The Benefits of a H.S. Education

Ahh children... You raise them, nurture them, give them the benefit of your knowledge, (or lack there of) send them out into the world to find their way. When they do find their way back hopefully they will bring back knowledge, experience and good beer. Well, we raised our kid well. On a recent whirl-wind trip of Italy my freshly (high school) graduated daughter knew to forgo the Gondolier T-shirt and Colosseum paper weights, and bring back the ol' man Venetian suds.

Pedavena poured a clear yellow gold color with a firm two fingers of thick foam. The nose was light and grassy, with just a hint of sweet malts. Maybe some mild yeast undertones as well. The taste started with dry biscuit notes with a lite fruitiness. Sharp grassy hops dominate the rest of the way finishing slightly dry. 5.0% abv with high/moderate carbonation. It was OK... I've never had a stellar Italian beer so my expectations for Pedavena weren't too high. But the kid did alright. Ollie my cat seemed to like it, gave it two paws up! Wadaya want, he's a wine drinker...

Ava Lee Belgium Style Triple (review)

Last month I mentioned that Squatters had released a one-time-only Belgium style triple. This month I have to say "get out and try it before it goes." It really is quite tasty, and you'll be a sad, sad lil' beer geek if you never get to try it.

Poured a clear golden orange with a finger of white foam. The nose was yeasty and fruity with apple bready malts and hint of orange. The taste started with apple and mango. Next comes dry banana notes with some biscuit notes. The end was tart, spicy and dry. Carbonation was moderate. Nicely complex, not as sweet as I was expecting. It’s 9.0% abv is well hidden. Looks like Squatters has another winner.

Dirty Little Secrets

Everyone has those dirty little secrets about themselves that they like to keep hidden. You know, parts of your personality; that if were to get out would destroy or taint what little credibility you have with your friends and family. You know like... like... liking ABBA. Okay I said!!!

I-like-ABBA, so fuck you!... Now before you start tuning-out let me get on with my point. In the world of the beer-snob there are all kinds people with little dark secrets. You know, that guy who only drinks true Belgium beers, but keeps a "Natty-Light" hidden in the back of the fridge "just in case" someone comes by. My dark beer secrets are PBR and Blue Moon. Again, fuck you!

I can't help you with the PBR. There are thousands of alternatives to hide your proclivity for cheap beers, but if your embarrassed to show up with the Blue Moon or simply want an alternative to it, I have a great and somewhat better alternative in Hoegaarden. Some would say this is the Witbier that all others are judged. I'm not sure about that but it is quite good and widely available around the Wasatch Front.

Poured into a branded Hoegaarden glass a dull, cloudy yellow color with a frothy two fingers of head. The nose is sweet and fruity with banana, pear and sweet melon. Taste starts with sweet spices, banana, melon and some coriander. Next comes notes of bready wheat, but the fruit flavors dominate. The finish was very mild with light, floral hops. The mouthfeel is light with moderate carbonation. 4.9% abv. This is a great summer session beer. Very drinkable because of it's light body, well-balanced; smooth and creamy flavor. Mama-Mia!

Summer Lightning

Well it looks like summer has finally found us. If your looking to get out of your summer-beer- rut, I'll do my best to profile some great alternatives that you may not know are out there. First off is offering from the U.K. Hop Back's Summer Lightning is a nice English bitter that pours a light golden straw color with a slightly off-white foamy head that faded to a thin cap The nose was biscuity with hints of vanilla, grassy and lemony notes. The taste started with peppery/ grassy hops and light toasted malts. more spicy/honey notes come next with a light grapefruit 'smack' rounding out the end. This is smooth and light bodied. Very drinkable and quite refreshing - a nice summer quencher. 5.0% abv. Overall, a decent beer... nothing too exciting but very drinkable. Defiantly worth trying. Cheers!

Brew-tah

19 Medals! That's what Utah's suds-meisters managed to compile at this years Mountain Brewers Festival in Idaho Falls, Idaho. From Smoke to Root Beer, our brewers dun-did-us-prowd! Here's a list of the local winners and a link to all medalist. Congrats to all!

Bronze: Bohemian Brewery - Czech Helles.

Gold: Desert Edge Brewery - Anniversary Amber.

Gold: Hoppers Grill & Brewing Company - This is the Pilsner.

Silver: Moab Brewery - Scopian Pale Ale.

Bronze: Moab Brewery - Merrimack.

Gold: RedRock Brewing Co. - Bamberg Rauch Bier.

Silver: Red Rock Brewing Co. - German Pilsner.

Bronze: Red Rock Brewing Co. - Bohemian Pilsner.

Bronze: Ruby River Steakhouse and Brewery - Ruby's Root Beer.

Bronze: Four Plus Brewing Co - Monkshine.

Gold: Uinta Brewing Company- Kings Peak.

Gold: Uinta Brewing Company- Blue Sky Pilsener.

Bronze: Uinta Brewing Company - Solstice Kolsch.

Bronze: Uinta Brewing Company - Bristlecone Brown Ale.

Gold: Wasatch (Utah Brewers Cooperative) - Squatter's Hefeweizen.

Silver: Wasatch (Utah Brewers Cooperative) - Wasatch Evolution Amber Ale (Irish Red).

Silver: Wasatch (Utah Brewers Cooperative) - Wasatch Polygamy Porter.

Bronze: Wasatch (Utah Brewers Cooperative) - Squatter's Organic Amber Ale.

Bronze: Wasatch Brew Pub - Polygamy Porter.

Rodney Scores a bottle of Grand Tetons' Double Wheat Utahns represented a good portion of the crowd

Did You Know???

In my neck of the woods, the beer selection at my (not very) local liquor store is pitiful at best. When I want a special "heavy" beer I often have to call around to every outlet within fifty miles just to see if they have what I'm looking for. Nine times out of ten I end up at the state's best beer outlet; downtown SLC's wine store. Even then there's no guarantee that I'm gunna find my special brew.

But did you know-there is a little known way to increase the odds that you'll find what your looking for. And that it's been available to you for many, many, many years. The best kept secret retail outlet is the DABC's warehouse.

Located at 1700 south and 900 west, all alcoholic bevs over 4.0% begin their statewide journeys at the already overcrowded booze hub. It's not a perfect place to do your shopping but it does give an alternative option for the person who needs that special brew yesterday.

Some of the cons: Only open from 8-5 mon-fri. And there's no browsing. You need to know what want and they'll grab it for you. To help you with your shopping, the state's website provides a list of all bevs that the state carries. And the warehouse people swear that it's updated daily. Here a link to the states beer selection. Use it wisely. Use it for good. Cheers!

SLUG Beer

Writing a beer blog is a lonely pastime. My days mostly consist of sitting in my refrigerator box beneath the Fourth south overpass. Scratching notes onto a used bar nap with my fist full of yellow crayons(regular, not Perma); Doing all I can to spew-forth all that is good for the inter mountain beer faithful. Thankfully this month I'm not alone. Angela Brown editor extraordinaire at SLUG(Salt Lake Underground) Magazine decided to pull her box up next to mine a publish Slug's first ever beer only issue. "The Beer Issue" consists of everything a beer lover could want to navigate they're way through "green jello'd" hued landscape that is Utah.

