Ginger Bowden, owner of Vernal Brewing Co., left her job as a full time consultant in the oil and gas business to pursue a hobby of mixing craft beers and experimenting with the versatility of hops.
Vernal Brewing Co. was started through a private investor and they have since expanded outwards from Utah, into Wyoming and Montana. One of their goals for the upcoming year is to reach out to the neighboring states of Colorado and Southern Idaho where the business of craft brewing has its own taste specialty brews.
Vernal Brewing has created a unique app, “VBC Beer Locator,” to help craft beer enthusiasts find the beer they desire most. It’s a beer locator app. The app tells you what kind of Vernal beer is sold at different liquor and grocery stores. People using the app help it grow by tagging beers they find at the stores they shop at. It’s a great way to know where to find Vernal beer and to try out the different specialty beers they offer.
In the meantime, their beers are sold across the Wasatch Front in convenience stores and local grocery stores like Smith’s and Harmons. “We are currently developing a small draft program for the Wasatch Front so you will be able to find our beer on draft in a few select locations,” says Bowden.
There are also online avenues to receiving Vernal’s unique beers. Special orders can be made through the DABC’s website for .50 Caliber IPA and Mama’s Milk. As always, the liquor store features some of their special high point beers.
Even with all the accessibility, there is still tough competition against mainstream breweries to secure shelf space, says Bowden. The competition hasn’t stopped them yet. Bowden “plans on competing with large breweries by continuing to make great beer with variety. Our packaging and marketing entices people to try it in the first place and the quality of the beer brings them back.”
Vernal makes some really distinctive beers. Bowden’s favorite, “Mama’s Milk Imperial Milk Stout comes in at 8.5%. It’s rich, roasty, chocolaty, sweet and smooth.”
They also carry a crisp, refreshing 4% lager in their arsenal of brews for those that like a classic beer. The company is working on some new flavors to roll out in the upcoming year including a Honey Blond Ale and a Mole Black Lager.
Located at 55 S 500 E in Vernal, Utah (435) 781-2337
