Wasatch Front Brewery Updates

As the beer landscape keeps changing here in Utah, we here at the Utah Beer Blog are constantly looking for updates and the newest information for Utah's drinking culture enthusiasts. We have four notable things to bring to your attention today.

Mountain West Hard Cider's new Cidery was recently rewarded their final licences and permits to officially start making local cider. In the next few weeks we should all be enjoying new batches of SLC cider. Mountain West Hard Cider is located at 425 n. 400 w. in SLC one door south of RedRock's Production Brewery. Now that's a great one/two punch!    

Proper Brewing Company announced that their new facility will be opening for business Presidents Day weekend 2016! Proper Brewing is a sister brewery of SLC's Avenues Proper Restaurant and Publick House. It is located 857 S Main Street, Salt Lake City. Just a block from Epic Brewing Brewing Co. Another great one/two punch!

Talisman Brewing Co. in Ogden continues to make progress on Ogden's next big thing and is scheduled to open in early 2016. Talisman Brewing is located at 1260 South Gibson Ave Ogden, UT

Maple Mountain Brewery in Provo continues to make progress on Utah Counties first brewery in well... forever. Maple Mountain is located at 861 s. 170 e. Provo, Utah

Prost!

Picture Courtesy - Utah Stories

The Death of Utah's 3.2 Beer May Be Near

Utah and Oklahoma share a lot of history concerning alcohol and the way it's governed. For many years our liquor laws were virtually identical in application and enforcement. Recently Oklahoma has began stepping away from Utah's more sharia-esque approach to alcohol giving way to laws that now allow "high point" beers on draft in bars and restaurants.

Recently Oklahoma has been creating a buzz in the beer industry as Oklahoma's legislature is in favor of new legislation that would do away with their states 3.2 beer laws. Currently, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Utah and Minnesota still have 3.2 beer laws on the books with Oklahoma consuming most of the 3.2 beer produced. If this Oklahoma law were to pass next year, it could change the dynamics of how the big breweries make and market their 3.2 suds. 

With a huge segment of their market disappearing, there is a real possibility that the mega breweries might have a change of heart in producing “small batches” of 3.2 beer just for the three remaining states that rely heavily on them. That would mean they would have to change their laws or go without.

In the case of Utah, it's anybody's guess on what would happen if there was no more 3.2 beer to be sold. In my opinion, our Mormon lead legislature would not suddenly open the flood gates and let all of the high point beer flow into grocery, convenience stores and bar taps. It is more likely that they will raise the 3.2% ABW cap to 5% to 5.5% ABV ceiling,  then take away a current drinking liberty that we now enjoy. This would open up some options for out of state draft beers to enter the market and allow some locally made higher alcohol beers onto tap handles as well. But these are all theories that exist in my tiny mind.

It could be an interesting turn of events that could reshape Utah's alcohol landscape much sooner than people (my self included) had originally envisioned. We'll keep an eye on what develops on Oklahoma and pass on relevant updates. 


Here are a few article from Oklahoma one the proposed laws
http://www.tulsaworld.com/blogs/scene/whattheale/what-the-ale-could-oklahoma-change-the-rest-of-the/article_23ed3f43-fd3d-5f8f-815d-90d53c6d3868.html

http://www.normantranscript.com/news/four-states-watching-oklahoma-closely-as-lawmakers-push-liquor-law/article_d4058ece-6c48-11e5-abd7-67860a35ccb7.html

http://www.oklahomalegalgroup.com/oklahoma-criminal-defense/a-potential-change-to-oklahoma-s-liquor-laws

What are your thoughts, is this game changing or just a flash in the pan? Please share.

Image courtesy - Pat Bagley/Salt Lake Tribune

Cheers!

Is Cutthroat No More?

I came across this image the other day of the iconic Uinta Cutthroat label missing one important thing. It doesn't say, Cutthroat! This immediately sent me into panic mode. There has only been one other instances in the past decade that has sent Utah Beer Blog Headquarters (my basement) into Beer-Defcon 3 status - the other was Rooster's Höpfner pizza beer a few years back. After I managed to pull myself out of the fetal position, I manage to contact Uinta to express my outrage.