From reviews to brewers insights to rants from yours truly, It's a must read. Available throughout the month of June in the along the Wasatch Front as well at Slugmag.com

Coming & Going

For most of my adult drinking life Uinta Brewing's beers have been a staple in my fridge. I'm quite fond of most of their beers and I'm quick to pimp them to whom ever will listen. Well stand by for some pimpin' especially if you live in Georgia or Colorado. Uinta has had a great year so far, expanding into the east coast and most recently into one of the more competitive craft brew markets in the country. Brewing is big business in Colorado, it's currently home to 24 breweries(including Coors) and 72 brew pubs! Colorado is serious about their beer. The state ranks number one in terms of gross beer production, producing over 23,370,848 barrels in 2006. That being said, it's no easy thing to break into a market with such stiff local competition. Add in the fact that a good majority of Uinta's line will be at 4.0% abv, you've got yourself a tough task. It's tough enough around here for people to get past the Utah beer stigma, hopefully Colorado beer lovers will be more open-minded.

And as we give we also get to take. In this case a long time bootlegging favorite of many Utah craft brew lovers finally comes to our stores legally. Big Sky Brewing out of Missoula has started shipping Moose Drool Brown Ale, Scape Goat Pale Ale and it's Big Sky IPA. I spoke with the brewery this morning. They said they shipped out an order last week, so we should see bottles in our liquor stores with in the week. Hopefully! Things aren't exactly swift over there at the DABC. If you see them let us know where. Cheers!

Trust, Yet Verify

If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Right? I mean at least that's what most of us have been taught. Trust yet verify. That's my position on the current possibility of abolishing the state of Utah's private club system. Even though the plan has the full support of Utah's LDS Governor and the states liquor-control commissioners agreed (by a 3-1 vote) to gather information on the proposed club elimination I still have a bad feeling the rug will be pulled from under us.

The Utah Hospitality Association would like to see the state's 77 taverns - which can only serve beer up to 4.0% - to be allowed to stock heavier beers(above 4.0%), wines and distilled spirits, moving bars into the "private club" category. Thus abolishing membership fees. Under this proposal, everything would operate in a similar fashion to Utah's airport lounges, where alcoholic beverages are sold with or without food, at a bar or table.

It all sounds fine and dandy, 'till you find out that LDS Church has made no comment as of yet on the possible abolishment of private clubs. In reality no such proposal can proceed with out their backing and it would be political suicide to advance without they're input. "The church is reserving comment until it sees a final draft of the law." said LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter Wednesday in the Salt Lake Tribune.

And what about Utah's Tea totaling Legislature. These people don't make major changes in Utah's liquor laws without demanding a large piece of flesh in return. If the proposed club elimination ever sees the governors desk I guaran-fuck'n-tee-you we will loose a drinking liberty that we now enjoy. Remember we only got .5 oz more booze per shot because it was traded away for the "alco-pop" ban. Don't get me wrong, no one would be happier than yours-truly to see this arcane system of the sixties die. But it sounds too good to be true.

The Breakfast Club

You know your a real beer geek when you come across a rare beer-find and start screaming like a school girl at a Zac Efron sighting. Even more so, when said beer is discovered at your local watering hole... Further still, even more giddiness ensues when it's the last two left in the state. Well kiss my b'dizzle ya'll, cause we done up-an'-swilled those bitches!

What 'bitches' am I referring to? only one of the best named, most robust beers on the planet. Mikkeller's Beer Geek Breakfast. Fellow beer gnerd Douglass Byrd and myself were on a sampling tour of some of Utah's finest new seasonals last Friday evening, when we finally came to rest at the Bayou. There tucked away on the "Off the Menu" menu was this stout that we had often talked about but never had a chance to try. I'm glad I got the chance to try Beer Geek Breakfast it really is that good. And If you love coffee or coffee stouts it's a dream.

Poured a surprisingly thick opaque black with a sturdy dark brown cap of foam. It reminds me of my grandmas ebony lacquered piano. The nose was a barista's dream. Strong roasted coffee with dark chocolate, raspberry and fig. The taste starts rich with bitter espresso and dark bakers chocolate. Next comes a smokiness with a touch of nutty-vanilla bean. Hops are bearly noticeable in the end. The finish is Silky and smooth and it's richness lingers on the tongue for quite a while. Very little of the 7.5% alcohol is noticeable. Full bodied with moderate to light carbonation. Nicely over-balanced with great drink ability. I haven't been overly impressed with Danish beers. Mikkeller is quickly changing my attitudes. Sorry to rub it in. They might be a little pricey. If you come across any, snag 'em they'll be worth it.

Ava Lee Belgium Style Triple

Jon Lee one of the brewers at the Utah Brewer's Coop, has brewed a special, one-time beer in celebration of his first child. The Ava Lee Triple dials in at 9% ABV, but will only be available in bottles at Squatters' three locations. This is a one time batch and will never be brewed again. Ava Lee Triple is available today. Friday May 23rd. and will probably go fast. I hear very good things about this one. Thanks to Andy, for helping to get the word out!

It's a Hefe Fest!

If it seem like I give Squatters a lot of 'pub' It's because they actually talk to me! Go figure. So if you want the the Utah Beer bump. Hint, hint. Fire-off some electronic beer love to alegeek@gmail.com and I'll pimp the shit out of you(as long as your beer doesn't suck). Anyway, It looks like Jenny Talley got a 'shload' of wheat malt cause it's going to be a hef-fest at Squatters for the next month or so. First off is Mein Weisse a German-style Weisse beer. Jenny describes it as "Great clove-like phenolic notes mingle with hints of banana. Low hopping keeps this unfiltered wheat beer super refreshing so you can drink it all day long on the patio". The second is available at the end of May. Kindig Weisse (filtered wheat beer, named after her beer brewing grammy). Jenny said, "I used the same yeast strain (wyeast 3068) for both weisse brews. Kindig Weisse is my interpretation of a Krystal Weisse, filtered, straw colored, low hops and plenty of clove and banana to go around.

The Time is Rype for Four+ Brewing

Four+ Brewing C0. has just released a brand new summer seasonal. Rype is described as a Belgian style wheat beer brewed with orange peel and spices. Just in time! I'm already in summer beer mode.

Poured from a bottle(bought at the brewery) a very clear amber-tinted golden color with a thick, frothy two fingers of head. The nose was of orange zest, yeasty breads and coriander. The taste started with orangey twang that transitions to a malty wheat backbone. Yeasty notes come next with a finish that was spicy and lemony. The mouthfeel is nice and creamy. Nicely balanced. Reminds me of a wit, but looks nothing like one. It's 4.0% abv makes it great summer-time, session beer just in time for the warm weather. It's available in stores now and should be on taps soon(if not already). Cheers!

Beer TV is a Go!

Last December we told you that Squatters brewmaster Jennifer Talley was recruited to be the host for a new television program devoted to all things beer. Apparently the beer gods have smiled upon her an deemed it good, because the green light has been given and On Tap is a go!

Jenny says; On Tap is expected to begin airing in the first quarter of 2009 on PBS, with filming to begin within the next few months. On Tap will present an inside look at how artisan microbrewers and their beers are taking the world by storm. Jenny, armed with 16 years of brewing experience from our very own Squatters brew pub will scour the country talking to brewers, chefs, and every day schmucks like us, for an inside glimpse on how beer is claiming it’s place at tables around the world.

Here's a glimpse at the trailer. Cheers!

Mountain Brewers' Beer Fest!

