Beer Zombies SLC Opens Today

A Las Vegas staple in craft beer has it's cloudy eyes locked on SLC - starting today you get to experience Beer Zombies SLC. Starting at 5pm today (12/31/19), this new concept in craft beer will offer a wide variety of mostly local craft beers on draft, in cans and in bottles.

Located at 153 s. Rio Grande Street, Beer Zombies will be part of the new HallPass food hall. Joining its sister company SkinnyFATS, the 11,000-square-foot 'gastropub' will anchor the southern end of the Gateway Complex.

You'll find beers from 5.0% to 'whatever' from breweries from all over the area. Beer Zombies is currently in soft opening mode, so keep that in consideration upon making you visit.

Cheers!

Photos Courtesy: Beer Zombies SLC

New Berer Friday 12/27/19

I hope the holidays treated you well. It's not like you were suffering from lack of beer this week, but just in case you're jonesing for something new, I did manage to find a few new things to keep the end of the decade fresh.

RoHa - Project Porter: Roasty malt is strong on the nose. There's a lot of chocolate in the taste, and there's a rich creaminess, too. A touch of hop bitterness to balance (or is it char?). Its body is rich and substantial, a lot like a stout. 5.0% - Available at RoHa.

Kiitos - West Coast IPA: The aroma started with citrus peel somewhat bitter with an underlying sweet to bitter pine to blend. The taste was moderately bitter with an underscore of bitter piney-ness. There’s a lingering bitter piney aftertaste leading into a slight dry sweet citrus finish. 5.0% - only on draft at Kiitos.

Pipeworks - Close Encounters: This Black IPA has a bright citrusy nose with subtle cocoa and roasty malts. The taste is bitter up front with citrus rind and earthy notes. The roasted malt followed closely behind with coffee, char , and a hint of licorice. I've kinda fallen off of the BIPA bandwagon, due to a lack of well executed recipes. This one is pretty solid. If you're a fan of the style, check this one out. 6.0% - Found at Slackwater. 

Pipeworks - Normcore: This brown ale has a good amount of roasty and toasted malts for a nutty caramel flavor that feels just right for this time of the year; not to sweet, just enough to compliment the toast. It's balanced by a restrained dose of Bramling Cross hops - an obscure U.K. variety that adds fruity notes of lemon, blackcurrant and pear. A solid English style brown ale. 6.0% - Found at Slackwater.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 12/20/19

You can "use me" for all of your holiday beer research, and as a conduit for hours of classic holiday music and beer pairings (sorry Meista). The New Beer Friday Singers will be singing classics such as "All I want for Xmas is Brew", "The Little Drammer Boy" and that classic, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Haze Bro".  Be safe out there, kids!

Fisher - Holiday IPA: This hits Saturday morning and it will be one of their high point crowler releases. This is full of grapefruit peel & dehydrated orange with herbal and floral hops backing it up. West Coast IPA for sure. Nice beer. 7.0%

T.F. Holahaze:  This one drops Saturday Morning as well. Big citrus peel and herbal nose, that creeps into dank territory. Medium malt sweetness nourishes a good dose of chewy grapefruit peel that creeps into that gange territory. Not a classic ‘haze’ beer but it’s got broad appeal. 7.4% at TF starting Saturday morning.

Kiitos - Lime Salt Pilsner: there’s a fair amount of lime tartness backing sweet and toasted malts. 5.0% - Available at Kiitos.

Proper - Yacht Rock Juice Box: This has more of that herbal/citrus combo with light caramel malts.  5.0%. - Available at Proper

Proper - Bonestorm: This hopped-up amber ale hits taps today. Much more toasty than malty. Feels more like an ESB - 5.0% Available at Proper.

Bewilder - Coffee Bock: Missed this collaboration with Wasatch Beers. 5.0% - Available at Bewilder.

Bewilder - Citra Wheat Lager: Clean wheat crackers with a nice hoppy zip. Mostly tangerine & orange. Super drinkable. 5.0% - Available at Bewilder.

Heber Valley - Snake Creek BA Imperial Stout: Missed this one. 10.0% - Available at Heber Valley.

Level Crossing - Oat Slayer: 4.6% 4.7% - Released on 12/21

Level Crossing - West Coast IPA:  5.0% 4.7% - Released on 12/21

Level Crossing - Santa Slayer: Stout brewed with cinnamon, ginger, allspice, vanilla and nutmeg. 4.6% 4.7% - Released on 12/21

Level Crossing - Peppermint Slayer: Aged on Brazilian and Mongolian oak. Infused with York Peppermint Patties. 4.7% - Released on 12/21

Shades - Grape Kviek: One of my favorites in their Kveik Series. Mostly tart berries that come across as Smarties candy. 5.6% - available at Shades.

Destihl - Wild Sour Cranberry Criek: This sour evolved by merging tart cranberries with sweet cherries, normally associated with a traditional kriek, but in a kettle sour beer that is wonderfully intricate, balanced, fruity and tart. It was then dry-hopped adding a touch of citrus aroma and flavor, adding another layer of complexity with a tart finish. 5.0%. Found at DABC

Destihl - Weissenheimer Hefeweizen: This classic German-style Hefeweizen has fruity aromas and flavors of banana, clove and vanilla with a full mouthfeel and an appropriate amount of yeast haze. 5.2%. Found at DABC


Elevation - Señorita: This Imperial Porter has aromatic notes of vanilla, cinnamon and sweet milk. The beer hits the palate with vanilla, sweet chocolate malts, and a hint of cinnamon; all with a medium body and a balancing pine hop bitterness. 8.2%. Found at DABC.

The Following (for the most part) are largely exclusive to the Bayou this week. If you're a fan of sour beers the Bayou is defiantly a must stop for you this year.

Dogfish Head - Super 8: This Gose style sour ale was brewed with Hawaiian red sea salt, prickly pear, mango, boysenberry, blackberry, raspberry, elderberry, and kiwi juices & toasted quinoa. It's bacically a fruit salad. 5.3%

Dogfish Head - Wood Aged Bitches Brew: This a fusion of a Russian Imperial Stout aged in American oak and an Ethiopian Tej Honey. This beer was also aged in Paraguayan, Palo Santo Wood. 9.0%.

Boulevard 30th Anniversary: This beer is a blend of nine Boulevard beers. 34% Imperial Stout in rye whiskey finished port casks –  26% Belgian Dark Strong Ale in ruby and tawny port casks – 16% Double Mashed Imperial Stout in bourbon barrels – 9% Belgian Dark Strong Ale in California sherry casks – 5% Imperial Stout in bourbon barrels – 5% Imperial Stout in Spanish sherry puncheons – 3% Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels followed by ruby/tawny port casks and 2% Belgian Dark Strong Ale in bourbon barrels. Yeah, this screams the holidays. 12.5%

Firestone Walker - Mole Merkin: This version of Velvet Merkin has dried Puya chili, cinnamon and cocoa nibs from the Dominican Republic to a brandy barrel-aged version of Velvet Merkin. The chili adds a spicy. yet approachable heat, with rich dark berry fruit flavor. The addition of cocoa nibs helps balance the heat from the peppers, adding to the mouthfeel. The result is a complex, yet delicate beer, with flavors of earthy chili pepper, cinnamon and cocoa. 7.8%

Stone Jägermeister & Arrogant Bastard Ale: Flavor-wise there's a bit of pine and black licorice up front. An oaky character brings notes of cinnamon. It finishes with dark fruits and an herbal bite - similar to strong mint tea with lemon. The flavors in this beer are extremely strong. Not for the timid. 8.5%.

Stone - Enjoy by 01/01/20: These IPAs rarely disappoint. Havn't had this one; it's more of a double at 9.4%.  

Jester King - Super Ultrameg Hyperforce: This saison has a orange, golden color with a nose of funk, tartness, melon, yeast spiciness and wheat. Taste follows, but it finishes with melon, and a nice crisp tartness. Very nice. 4.5%.

Jester King - Vague Recollection: Funky yeast with wine barrel notes. Grape must, apricot and lemon as well. Apricot and peach notes with lemon acid round it out. The mouthfeel is tart, dry and crisp. 6.0%.

Jester King -  B.A. Bier de Miel: Missed out on this 6.9% Bier de Garde.

