Following on the success of Founder/CEO Mark Medura’s Level Crossing Brewing Company in South Salt Lake — which opened in 2018 — a new Level Crossing taproom and restaurant opened this past year in the newly constructed Post District on SLC’s west side. The new location has the same great beer selections as the original location, plus a store for buying beer to-go, a large wood-fired pizza oven, and a big outdoor patio for sipping and noshing. Not bad for a guy who started brewing on his home kitchen stove.
Among Head Brewer Chris Detrick’s finest accomplishments are Level Crossing’s complex, hop-forward Suss It Out Rye India Pale Ale (2019 GABF Bronze Medal winner), and his fruity, juicy Sinday Pale Ale — a decadent, dessert-style brew.
Since 2015, 2 Row Brewing owners Brian and DeDe Coleman have been making some of Utah’s best and most unique beers, including Feelin’ Hazy New England Style Double IPA, Saison-style Dangereaux Farmhouse Ale, “It’s Not Just For Breakfast” Imperial Stout, and seasonal brews like Divine Lunacy Bourbon Barrel-Aged Belgian Quadruple and The Shorter Porter Ale. But until late in 2023, customers couldn’t drink 2 Row brews on the spot; they had to get them to go.
In November, the Coleman’s finally opened a huge 21-and-over brewery and taproom in Midvale, equipped with a full kitchen, cornhole games, flat-screen TVs, pool tables, and a stage where adult customers can sip 2 Row beers straight from the brewery in the sprawling taproom/restaurant.
Bonus: the Colemans made a point of putting their brewing equipment right out in the open, creating a truly legit feeling for customers of imbibing in an actual brewery.
The newest brewery addition to Southern Utah is SLC-based Proper Brewing Co., which opened its Moab location in February of 2023. With 20 draft beer taps and some 50 cans and bottles to choose from, there is truly something for every beer lover at Proper Brewing. Intriguing year-round choices include Do Less West Coast Style India Pale Ale, Whispers of the Primordial Sea Smoked Helles Lager with Pineapple, Lei Effect Gose Ale with Passionfruit, Guava, Coriander and Salt, and a tasty Mexican-style Dark Lager called Midnight Especial. Great seasonal options from Proper include Gin Coward’s Fist Barrel-Aged Double IPA, Monochromicorn Baltic-style Porter Aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels, and Wolf of the Eclipse Roggenbier Lager which is aged in Pinot Noir barrels.
About a year ago, Chappell Brewing held its grand opening on South Main Street, behind the Old Cuss Cafe. This is a brewery-rich zone, with seven different distilleries and breweries located within a half-mile of each other. Owner Tim Chappell calls his beers “unapologetic ales”, saying that he and his team make “intentionally crafted ales brewed with an uncompromising and unapologetic approach to quality, flavor and drinkability.” Chappell’s small, immersive brewery and tasting room is designed “to promote togetherness and simplicity.
Think of a welcoming farmhouse patio that happens to have a brewery in the garage,” say the brewers. If you’re looking for a great, easy-drinking simple blonde ale, Brawndo The Thirst Mutilator is right up your alley. Personally, I love Chappell’s Climax Horchata Cream Ale — light, smooth, and refreshing with hints of cinnamon toast and vanilla.
One of Utah’s newest brew pubs is also its oldest. Greg Schirf opened Wasatch Brewery in 1986, followed by Wasatch Brew Pub at the top of Park City’s Main Street — Utah’s first brew pub. But after some 34 years of doing business as Wasatch Brew Pub, the pub was rebranded as Top of Main Brew Pub last November following the purchase of the brewery next door by the Monster Beverage Corporation.
When Schirf first approached the UDABC about opening a brew pub all those many years ago, the response was “What’s a brew pub?” The mischievous Schirf recently had the pub repainted a bold blue color which he adamantly says “is NOT BYU blue!” Top of Main still serves freshly-brewed craft beers from its award-winning brewery, as well as a full wine and liquor menu, locally distilled spirits, and craft cocktails like the Stumbling Missionary, plus a bevy of menu temptations like Beeramisu and Hefeweizen Flash Fried Calamari.
In addition, Shades Brewing has announced that they are planning to open in a renovated new space in the Ballpark District along 300 West and 1388 South. The owners have said that an outdoor patio is in the works for the new location near the UTA’s Trax line. Stay tuned to Utah Stories and Utah Bites e-newsletter for further updates.
Feature Image: Grapefruit Wheat Ale and Leisurebrau from Proper Brewing Co. Photo by Golda Hukic-Markosian.
