“As Utah’s smallest craft brewery, we want to do things other places aren’t. That means taking risks,” says Rio Connelly, the brewer behind Avenue Proper’s unique beers. Located in one of Salt Lake City’s oldest neighborhoods, Avenues Proper Restaurant & Publick House has won the hearts of locals with innovative beer and tasty food. Always on tap is their flagship Proper Beer, an English golden ale. Ten other beers rotate on the menu, and you can always expect to find something interesting.

“Most of our beers are one-of-a-kind, not-to-style interpretations.” says Connelly.” Beyond our session IPA, Irish Stout and Czech Pilsner, everything is unique. Perhaps my favorite odd beers are Gose the Gozerian (a Leipziger Gose), a sour wheat ale brewed with coriander and local salt, Fever Pitch, a dryhopped saison brewed with hops from New Zealand, and Darth Lager, a Munich Dunkel-style lager brewed with dark muscovado sugar.”

Right now the only place to enjoy Connelly’s brews is at Avenues Proper, but they are planning to open a second location, allowing them to package beer for retail and get it into bars. Great news for those who crave something different.

When asked if the market was becoming saturated with craft brews, Connelly had a thoughtful answer. “I don’t think there’s such a thing as too many brewpubs,” he says. “People will always enjoy a local establishment that has beer brewed on site. More of those just mean better quality beer for the consumer.”

People outside Salt Lake City are starting to notice Connelly’s work. He won a Bronze Medal in the Schwarzbier category for the RoggenSchwarz at the 2014 NABA Awards in Idaho Falls, ID. “It was the first time we’d submitted to a competition,” explains Connelly, “and we’re very happy to have won it.” §

Avenues Proper is located at 376 8th Ave.

Tu-Th, 11 am-10 pm; Fri-Sat, 11 am-12 am; Sun, 10:30 am-10 pm