Jester King - Das Wunderkind: This saison was refermented in oak barrels with wild yeast and souring bacteria. It was then blended with fresh, dry-hopped beer prior to bottle-conditioning. Dry and lightly tart, with notes of citrus, barnyard, and tropical fruit. 4.5%

Jester King -  Hibernal Dichotomous: This wild saison is brewed with cardamom pods and refermented with roasted beets and carrots. Notes of earthy carrots, pears, apricot, dark fruits, plum, lemongrass and beets. Finishes slight tart. 5.8%.

Jester King - Le petite Prince: Throughout Northern Europe, light-bodied, well-hopped, low alcohol table beers were often the beverage of choice with all meals at times and in places where the water wasn’t always safe to drink. This is a clear and simple expression of the delicate interplay between noble hops and farmhouse yeast. Low point beer haters need not apply. 2.9%.

Jester King -  No Whalez Here: This witbier has notes of sweet wheat crackers, plantains and coriander. Subtle floral hops play well of the white pepper from the yeast and lemony twang. 6.8%.

Jester King -Nobel King: Missed this one. This is a highly attenuated, unspiced farmhouse ale brewed with an abundance of organic noble hops, and fermented with wild yeasts from the Texas Hill Country. 5.9%.  

Prairie Artisan Ales/Evil Twin - Bible Belt: This huge Imperial Stout is based on Evil Twin Brewing's "Even More Jesus" Imperial stout, but spiced like Prairie Artisan Ales' "Bomb!" made with coffee, vanilla, chilies and cacao nibs. This one may make you clutch your pearls at 13.0%.

Prairie Artisan Ales -  Birthday Bomb: Caramel Sauce and a healthy dose of coffee and spices make this one unique from the standard Bomb! 13.0%.

Prairie Artisan Ales - Oh Fudge: This a chocolate brownie stout. The flavor is roasted malts, dark chocolate brownie and raisins. It's a bit sweet and quite tasty.11.5%.

Prairie Artisan Ales -  Bomb!: This imperial stout is aged on coffee, cacao nibs, vanilla beans and ancho chili peppers. 13.0%.

Cascade Cuvée Du Jongleur: A blending of select barrels of Cascade's Flanders Reds and soured Belgian Triples aged in oak for up to 18 months. Then blended with fresh 25° Plato, Blonde Quadruppel - then aged, allowing lactic fermentation. 8.4%.

Cascade - Rose City Sour: This is a blend of wheat and blond ales aged in oak wine barrels for up to 14 months with rose petals, rose hips and hibiscus tea. Look for fresh roses matched with notes of dried cranberries, pomegranates and a hint of white pepper. 6.8%.

Cascade - Brunch Line: This sour was made with chardonnay grapes and orange zest and aged in white wine barrels. A mature, puckery, and clean sour ale. 9.6%.

Cascade - Coastal Gose: Missed this beer. 7.3%

Cascade - Coral Horizon:  This is a blend of sour blond ales aged in oak wine barrels for up to 16 months with late infusions of grapefruit zest, hibiscus tea and freshly chopped ginger root. Pouring a brilliant coral-red hue reminiscent of a summer sunset, this small batch blend offers a soft, approachable acidity level with aromas of ruby red grapefruit and a refreshing ginger spice. 8.0%.

Cascade - Pistil Whipped: A blend of sour strong blond ales infused with saffron, annatto and chamomile flowers. Pouring a rich golden-yellow from the saffron’s distinct color infusion, this Sour Flower Fest creation captures saffron’s earthy, hay-like spice character with a gentle chamomile tea background. 7.6%.

Cascade - Tropical Embers: Missed this one. 7.3%.

Cascade - Vlad the Impaler: Dark Fruit with big sour and heat from the 12.5% alcohol. Notes of bourbon and a lactic bite as well. This sour quad is hugely complex.

Revision -  IPA: Simcoe hops lay the hop foundation for this extremely delicious, flavorful and quaffable American IPA. Tropical citrus, orange and pine accents meld seamlessly. Low impact bitterness, high impact aroma and flavor. Very nice IPA. 6.5%. Also at Slackwater

Revision -  Double-Up IPA: Simcoe and Mosaic hops battle for domination in your mouth. 8.0%. Also at Slackwater

Revision - Citra Slam: This West Coast IPA is of course hopped with Citra and is tropically sweet with ripe tangerine, with an edge of mango and passion fruit. 6.5%. Also at Slackwater

Petrus Cherry Chocolate Nitro Quad: This is a perfect blend of Quadrupel, using 6 different types of roasted malts and cherries. The nitrogen adds nice body to the quad, giving it more body and creaminess and making it extremely drinkable. The only Belgian Quad on nitro! 8.5%.

Have I given you enough! If not, please share, damn it!

Cheers!

New Beer/Brewery Friday - Bewilder Brewing Co.

This has been a pretty big year for beer in the state of Utah. We of course had the the big switch fro 4.0% to 5.0% along with four new breweries opening around the state. Four breweries is a big number for a state with our low alcohol consumption, and in any other that would be a record breaker. Not this year however. as of today we now have five new brewery to end 2019, as we welcome Bewilder Brewing Company into Utah's craft beer fold.

Cody Mckendrick and Ross Metzger have sent the better part of the last two years turning their dream into reality and as of today, their dream has finally been realized. It's a good day for all of us and an even better day for them. If you get a  chance stop by sometime this weekend and help them celebrate the opening of Utah's 40th brew house.

 Bewilder Brewing- Munich Festbier: This beer was made with cooperation from Bohemian Brewing. Crystal clear with a nice aroma grainy malts and crackers. The flavor is similar with toasted bread, more crackers and herbal hops. There's a hint of malt sweetness in the end but it's most hop driven in the finish. 5.0% - Only at Bewilder.

Bewilder Brewing- Amarillo Mosaic Oat Pale Ale: This pale is was made in cooperation with 2 Row Brewing. It's got a huge citrucy and fruity nose. The taste follows with nice tropical fruits and massive grapefruit and mango. It's simple, yet straight to the point. Very nice. 5.0% - Only at Bewilder.

Bewilder Brewing - Apple wood Smoked Porter: This beer was made with cooperation from Toasted Barrel Brewing. There's a good amount of smoked cocoa in the aroma. There's less smoke on the tongue as you get nice roasted malt character with chocolate and grainy malts. Nice medium body, highly drinkable. 5.0% - Only at Bewilder.

Roosters - Nordic Porter: Big chocolate and espresso up front with sweet caramel and roasted grains. Soon after the barrel kicks in with nice spicy bourbon notes that hike the body and add complexity to an already beaming palate. This is a barrel strength porter, not blended which gives it raw untamed character. Thisis Roosters first barrel aged beer. Nicely done. Git sum! 9.3% - Only at Roosters.

2 Row - Cherry Chocolate Stout: Nice chocolate aroma with roasted malts up front on the palate. Smooth black coffee follows; mixed with bittersweet cocoa. It finishes with a mild dark cherry twang. As the beer warms the sweet tart cherry part of the beer becomes more pronounced. 11.0% Available at 2 Row, also found at Beerhive.

Policy Kings - O.P.P. IPA: Missed this one. 5.0% only at Policy Kings.

Toasted Barrel - Chardonnay Farmhouse: Missed this one too. 5.0% - Only at Toasted Barrel.

Funkwerks - Tropic King: Super hopped saison with big citrus peel bitterness and essence. The taste is dominated by equally huge wheat and yeast phenolic spices. Found at Beer Bar.

Funkwerks -Saison: Missed this one. 5.0% - also found at Beer Bar.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 12/6/19

The cuteness factor for this New Beer Friday is off the freak'n charts! All of these beers are adorably delicious AF, and ready for your favorite glass or trough.

Saltfire - Apollo 18: This IPA has a mellow aroma of grapefruit peel and 'herbs'. The taste is somewhat similar but more intense with  orange, pine, resin, and cannabis rounding out the flavor profile. The malts are medium sweet. Nice use of Apollo hops. NEIPA 'purists' may find its bitter finish and lack of suspended matter off-putting. 7.1% - Available at Saltfire

Hopkins - Strawberry Sorghum: For a gluten free beer, you'd never notice the lack of barley. The strawberry is subtle and it works well with the sorghum as it some sometimes add a hint of tartness. Nice GF (gluten free, not girlfriend) beer. 5.0% - Available at Hopkins. 