The Mountain Brewers Festival is a mear month away. If you love beer, and have never been your really missing out. Located under the Big Top at Sandy Downs in Idaho Fall, Idaho this annual event gives attendees the opportunity to sample hundreds of different beers from over eighty breweries!

Tickets in the Salt Lake area can be found at most local breweries and brew pubs.
The ticket price - $20 in advance, $25 at the door - includes admission, unlimited three ounce samples and live music.

There's also a food court featuring a variety of treats to gnosh upon.

This is a damn fine event. It's proximity to northern Utah and it's affordability make this an awesome weekend get away. Check out the link for lodging info or call the Beer Fest Hotline: 208-528-MBBF. Send a reply and let us know if your attending. It would be great to put faces to the posts. Cheers!

Unibroue Édition 2005 still alive & well in SLC

Generally; when a fine, limited edition beer comes along they tend to disappear before you ever knew they were around. This is not the case with Unibroue's Édition 2005. I don't know how or why, but for some reason there are still quite a few of bottles of this remarkable ale floating around the "SLC". If you find yourself downtown near the the Wine Store, grab a few if you can.

The 2005 comes in a handsome 750 ml. bomber with a wire cage and a cork. Pours a cloudy reddish brown with three fingers of foam. The nose is spicy, with flowers, yeast, fig and sweet malts. The taste started simple with sweet red apple and spicy doughy cinnamon. Dark Rum and raisin come next with herbal hops rounding out the finish. Everything balanced out nicely. The alcohol is well hidden, which improves it's drinkability nicely.

Viva La Raza!

Cinco De Mayo is just days away. And to mark the occasion RedRock Brewing is debuting a limited edition Mexican Style Lager. "Malt Master" Andy Shaw graciously donated the grain from his huge Malting facility in Idaho Falls. The lager(Viva La Raza) is made with the same malt that Corona and Modelo use in their beers. Viva La Raza gets it's unique light flavor from 6 row barley and flaked corn. I haven't had a Mexican Lager in quite some time, sounds like the right occasion.Also, while there grab a pint or eight of their Silver Medal winning Nut Brown Ale from the World Beer Cup last month. Cheers!

Wildfire Organic Pale Ale

I've been drinking Wildfire Organic Pale Ale for about a year now, and I can't believe it's taken me so long to say this but 'this is the best goddamn beer to come out of Utah in a while'. Forgive me if start to gush over it like a school girl with a crush but it is that yummy.

Poured on tap a clear golden/amber color with two fingers of white foam that thins to a small cap. The nose is burst of crisp citrus and fresh floral hops with just a hint of malt. The taste takes over from where the aroma leaves off with subtle malts then a big citrus punch. Aggressive floral and pine bitters hit midway and carry through the end. The finish is nice and dry with lingering bread and hop flavors.

Even though the hops are fairly pronounced Wildfire manages to maintain a good balance. Although this is a 'hoppy' beer there is no astringent bite. The body is medium-light with a nice creamy texture and a proper amount of carbonated. This is an impressive brew, especially for an organic. Your going to have to keep your eyes open to find this one. It's not as widely available as I'd like. I've seen it at Albertson's, Smith's and even Wild Oats. And on tap at Port o' Call and the Bayou. Cheers!

Utah's World Beer Cup Winners

644 breweries from 58 countries, entered a vast array of beers spanning 91 categories last week at The World Beer Cup in San Diego. Friday night the winners were announced, and once again Utah's brewers had another great showing. Local brewers entered 56 beers and came back with 6 medals. Two gold, three silver and a bronze. That may not sound like a lot, but it gave Utah's beers the fourth highest winning percentage by states entered. Here's a breakdown of the top U.S. medal winners by percentage and those great 2008 award winning Utah beers.

Leading Medal-Winning US States – 2008 World Beer Cup

State- # of Entries, # of Medals Won, % of entries winning medals.

Alaska- 42-6-14%

Colorado- 173-22-13%

Oregon- 123-16-13%

Utah- 56-6-11%

Illinois- 86-9-10%

Washington- 80-8-10%

California- 374-35-9%

New York- 89-8-9%

Here's a link for the complete winners list

Gold: Cutthroat - Uinta Brewing Co. Salt Lake City, Utah
Gold: Alt and in the Way - Squatters Pub Brewery. Salt Lake City, Utah

Silver: Polygamy Porter - Utah Brewers Cooperative. Salt Lake City, Utah

Silver: Bobsled Brown - Utah Brewers Cooperative. Salt Lake City, Utah
Silver: Redrock Nut Brown Ale - Redrock Brewing Co. Salt Lake City, Utah

Bronze: Provo Girl Pilsner - Utah Brewers Cooperative. Salt Lake City, Utah

Note: Four of those six beers are bottled. There's no reason why they shouldn't be taking up space in your fridge. Use the crisper if you have to.

Utah Beer: Still in the Top 50

Even though Utah is dead last in U.S. beer consumption, some of our brewers still manage to make and sell enough brews to keep our suds in the the top 50 of Craft Brewing Companies.

The Utah Brewers Cooperative which bottles Wasatch and Squatters beers came in at number 48 in 2007, down a notch from 2006.

A craft brewery is small, independent, and traditional. With an annual production of less than 2 million barrels of beer per year.

1 Boston Beer Co.BostonMA
2 Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.ChicoCA
3 New Belgium Brewing Co. Inc.Fort CollinsCO
4 Spoetzl BreweryShinerTX
5 Pyramid Breweries Inc.SeattleWA
6 Matt Brewing Co.UticaNY
7 Deschutes Brewery, Inc.BendOR
8 Boulevard Brewing Co.Kansas CityMO
9 Full Sail Brewing Co.Hood RiverOR
10 Harpoon BreweryBostonMA
11 Alaskan Brewing and Bottling Co.JuneauAK
12 Magic Hat Brewing Co. & Performing Arts CenterSouth BurlingtonVT
13 Anchor Brewing Co.San FranciscoCA
14 Bell's Brewery, Inc.GalesburgMI
15 Shipyard Brewing Co.PortlandME
16 Summit Brewing Co.St. PaulMN
17 Abita Brewing Co.Abita SpringsLA
18 Gordon Biersch Brewing Co.San JoseCA
19 Brooklyn BreweryBrooklynNY
20 Stone Brewing Co.EscondidoCA
21 Rogue Ales / Oregon BrewingNewportOR
22 Long Trail Brewing Co.Bridgewater CornersVT
23 New Glarus Brewing Co.New GlarusWI
24 Kona Brewing Co.Kailua-KonaHI
25 Dogfish Head Craft BreweryMiltonDE
26 Firestone Walker Brewing Co.Paso RoblesCA
27 Great Lakes Brewing Co./OhioClevelandOH
28 The Lagunitas Brewing Co.PetalumaCA
29 Flying Dog BreweryDenverCO
30 Sweetwater Brewing Co.AtlantaGA
31 Bridgeport Brewing Co.PortlandOR
32 Rock Bottom Brewery RestaurantsLouisvilleCO
33 Odell Brewing Co.Fort CollinsCO

34 BJ's Restaurant & BreweryHuntington BeachCA

35 Victory Brewing Co.DowningtownPA

36 Mac and Jack's BreweryRedmondWA
37 Lost Coast Brewery and CafeEurekaCA
38 Big Sky Brewing Co.MissoulaMT
39 Pete's Brewing Co.San AntonioTX
40 Otter Creek Brewing Co.MiddleburyVT
41 Karl Strauss BreweriesSan DiegoCA
42 Breckenridge BreweryDenverCO
43 Gordon Biersch Brewery RestaurantChattanoogaTN
44 Anderson Valley Brewing Co.BoonvilleCA
45 Boulder Beer Co.BoulderCO
46 North Coast Brewing Co. Inc.Fort BraggCA
47 McMenaminsPortlandOR
48 Utah Brewers CooperativeSalt Lake CityUT
49 Capital Brewing Co.MiddletonWI
50 Blue Point Brewing Co.PatchogueNY

Utah's Worlds Beer Cup Entries

Today judging begins in San Diego for the 2008 World Beer Cup. On April 19th beer makers from around the world will compete in what is referred to as "The most prestigious beer competition in the world".