Lindsay Burke, Uinta's Marketing Director - managed somehow to talk me off the ledge. She informed me that there was no damn way that Uinta's flagship beer was loosing it's beloved name, only that Uinta is looking to spread the love of Cutthroat beyond Utah's boarders.

You see, many years ago, the name Cutthroat was caught in a bit of a tug-of war between Odell Brewing Co. and Uinta Brewing. Odell already owned the name Cutthroat Pale Ale even though Uinta had gone to market with their pale ale first. The breweries came to an agreement - Uinta could keep using the name, but only within Utah's boarders (even though Odell has long since discontinued their own Cutthroat pale ale).

That's how Uinta Pale Ale came to be - same beer, a slightly different label that all of America can now enjoy. Hissy-fit avoided!

Speaking of Odell, it is rumored that they will be entering the Utah market sometime in 2016 - I'm thinking their Cutthroat Porter will not be crossing the Utah/Colorado boarder.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 10/23/15

If coffee is your thing, this week's New Beer Friday will fill you with all sorts of java happiness.

Desert Edge Coffee Stout - This stout is brewed with fresh Mill Creek Coffee Roasters coffee.  It has a big coffee nose as well as coffee flavor which melds well with the roasted barley and chocolate malt flavors. Creamy Delicious on the nitro tap. 4.0% ABV @ Desert Edge

Ninkasi Noir - Another coffee infused beer. This one is a milk stout. The nose has roasted malt, cocoa and coffee. The taste is similar with cocoa powder, coffee bean and sweet cream. Though it is slightly sweet the finish does have some dryness from the hops and the roasty bitterness.7.6% ABV @ Beer Bar Beerhive

Hoppers Dunkel Lager - A copper/brown colored lager made with mostly light toasted Munich malt and dark kilned Munich malt. The flavor is well balanced and they drink lighter and more smoothly than would be expected for a dark beer. Flavors of a toasted barley, light chocolate, bread and subtle German hood. The aroma is of a rich malted barley and caramel malt with a nice fresh hop aroma. 4.0% ABV @ Hoppers

Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose should be popping this weekend at some Smith's Stores. And when I say, "some" I mean "some" not all. And I have no idea which ones will have them. So if you happen to come across them this while your out and about please share wher you found them. Next week you should start seeing them at Maverik stores and some Harmons

Oskar Blues - We have an update on the arival of Oskar Blues. You should start seeing them in limited distribution in early December. Look for Dales' Pale, Lil Yella Pils, Old Chub and Pinner. Other labels will soon follow.

Prost!

Salt Lake City Wants More Breweries

Salt lake City's Mayor and City Council are looking in to creating new ordinances that would ease restrictions on where breweries and brewpubs can operate within the capitol city. Right now beer making establishments are limited as to where breweries of specific sizes and capacities are allowed to operate. These new ordinance changes are designed to lift the umbrella surrounding breweries that currently has a one size fits all approach.

Basically this means more smaller breweries and specifially brewpubs for city than zoning currently allows. One great example of this is Avenues Proper. They operate within the Avenues neighborhood Salt Lake City making beer and serving food. The operation is small enough and the impact of the business on the area is so slight, that if you know nothing about the pub you'd never know beer was being made there. Of course there are many in the community that think there too many breweries in the city and appose any changes.

This ordinance change is still in the proposal stage. The SLC Council has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. I urge anyone who supports these changes to attend this meeting and let your voices be heard.

Cheers!

Anderson Valley Brewing Events This Week

Anderson Valley Brewing Company is re-introducing themselves to the Salt Lake market with a couple of "get togethers" designed to reacquaint Utahans with their beer. Anderson Vally has been in Utah for quite some time - nearly fifteen years to be exact. The were partially responsible for giving Utah's beer drinkers a good idea of what the taste trends were like on the west coast, opening up our appreciation for the new trends.  

At the Beerhive this Wednesday from 5p-7p – Andersion Valley Reps will be serving Boont Amber Ale, Hop Ottin’ IPA, Poleeko Pale Ale, Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout, Seasonal, Brother David’s Double, Brother David’s Triple, and Wild Turkey Barrel Aged Stout.

