OGDEN – At last count, this mountainside metropolis of almost 90,000 residents boasts five breweries, each owned by individuals passionate about making craft beer. With the exit of Becker Brewing and Malting Company from Ogden in 1964, the city lacked a brewery until 1995, when Kym and Pete Buttschardt opened Roosters brewpub at 253 Historic 25th Street. Since that time, … [Read more...]
Proper Brewing Co. Expanding beyond Salt Lake
Proper Brewing Co. is no stranger to growth. The multi-location craft brewing operation started small — as in the state’s smallest commercial brewery at the time — and in the last decade has expanded to include properties throughout Salt Lake. Soon it will step beyond the county line. The Proper footprint features a side-by-side brewery, taproom and Food Network-famous … [Read more...]
Two Small Utah Nanobreweries Play an important Role in Their Communities
Just over 250 miles separate Offset Bier Co. in Park City, and Policy Kings Brewery in Cedar City. But the two nanobreweries — which produce about 100 gallons of beer per batch, and are among Utah’s smallest — each plays an important role in its respective community. Offset Bier Co. “Our goal was to provide a place for people who live here to come out and enjoy a beer and … [Read more...]
Why Beer Is The Answer To Our Biggest Problems
Have you watched the news lately? If not, let me fill you in: We are destroying our oceans, our soil, our ecosystems. A few more hot button items: Inflation is at an all-time high Housing prices as a ratio of take-home-pay is at an all-time high Kids have been home from school more days in the past two years than since the Pioneers spun wool. International turmoil … [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...]
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...]
New Law Opens Door to New Utah Brews: Utah Breweries Toast New 5% Beer Law
It’s a new era for beer drinkers in Utah. Recent legislation now allows for beer containing up to 5 % alcohol by volume (ABV) to be sold at grocery and convenience stores in the state, as well as on draft at bars and restaurants. For 86 years—since Prohibition—Utah law had required that beer above 4% ABV (or 3.2% alcohol by weight) be sold in state-run liquor stores. That … [Read more...]
Read about Utah Craft Beer in Upcoming March Issue of Utah Stories
Want to learn more about Utah craft beer Be sure to pick up the March issue of Utah Stories. Our March issue features great stories about Utah craft breweries. They are opening all over the state from Vernal to St. George and from Springville to Ogden. Read about Javier Chavez Jr., the owner and head brewer of Cervezas Zolupez newly opened in Ogden. Zolupez is Utah's … [Read more...]