Utah brewers stacked up an impressive stack of hardware, acquiring seven medals. Two bronze, four silver and one gold. 33% of the beers entered won medals. Only six other states had better medal counts.

Here is an incomplete list of some of the Utah brews being judged this year.

Squatters Pub Brewery ENTRIES -
Black Forest Schwarzbier - Category: German Style Schwarzbier

Vienna Lager - Category: Vienna Style Lager

Alt and in the Way - Category: German Style Brown Ale/Dusseldorf-style Altbier

Emigration Amber Ale - Category: American Style Amber/Red Ale

Epiphany (Vanilla Porter aged in a Bourbon Barrel) - Category: Wood and Barrel-aged Dark Beer

Fifth Element - Category: Belgian French Style Ale - Saison.

Broadway Kolsch - Category: German-Style Kolsch / Koln-Style Kolsch

Utah Brewers Cooperative ENTRIES -
The Devastator Double Bock by Wasatch - Category: German Style Strong Doppelbock

Ava Lee by Squatters - Category: Belgian Style Triple

Squatters India Pale Ale - Category: English Style India Pale Ale

Wasatch Polygamy Porter - Category: Brown Porter - Low alcohol

Squatters Provo Girl Pilsner - Category: German Style Pilsner - Low alcohol

Wasatch 1st Amendment Lager - Category: European Style Lager - Low alcohol

Wasatch Evolution Amber Ale - Category: Irish Style Red Ale

Squatters Full Suspension Pale Ale - Category: Cellared or Unfiltered Ale - Best Bitter or Special Bitter

Wasatch Apricot Hefeweizen - Category: Fruit and Vegetable Wheat Beer

Squatters Chasing Tail Golden Ale - Category: English Style Summer Ale

Squatters Hefeweizen Category: American Style Hefeweizen

Squatters Organic Amber Ale - Category: American Style Amber/Red Ale

Bobsled Brown by Wasatch - Category: German Style Brown Ale

Squatters Orphan Abbey - Category: Belgian Style Table Beer

Squatters Captain Bastard Oatmeal Stout - Category: Classic Irish Style Dry Stout

Uinta Brewing Comapny ENTRIES-

Golden Spike - Category: American Style Hefeweizen

Kings Peak Porter - Category German-Style Schwarzbier

Gelande - Category: American-Style Amber Lager; California Common Beer

Cutthroat - Category: Ordinary Bitter

Anniversary Barley Wine - Category: American-Style Barley Wine

Solstice - Category: German-Style Koelsch/Koeln-Style Koeslch

Anglers - Category: American-Style Strong Ale

Four Plus Brewing Co. ENTRIES-

Monkshine - Category: French or Belgian-Style Saison

Also, Cutthroat ( a 3 time World Beer Cup medalist) will be one of the featured beers at the competitions Gala Dinner this year.

I'm sure there are more beers entered from other brew pubs but that the stuff I know of. Winner will be announced April 19th. I'll try to get the winners list out ASAP. Cheers.

Three Sheets Returns!

The best show on T.V. dedicated to adult beverages returns tonight on Mojo. If you've never seen or heard of Three Sheets, imagine a travel show that deals only with the indigenous 'hooches' of foreign lands and the customs that surround said 'hooches'. That in itself sounds like a good time, then mix in the priceless timing of host Zane Lamprey and you have one of the best half-hours on the telly.

Each episode follows a basic formula, Zane, introduces the country, profiles and samples local concoctions, visits a few watering holes, experience the traditions, then wakes up the next day and tries the local hangover cures. Along the way you'll also learn a little history and meet the local color. Zane is very entertaining and obviously loves what he does.

The only drawback(for some) is that it's only available on Mojo. An HD only channel that as far as I know, is only available through Comcast in the Salt Lake market. But don't worry, I have have your back. If you can't watch it via Comcast here's a link to a website that streams Three Sheets episodes for free. New episodes air every Thursday at 7pm(mountain). Cheers!

75 Years = 75¢ Pints

Officially, Prohibition ended on December 5, 1933, with the ratification of the 21st Amendment. But earlier that year, newly-elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt took steps to fulfill his campaign promise to end the national ban on alcohol. Thus on April 7, 1933 Roosevelt himself received newly legalized beer at the White House to toast what was the beginning of the end for Prohibition. In the 24-hours that followed, more than 1.5 million gallons of beer flowed as Americans celebrated.

To commemorate this 'oh so happy day', Squatters Pub Brewery in downtown Salt Lake City and Squatters Roadhouse Grill in Park City will celebrate 75 years of beer- flowing legally since the drought of Prohibition. The date will be marked with a specially brewed commemorative beer: Prohibition Pale Ale, brewery tours and 75¢ pints all day!

Jenny told me me that Prohibition is the first real Pale Ale that they've done in a very long time time. Of course, Full Suspension Pale Ale has been a staple at the the brew pub and in markets for years, but it's uber-hopped profile takes it slightly out the "traditional" category.

So, get in, sample a new brew and chat it up with Jenny & Jason.

Here's to beer lovers everywhere, lift a glass and toast to beer -- our legal privilege.

Sam Adams Imperial Pils

The Boston Brewing Company makers of Sam Adams Beer is a bit of an anomaly on the American beer scene. They're not quite a macro brewer, but there not a 'little guy' anymore either. Some trends in the beer industry seem to suggest that when a breweries production volume increase to certain levels, their ability to produce certain styles become hindered, because it isn't cost effective to produce some styles, and keep the cost to consumers down.

Arguably, This may or may-not be happening at Sam Adams. I would say not. Especially after trying Samuel Adams: Hallertau Imperial Pilsner. I have to admit I kind of scoffed at it when friends suggested that I give it a try. I was very happy to be wrong. This beer is a full-on sensory assault(in a good way)!

Poured a hazy golden-bronze color with a huge two-fingers of meringue head. The nose is a complex mesh of spicy, floral, citric, and resiny pine from the obvious generous doses of Hallertau hops.

Despite the sweet nasal assault the taste starts smooth and almost creamy with just the right amount of bitter hoppy 'bite'. At first sip it seemed to be all Hallertau, but the more I got into it the malt sweetness became more pronounced and balanced out nicely.

The finish is equally pleasant with a mild floral dryness that gradually blankets the malty sweetness. The malts are accentuated by a slight alcohol warmth. Really bold and hoppy, more like an IPA. Just incredible. One of the great accomplishments of this beers is it's ability to bring you full circle, from the nose to the back of your tongue. It tastes exactly like the first whiff.