Fisher - Lotus pale ale: Missed this new pale ale. 5.0% - Available at Fisher.

Fisher - Polar bear pale ale: Missed this new pale ale. 5.0% - Available at Fisher.

Proper - Thunder Mountain Black Out: This new Schwarzbier ia a pretty traditional German version of the style, with all German ingredients and special techniques to extract the color and some characteristics of the dark malt while still making it something super crushable. 5.0% - Available at Proper.

Heber Valley - East Ridge Tripel: Missed this new Belgian style Tripel. 8.0% - Available at Heber Valley Brewing.

Shades - Egg Nogg: You may be saying, whaaa? Yup, the minds at Shades that brought beers like Peach Cobbler and Mojito are still blurring the line between beer and well.... everything else. This beer is a Wheatwine at its base with all of the traditional nog spices (no eggs). It was also dosed with bourbon oak chips and a shload of lactose for that big egg nog sweetness. It's a bit sweet for me but it definitely captures the whole holiday feel. There is a hint of tartness though from the Kviek yeast. 9.0% - Available at Shades. 

Funkwerks - Provincial Raspberry: The raspberry aroma is strong, along with tart almost lemon quality. The flavor is tart berry with subtle briny notes, and a touch of yeast. The drinkability is excellent. Dry but not puckery, crisp but not overdone. Because the berry flavor is mild. 4.2% found at Angry Goat.

Funkwerks - Provincial Pineapple: Aroma is splattered with random notes of peppercorn, pineapple, bread, and yeast. Flavor profile is pineapple with a slight tangy, sour twist. 4.2% - found at Angry Goat.

Roadhouse - Loose Boots: This ahs a hazy, pale yellow color with a big pine and citrus aroma. Excellent light citrus smack to the flavor; lemon; light bread with well-rounded hop bitterness. Crisp, dry. 4.7% - Found at Harmons.

Roadhouse - Family Vacation: This cream ale has flavors of nutty biscuit and bread dough with citrus rind and lemony hops. Aroma is very light with hints of grains. 4.9% - Found at Harmons

Odell - Good Behavior: This session IPA has an aroma of juicy citrus and dank piney hops. The flavor is citrus, tropical fruit some sugary malts. Semi-dry finish. 4.0% - found at Harmons.

Oskar Blues - One-y: This session IPA has an orange citrus character with a modest bitterness. malts are thin with a slight herbal bite in the finish. Good balance for a light IPA. 4.0% - Found at Harmons.

Rogue - Just a Pinch: This gose has a fruity aroma with hints of lemon peel, berry, and grass. Flavors of  boysenberry, lemongrass, biscuit and sodium round it out. Lighter body with a tart and salty finish. 4.5% - Found at Harmons.

Rogue - Dreamland: I wasn't able to get to this new lager. 4.8% - Found at Harmons,

New Planet - Seclusion (gluten free) IPA:  I wasn't able to get to this new session IPA. 4.9% - Found at Harmons.

Carakale - Dead Sea-rious Gose: This Gose comes from the country of Jordan. Aromas of grapefruit, wheat, lemon and salt. The taste follows with a more subtle interpretation. Very smooth and appealing. If your not into goses, this may not change your mind, but if you dig 'em you'll be quite happy. 5.0% - Found on draft; only at the Bayou.

Saint Somewhere - Saison: Missed out on this saison. 5.0% - Found on draft; only at the Bayou.

Breckenridge - Colorado Core: Missed out on this apple blonde ale. 4.9% - Found at Harmons.

Breckenridge  - Strawberry Sky: Missed out on this strawberry kolsch. 4.9% - Found at Harmons.

Also Happening tomorrow is the BAD Fest (Brewers Vintners and Distillers). This is an educational  opportunity to help inform locals about the brewing arts. Participants will experience tastings from wineries, breweries, distilleries, and enjoy artisans locally-made products at this ultimate craft beer, whiskey and spirits and wine experience.

Whether you are a full-fledged homebrewing expert or just trying to understand the difference between a rye whiskey and bourbon, you will find more than one workshop to expand your palate at the Brewers, Vintners and Distillers Festival.

There is something for everyone – from mead and wine tastings, seminars and burlesque performances, to conversations with craft beer and homebrewing influencers, there are tastes and enticements at every turn.

Your entry includes a commemorative glass, access to workshops, tastings and live entertainment. Tickets and more info about BAD Fest can be found here.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 11/29/19

I hope you all had an excellent Thanksgiving. Due to it being a holiday week, not much hit shelves and taps over the last few days. Here are a few things to help continue your (hopefully) extended weekend. Keep an eye on Utah Beer's social media for updates later this afternoon - and if you found something I missed please share! Happy New Beer Friday!  

Heber Valley - Bishop Brown: Missed this one. This is a Belgian style brown ale - said to be inspires by the famous Biscoff Cookies. 5.0% - available at Heber Valley Brewing. 

Goose Island - 2019 Bourbon County Stout: This year’s Bourbon County Stout, aged in a mix of Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace, and Wild Turkey barrels. This one goes on sale today at 11am; From what I understand, It has a very limited availability and you should be able to find it at the Avenues DABC, Harris Ave Wine Store, Cottonwood Heights and Murray DABC. Some of the better beer pubs are picking some up as well, so if you miss out, pubs like Dick n' Dixie's, Beer Bar, etc will be grabbing some as well. This one is a beast at 14.5% 

Brewery Ommegang - Dubbel Merlau: This Belgian style dubbel was fermented with Merlot grapes and aged in red wine barrels. Look for oak and tannic acidity with a burst of malty goodness leading  to blackberry, cherry and raspberry. The finish is long, with layers of drying tannins and malt sweetness. A must try. 8.7% - Found at the Bayou.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 11/22/19

This week's new beers offer plenty of quality time. How you use it is up to you.

Saltfire - Putin on the Fritz: The aroma is dark charred malt and a little bakers dark chocolate. The taste is roasty malts up front, then some dark fruits and molasses. Finishes with a good amount of   semisweet chocolate. Nice round mouthfeel with a hint of booze. 9.4% - Available at Saltfire

Toasted Barrel Strawberry Stout: There's a good amount of chocolate happening here, it's not overpowering, more like dry cocoa. The strawberry is noticable and pleasant and gives the beer an almost holiday like feel. 9.0% - Available at Toasted Barrel.

Kiitos - Egyptian Honey Wit: This beer with made with Egyptian purple barely from local Solstice Malt and local honey. It starts with bubblegum and clove. Clover comes next with a smidgen of lemon peel which drags you into a thankful dry finish. This one is pretty yeast driven with a lot of phenolic pepperiness.Very limited batch size. 5.0% - Available at Kiitos

Salt Flats Barrel Aged  Kilted Harley: Right off the bat this Scotch Ale offers great toffee and fruity esters from the yeast. From there you get a bit of dark fruit and rum soaked cake. The barrel adds more dark rum & bourbon - rounding out the sweet maltiness of the beer. Quite tasty. 9.0% - Available starting today at Salt Flats.

Roadhouse - Mountain Jam Vol 5: Missed out on this new NEIPA. 6.5% - found at DABC

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 11/15/19

There's no need to hire bounty hunters to track down this week's New Beer Friday releases. Everything available this week is local (less one) and they're fresh, fresh, fresh. Go Utes!

Talisman - Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout (2019 Limited Exclusive Release): Aged for 6 months in Sugar House Bourbon Barrels, this beer has a strong and pleasant bourbon aroma, roasted malt, very nice. Nice blended bourbon taste, strong upfront. Roasted malt backs the bourbon well, with some cocoa flavors breaking though. Easy and smooth drinking. 10.5% - Very limited. Available at Talisman.

Proper Brewing - Monolith: The taste starts off with a rich roasted coffee flavor and a bit of chocolate until mid-sip until the depth of the barrels starts to come through. Very pleasant and usual whiskey flavors come in, adding some typical spicy rye notes with added hints of tart vinous-like qualities. 10.2%.