On Thursday from 5p-7p - The Beer Bar will be pouring all of the beer above plus Kimme the Yink and the Holy Gose and Blood Orange Gose on draught.  These are great opportunities for the breweries to get to know what you want from them, so they can better serve the market. Hope to see you there!

Also, you will also be seeing these Gose beers popping up in Grocery stores very soon.

Cheers!

Uinta Port o' Call Belgian Dark

Yea! More new beer from Uinta Brewing is coming our way. This new offering is described as a Belgian-style Dark Ale that has been aged in Port Wine barrels. Get it? Port Wine/Port o' Call? Anyway this new beer will dial in at 9.4% ABV and will be "ready when it's ready" - probably in the next 3-4 weeks.

It will be packaged in 750ml corked and caged bottles and will only be available in SLC at the brewery and local watering holes that choose to stock it. It will also find it's way around to most of  the U.S. It's nice to see all of these new brews coming out of Uinta at such a steady pace. We'll spread the word when it debuts.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday - Tiger Beat Edition

Oh, you're gunna feel like 14 year old girl again after you get your hands on this week's New Beer Friday selections. If only we had a little Ralph Macchio action to go with it!

Breakside Wanderlust - Not tried this one yet. It's described as having a murky golden-yellow color with a nose of citrus fruit and tropical fruit aromas. The taste has citrus fruit and citrus zest flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with a tasty mix of citrus and tropical hop qualities. 6.6% ABV @ Beer Bar. Note: This likely wont be available until mid afternoon on Friday.

Breakside Passion Fruit - Not tried this one yet. It's described as being a 100% sour fermented wheat ale, inspired by German Berliner weisse and conditioned on passion fruit.4.0% ABV. @ Beer Bar. Note: This likely wont be available until mid afternoon on Friday.

RedRock Ori-Gin - Pours a murky apricot color with a nose of juniper berries and spicy yeast. The taste starts with tart juniper and citrus peel. bready malts come complimenting the berries. The end has a blend of  tropical juice flavors that are pleasant and refreshing. Wonderful beer - drink this today! This technically isn't a new beer beer but it has a much fuller taste than in previous years, so I think it's worth your attention again. 4.0% ABV @RedRock Downtown

2 Row Random IPA #2 - The #2 version has Mosaic and Simcoe hops. The nose has a spicy nuttiness, and the distinct fruityness brought on by the Mosaic hops. The taste starts with slightly toasted caramel malt sweet flavor front that gives way to the aforementioned spicey nut-esque flavor and is rounded out by somewhat bitter hops with hints of orange and pineapple. Has a slightly crisp and prickly, smooth finish. 8.5% ABV. @ 2 Row Brewing's bottle shop.

Returning also this week: RedRock's Griswald's Holiday Ale and you can now get Epic's Big Bad Baptist at DABC stores. Available at: Downtown, Foothill, Avenues, North Temple, 33rd, Wine Store, and 3rd W Wine Store - Provo, Bountiful, Murray, Ogden & Riverton 

Cheers!

Bohofest and Biketoberfest this Weekend

If you're looking for something to do this weekend we have a few suggestions that will likely meet you beer needs. 

First off - there's Biketober. In celebration of the 300 South 200 West Bicycle Intersection Completion, organizers are shutting it down for cars and bringing together the community to bike down and have a uniquely great time!  There will be local beers from Red Rock Brewery, Squatters Brewery, Bohemian Brewery & Grill, Moab Brewery, Wasatch Brew Pub and , Desert Edge Pub and Brewery
 
=====LIVE MUSIC=====
Bonneville - Noon
Sink the Seas - 1:00pm
Suburban Birds - 1:30pm
 BEACHMEN - 2:30pm
Vinyl Tapestries - 3:30pm

=====BIKE OLYMPICS=====
Bicycle Obstacle Course - 12:30pm
Bike Team Relays - 1:30pm
Bike Hoop Toss - 2:30pm
Last Bike Standing - 3:00pm
Freestyle Competition - 3:30pm
Bike Polo Exhibition 4:00pm
Teams encouraged, prizes rewarded.