I wasn't expecting the Dogfish Head-esque crazy bitterness even though the label claims "reckless" hops. It's far from one dimensional.

BlackFriar

I'm all about the 'beer love'. If there's a good beer out there, I'm happy to pimp it to anyone who will listen. That being said, I'm a little torn about revealing BlackFriar to everyone. Selfishly, I've been keeping this one to myself. Telling only those whom I feel I can take in a fight(sorry Doug). This Scottish Ale quietly arrived into town a couple months ago and immediately became one of my favorites.

Poured a hazy ruby/orange color with a big rocky head which dissipated quickly. The nose is earthy, with peat-smoked malts and faint, sweet caramel undertones. The first thing I notice is how heavily hopped this Scottish ale is. The taste starts surprising with orange rind, caramel and dark fruit. Next comes some smoky/burnt notes with some toffee undertones. The finish has a lingering tobacco bitterness with an alcohol pepperiness. It's complex without being to scattered and slightly off-balanced. But that's it's appeal for me. This isn't your text book Scottish Ale, but it's well worth seeking out and trying. It dials in at a well-hidden 7.0% abv and is only available at the Bayou.

To Pong, or Not to Pong

Normalcy in Utah is a relative term. There's normal for Utah. And Normal for everywhere else. Part of "normal" here in Utah and elsewhere, is shedding your adolescence for your inevitable adulthood and trying to find your place in this world. Some of us will attend college or move far away. Or my personal favorite, squatting in mom and dad's basement 'till your given the boot(man, I miss that couch).

Part of the growing experience are the "Pack Games". These are the competitions that are usually played at the Frat house or in a friends kitchen and usually involve one of the following. Beer and or schnapps with the object: have fun, without getting completely shit-faced to the point you find yourself naked in a Denny's parking lot at 4am.

Some of the more popular of these Pack Games are Quarters, Mexico City, Beer Checkers, This Is My... and the ever so popular Beer-Pong. For those of you who don't know, the objective of beer pong is to bounce a ping-pong ball from one end of a table into a cluster of six cups at the other end. If the ball lands in a cup, the owner of that cup drinks its contents - usually, beer. I haven't played most of these games in a while, but I have very fond and not-so-fond memories of them. And I guess that's my point. That which makes you happy, can also make you unhappy. We've got to learn the price of excess and a respect for the fermented grain.

But at Utah State University, a dry campus with a heavy Mormon population, the Aggies play with root beer. "We want to make this a tradition at USU." Campus Recreation Chairman Lance Brown elaborated on why he thinks the game, which students played Friday at the Taggart Student Center, has caught on. "It's like people here want to look worldly, but they don't want to be worldly," he said. "Living in a Mormon community, students want to push the edge a little." It's good for our student body to relax and help people experience something they normally wouldn't," said Lindsay Hall.

Brown said he doesn't see the game they've named Beirut fading away any time soon. I guess there's something very enticing about the worlds drinking cultures. When people who promise to abstain from a culture of drinking concoct social events called "mocktail parties" to experience a social tradition that's denied to them because of some primitive superstitions, it tends to make members of the said drinking cultures shake their heads in disbelief.

If your going to set yourself apart, great. Just do it with a little integrity. Faux cussing, faux indecent attire (rolling up the magic jammies so they don't show), and now faux drinking of alcohol. Appearance and intention is just as important as the act. What's next a smoking section for bubble gum cigars or snorting lines of Fun Dip? Well, don't worry. There will still be plenty of vomiting and hangovers, but with a diabetic edge.

Malt Madness

This is classic, I wish I'd thought it first. The Colorado Springs Gazette is pitting local brews against one another, sip for sip, in a blind tasting to pick the unofficial champ of Colorado Springs' beers. The beers will be judged in a blind tasting from five members of Colorado's beer community and will announce their elite eight, the final four and the champ on the news papers website. Readers are encouraged to participate marking(and sampling) they're own brackets(beers) to see how they compare to the blind tastings. It'll be interesting see to the outcome. Click above for the link.

No Green Beer Today!

To put it simply, no green beer today. Got it? The only colors you should see in your glasses or mugs today are red, black and earth tones. If you want green in your gut, eat a salad. Hope to see you out there. Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Squatters St. Patrick's Day Options

Even though Squatters and RedRock are only a hundred yards apart from each other geographically, they're brewmasters' brewing styles are with out end. Just as RedRock provides their Irish Red for St. Pat's day, Squatters offers-up a traditional ale as well. Squatters brews quite a few stouts at their brew pub on Broadway. Captain Bastard's Oatmeal Stout and Custard's Last Stout: to name two. Both great and are offered on tap and nitro periodically.

The third stout is a dry Irish Stout called McGrueh's. McGrueh's Poured black with a thick creamy tan nito head. The nose rich with espresso and roasted biscuit The taste starts with coffee then turns to espresso. Heavily roasted malt come next with a nutty/smokiness in the end. Mild hops come late and provide a slightly dry finish.

McGrueh's is available on nitro 'till it's gone. And if I know Jenny's beers, that will probably be Monday. If you can't go out and play on Monday (St. Patrick's Day) Squatters will be throwing a bash this Saturday March 15th in the loft after the parade and continuing into the night. Dancing and and an Irish fiddler will also be on hand. Also, on March 20th , they're releasing for the first time: Epiphany, a bourbon barrel aged vanilla Porter on nitro. G'damn! can't wait to try that one, sounds tasty.

RedRock's Hibernian

"HIBERNIAN", from the Latin term Hibernia (Ireland), meaning 'one who comes from Ireland'.

This ST. Patty's Day offering from RedRock is available year round at the brewpub, but for some reason it seems to find it's biggest audience during March. Hmm, I wonder why???

Hibernian poured a dark reddish brown with a moderate to thin cap of foam. The nose is mostly of malt with just a hint of smoke and hops. The taste starts with roasted malts, cocoa and caramel. The end had a light piney finish. The mouthfeel is full and round. This "Irish-style" amber ale had a little more body than I expected, even though the hop profile is somewhat less pronounced. A fine example of the style. Only available on tap at RedRock's Downtown And Park City Locations.

Dale Harris of Zion Canyon Brewery, left a comment the other week about the status of distributing his beers north to the Wasatch Front. I thought it was worth posting to the main page.

Hello beer fans,Beer distribution update from ZCBC. Winkel Distribution is getting my kegs and bottles as far as Richfield. I am working on getting ZCBC all over the state by the end of May. In the meantime Zion is beautiful in the spring!! So come to Zion and have a beer and hit a hike. Also ZCBC is sponsoring Earth Day celebration at the Bit n Spur on 4/19 in Springdale.

CHEERS!!!

Dale E. Harris

Owner/BrewerZCBC

D'oh!!!

I owe everyone an apology. I reported yesterday that hb 425s01, legislation to legalize home brewing in Utah passed the house. When in fact it did not. Apparently, it went before the senate and was sent back to the rules committee, the legislative session ended before the bill could make it back to the senate for its final vote. Hopefully Rep. Christine Johnson will attempt to reintroduce the bill next year. Sorry for the misinformation.

New Utah Beer Legislation

Well it's over. The Cluster on Capitol Hill wrapped-up late last night and Utah's beer faithful came out slightly ahead. Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich's bill that would decrease the markup on locally made beer wine & alcohol passed the House and now awaits the governor's signature. SB95 would cut the markup the state imposes from 86 percent to 64.5 percent on heavy beer(over 4.0% abv) and decrease the markup on spirits to 47 percent.