Saltfire - Mobius Trip Raspberry: This next iteration, like its predecessor, was aged for well over a year in Chardonnay oak barrels before aging again for several months, in this case, on Raspberries. Flavor wise you get a fair amount of raspberry on top of the barrel sour base. It's slightly intense and it swells around the sour. 8.0% Available today at Saltfire 

Zion/Saltfire - SSCXWC19UT-FVB: Yes, that is the name, it's not a typo. This collaboration pale ale was dry-hopped with a new hop called "Soltano". It provides some orange peel up front with some big resinous pine in the finish. 5.0%. Available on draft at Zion and Saltfire.

 

The following beers are a new line from Shades Brewing. F.i.t. is a low calorie, low carb edition to the Shades portfolio that is targeting the more active/health conscious beer drinker. 12 ounce cans are hitting stores right now, you can also get them at the Shades Taproom. 

F.i.t. - Blonde: Light body with nutty, toasted grains and lemon grass. 4.0%

F.i.t. - Brut IPA: This IPA is bone dry and is hopped with Simcoe and Motueka hops. Some citrus qualities with a hint of tartness - due to the very low levels of sugar. 4.0%

F.i.t. - Light Lager: Very light honey malt and toast with a hint of noble hops. Sparkling carbonation. 4.0%

Dogfish Head - 75 Minute IPA: This is basically a west coast IPA. The maple syrup element isn’t very present in the flavor beyond a faint sweetness, but does add a nice smooth mouthfeel. Hops are piney and grapefruity but not too bitter. Nice. 7.5% - Available at DABC.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 11/8/19

Before we get into New Beer Friday I have some news about one of the state's oldest adult institutions, the Cotton Bottom. If you're not aware, the Cotton Bottom is a tavern located in an area of the City of Holladay known as Knudsen's Corner (6200 s.). The tavern was originally a general store operated by the Knudsen family until 1966 when Helen Chlepas bought the property and turned the store into a tavern. The Cotton Bottom has been a staple in the area ever since, noted for being the first Coors bar west of Colorado, its infamous garlic burgers and of course it iconic Bugs Bunny looking sign.

The property has been in a state of flux after the passing of Chlepas, changing hands between her heirs and the current owners of the property the City of Holladay. The city has had many plans for the property, including a park and fire station. Luckily for us the city has chosen to keep it as the Cotton Bottom.

Now comes word that the City of Holiday and Cotton Bottom's current owner, Ashley Chlepas are selling the land, the bar and and some of the adjacent parcels to the owners of Salt Lake City's Bar X and Beer Bar. All the players in this deal seem to have a great respect for what the Cotton Bottom is and want to see it thrive going into the future. I spoke with the new owners last night, who expressed their delight in acquiring the Cotton Bottom and noted the importance of maintaining the spirit of the tavern.

Personally I think the Cotton Bottom is in great hands, and I look forwards to its new future. We'll have more news on this as it becomes available. Now It's beer time!    

Toasted Barrel - Hazy Session IPA: I missed this one, but I'm hearing good things about this new Hazy. Look for big tropical sweetness combined with citrus and light bitterness. 5.0% - Available at Toasted Barrel.

New Holland - Dragon’s Milk: Some roasted malt and vanilla with a touch of coffee. As in the nose, milk chocolate is dominant followed by the oak & bourbon from the barrel. Vanilla is more prominent than the aroma leads you to believe. There's a lot going on here. Complex and excellent. Available at Beerhive 11.0%

Modern Times - Space Ways:  The aroma has mango, hints of pine along with some lemon peel. Somewhat juicy taste with mild piney resin and an earthy character. Tropical fruit profile takes on notes of mango and a hint of pineapple. Available at Beerhive 6.7%

Modern Times - Orderville: The aroma is mostly papaya, mango and orange with some pine resin  as well. The grapefruit, orange and mango notes dominant the taste. Like the aroma there's the slightest dose of pine resin. Very fruity and not bitter at all. 7.2% - Available at Beerhive.


One of the advantages of the ABV hike is that we're getting access to kegged beers that we normally would never see. The Bayou managed to get their hands on some Bacchus Oud Bruin and De La Senne - Taras Boulba. These are supposed to arrive today. Both are 4.5%.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday: 5.0

Congratulations Utah, today is the first day of the rest of your life. One day you'll look into the eyes of your great, great, grand children and tell them of the first day that Utah got 5% beer. I imagine that day will be in the year 2105... I mean it took us 86 years to go from 4% to 5%, so getting to that magical 6% number should take about that long as well. That's assuming the LDS Church hasn't abandon Utah for Kolob by then.

All joking aside this is a big day for many of you. This will be the biggest New Beer Friday ever with over a hundred new beers hitting shelves and draft handles today. A good majority of those being reformulated versions of beers you love and are already familiar with. You will also be seeing a flood of new craft, macro and international brands starting today. This is not everything, but it gives you a good idea of what's out there. You'd better strap in.

Normally I find a way to get ahead of the game to get you tasting notes early. Because of the fierce amount of scrutiny placed on the breweries to keep 5% beers out of the public reach until Nov. 1st, few to none have been made available to me. Also, there's a shit load of beers listed below; look them over carefully, there are a few hidden gems down there that will only be around for a very short period of time. Happy New Beer Friday 5.0! 

Uinta - Hazy Nosh: Heavy on the tropical fruitiness; grapefruit, pineapple and peach. Bitterness is low with a good amount or tangerine in the end. Very nice. 5.0% - Available at Uinta.

Kiitos/Dick n Dixie's - Bourbon Barrel Coconut Stout: When Will Bourne, owner of Dick n Dixies purchased a couple of private label bourbons earlier this year he also got the barrels the whiskies were aged in (Buffalo Trace/Elijah Craig). Those barrels were sent to Kiitos Brewing and their Coconut Stout was aged in them. The result of this marriage will be made available at only at Dick n Dixie's and Kiitos. This is a very limited run of only a couple of barrels and was made for esspecially for today. probably won't make it through the weekend so get on it. 5.0%. 

Kiitos/REI - :This collaboration beer was made with input from REI Outdoor Retailers. This is an amber ale made with sage and juniper. 5.0% - Available at Kiitos.

Epic Brainless Hound: This is Brainless Belgian aged in Spirit Hound Distillers Honey Whiskey barrels. Honey forward with whiskey notes. Sweet and round with a fair herbal bite. bitter mouthfeel. The barrel aging adds some good amount of oak tannins which balances the sweetness quite a bit. In Epic's 32 oz. crowlers only at the brewery. 12.3%

Epic Deep Pocket Lager: This one is simple. Pilsner malt. Tettnanger hops. Baverian lager yeast. 5.0% - Available at Epic

Epic Lunar Transit: This new is a new IPA for the Utah market. 5.0% - Still awaiting location info. A special version of this IPA will be featured in a special firkin located at the Bayou today.

Fisher - El Gato Negro: This black pale ale has been resurrected as a 5.0% beer. I'm hearing rumors that this will be tapped at 12:01am Friday morning.

Fisher - Shoulda Been 6: This west coast style pale ale takes jab at the new 5% law, implying that this beer should have been a 6.0% beer. I'm hearing rumors that this will be tapped at 12:01am Friday morning.

Hopkins - Sauvin Blanc Brut IPA: Described as a highly effervescent and super dry beer with a low malt-profile, this beer style focuses on hops that produce a white wine-like flavor and aroma with Chardonnay grapes added to the fermenter to make this a true wine-beer hybrid. Hallertau Blanc hops were used in the whirlpool, then whole-cone Nelson Sauvin hops were used in the dry-hop. 5.0% - Available at Hopkins.

Hopkins - Utah State of Rind: Described as a wheat beer with jalapeno and watermelon. Hopkins hand-scooped and pureed watermelons then threw some grilled jalapenos in the fermenter! The watermelon and jalapeno are highly present in the aroma, with the watermelon taking over the flavor. Just a touch of jalapeno flavor and minimal spice. 5.0% - Available at Hopkins.

Hopkins - Winter Ale: Described as a malty ale brewed with mulling spices, orange peel, and lactose. A mellow sweetness accentuates the spices. Tastes like the holidays! 5.0% - Available at Hopkins.

