months in the bottle. Just think what a year could do. @ Epic, Bayou & Beerhive

Black Butte XXIV has been spotted in various liquor stores around the state. This is one of Deschutes'  signature labels. Produced annually, this Porter pours a dark brown with hints of tinted ruby red on the sides. The nose is slightly vinous with notes of cocoa, vanilla and oak. The taste starts with intense cocoa, roasted malts, molasses and oak. The end is full of vanilla, cinnamon and bourbon. The finish is bitter and boozy. The flavors are spot on for the style. Everything is nicely balanced. A great beer that will just get better with age. @DABC

And don't forget about  RedRock's Rêve Belgian Style Triple and those two new Wasatch beers, Switch and GhostRider. This is a great time of year for new releases and seasonals!

"Are you not entertained?" - Maximus Decimus Meridius
 

GhostRider White IPA

It's looking to be a White Xmas this year at Wasatch Brewing. Yesterday we had the debut of Switch, a Port barrel aged Belgian style Witbier. Today we have its cousin, an aggressively hopped - hybrid beer called Ghostrider White IPA.

First of all it has one of the best looking labels to adorn a local bottle in quite some time. Inside is a beer style that's becoming very popular in the U.S., the White IPA.

At it's most basic, a White IPA is a beer that mixes the hop-character and brewing techniques of an India Pale Ale with the wheat base and spice additions of the refreshing Belgian witbier.

GhostRider pours a cloudy, light straw color with a nice sudsy white cap. The nose is full of citrus with hints of wheat and coriander. The beginning of each sip starts out like a wheat beer with notes of biscuit, coriander, lemongrass, and orange peel. Mid palate big citrusy tangerine hops "pop" adding a bit of bitterness to the back of the tongue. Swallowing the beer releases more of the soft and grainy wheat flavors with an emphasis on coriander & cloves in the finish. 6.0% ABV in 12 oz. bottles

This is a nice twist on an IPA. It takes many of the traditional characteristics of a Witbier and combines them with an intense hop character. The flavors come together quite nicely to make this easy to drink, smooth, enjoyable beer.

Ghost rider will be available year round, supposedly starting today. As I stated in yesterday's post with Switch, call first! before you make the trip to the Beer Store.

One of my favorite seasonal beers makes it return today as well. RedRock's Rêve Belgian Style Triple. This ale is aged for 12 months and is always a thing of beauty.

Pours a light golden honey color with with a moderate fluffy white head that dissipated to a very thin froth. The nose is a little boozy with banana, cloves malt and ripe mango. The taste is very much the same starting with candied sugar and cloves that transitions into toasted malt and banana. The end is sweet and oaky. The alcohol is warming and welcomed, masked well by Rêve's full body. It adds a whole new dimension to the beer You really get a good sense of the oak in the finish. 10.2% abv is more than enough to warm your inner beer geek.

Available at all RedRock locations.

Cheers!

The Switch is On

One of the most unique Utah beers to be produced in quite some time is here, courtesy of  Wasatch Beers. Switch is one of those style bending beers that will challenge the most discerning tongue and looks to be a perfect addition to your holiday celebrations.

Switch started its life as Wasatch's White Label Witbier. It was then cocooned in Obtuse port wine barrels from the Justin Winery for 18 months. The resulting beer is something entirely new, like a butterfly from a chrysalis. And for trivia buffs: The wood background on the label is an actual photo of one of the wood barrels used.

Adam Curfew, Cellarman extraordinaire at the UBC says, this is the most unique tasting beers that they've ever made.

Switch will go on sale later this afternoon pending DABC approval, if the DABC doesn't get to it - then it will not be for sale. Do not make the trip unless you've called the Beer Store first. Switch will be $19.99 per 750 ml. bottle and it's available only at the Beer Store. This is a very limited release, only 900 bottles produced. 8.8% ABV.

Cheers!

40 Years at the Pub!

November 2012 marks the 40-year anniversary of first being the Pub, and now The Desert Edge Brewery at the Pub. The Pub/Desert Edge has been a staple at Trolley Square for as long as I can remember, many of my family member have worn aprons and served their delicious food. 

To thank all of you loyal customers The Pub/DE is hosting a celebration starting November 24 – November 30.

