What began as a fun hobby for two twenty-somethings blossomed into a thriving brewpub that as of this summer serves up its own award-winning craft beer. “We just started home brewing with little extract kits like most people do,” Ross Metzger said of the pastime he and business partner Cody McKendrick enjoyed more than a decade ago. But this June kicked their notability … [Read more...]
What Does the Future Hold for Wasatch and Squatters Breweries
In Utah, All Roads Lead to Great Beer If you’re not already acquainted with Wasatch and Squatters Breweries, now is the time to do so. These two breweries are masters at making the best 5-9% beers that provide the best local flavor and quality. You’ve seen them in bars and at grocery stores, but how much do you really know about these two iconic local breweries? Wasatch … [Read more...]
The Story of Wasatch Brewery: The Pioneers of the Craft Beer Brewing in Utah
In post-prohibition Utah, there had not been a brewery since the original Fisher Brewing Co. closed in the 1960s. That is, until Greg Schirf came to the Beehive State. After graduating from Wisconsin’s Marquette University with philosophy and journalism majors and minors, respectively, and still only 21 years old, Greg Schirf hit the road, literally. He hitchhiked from … [Read more...]
Park City Brewing Makeover
Park City Brewing recently announced that “it is entering the Utah market with new ownership, beer, and branding. Park City Brewing offers five core beers and anticipates opening its first brewery and taproom in December 2021, located in Park City, Utah." According to the folks at Park City Brewing, “Head Brewer, Mike Perine has 15 years’ experience developing craft beer … [Read more...]
Happy Anniversary to Wasatch Brewery
In post-prohibition Utah, there had not been a brewery since the original Fisher Brewing Co. closed in the 1960s. That is, until Greg Schirf came to the Beehive State. It’s hard to believe that it has been 35 years since founder Greg Schirf opened Wasatch Brewery in Park City. Yep, in 1986 Greg opened the doors to Wasatch Brewery, the first post-prohibition brewery to open in … [Read more...]
A Beer Barrel of Laughs: Local Brewers Combine Humor and Hops
Amid COVID-related shutdowns and shifting regulations, Salt Lake City breweries had to adapt over the last year — and creativity plus a healthy dose of humor went a long way in achieving that. Several breweries used the opportunity to release limited edition brews that alluded to the craziness of the pandemic. They found that the timeliness of these … [Read more...]
Are Utah Breweries Transforming into Hard Seltzer Factories?
Move over White Claw — craft seltzers have arrived in Salt Lake City. Several Capitol City breweries have recently added the fruity, bubbly beverages to their line-up, joining the ever-growing hard seltzer market that continues to see enormous growth. “We tend to make unusual beverages, like crazy sours, so seltzers were definitely up our alley,” said Alexandra Ortiz de … [Read more...]
Epic Sour Brainless on Guava & Habanero
My son, Hank, and college friends of his were visiting us last weekend and my wife, Faith, picked up an array of interesting beers for a weekend cookout. One that got my attention - in part because it’s one of the strangest sounding beers I’ve ever come across - was Epic Brewing Co. Sour Brainless On Guava & Habanero, Cellar Reserve. What in the world?, I thought. It’s … [Read more...]
Squatters Juicy IPA
With this week’s return to summer and accompanying scorching temperatures, I went looking for a good thirst quencher for sipping on the patio and found one. The brewers at Squatters have been cooking up a lineup of new and dynamic seasonal beers for Summer 2020 and one of my favorites is Squatters Juicy IPA, which comes in 12 oz. cans. The team at Squatters sure got the … [Read more...]
Utah Brews News During COVID-19 Pandemics
As is the case with restaurants and bars, Utah’s brewing industry is under severe stress thanks to COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions. Brewpubs are trying to survive with curbside takeout service just as many breweries are selling beer-to-go. (Thankfully, that hasn’t been terminated … yet.) We can all help by drinking locally-brewed beer and buying gift cards and swag from … [Read more...]