Proper - Ahern: Caramel and toasted grains with a medium amount of floral piney bitterness. 5.0% - Available at Proper

Proper Salted Caramel Porter: Dark roasted malts with a bit more caramel than expected for a porter. Slight sodium bite towards the finish. 5.0% - Available at Proper

Proper Hopspital: 5.0% - Available at Proper

TF Brewing - Pale Ale: 5.0% - Available at TF Brewing

TF Brewing Kellerbier: 5.0% - Available at TF Brewing

Squatters - Island Hop: This Tropical IPA is more akin to west coast style IPAs with a good amount of citrus and pineapple, combined with a medium piney hop bitterness. 5.0% - Available at Squatters/Wasatch locations

Squatters - Bier: This brand new German inspired pils takes it's cues from tradition German ingredients but is formulated with more modern barley and hops. The result is a fantastic Euro tasting pils that's totally to style. 5.0% - Available at Squatters/Wasatch locations

Squatters - Pick Up Lime: This lime ale is pretty subtle with the lime. It also has salt added which gives the whole beer a Gose feel - this is not a sour beer however. Citrusy and refreshing. 4.8% - Available at Squatters/Wasatch locations

Bonneville - Redline: 5.0% - Available at Bonneville and Pins and Ales (note: pins and Ale's new West Valley location was just awarded a full bar licence)

Bonneville - Free Roller:  5.0% - Available at Bonneville and Pins and Ales (note: pins and Ale's new West Valley location was just awarded a full bar licence)

Bonneville - Ton up: Nut Brown 5.0% - Available at Bonneville and Pins and Ales (note: pins and Ale's new West Valley location was just awarded a full bar licence)

Desert Edge - UPA: 5.0% - Available at Desert Edge

Desert Edge - Pub Pilsner: 5.0% - Available at Desert Edge

Desert Edge - Dry Creek Pale Ale: 5.0% - Available at Desert Edge

Hoppers - Face Plant: This is a German style Hefeweizen. 5.0% - Available at Hoppers

Hoppers - Stein Knockers: This is a classic German Marzen 5.0% - Available at  Hoppers

Hoppers - Helles Festbier: 5.0% - Available at Hoppers

Strap Tank - Cosmic Fog: Did you miss this hypnotic glitter bomb last time around? It's back, with all of it tart, astral trip'n goodness. 5.0% - Available at both Strap Tank locations and on Fisher Brewing's guest tap.

Strap Tank Endlich: This Munich Dunkel is not on yet at Strap Tank (no room), but the UBCs West Side Tavern will have on guest tap. 5.0%.

RoHa - Grapefruit Back Porch: This Grapefruit infused beer is getting its own cans and will be on draft. Big flavors of grapefruit pith. 5.0% - Available at RoHa Brewing Project

Roosters - Irreverent: West Coast style IPA, featuring citrus peel and pine. 5.0% - Available at Roosters Ogden

Roosters - Nut Brown: 5.0% - Available at Roosters Ogden

Roosters - Black Widow: Schwartzbier 5.0% - Available at Roosters Layton

2 Row - Separation: This is a brand new NEIPA 5.0% - Available at

2 Row - Extra Lager: 5.0% - Available at

2 Row - hIPAcrit: 5.0% - Available at

Level Crossing - Look Up: This has been out for a few weeks in cans. Now available on draft 5.0% - Available at Level Crossing

Level Crossing - In the Pines: 5.0% - Available at Level Crossing

Level Crossing - Oat Pale Ale: 5.0% - Available at Level Crossing

Bohemian - Koru Pilz: New Zealand-style pilsner is brewed with NZ Wai-iti and NZ Waimea hops that provides a firm bitterness balanced by a grainy malt sweetness, all brewed with a classic lager yeast. 5.0% - Available at

UTOG - Heck Yeah Hefeweizen: 5.0% - Available at UTOG

UTOG - Son of a Peach Hefeweizen: 5.0% - Available at UTOG

UTOG - Citra Pale Ale:  5.0% - Available at UTOG

Toasted Barrel - Blood Orange Gose: 5.0% - Available at Toasted Barrel

Cerveza Zóuipez - Golden Ale: 4.5% - Available Saturday at Sonora Grill in Ogden on tap on Sat
- Angry Goat Bar in Ogden on tap on Friday

Cerveza Zólupez - Amber Ale:  It’s brewed with Piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar), and Mexican canela (cinnamon sticks). Giving it a malty, rich caramelly taste- balanced- with a good whiff and aroma of cinnamon. How it’s different: 5.0% - Available Saturday at Sonora Grill in Ogden on tap on Sat - Angry Goat Bar in Ogden on tap on Friday

Cerveza Zólupez - IPA: It’s brewed with Blue Organic Agave from Mexico, and real lime peel (not concentrated lime flavor.) The lime peel, with the Citra hops, gives this IPA a hop forward fruit taste on the palate, and aroma lift to the nose. 5.0% - Available Saturday at Sonora Grill in Ogden on tap on Sat - Angry Goat Bar in Ogden on tap on Friday

Cerveza Zólupez - Ofrecafe Cerveza:  This is a Stout, with a strong coffee bite, and chocolate aromatics. Citrus notes from the Orange Peel. Brewed in Honor of Dia De Los Muertos. 7.0% - Available at Angry Goat Pub in Ogden starting Friday Nov. 1st.

Modern Times - Fortunate Islands: Solid west coast style pale ale. 5.0% - Found at Dick n Dixie's

Modern Times - Fruitlands: passion fruit and guava dominate this gose. Comes off a little sulphury and musty. 5.0% Found at Dick n Dixie's

Modern Times - Ice Pilsner:  Hopped with Czech Saaz and Australian Summer hops. 4.8% - Found at Dick n Dixie's

Firestone Walker – Rosalie:  This beer/wine hybrid comes off mostly as wine. Very little beer happening here. That being said it is very refreshing, perfect for those times when your all beered out. 5.0% - Found at Dick n Dixie's

Lagunitas - LAGUR:  Super hoppy lager with notes of citrus and herbal grass. 5.5% - Found at Dick n Dixie's

10 Barrel - Pub Beer: 5.0% - Found at Dick n Dixie's

Pilsner Urquel - Unpasteurized: This special keg of Pilsner Urquel was brought in for this special Utah occasion. Only one keg. Exclusively available at the Bayou until it lasts. 4.4%

Rogue - Cherry Chocolate:  5.0% - Available at DABC

Golden Road - Wolf Pup: 4.5% - Available at DABC

Upslope - Spruce Tip: 7.5% - Available at DABC

Wind River - Pale Ale: 7.2% - Available at DABC

Wind River - Out of Order Porter: 5.5% - Available at DABC, Bayou

Dogfish Head - Slightly Mighty: 4.0% - Available at DABC

Boulevard - Easy Sport: 4.1% - Available at DABC, Bayou

I know that there is a lot that is out there that's not listed. For my own sanity I limited each brewery to three beers. The other homework is up to you.  Oh, and if you missed the the Budweiser Clydesdale's they'll be in Park City this Saturday November 12th from Noon - 2:00pm. Cheers!

New Beer Friday 10/25/19

No need to hide Pierre, this week's beers are absolutely "Delcto".

TF Brewing - Jellyfish: This Hazy IPA features 3 different dry hops of Mosaic, Citra and Amarillo. All were added post boil, kepping the bitterness low and and the fruitiness high. Look for big tropical fruitiness with a huge explosive aroma. However when it warms that triple hop does begin to shows itself. 7.7% - Available at TF Brewing Saturday at Noon. 

Red Rock - Buffalo Point: There's another new hazy IPA out there for you weekend enjoyment. Red Rock first hazy starts with orange peel, tropical citrus and some dripping pine resins. Fresh peach sweetness, pineapple and some cantaloupe brings that tropical and berry-like fruitiness. Light bitterness of wet orange peels finishes it out. It's lighter ABV adds to the enjoyment. 6.2% - Available at Red Rock locations starting today at 11am.

SaltFire - Punk as F*ck: This beast of a Triple IPA is a collaboration beer brewed with SLC staple Raunch Records. One aspect of the brew that the Raunch crew wanted to showcase is the blood red color of this IPA; That on top of the huge ABV and the massive amount of hops that went into it. Punk as Fuck? could aldo be called "dank as fuck"! There’s also some berry notes and “herb” flavors as well. Finishes dry & bitter. 11.5% - Available at Saltfire.