As with everything in life, with the good comes the bad. If your reading this your probably not a huge fan of "malternative" beverages like Mike's Hard Lemonade, Smirnoff Ice, ect. If you are then you've got 'till October to purchase them at you local grocery/convenient store. After that they're off to the state controlled liquor stores, where the selection will drop and the alcohol content and prices will climb. "Why is this happening"? Well, the state of Utah and the LDS Church determined that the makers of these beverages are primarily targeting underage drinkers. And that this is the only solution. To justify the move legally the lawmakers site that anything containing alcohol derived from distillation must be state controlled. Note: the primary method of alcohol production in these bevs is through fermentation. The distilled alcohol in the drinks come from the flavoring extracts used for sweetness. The distilled content is around 0.5% abw per 12oz. bottle. Under this law mouthwash and food extracts have to go to the liquor store as well. Will they? I doubt it. but that what the law states.

To give you an idea of how messed up this is Jack Daniels Bourbon is 43% abv. 86 proof.

Mike's Hard Lemonade is 4.0% abv. 6 proof.

Listerine mouthwash is 27% abv 38 proof.

I got a little off topic but there it is, your latest, ever-changing Utah Beer-a-Thon.

Utah Homebrew Clubs

Please check the column to the right for an updated list of Utah's Home Brewing Clubs.

"Enjoying beer is best when shared" The lord said to St. Arnold. I'm paraphrasing... or full of shit. Most likely the latter of the two, but the statement is true non-the-less. The same is also true for making it. If you enjoy homebrewing consider getting together with some fun, like-minded individuals and brew-up a little barley love. Here's some info on some homebrew clubs from around the state. If there are more clubs than I have listed let me know and I'll gladly post them up. Slainte!

New Website for Zion Canyon Brewery

Zion Canyon Brewery has finally got a new website up. Now if we could just get them to start sending their suds north to Salt Lake...

Home Brew & You Too

(When this post was originally written Homebrewing was illegal. It was made legal in 2009)In Utah home brewing beer is technically against the law. Even though home brewing has been recognized as a legal activity by the Federal Government since 1978. Yesterday Rep. Christine Johnson, D-Salt Lake City, carves out an exemption in Utah law which currently requires any person who manufactures an alcoholic beverage to obtain a license to do so from the state, including a requisite $10,000 bond.
Johnson's bill will allow the home manufacture of "fermented beverages" up to a limit of 100 gallons a year per person, with a 200 gallons a year limit, per household.

Mark Alston, owner of the Salt Lake City home brewing store, The Beer Nut, testified on behalf of HB425.
"People who are doing it are an amazing cross-section of Utah culture," Alston said.
Alston also noted that home brewed beer is not a "binge drinking product" since brewers devote too much time, energy and care to brewing a batch, which is typically about five gallons.
HB425 was passed out favorably by the committee and now moves to the House for further action.

Contact your local representative and let him or her know it time to join the 20th Century.

Hopefully, socially bigoted, State Senator Chris Butters (R) will be busy drowning kittens when the vote goes to the floor. For the record... I like kittens.

Hey Baby, Nice Stems!

I'm a push-over for glassware. In fact I love them so much they're starting to over-run my kitchen cabenets at home. If your like me you know there's nothing better than enjoying your favorite beer in a great piece of glass or ceramic. Here are some links to some smart and affordable glassware to enhance your beer enjoyment. Cheers!

https://store.merchantduvin.com/e/mdv/scan/MM=d08e83a9dd99be1f0e8e3de5f466aaca:0:4:5?mv_session_id=pR4EYtUB&mv_more_ip=1&mv_nextpage=itemlist

http://www.pubglasses.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=SP

http://www.straubs.net/

A Ruby in St. George

*******************Ruby River Steakhouse has Closed in St. George***********************
There's a new option for craft beer fans in Utah's Dixie. Ruby River Steakhouse added it's sixth location a few months ago giving the beer parched area of the state a long needed craft beer boost. Ruby River is one of the more quite craft brewers in the state. In fact, I've talked to many that aren't even aware that they serve they're own brews.


As far as I know the St. George location doesn't brew on site. If your looking for an on-site brew pub in southern Utah you'll need to venture to the Zion Canyon Canyon Brewery in Springdale. Ruby River offers an American & English Pale Ale, Amber Ale, Porter, a Blonde, Hef and a Mexican Style Lager.

Cask Beer

It's a great time to be a beer lover in the U.S. Breweries and brew pubs through-out the states are producing incredible representations of new and traditional beer styles for every taste imaginable. Brewers are making great efforts to make sure that the patrons experience the favorite beers of cultures that they may, or may-not be very familiar with.

Advocates of one tradition style are trying to bring back awarness to a beloved cultural standard that has fallen by way-side as of late.

There's a movement underway in the U.K. and North America to expant the beer consumers awareness of real (or cask conditioned) ales. Fans of the cask have an up hill battle to fight because of the notion that cask ales are naturally "warm and flat". Wrong! cask ales ideally, are served between 54-56 degrees - cool, but not cold like keg beers. They should have a noticeably softer carbonation from the secondary fermentation in the cask. This process creates a gentle, natural CO2 carbonation and allows malt and hop flavours to develop, resulting in a richer tasting drink with more character than standard keg ('brewery-conditioned') beers. Cask ales are always served without any extraneous gas, usually by manually pulling it up from the cellar with a handpump (also known as a 'beer engine').

Beer engines are poping up at steady rate through out the Wasatch Front. I urge you to check out somthing different the next time your out enjoying a pint.

Here's a list of places that serve cask ales.

Squatters Pub Brewery

147 West Broadway

Salt Lake City, Utah 84101-1914

Phone: 1 801 363 2739

Squatters Roadhouse Grill

1900 Park Avenue

Park City, Utah 84060

Phone: 1 435 649 9868

Desert Edge Brewery

273 Trolley Square

Salt Lake City, Utah 84100

Phone: 1 801 521 8917

The Bayou

645 South State Street

Salt Lake City, Utah 84111-3819

Phone: 1 801 961 8400

Wasatch Brew Pub

250 Main Street

Park City, Utah 84060-5113

Phone: 1 435 649 0900

MacCool's Public House

1400 South Foothill Drive

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108-2327

Phone: 1 801 582 3111

MacCool's Public House

855 Heritage Park Boulevard, Suite #3

Layton, Utah, 84041-5633

Phone: 1 801 728 9111

MacCool's Public House

11610 South. District Main Drive

South Jordan, Utah

Note: McCools in South Jordan, Utah, has become the 500th establishment in the US for selling cask ales. This is the 3rd McCools in Utah, and all sell cask.

Reform or P.R.???

I honestly try to avoid the topic of f'd-up Utah liquor laws on this blog. But recently it's just unavoidable. Were it not for the absolute shitheadedness of some state lawmakers/leaders I'd be a much happier and much more well adjusted individual.

Over the past month or so Utahns and the world have been learning the "Utah Way" when it comes to liquor monopolies. Back in November we learned that malternative beverages need to be removed from store shelves because their deliciousness is too irresistible and impossible to keep out of the hands of babes.

We also learned recently that state liquor cops will go to any extreme to coerce restaurants and bar employees to violate state law. And the cherry on top, cold beer needs to be banned.