Anniversary events consist of contests, a reunion night for former employees and a week of retro prices on select beverage and menu items. Retro Prices for beer will run from November 24 – November 30. Pints $3.00 - Pitchers $8.00.

There will also be prizes given for Pub Trivia. Test your knowledge of long forgotten Pub details. The prizes will consist of gift certificates for dinner for two to the Desert Edge Brewery, Red Butte Café, Martine and Stella Grill. The winner will be chosen randomly and posted to the Desert Edge Brewery Blog.

More info on their anniversary can be found on their blog.

Cheers! 

Fire Damages Wasatch Brewpub

Early Friday morning a fire erupted at the Wasatch Brewpub, damaging restrooms & causing a section of the deck to collapse.  A trash can on the upstairs deck caught fire from oily rags from a remodel project.  Fortunately no one was injured.

There is a lot of water and smoke damage, but the building itself is in good shape. The brewery and brewing equipment were unaffected. Bob Zanetti, the assistant chief at the Park City Fire District, said the fire on the deck burned through the flooring, collapsing an approximately 225-square-foot section of the deck, falling into the interior below. There is "significant damage in there," Zanetti said.

Owner Greg Schirf says, he hopes to Wasatch reopened by the end of the week.

No. There will be no smoke beers made this week. But if I know Matt Beamer, Wasatch's Head Brewer. That little hamster wheel in his head is already turning with ideas.

Cheers & Speedy Repairs!

Photo: Courtesy of Michael Kaplan &Park City Record

Fresh Cask Friday 11/9/12

Well it's snowing like a som' bitch out there, please be careful. After all of your snowy day headaches have subsided, I recommend a little Fresh Cask Friday action at Hoppers tonight. 

This evening at 5pm Secret Agent & Brewmaster Donovan Steele will be tapping one of his firkins & pouring for you a fresh - one of a kind ale. 

Due to the weather, they will only be tapping one firkin instead of the usual two. This means the beer will go fast, so font be too late. 

Tonight we have an Irish Rred Ale hopped with Mt. Hood, US Golding and Cascade.  And to make it even better it's only$2.50 a pint.

Next week he'll tap the second one; same beer, but this one will be loaded with Centennial and Cascade. So mark your calendar. 

Cheers!

International Stout Day 2012

Embrace your dark side, children! For this is a day for stout lovers. I have gone out of my way to provide you with a list of black & viscous beverages, to help you keep days like these holy.

For International Stout Day we've come up with a list of locally made options. These stouts are listed first; other domestic and international labels are below that. There are many great stouts from around the world, these are just some of the options available in Utah. As always, I encourage you to go local first. In my opinion they're you best options regardless.

Let me know if I've missed something.

Desert Edge Latter Day Stout
Epic Big Bad Baptist
Epic 825 State Stout
Hoppers Madame X Stout
Moab Black Raven Stout
RedRock Oatmeal Stout
Roosters Chocolate Stout
Squatters Captain Bastard's Oatmeal Stout
Squatters Outer Darkness
Uinta's Labyrinth Black Ale
Zion Canyon Virgin Stout


ANDERSON VALLEY BARNEY OATMEAL STOUT
FULL SAIL IMPERIAL STOUT
NORTH COAST OLD RASPUTIN STOUT
COOPERS EXTRA STOUT
SAMUEL SMITH OATMEAL STOUT
GUINNESS STOUT
GUINNESS EXTRA STOUT
GUINNESS FOREIGN EXTRA STOUT
ROGUE CHOCOLATE STOUT
SAMUEL ADAMS CREAM STOUT
SIERRA NEVADA STOUT
SAMUEL SMITH IMPERIAL STOUT

Cheers!

The 2012 Holiday Tasting is Full

Thank you all for your RSVP's to Holiday Tasting. We reached capacity in just over 12 hours.
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.

We always have cancellations, RSVPs will be added in the order received.

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

Cheers.

The 2012 Big Ass Holiday Tasting

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

Nearly four years ago we had a simple idea; try to bring together Utah's craft beer lovers for one big, simple beer gathering. We knew of about a dozen men and women in our own little circle that loved to share their favorite global acquisitions, but there had to be more like minded people out there  besides our motley bunch.

We were right! I don't think we had any idea that the number of beer lovers out there would overwhelm the space we acquired for our first gathering.  Every year since it's just got better and better.