SaltFire - Wet Hop Lupulin Dew-Idaho 7: This is the second version of Lupulin Dew - Saltfire's wet hop series. This version features over 70 lbs. of fresh and green Idaho 7 hops. The malt profile is a little subtle, it's missing some of the maltiness that you’d expect from a pale ale. The hop profile starts with a good dose of citrus peel adds in some berry notes and finishes with grassy/herbal bitters. It kinda takes this into IPA territory. 5.6% - Available starting today at Saltfire. 

Salt Flats - Lowrider:  This chocolate milk stout is brewed with cocoa nibs that combined with the  robust roasted malts creates a flavor that rich and dessert like with a velvety chocolate milk finish. 

 7.5% - Available at Salt Flats and the Garage Grill.

Salt Flats -  Tankslapper: This Double Rye Pale Ale features spicy rye caramel base with a great hop character that features notes citrus and stone fruit. Finishes with a medium amount of piney bitterness. 9.0% - Available at Salt Flats and the Garage Grill.

Salt Flats - Landspeed:  I missed this one. This is a Belgian style Witbier that is made with orange peel and Coriander. 5.5%  - Available at Salt Flats and the Garage Grill.

Toasted Barrel - Grodziskie: This is a polish style smoked wheat ale. I missed this one, but I'm geeked to try it as only a few local brewers have attempted to make this obscure beer style. Available at Toasted Barrel today.  

UTOG - Synergy Coffee Lager: Missed this one. Brewed with coffee from Wasatch Roasting Company. It's a lager which retains its color and relative clarity. These are kind of a mind fuk because of the intense coffee flavors coming from such a light beverage. 4.0% - Available at UTOG

Indeed Brewing - Lavender Sunflower and Honey Dates: New to our market - Very little bitterness with lavender and prominent honey flavors. Some dark fruits notes as well coming from the dates. An itersteding beer but the lack of bitterness brings the drinkabilty down a bit.7.2% Found at the Bayou.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 10/18/19

Some people get it, some don't. Rudy doesn't get it.... Don't be like Rudy.

Epic - Quintuple Barrel Big Bad Baptist: The final release of this year's Big Bad Baptist variants is finally here. This beer has a symphony of flavors that are silky and complex with rye spiciness, fudge, cherry cordial, espresso and coconut cream pie. You’d think that with all of the barrel addition here, it would be a hot mess, but it all comes together in a fairly tame manner. 11.0 % - Available at Epic starting today.

Epic - Oak and Orchard Cherry Vanilla: This new barrel aged sour takes on flavors very similar to cherry sorbet with a touch of balsamic vinegar added. this is damn tasty and propbably quite different from most barrel aged sours that you had. 6.5% - Available today, in Epic's new 32 ounce crowlers.

Saltfire - Series of Singularities Series, Idaho GEM: This new IPA is made with 100% Idaho Gem hops. The flavor profile here is very much citrus and fruity up front, while the tail end takes on more of an herbal floral profile. Very much a west coast style IPA. Quite nice. 7.3% - Available at Saltfire.

Squatters Mosaic Pale: This new pale ale is double dry hopped with Mosaic hops, and boy you can taste 'em. There's a serious amount of citrus and tropical flavors happening here, but it's not a turbid mess. Highly recommended. 4.0% - Only at Squatters downtown location.

Shades - Raspberry Bomb: The name says it all with this one. A massive amount of raspberries were added to this Kveik based beer. Basically if you're a fan of tart raspberry, you'll love this. Very little lactose was added - which served to smooth some of the more tart edges and make it more drinkable. Super fruity and tasty. 5.9% - Available now at Shades.

Crazy Mountain - Local's Stash Grapefruit Pale Ale: Missed out on this one. The  Local's Stash Series is a rotating series of styles offered for a one time run. You likely will not see this again so if you're interested, get on it! 7.0% - Found at the Bayou.

What did I miss? I you found something please share the beer love.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 10/11/19

New Beer Friday may not be the biggest thing in your life, but for some of us, it's a strong third and for that we're pretty damn thankful.

2 Row - Boysenberry Sour: Tart lemon/lime base with a generous dose of boysenberry. 2 Row always manages to create fruity sours that don't skimp on fruit. 6.1% - Available at 2 Row.

Avenues Proper - Where the Wild Hops Are: They're referring to this new ale as an Autumn Ale. The base beer is Proper's Best Bitter. Hops were foraged from the mountains near Wanship, Utah. Boiled and dry hopped with the wild hops. Smooth, rich, earthy, stone fruit.

Level Crossing - Look-Up Amber: Aroma is toasted malts, thin caramel with a small dose of floral hops. Taste is slightly a slightly more robust version of their 4.0% Amber Ale - with more hop character emerging in the finish. 5.0% Available at Level Crossing.

Level Crossing - In the Pines: Citrus filled aroma. Initial taste is very mild. Light-moderate bittering with moderately juicy - citrus, orange and pineapple. Certainly tropical. 5.0% Available at Level Crossing.

Fisher - Best Fresh: This wet hopped pale ale was made with 100 lbs. of fresh Idaho 7 hops. All hops were added post boil; giving the beer a grassy citrus quality with a good dose of hop bitterness in the finish. Nice beer. 4.0% - Available at Fisher.

Fisher - Chandler’s Backyard: This pale ale was hopped from the bines in "Chandler's" back yard. I belive they said, Chinook and Cascade? Thanks for the Hops Chandler! 4.0% - Available at Fisher.

Fisher - Fist Full of Aces: This pale ale was hopped with Sorachi Ace. this hop has a slight lemony profile which comes though in the body of the beer. It's not tart just subtle lemon. 4.0% - Available at Fisher.

Fisher- (IM) Peach Sour: This one definatly has a tart lemon base with peach that is detectable and not completely over powered with the base beer's tartness. 4.0% - Available at Fisher.

Wasatch Barrel Aged Polygamy Porter (High West): Last year's version of the beer was aged in  Heavenly Hills Bourbon barrels. This year we get our whiskey: High West. This version offers a tad more bourbon and rye components with all of that wonderful chocolaty good you expect. A nice blend. 9.5% - Available at all Wasatch locations.

Dre Fontaine Ode Geuze: This geuze is dusty dry with sharp & tart lemon, poppy seed and oak  tanins. It has all of the classic gueuze characteristics. Puckering finish. 6.0% - Found at Beer Bar

Dre Fontaine Cuvée Armand Gaston: The nose is acidic with Smarties, apples and hay. There is also a light funk. The taste is dry and tart with more hints of apple, lemon and hay. The finish is clean lip smacking, making it easy to quaff. 6.5% - Found at Beer Bar.

Jolly Pumpkin/Monkish - Problem No Problem: This saison was brewed with raw sugar, green lentils, sweet and bitter orange peel, and a funky homemade curry spice blend (cumin, ginger, mustard seed, peppercorns, coriander, and fenugreek).  Aromas of brown sugar, oak, and funk in the nose. Tastes of oak, maple syrup, and just a hint of spices pairs well with the subtle funk, and light tartness. 7.6% - Found at the Bayou. Cheers!

Ninkasi - Dry Skies: This brut IPA smells of cracker malt with floral hops and citrus hops. The taste is mostly bitter piney hops with a modest backing of cracker malts. The finish is crisp and dry, but given the style could be drier. 6.8% - Found at Bayou

Green Flash Tropical DNA: Missed this one. 7.0% Available at DABC

Wild Ride - Nut Crusher: This peanut butter porter is mostly chocolate and caramel complimented by the addition of creamy peanut butter flavor. Think: Reese's Peanut Butter cups. 6.0% - Found at the Bayou.

Pipeworks - Ninja vs Unicorn: Missed this one. It's supposed to be big and dank with 5lbs of hops per barrel. 8.0% - Found at the Bayou.

Pipeworks - Lizard King: Flavors of Stone fruit, orange and caramel start you off with strawberry and melon accents rounding it out. malt profile is caramel-y and round. 6.0% - Found at the Bayou.

The Bayou also got a bunch of exclusive beers for those of you that prefer a European twist.  I haven't had a chance to try any of these. 

Brouwerij Alvinee - Sour'ire De Mort

Brouwerij Alvinee - Cuvée Freddy (Sofie Edition)

Birrificio - Loverbeer Bruga

Birrificio - Loverbeer Nebiulina

Dulle - Teve Beer

Bayerischher - Bahnhof Leipziger Gose

Baladin - Xyauyu Barrel Aged '13


Cheers!