These three examples have become topics of extensive debate over that past few weeks. So much so, that the growns from within and from without are finally being heard in the states highest office.

When Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. took office in 2005, one of the issues he identified in his campaign was to normalize Utah's liquor laws, as compared to the rest of the nation. The three previous hot topics have apparently struck a nerve. To combat the negative press the governor has proposed a change to Utah's liquor laws. To do away with the need for the meddlesome "sidecar" and bring the state's liquor pours more in line with the rest of the country.

Input from the gov regarding liquor reform has been long awaited.

Huntsman said that when he came into office, his transition team identified the liquor laws as an area that should be changed. It suggested allowing wine sales in grocery stores, easing private club requirements and increasing the 1-ounce limit - long deemed inadequate by out-of-staters and others used to the standard pour. But, he said, the proposals fell flat with legislators three years ago and haven't been advanced since. The new initiative sends a message, Huntsman said, to those from outside the state who think you can't get a drink in Utah and goes toward "proving the point that we aren't out of sync with the rest of the nation."

This seem to be more P.R. than real reform but I think it helps combat the insanity that the in-state neo-cons have been proliferating.

Utah Considers Banning Cold Beer!!!

If you've spent any time looking over this blog you may have noticed that we who live in Utah experience some pretty difficult and unique challenges when it comes to the enjoyment of adult beverages. The difficulties usually stem from conflicts between ultra conservative Mormons and well... everyone else. Mormons don't believe in the consumption of alcohol (even though Mormon elected officials run the states liquor monopoly) and for the most part don't believe it should be available for purchase at all.

That being said, it has comes to light that a proposal to ban the sale of cold beer is now being talked about by some powerful Mormon lawmakers. The idea of selling only warm beer actually came up Tuesday at the senate's republican caucus. Reportedly, their thinking is, if beer at Utah grocery or convenience stores had to be sold warm, that might discourage people from drinking beer right away or from drinking as much.

What these Taliban-esque zealots don't realize is that beer is a fragile product that requires refrigeration to keep it from spoiling.

I urge the the nice people from surrounding states to invade our borders and liberate us from our Mormon Overlords. The Emperor Has No Clothes!!!

Utopias Ahoy!

For good or bad there's one thing that Americans excel at. Taking an idea, embracing it and morphing it to the Nth degree. Case in point, Samuel Adam's Utopias. This is an anomaly in the beer world. It's a beer that seems to blur the line between beer and spirits. creating controversy over whether it is technically beer. Well, it is beer. A top fermented uber-beer! Even though it may not have many of the characteristics you'd associate with your favorite ale or lager.

The decanter it comes in is a beautiful recreation of an old style mash tun. Made of glass and copper, it's nearly worth the price alone.

Utopias currently enjoys the status of being the worlds strongest beer. At a whopping 27% abv it will warm your core on the coldest winter night.

Note: I haven't sampled the the latest vintage of Utopias. This review is for the '05 vintage. Poured a deep amber/ruby with no head or lace. The nose was bourbon-esque with massive dark fruits, tons of alcohol, malt and caramel. A touch of maple syrup like character is also noticed. The flavor is vinous and ripe. Full of raisin, plum, butterscotch, sweet Carmel and brown sugar. The finish is full bodied, bitter and all alcohol. This burnt like hell going down. Every sip steals your breath. At $200 a bottle you should try it; if anything to say, you’ve had the strongest beer in the world.

If you want to try it, the Bayou is the sole place in Utah to get 'em. I believe Mark said he got six. I'd recommend getting a dozen of your closest beer nerds together and share in the experience. It will definitely help defray the cost. Besides things like don't come around too often and are best shared.

Devistator Double Bock

There's a new kid on the beer block and he's packing a welcomed punch. The happy kids over at Wasatch Brewing have been working on bringing more high-gravity suds to the Utah faithful, and have happily "nailed it" with Devastator. The Devastator is a Double Bock. If your not familiar with Bock Beers, they're a little more hearty than your normal beer. Double Bocks or Doppelbock are a Bavarian specialty beer that were first brewed by the monks of St. Francis of Paula. They're stronger than most beers (between 6%-10% abv). During the Spring religious season of Lent, monks were required to fast. High-gravity Bock beers; high in food energy and nutrients provided sustenance during this period. Hence bocks were considered "liquid bread" by the monks.

So, how does it taste? Pretty damn good!

Poured a nice clear amber/ruby color with a thin foamy head. The nose is nutty with chocolate, molasses and a bit of alcohol perfume. The taste starts with Molasses, brown sugar and pecans. spicy cocoa comes next with toasted grain and finishes with a nice hoppy pine finish. It's 8.0% abv is nicly masked. The label defiantly screams Utah. It says, Utah will never be the same.
Let pray they're right.

The artwork on the label is quite nice it depicts a Ram(Bock= Buck in German. Get it?) Busting through downtown Salt Lake City. Appropriately, snorting fire and being an all around nuisance. Sorry the pic is of low quality it seems when these come available to me, I don't have my good camera.

Devastator is available at State Liquor Stores, Wasatch brew pubs and most private clubs.

The Utah Beer Year in Review

A lot of good and a little bad came to the Utah beer community in '07. Here's a brief review of high and low lights.

The year started appropriately enough our usual winter weather phenomena The Inversion. And Desert Edge Brewer ---- wasted no time in concocting a tasty companion to the murky winter air. Named coincidentally Inversion. It's a nice lite, moderately smokey Rauchbier with a nice bed of malt hops and a whole lotta smoke.

Another style out of the norm that made it's way into local brew pubs was the Flanders Brown Ale style that has it's origins from the Flemish region of Belgium. Jenny Talley from Squatters put together this authentic sour Belgian farmhouse ale with tart cherry accents. Cherry Luv is a seasonal and has no set production schedule.

In February Fifty-four Barley Wines and ninety judges from all over North America converged at the Toronado in San Fransisco to enjoy and select the continents best. Uinta's XI Anniversary Barley Wine tied for third in the annual high octane competition.


Author and beer geek Del Vance published Beer in the Beehive: a History of Brewing in Utah. The book documents Utah's earliest beer producers from past to the present and the cultures that influenced them.

Squatters officially became the largest brewpub in the state expanding to take over the entire three storey historical building it occupies.

We learned in 2007 that the word Merlot is so offensive that it had to be stricken from the licence plate of Glenn Eurick's Merlot colored 1996 Mercedes Benz. After having the plate for ten years he was forced to give it up because it offended the delicate sensibilities of an anonymous caller.

We also learned that were on can tear down, another can rebuild. For the first time since the start of Prohibition, a Utahn will be producing home grown hooch from the states first legal distillery. David Perkins has some pretty great plans for the P.C. distillery, like a top to bottom renovation of the proposed property and a tasting room for patrons to sample the various spirits produced.

Following a nation-wide trend Utah beer makers started producing certified organic beers. Squatters was the first to offer it's Organic Amber Ale at they're brew pub. Uinta's Wildfire Pale Ale was fist to be offered in stores and bars.

Statistics released by the Brewers Association, shown that even though Utahns drink less beer than the rest of the nation our breweries do very well in sales. Two of Utah's breweries ranked 47th & 49th out of just under 1400 craft breweries. Nearly 80% of all craft beer sales in the U.S. came from these 50 companies.