=====FOOD=====
Cafe Shambala
Freestyle Foodie

=====PROCEEDS GO TO=====
Utah Brewers Guild
Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective
Revolution United
 
Next there's the 3rd Annual Bohofest. This event is held at the brewery's back parking lot and features Bohemian's unique styles of old world lagers - including Boho's Oktoberfestbier and brats. The fest runs from 2pm-7pm and is open to all ages. But bring your i.d. if you want beer. 

Both events run Saturday October, 17th only.

Prost!

RedRock Session Holiday Ale

RedRock has will be adding a new Holiday beer to their bottled beer portfolio in the coming months. This new Holiday Ale is a little brother to Giswald's Big Holiday Ale that RR offers every year. Holiday Ale is session beer brewed with cinnamon, coriander, ginger, clove and orange peel. Look for it in RedRock's 500ml bottles. 4.0% ABV.

RedRock has a deal with Harmon's Grocery stores to sell their beer. I'm not sure yet if this beer will also be exclusive to Harmon's. We'll let you know.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday - House of Cards Edition

The Mormon Francis Underwood's star may be on the rise, but that doesn't mean he has to piss all over your weekend. Here are some tasty, barley based treats to keep your spirits up!
  
Green Flash Jibe Session IPA - pours it clear golden color with a nose that is floral with some citrus and grass. The taste is piney and earthy upfront with toasty malt notes. The end is mostly piney with some floral bitterness.  Finishes quite dry. Overall this IPA is thin, even for Utah standards.  If you're a fan of Green Flash then it's definitely worth your time. 4.0% ABV @Smith's & Harmon's Grocery Stores.

New Belgium Fat Tire - This is the new 4% version that is mow available in Utah.  I haven't tried it yet,  should start showing up at most grocery stores and convenient stores around the state.

New Belgium Pumpkick - Pours a deep but clear amber color. The nose is mostly pumpkin pie spices. The taste has more of a yam character rather than pumpkin. She does not force the spices are subtle though. Drinkable but not my favorite of the pumpkin beers  that I've come across. 6.0% ABV @Bayou, Beer Bar, BeerHive

Descutes Zarabanda Saison - Pours a clear dark gold with a thin, dissipating head. The nose is full of spices and citrus. Lots of yeast, malt, lemon lime, pretty complex. The flavor is spicy yeast, pepper, very herbal, grass, grains, citrus lemon and lime. The finish is clean, crisp, very drinkable. 6.1% ABV @ Bayou, Slackwater

Rogue Pumpkin Patch Ale - Pours a dark amber/orange color. The nose has vanilla, pumpkin spices, clove, allspice, and nutmeg. The tastes starts with vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and pumpkin flesh. Caramel malts come next with some hop bitterness and coriander rounding it out. It's okay, but thinner than expected 5.6% ABV @ Bayou

Sea Dog Sunfish Wheat - Pours a pale straw color with a medium thin head. The nose is big with floral notes and heavy peach. The taste starts out very sweet with flavors of orange and peach, then some mild breadiness comes in from the wheat. It's alight beer but the peach is quite overwhelming. 4.6% ABV @ Bayou

Upslope Brown Ale - The nose is a nice mix of nuts and roasted malts with a little hint of caramel and molasses. The nutty maltiness from the nose  continues through to the tongue with just enough caramel in there to weigh the beer down and a mild, bitter twang at the end. The finish is long toasty. 6.7% ABV @ Bayou, Beer Bar

Mother Earth Belgian Quad - Pours a mostly clears amber/brown color. The nose is a bit boozy with dark fruits and a hint of whiskey. Taste wise this is more akin to a barley wine than a Belgian quad. deep toffe notes and dark spicy fruits create an almost English barlewine feel. The alcohol for the most part is masked nicely. 12% ABV @ BeerHive

Green Flash Soul Style IPA - Pours clear golden color with a finger of head. The nose is strong with citrus, floral and some malty sweetness. The taste gets more complex with some melon flavor up front then more resiny flavors of citrus and floral. Finishes nicely with bitterness of hops dominating but some sweetness from malt. Overall, a nice IPA. 6.8% ABV @ Slackwater

Prost!