New Beer Friday 10/4/19

I had to get all of my homework done before I left for the great American Beer Festival this week; hope I didn't miss anything. Have an excellent weekend!

Roosters - Cosmic Autumn Rebellion: Pumpkin spice aroma with cocoa. The taste is pumpkin spices dough and chocolates. Reminds me very much of those chocolate chip pumpkin cookies.

Epic - Oak & Orchard Tiki: Big funk & wood in the nose. The taste starts with pineapple & orange then quickly transitions into almond. The nuttiness sticks around to the finish.

Epic - Sour Brainless on Guava & Habanero: Barrel aged sour with a nice guava fruitiness. Habanero is subtle and it comes off more scratchy than hot. Nice sour.

RoHa - Plum Sour: There’s definitely brett in the nose. Taste confirms it! Some lacto sour in it too. Plum tartness is prominent. Nice beer. 4.0% - only at  RoHa.

Kiitos - Peach Milkshake: Peach for sure, but not in your face. Tartness and lactose are pretty low. It has a nice round - light flavor. 4.0% - only at Kiitos.

Kiitos - Pastry Stout: Missed this one. Look for a good dose of chocolate and vanilla in this one. Available only at Kiitos. 13.0% - Available only at Kiitos.

Kiitos - 2nd Anniversary Ale: This beer is a blend of a mix of select barrel aged Imperial Red, Barley Wine and Imperial Stouts. 11.2% - Available only at Kiitos.

Kiitos - Sahti: This an old Finnish style of beer. This is made with rye and juniper branches - yes, juniper branches. It was also fermented with Kveik yeast. There's some nutty rye and a woody quality here. Hops are low and pine-like; barely detectable. 4.0% - Only at  Kiitos.

Hopkins - The Basic Witch: Pumpkin Pie Chocolate Stout! Made with actual pumpkin pies. Thick and layered with spices, roasty malty notes, and lightly sweet dark chocolate finish. 4.0% - Available at Hopkins.

Hopkins - Egyptian SMaSH: This is 100% purple heirloom barley from Egypt. Hopkins used only the purple barley and cascade hops to showcase the flavor of the malt. Flavors of stonefruit dominate, with peach. 4.0% - Available at Hopkins.

Hopkins - Mint Chocolate Chip Blonde: Fresh mint in the aroma and flavor with a subtle chocolate finish. 4.0% - Only at Hopkins. 

Shades - Kveik Passion Fruit: Missed this one. If you're into their Kveik beers you have a good idea of what to expect here.

Level Crossing - Look Up Amber Ale: Missed this one. 5.0% - Available at Level Crossing.

Ritual - Oil Rig: Missed this double IPA. Found at Beerhive.

Crazy Mountain - Shane McConkey: Missed this IPA. Found at DABC.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 9/27/19

You can defiantly tell it's autumn by the beers that have been released this week. When the evenings develop that slight chill these are the types of beers you'll want. Happy New Beer Friday.

Epic - Big Bad Baptist Chocolate Rapture: The second release in the 2019 Big Bad Baptists is a chocolate dream. Rich, roasted coffee bean nose with a good amount of earthy potent chocolate. The taste largely echoes the aroma, with notes of caramel syrups, roasted barley malts, and dark chocolate undertones, matched by a rich, roasted coffee bean flavor, generating a balance of fruit, acidity and roast characteristics. Finishes moderately dry with a lingering roasted coffee finish and hints of bourbon manage to make an appearance. Best enjoyed on the warm-side. Available starting today at Epic's SLC brewery.

Saltfire - Mobius Trip: This barrel aged golden sour has been sleeping in chardonnay casks for 15 months. Cherries were also added for more depth. This a collaborative beer made with home brewer, Rob Rutledge an award winning brewer of sour beers. Mobius Trip officially goes on sale this Saturday at Saltfire. I'll have some tasting notes on this at 2:30pm on KBER 101 with Mick and Allen.

Desert Edge - Wet Hop Chinook: Juicy citrus fruit aromas make my mouth water. I could sit and smell it all day. The hops smack you in the face. Sweet malt is present but the hop rule here. Finishes more bitter than expected, but I'm not complaining. Very noice. 4.0% - Available at Desert Edge.

Proper - Winchester: This American golden ale utilizes oats and rye, which make for a pleasant combo in this very light golden hued beer. The hops take on a slight citrus quality with a floral finish. 4.0 - Available at Proper. 

TF Brewing - Smoked Helles: The smoke element here is quite light and it adds a round sweetness to the beer that would otherwise be there. You still retain the a hint of nuttiness and the spicy floral component of the Saaz hops. Quite nice. 4.0% - Only at TF Brewing

TF Brewing-  Oktoberfest Märzen: TF released a smoked version of this later last month. This is the traditional version that feature a good dose of caramel and vanilla flavors that come across as creamy smooth. the hops are subtle with herbal spiciness and let the malts do most of the heavy lifting. Very nice. 4.0% - Only available at TF

TF Brewing - Dos People’s Doppelbock: Lots of bready malt, dark chocolate, light roast, faint booziness, and just a touch of syrupy sweetness. Medium-full bodied with slightly sharp carbonation but also very smooth and creamy in the mouth. Lingering stickiness and aftertaste leaves plenty of malty, sweet, complex breadiness and a late emerging floral hop bitterness. 7.9% - Only available at TF Brewing.

Fisher - Baby Beast: This Belgian style table beer is mostly yeast driven with light malts and hops. The flavor is mostly phenolic spices with a slight floral snap at the end.  4.0% - only at Fisher

Fisher - Falling Leaves Lager: This pleasant looking amber lager is light and toasty with some malt driven nuttiness. The hops are traditional with a nice grassy quality that drifts into the floral side of the spectrum by the finish. 4.0% - only at Fisher

Hopkins - Munich Dunkel:  The aroma is malty sweet and bready, while the flavor profile is rich and complex, displaying notes of toasted bread, chocolate, and graham cracker. Bitterness is minimal. The flavor is reminiscent of Golden Graham cereal. A delicious dark lager without the roasty character of a stout or a porter.

UTOG - Top Shelf: The smell is lightly hopped up front, still a nice dosage of caramel malts appear. The taste is mainly sweet, becomes slightly bitter, and has a sticky sweet aftertaste and finish. On the palate, she sits about a light to medium, comes across as a fairly sessionable IPA.

Dogfish Head - American Beauty: This American Pale Al has an earthy- orange quality with a good amount of slightly sweet honey grains. The hops take over from here adding orange peel, floral, and herbal bitterness. Plenty of malt depth with a moderate bitterness in the middle, continuing through to the finish coupled with the floral hops and slightly sweet malts.Nice pale ale. 6.5% - found at DABC.

Stone - Tropic of Thunder: They're selling this as traditional lager, but it tastes more like an IPA. So, think IPL. The aroma is full of tangerine, peach and pear. with a hint of floral hops. There's a ton of fruit to go around, with a touch of honey and grain. There's a faint herbal bitterness in the finish. It all comes together quite well. 5.8%  found at DABC

New Belgium - Hop Avenger: Missed this one. It's brand new and not too many people have tried this one anywhere. Have you? Tell us a bout it. 7.7% - found at DABC.

Cheers!

Stein Holding Competition at TF Brewing

In a feat of strength and stein grasping prowess, I became a god among men. The time was 2018, the place was Bohemian Brewery’s Oktoberfest Celebration. The strongest, most virulent men from all over the globe clambered for the right to be be crowned the ‘Stein God’. Wait.... I’m being told things didn’t happen that way? Oh well, that’s how I remember it; truth be told?  I did manage to eat out a win against some very nice, fun loving and very able beer lovers.

If you want to be a beer god like me, consider checking out the Templin Family Brewery’s Oktoberfest Celebration this Saturday September 28th. Besides shloads of fresh, fresh German beers there will be a sanctioned Stein Holding Competition. TF Brewing  just became the only Utah member of the U.S. Steinholding Association.

If you’d like participate in the Masskrugstemmen Competition here's the info you're going to need.

Sign-up sheet will be at the brewery day of the event.

Basic Rules:
1. One liter dimpled glass stein filled with beer to the 1L. line. Approximately weighing in at 5lbs.
2. Arm must be completely straight and parallel with the ground. No bending at the elbow.
3. Stein must be gripped by the handle.  Thumb cannot rest on the stein handle, it must rest with the other fingers.
4. Opposite arm must remain at the competitors side.
5. If any amount of bier spills or drips off the stein you are disqualified.