The Mountain Brewers Festival yielded many medals for Utah Breweries in June. Judges from all over the country, participated in blind tastings, awarding 18 medals to the most misunderstood beer producing state in the nation.

Some fresh blood (good & Bad) was injected into Uta's D.A.B.C. after three decades of stagnation.

In July we found that Utah loves Lions more that any other state. Lev Lion a Czech beer that has been in in Utah since the 1995 and is distributed in 12 states, Lev has, for some inexplicable reason, made its biggest splash in the Salt Lake City market. It sells better here than anywhere in the country since it was introduced. The state consumed 10,000 cases in '06.

Famed Beer Author and enthusiast Michael Jackson passed away at his home in London, England. He was arguably the foremost authority on beer and whiskey in the world.

The best reappearing & disappearing act of the year goes to the Utah Brewers Festival. After years of being on hiatus it's return was heralded as trip back to the good ol' days. But Mother Nature was nursing a hangover and it had to be cancelled due to weather. Bitch.

Zima, Smirnoff Ice, Mike's Hard Lemonade and the like were deemed to be too damn enticing for consumers by a member of the states booze patrol. The low alcohol beverages(4.0%abv) were to be moved to the state run liquor stores from grocery outlets so they would be harder to get and taxed at a much, much higher rate. After voting down the move. The Dabc council lost it's spine and decided it's a matter for the state legislature.

Utah scored big at the Great American Beer Festival. Three breweries won eight medals. As well as The Large Brew Pub & Brewer of the Year, going to RedRock and its Brewer Kevin Templin. Other beers awarded were Hopper's Lil' Pip's Mild(gold), Squatters' IPA(gold) & Their Organic Amber(silver).

The last quarter of '07 saw a influx of new imports to the state. Most from Belgium!

Finally, South Salt Lake City blames it's crime rate on the number of bars in their town. So no new licenses are to be issued and bar owners cannot sell their business with liquor licenses included.

All in all it was a good year. People are slowly getting it. Utah got some game!

Buy Utah First!

If you live, have lived or have visited Utah in the past thirty years you've probably noticed the price we pay for our liquor and beer is beyond obnoxious. If Sen. Mike Dmitrich, D-Price has his way consumers could pay less for spirits from small breweries and distilleries. Currently, alcohol sold at the State Liquor Store is subject to an 86 percent markup. The new bill would reduce that markup to 47 percent for liquor and wine and would drop to 30 percent for heavy beer(over 4.0% abv). Last year the state collected $53 million in liquor profits.

If the bill passes, consumers would potentially pay less for spirits produced by local companies when purchasing alcohol at the liquor store because the state markup would be lower on those than on large chains' products. The bill would not affect alcohol prices from any brewery for beer at the grocery store. In addition, the bill would still funnel 10 percent of gross sales from the liquor store going to fund the school lunch program.

Don't hold your breath folks, there's a line already forming to quash this minor tax break.

Twelvth Day of Xmas: Pilsner Urquell

Well here we are. A 12 pack later and twelve days wiser. The grand holiday experiment concludes with a bad case of the narley barleys and a world-wide classic. I hope that the past dozen days have given you the opportunity to try something new, or at the very least get you out of comfort zone for the holidays.

I was thinking that the final beer would have to be something rare and special. You know, some uber-octane, malt-beast. Crafted by the heirs to some mythical European beer dynasty. But that's not what the twelve beers has been about. It's just about good beer. This may not be a beast of a beer but it does have a hallowed history. This is the Pilsner that all other Pilsners take their names. Pilsner Urquell.

Pours a nice burnt yellow with a fine fluffy white head. The nose is nice with grassy hops and malt. The flavor starts bready with a light hint of honey followed by burst of floral/grassy Saaz hop spiciness. And ends with lingering floral spiciness. Finishes crisp and clean. This would probably serve you better during the warmer months, but after days of heavy Holiday food this will be a welcome change. A great session beer. 4.4% abv. Available Statewide. Merry Christmas, be safe and thanks for checking out Utah Beer!

Eleventh Day of Xmas: Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Oy! I got stuck with the stomach flu kids, so day eleven is going to be brief. Sorry... So, on the Eleventh day of Xmas may barkeep served me a Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale.

Saving one of the best for last, this one pours a nice ruby/brown with two fingers of head which left a beautiful web of lace in the glass. The nose was of caramel sweet malts banana and vanilla bean with a nice balance of piny hops. The taste was mostly sweet carmel, vanilla and a hint of hazelnut. The finish was dry and and had a nice piny bite. They list this as an IPA but I can easily see this being a "Strong" or "Spice" ale. Either way, it’s an awesome beer. It dials in at 6.8% abv and you'd never know it. Available state-wide. Cheers.

Tenth Beer of Xmas: Uinta's Kings Peak Porter

The Tenth Beer of Xmas that my Barkeep gave to me, is Uinta's Kings Peak Porter. After the recent snow storm nothing sounds more satisfying than cozying-up with a fine brew to put you into your special place and keep your spirits alive. This is a multi-award winner that's been a staple in our home for years.

Pours a dark ruby-brown with a moderate tan head. The nose is huge with roasted malt and coffee, a light toffee sweetness is also notable . Taste starts with a good dose of roasted malts. Dark cocoa notes come next providing a minor sweetness. The end is cappachino-esque. The finish is similar, with some residual hop bitterness. This is a nice, medium-bodied porter. That satisfies in cold or warm weather. Kings Peak Porter is available year round at most grocery and convenient stores in and around Utah.

Ninth Beer of Xmas Delirium Noel

It's day nine. At this point you should seeing pink elephants. If for some reason your not, beer number nine will cure that visually and mentally. So, with that, The Ninth beer of Xmas is Delirium Noel.

Pores a slightly hazy dark amber color with a solid head that dissipates into a thin cap of foam. The nose is of toasty malts with a boozy perfume of peach, prune, nutmeg and clove.
The tastes starts sweet with honey, dates and nutmeg. Oak and vanilla finish it out, with burnt cherry and cinnamon notes carry you into the finish. Smooth, sweet malt body with just enough of a hint of hop bitterness to keep it from becoming cloying. A very nice holiday brew that goes down as well as any high ABV Belgian brew. The 10% abv is well hidden, opening the door for the pink elephants to sneak-up and molest you with they're trunks before you even know what's happening. So stay on your bar stool and beware.

Eighth Beer o' Xmas: Rogue's Santas Private Reserve

One of the most highly kept secrets about Santa is his love of beers. You don't hear many songs about the jolly ol' elf tossing back his favorite dram of ale . Or about his home brew sessions with the Heat Miser. That would throw Utah neo-cons into hissy of biblical proportions. Go ahead, take your chances. Leave him milk and cookies, but be warned your just screwing yourself in the long run.

To be assured of getting your G.I. Joe with the kung-fu grip, or that blow-up doll you've had your eye on. Place a bottle of the Eighth Beer of Xmas on your table and you'll be golden in his eyes.

Pours a copper/red color with a nice pillowy two finger head. The nose is very hoppy. A perfume of Pine and florals assault your sniffer The taste starts with a slightly malty flavor, then a very strong hops prescience comes through. Piney and roasted grain flavors are present also with a nice bitter finish. This beer is huge on hops and is probably the reason Santa’s nose is red. A very good pale ale for the holidays.

And if your worried about Santa drinking and driving, don't. The reindeer do all the driving.