So,  if you enjoy the great diversity that craft beer has to offer, I invite you to participate in the 4th Annual Utah Beer Holiday Tasting on Saturday December 8th.

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 Holiday Tasting 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.

So, here's the info your gunna need.

Please RSVP to utahbeer@gmail.com

Absolutely no one under 21.

What: 1-2 bottles for tasting & sharing - tasters glass or stemware - some beer & snacks provided.

Where: Draper, Utah

When: the evening of Saturday December, 8th

Questions & RSVP: utahbeer@gmail.com

Don't hesitate to RSVP or ask questions! We usually fill up within a few days & this post is the only invite to the gathering. Any questions?

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 11/2/12

The session beer invasion continues this week with the arrival of Anchor Brewing's Small Beer. Anchor Small revives the ancient brewing tradition of creating two distinct beers from one mash. Made from the second runnings of their Old Foghorn Barleywine mash, – a sweeter, stronger and traditionally more expensive beer made for sipping, and a more plentiful drinking beer. The Anchor brewers sprinkle warm water over the Old Foghorn mash after the first “wort” has run off, creating a second, lighter brew. Technically, both beers are the same, the alcohol by volume being the only difference.

This beer is light, even for Utah standards. It comes in at a whopping 3.3% abv. and is available at some grocery stores right now. You may also see it on tap in the coming weeks as well. There have been some sightings at Harmon's; if you see it anywhere, please share the love!

Widmer Bros. Drop Top Amber: Pours a somewhat hazy orange-amber color with a moderate cap of foam. The nose has bready malt with a mild honey-like character. A tart fruity character is present also, balanced with a fresh herbal hop presence. The taste starts with biscuit flavors that balance nicely with some caramel sweetness. Surprisingly tart, although not over the top. Hop bitterness is moderate, with a balanced fruity and herbal flavors. the finish is lively and crisp. 5.0% abv.

The unusual hop profile and tartness saves this from beer from being another nondescriptly average amber ale. It drinks easily enough and is pretty approachable. @ DABC, Beerhive

We haven't seen Unibroue's Grande Réserve series in few years, Unibroue 17 is the perfect beer to revisit this annual offering. Unibroue 17 Grande Réserve Pours a nice auburn color with a sturdy foamy head. The nose is a beautiful blend of toffee, caramel, vanilla, and just a touch of banana. The taste starts with tobacco, maple, vanilla, and brown sugar, with just a bit of cocoa. In the middle there's a dramatic shift with cherry tannis, plums, pepper and clove. The tannins carry thought to the finish, though the sweetness from the front end lingers underneath.  10.0% abv.

The tannic elements really dries out what could have been a very cloying chewfest. Very nice beer! @ Bayou, DABC

Also from Widmer Bros. we have a winter warmer that hop lovers will really love. Brrr has a deep amber color with a nose of caramel, lemon zest and grapefruit. The taste is equally rich with a nice malty beginning followed by a quick bite of citrus zest and pine, ending with a glowing balance of the two. The Citrus really kicks in at the end and really holds on. A really solid beer, very enjoyable. 7.2% abv.

 I have to say, the Widmer beers that have popped into the market, have been exception if you haven't tried them your really missing the boat. @ DABC

And don't forget Alta's 75th Anniversary Ale is also available.

Cheers!

Alta's 75th Anniversary Ale

On January 15, 1939 one of the oldest ski resorts in the United States opened. Alta, best known for the it's low moisture powder and high volumes of annual snowfall has been home to generations of local skiiers and a popular destination for powder buffs world wide.

To help celebrate Alta's diamond Jubilee the Utah Brewers Cooperative has created a brand new beer to honor one of Utah's favorite winter playgrounds. Note: This is the first beer from the UBC that does not have the name Wasatch or Squatters on it.

The Alta 75 is a dry-hopped pale ale, That delivers a piney, floral and citrus nose with a taste that has a moderate malty base with a big citrusy piny punch. It's beer that perfectly pairs with atmosphere that Alta has been cultivating these many, many decades.

Even if your a snowboarder (Alta does not allow snowboarding) you'll find this ale a perfect companion for your "secrect sick days".

Alta 75 has 4.0% ABV and will be available all over the state in grocery and coninence stores and of course at Alta Resort. This is obviously a limited edition beer and should be trickling into stores within the coming days. Should also be available at the Beer Store after 5pm this evening.

Cheers!