Visit www.ussteinholding.com for more information about the Association as well as a detailed version of the rules and regulations. Hope to see you there!

Prost!

New Beer Friday 9/20/19

Epic - Big Bad Baptist Vanilla and Brandy Barrel-Aged Stout: Epic's first of five BBB variants is here! This version of Big Bad Baptist was aged in brandy barrels and has vanilla, roasted cacao nibs and coffee. It wonderfully smooth with coffee and cocoa jumping out at first. When the barrel kicks in, it comes across as vinous plum and fig. It's nicely complex best when enjoyed on the warmer side. Right now this in only available at the SLC brewery.

Avenues Proper Brett Pale Ale: This latest batch of Brett Pale Ale brewed with Sorachi Ace and Huell Melon hops. It showcases an incredibly well-balanced combination of dry, fruity, and funky flavors. Find it on draft exclusively at Avenues Proper. 4.0%

Fisher White Star: This nitro pale ale is big with citrus peel bitterness and a good dose of pine bitterness in the finish. Really drinkable for the amount of bitterness. 4.0% - Available at Fisher.

Fisher Rye Me a River: This rye ale has a nice dose of rye that slightly spicy with malts that are on the lighter side. Hops are mostly floral with a hint of citrus. 4.0% - Available at Fisher.

Melvin Thaiger Style: This a nice, well balanced IPA that features a lemony hop profile. Some Mosaic citrus flavors as well.  I love the hop profile here and the 5.5% makes it highly drinkable. Found at Beer Bar.

Cheers!

Hoppers La Nymphe Biére D'été

Hoppers doesn't make many high point beers as of late, but when they do they are extraordinary. The newest beer in Hoppers line of limited edition ales was actually designed for summer; however the universe being the uncooperative place that is, decided September would be more appropriate. And in this case I agree.

La Nymphe Biére D'été is made with local Solstice malts and was fermented with traditional French Ale yeast. The result is a beer full of fruity yeast esters that scream peach, fig and bubblegum. Crackery malts are on full display as well along with an ever-so-slight touch of alcohol as well.

Taste-wise, it starts off with a nice, bready malt character. Not a particularly heavy or dark, but bready nonetheless. There are additional snaps of crackers and honey. The French yeast is clustered around the middle and end, offering up some white grape and pear. Grassy and floral hops of the noble variety also give a gentle, earthen grassiness on the finish. The 8.1% is practically in the basement as it comes across more like a 6.5% ale. 

For such a simple beer this really offers up some complex elements that works as a sipper, a quaffer  or as a table beer. This is one beer you'll want on your bar or cellar. La Nymphe is presented in a 750 milliliter bottle and goes on sale today at 11am. Only at Hoppers (for now).

Cheers!

New Beer Friday the 13th - 9/19

Shades - Berry Pie Kveik: The flavors here are basically a berry medly. The fruits are semi sweet with some lactose for balance. Graham cracker comes in next to give it the full pie effect. Very drinkable and enjoyable. It won't last long, get it before it's gone. 6.5% - Available at Shades, also found at Craft by Proper and Bayou. 

Epic - Deep Pocket: This is Epic's first Helles and it's pretty solid. It offers a touch of sweetness with a good dose of spicy German hops. The malt character is soft and bready and the finish is slightly bitter. 5.0% - Available at Epic in growlers.

TF Brewing - Luckenbach: This American brown ale is mostly toasty and malty with some pine bitterness backing it up. It's on the edge of being dry, but the malts have enough sweetness to keep it balanced. 4.0% - Available at TF Brewing.

Level Crossing - Jazz Loon: Can you Spot the Easter egg on the can? This new lager is made with all German hops but it's not your typical German pils. Mild melon and clementine meld with a grassy hop character. The malts are toasty and sweet giving the hops something to play with. A nice change of pace pils. 5.3% - Available starting today at Level Crossing.

Wasatch/Level Crossing - Collaboration IPA: There's a real nice aroma here, starting with zesty citrus oils of lemon and tangerine. The hops get into an herbal spicy like component as well. The taste keeps it simple. Juiced flavor with slight malty sweetness accents; an excellent and somewhat varied fruity hop flavor. Nice qualities of grapefruit to orange citrus juice with a spritzy lemon oil mixed in. 7.0% - Available at most Wasatch locations. Coming soon to Level Crossing.

Toasted Barrel - Chardonnay Apricot Sour: Haven't tried this yet, it hits later today. 2 lbs of apricot puree per gallon in this barrel aged sour. Can't wait to try this one. 6.6%.

2 Row Feelin' Fruity: This is another apricot infused beer. This is Feelin' Hazy with apricot added. The fruit adds a lot of body and depth to this beer. A hint of tartness from the stone fruit provides a welcome zip to this NEIPA. Very Nice! 8.6% - Found at Bayou.

2 Row Dunkel: Smells quite dry. Once on the tongue it's much maltier. Flavor-wise it's dominated by notes of bread, nuts, and perhaps a touch of chocolate. An enjoyable lager. 6.6% - Available at 2 Row.

Bonneville - Pumpkin Ale: Made with real pumpkin, traditional spices and lactose for a nice round mouthfeel. One of the better pumpkin beers you'll try. Available at Bonneville, Soon to All Star Lanes. 

Dogfish Head - World Wide Stout: This beast of a beer generally dials in anywhere between 15 - 20% and is made with a massive amount of barley to get it there. The nose is super boozy with roasted malts and char. The flavor is fairly sweet with chocolate and espresso up front with hints of vanilla and more hot alcohol in the finish. It has a very thick and oily mouthfeel. Found at the Bayou and Beerhive.

Cheers!

New Brews Soon For You: Wasatch, UTOG, TF Brewing, and Red Rock

We haven't done a New Brews Soon for You feature in quite a while, and in that time a lot has come to pass; yet more seems to be steadily coming. This preview of beer seems to have a theme. See if you can figure it out.
 

Wasatch - Oktoberfest: This is another new beer that will be coming from Wasatch's Kick Back Series. These beers are all produced up in Park City at Wasatch's Original brewery. Oktoberfest lagers are mostly known to be Marzens - a generally malty beer with big caramel and vanilla undertones. The packaging on this doesn't state the the style so, we'll have to wait until I can ask Head Brewer, Nils (with out waking him up at 4am).

UTOG - Top Shelf: Now We Get into the IPA Portion of NBS4U. If you're not a fan of IPAs then this portion of the blog will bore you. Top Shelf looks to be a session IPA that is currently set to be 4.0% ABV. I'm guessing by the time it hits, it will likely be making the transition to 5.0% or at least close to that. This IPA will be packaged in 16 ounce cans.

TF - Jellyfish: When the Templin Family Brewing Co., debuted they're first Juicy IPA, called Squirrel a couple of months ago It was a huge hit; selling out in just over five hours. If Squirrel's popularity is any indication, TF's new Jellyfish "Hazy" should treat local beer nerds just fine. What is the difference between a Hazy and a Juicy IPA? Who the Hell knows! I'm guessing the Juicy IPAs are known for low/medium bitterness with a quality of hop derived juicy fruitiness. The Hazy IPAs are obviously dense and hazy in appearance with similar fruit-like profiles. So basically, Juicy IPAs don't necessarily have to be murky or turbid. Jellyfish with be in 16 ounce cans at dial in at 7.7% ABV.    

Red Rock Buffalo Point: (pictured above) If Hazy and Juicy IPAs are basically the same thing, then where the hell does the New England IPA thing fit in? Well, they all fall under the same umbrella of the NEIPA. People who don't nerd out on beers like we do are more likely to gravitate to descriptors like "hazy" and "juicy", versus "New England Style". Anyway, if the popularity of Red Rock's Elephino is any indication of  how their new Buffalo Point New England India Style Pale Ale will be received by beer lovers, it's destined for great things. Plus it has that NEIPA beer code that we nerds love to geek on. Look for it in 500 milliliter bottles and it will come in at  6.2%.

Stay close for more NBS4U in the coming days. And remember, these are previews, none of these beers are for sale as of yet. We'll fill you in when they hit.

Cheers!

All images found at Shipcompliant.com