Shades of Pale Beer X IPA Release 2

There's a new brew coming soon from Shades of Pale's Beer X Series. IPA Release 2 is an 7.7% IPA that uses Galaxy and Centennial hops.  This will be packaged in a 12oz bottle and will be available at the brewery in a few weeks.

Also available today is a special release from Epic. Son of a Baptist is an experimental 8.5% Imperial Stout that takes it's cues from Epic's Big Bad Baptist. This version is infused with coffee and cacao nibs but is not barrel aged. It's a limited - growler only release that is only around 'til it's gone. So don't procrastinate. 

Cheers!

New Packaging for Wasatch/Squatters Crowlers

Back in August, we the first to tell you about Wasatch/Squatters new Crowler (canned growler) packaging. The new 32oz cans are filled on demand from whatever draft selection you desire. Up till now the cans have been blank or have had a generic label. Now the Crowlers have their own look. Here's what you'll be seeing on your crowlers in coming weeks.

We'd also be interested to here what you think about the crowlers vs growlers.

Cheers!

Uinta's Holiday Cutthroat

Uinta's Cutthroat has been a part of my life since it burst upon the scene in 1993. For at least a decade, I always made sure it was in my fridge or filling my mug at my favorite watering holes. The light toffee maltiness combined with its floral, citrus and grapefruit hop profile never let me down.

Cutthroat has continued to do well, decades later. It continues be a locals only beer that is still one of Uinta's best sellers. Over the past few weeks beer geeks have been introduced to a new re-invigorated version of Cutthroat in the form of Wet Hopped Cutthroat. It's still the same beer with a more pronounced Cascade hop smack. 

Now I have the pleasure to preview for you the newest incarnation of this life long staple. Cutthroat Holiday Pale Ale. This version will be brewed with star anise, cinnamon and clove and it will dial in at 4% ABV.  This special holiday release with be featured in Uinta's 750ml. bottles.

You'll probably start seeing this new seasonal ale sometime around the beginning of November at your local grocery stores. Stay close for debut.

I'd also like to thank the Utah Brewers Guild, the Beer Bar and KRCL Radio for putting on the Harvest Festival on Sunday. What a great day!

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 10/2/15

I only one man damn it! There are so many damn beers this week and so little time. There are quite a few wet hop ale and a couple of beers from Iron Fist Brewing have finally arrived. Please enjoy!

Uinta Wet Hop Cutthroat - A much more piney version of Cutthroat with
 a bit of bitter citrus peel. 4.0% ABV @Uinta and where Uinta has seasonal taps

Desert Edge Figure 8 A pale ale from DE. Not tried it yet. 4.0% ABV @ Desert Edge

Desert Edge Put Away Wet - A Cascadian Brown Lager, brown in color without a lot of darker malt flavor and a nice hop finish. Unfiltered.  Radius is also back on as as well. 4.0% ABV @ Desert Edge

Laughing Dog Brewing Trail Ride - Not tried this yet. 4.0% ABV @ Harmon's

Laughing Dog Cream Ale - Not tried this yet. 4.0% ABV @ Harmon's

Squatters Hop Down Under - Session IPA with Southern Hemisphere Hops. Not tried this yet. 4.0% ABV @ Squatters

Ballast Point Calm Before the Storm - Like a vanilla cappuccino! 5.5%ABV @Slackwater - Beer Bar

Coney Island Hard Root Beer - Tastes like root beer. Very sweet root beer. 5.8% ABV @ Beer Bar - DABC

Iron Fist Uprising IPA - Not tried this yet. 12%ABV Supposed to be at Beer Bar. Not there as of last night though.

Iron Fist Velvet Glove Stout - 9% ABV Imperial Stout - Not tried this yet. Supposed to be at Beer Bar. Not there as of last night though.

Snake River Monarch Pilsner - 5.0% ABV @ Beerhive

Snake River Pako's IPA - 6.8%ABV @ Beerhive, Slackwater

Snake River Zonker Stout - 6.0% ABV Beerhive, Slackwater

Snake River Jenny Lake Lager 4.8% ABV @Slackwater

Tennent's Whiskey Oak Aged - The nose is skunk as hell. The taste is much more malty with some scotch whiskey notes. 6.0% ABV @DABC

Cheers!