Epic Brewing: Beer From the Beehive State Goes International

Epic Brewing Company has had an epic rise to success over the past decade. What started as Utah’s first modern-era strong beer microbrewery has grown into an award-winning artisanal enterprise. The original brewery, created by business partners David Cole and Peter Erikson, opened near downtown Salt Lake City in 2010, and debuted with six fermentation…

Heather L. King

November 26, 2018

Lead Brewer, Matt, prepares a batch. Photo by Mike Jones.

Epic Brewing Company has had an epic rise to success over the past decade. What started as Utah’s first modern-era strong beer microbrewery has grown into an award-winning artisanal enterprise.

The original brewery, created by business partners David Cole and Peter Erikson, opened near downtown Salt Lake City in 2010, and debuted with six fermentation tanks. Within months, demand for the high-alcohol, small-batch beers bottled in 22 oz. sizes far outpaced supply, and a significant expansion gave the pair eight times more fermentation space. They also added a “Tapless Tap Room” to offer samples of beer and food in addition to their cold case selling refrigerated beers seven days a week.

But as awards and accolades continued to roll in, Epic still needed more room to grow the Classic, Elevated and Exponential series of Epic beers.

In 2013, Epic opened its second brewery in the River North district of downtown Denver.

Featuring a tap room with 25 of Epic’s beers on draught, the location also allowed Epic to expand their popular barrel-aged beer program and introduce a line of sour beers.

With the right-sizing of the breweries, Epic moved to focus on national distribution. Today, Epic fans can find some of their more than 60 beers in 25 states and in select international locations.

Changes continue for Epic—they’ve added a 12 oz. can line featuring special brews and long-time Epic favorites as well as recently purchasing Telegraph Brewing Company, a well-respected Santa Barbara brewery. The incorporation of Telegraph into the Epic line has additional significance for Cole by full-circle completing the craft beer dream he and Erickson shared while sampling beers in their home state of California.

In Salt Lake, Epic lovers are finally able to enjoy 4% ABV beers on draught for the first time ever because of changes in the liquor laws. This has lead to a remodeled and expanded tap room (now seating 20) that also features the Utah Session Series of beers—which will soon be sporting refreshed labels in-store.

Yet Epic lovers can still rejoice that despite the rapid expansion of Epic Brewing, the brewery remains committed to its founding principal of small-batch, artisanal beer. Each new batch of Elevated and Exponential series released is still numbered and stamped with release information published online.

Epic Brewing truly is a craft beer lover’s dream come to life. §

Epic Brewing, 825 S. State Street (801) 906-0123

Beer Stories

Beer, epic brewing, Local beer, utah beer, utah brewery

Heather L. King

Heather is a food and beverage writer and anonymous restaurant critic for a variety of publications in Utah. She’s happy to have reported on Utah’s changing food landscape for more than 20 years. When not dining out, you’ll often find her at local farmers markets shopping for fresh produce and meeting local vendors. During the pandemic lockdown, she spent her time perfecting gin cocktails — often using locally produced spirits and garnishes. She shares her love of great food with her husband and two Great Danes. Her passion for traveling is fueled by experiencing the food cultures of other countries and regions. She owns SLCLunches.com, and you’ll find her sharing her favorite dishes @slclunches.

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