Is Utah really a beer-drinking state? While craft breweries are thriving in unexpected places like Moab, the conversation around beer in Utah remains complex—shaped by culture, evolving trends, and the state’s unique liquor laws.

Utah’s craft beer scene is an enigma; small in numbers, yet mighty in influence. While locals drink less, the state’s brewers craft world-class beers that rival the best. Behind every pint is a story of passion, innovation, and a fight against the odds.

For decades, Salt Lake Brewing Co. has been the beating heart of Utah’s craft beer scene. From transforming a once-seedy district into a thriving pub destination to brewing iconic beers that shaped the industry, its legacy runs deep. Despite corporate shake-ups and shifting trends, one thing remains unchanged—the rich aroma of wort simmering in the morning and the familiar tap handles pouring fresh, locally crafted beer in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.

In a rapidly changing Salt Lake City, Bewilder Brewing embraces craft and tradition. Amidst rising high-rises and the struggles of a shifting neighborhood, this five-year-old brewpub has become a haven for those who appreciate beer at its finest. Here, Cody McKendrick doesn’t chase fleeting trends—he perfects them. His Kölsch, refined over 15 years, is a product of precision, brewed with carefully crafted ingredients to match its German roots.

While big-name breweries flood the market with sugary seltzers, Bewilder holds the line, delivering malt-forward ales, crisp lagers, and the kind of old-world brewing that demands respect. McKendrick, once a revered homebrewer, has transformed his passion into a thriving brewery, drawing in both locals and die-hard beer enthusiasts.

In an era where Gen Z drinks less and corporate players dilute craft beer’s soul, Bewilder Brewing remains a rare find—a place where beer is still an art, and every pint tells a story.