Utah Beer News | October 2019

5% Beer.

One week from today — All Saints' Day, interestingly — Utah will officially ditch its so-called "3.2 Law." That is, the state's grocery and convenience stores, as well as bars, restaurants, and other spots with sufficient licensing, will be allowed to sell beer containing up to 5% alcohol by volume (ABV).

"Breweries are excited to be able to bring more variety to the consumer," says Nicole Dicou, executive director of the Utah Brewers Guild. "There's always going to be headaches with alcohol policy in Utah, but change brings new possibilities and I think that's what people are excited about."

Euphoric anticipation is enveloping Utah's craft beer community. And why not? Nov. 1 promises to be a historic day.

For the past 86 years, only 3.2% alcohol-by-weight beer (which is 4% ABV, a more common measure) has been allowed to be sold in retail locations. State-run liquor stores sell higher-alcohol — “heavy beer” — products. 

"This is a step in the right direction," says Chad Hopkins, brewer at Hopkins Brewing Co. in Sugar House. "It's hard to brew most beers 'to style' with the 4% limitation. A proper pale ale needs to be at that 5% ABV mark. That little bump in alcohol really helps the malt backbone and hop profile pop in some styles."

A Balancing Act

Breweries are balancing enthusiasm with practicality. The slight increase in alcohol means new recipes, updated labels and packaging, and perhaps even increased battles for shelf space at various retailers.

Timing is also a delicate dance for brewers who don't want to be stuck with a bunch of 4% beer after Nov. 1, but who also don't want to run out before then.

"It's going to be difficult to taper off production of 4% beer without running out," says Mark Medura, owner of Level Crossing Brewing. "Like many local breweries, we are trying to walk that line — we don't want to end up with a surplus of 4% beer but we don't want to run out before Oct. 31, either."

Brian Coleman, the owner of 2 Row Brewing, told Utah Beer News this week that he's completely sold out of his 4% beers at his bottle shop in Midvale. He recently packaged his latest batch of Inevitable Amber Ale — a former 4% brew bumped to the new 5% mark.

Beer Deals

One happy consequence leading up to the law change, at least for beer drinkers, is the ability to help some breweries "liquidate" their inventory of 4% beers before November hits. 

• Level Crossing Brewing Co. is promoting a "kill the keg" event through Oct. 31, discounting select 4% drafts at its South Salt Lake taproom. 
• Salt Lake's Kiitos Brewing and Ogden's UTOG Brewing are selling cases (24 beers) for $20 to help supercharge sales for several of their flagship beers.
• Uinta Brewing touted an "End of an Era Beer Clearance," with deals on its 4% beers at its Salt Lake General Store through the end of October.
• Roosters Brewing in Ogden is selling $1 cans of two of its popular brews: Blood Orange IPA and Bee's Knees Honey Wheat.

More Thoughts From Utah Brewers

Utah Beer News talked with several brewers around the state to get their thoughts on what the bump to 5% means for them and their customers.

"The beers obviously benefit from improved flavor and mouthfeel, which means the customer also benefits from a beer that tastes more as the brewer intended," says Jeremy Ragonese, president of Uinta Brewing. "Of course, it opens the door to more competition to tap handles and store shelves, but that's something we have to deal with in every market, every day."

Be sure to visit utahbeernews.com next week. There, you'll find an article with additional comments from brewers on the change.

As you'll read, there's more to it than simply gaining a percentage point of alcohol content. Enhanced flavor, increased taxes, improved perception, and more all figure into the equation.

Cheers,
Tim

Currently Drinking: As I write, I'm sipping a Beechwood Rauchbier from T.F. Brewing, a silver-medal winner at this year's Great American Beer Festival. How about you?

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Brewery Folks & Fans: As always, please feel free to send notes our way if you'd like us to help spread the word about your news and events.

Utah Ale Trail: Stamp Your Passport During Fall Crawl

The 2019 Utah Ale Trail Fall Crawl is this Saturday (Oct. 26). It's cool to think Utah is now a state where you can embark on a legitimate multiple-stop "brewery crawl" ... on foot!

One day, 18 participating breweries from Midvale to Ogden. It's a low-key, no-ticket-required, start/finish-where-you-want event. Pick up your passport at your first stop and you're good to go.

Buy a beer at three separate breweries, get your passport stamped at each one, and redeem your passport for deals on brewery merchandise and other goodies.

The Fall Crawl is organized by the Utah Ale Trail and the Utah Brewers Guild. Check out the website to learn what deals/discounts various breweries are offering for completed passports.

Participating breweries include: Bohemian Brewery, Desert Edge Brewery, Epic Brewing, Fisher Brewing, Hopkins Brewing, Kiitos Brewing, Level Crossing Brewing, Mountain West Hard Cider, Proper Brewing, RoHa Brewing Project, Roosters Brewing, SaltFire Brewing, Salt Flats Brewing, Shades Brewing, Talisman Brewing, Toasted Barrel Brewery, Uinta Brewing, and UTOG Brewing.

Bewilder Brewing: Close to Realizing a Lifelong Dream

Photo Credit: Bewilder Brewing

Ross Metzger and Cody McKendrick are childhood friends and co-owners of Salt City Brew Supply and Ogden City Brew Supply. They always knew they wanted to someday open a brewery.

Now, the two familiar faces in the craft beer community are embarking on their next big adventure — Bewilder Brewing. The brewery, which will be located at 445 S. 400 W. in Salt Lake City, is anticipated to open in the coming weeks.

Slackwater Sandy: Ogden Hotspot Hits South Valley

Photo Credit: Slackwater Pizzeria & Pub

Slackwater Pizzeria & Pub opened in Ogden in 2011 and quickly made a name for itself for specializing in innovative pizzas and catering to a thirsty craft beer crowd.

Its second location is scheduled to open in Sandy in early November and it promises to continue the Slackwater tradition. For craft beer enthusiasts, that means 28 tap handles and 225+ cans and bottles.

Read how Slackwater Sandy is positioning itself to to be a welcome addition to the south end of the Salt Lake Valley.

Beer Showcase: La Nymphe • Hoppers Grill & Brewing

Utah Six Pack: Congrats to GABF Winners!

Beer News & Notes

• Congratulations to T.F. Brewing, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a special event on Oct. 26. A special beer release (Jellyfish, a hazy IPA) will help mark the occasion.
• Congratulations as well to Cedar City's Policy Kings Brewery, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Nov. 1 and is throwing a speakeasy party on Nov. 2.
• Not beer-specific, but still cool: Holystone Distilling in Murray is celebrating its grand opening on Oct. 26.
• SaltFire Brewing will release its first canned beer on Oct. 26. It's an 11.5% ABV Triple IPA.
• Speaking of canning, Shades Brewing is getting into the game as well starting Nov. 1.
• Red Rock Brewery is entering the New England-style IPA market with the release of Buffalo Point on Oct. 25.
• Here's a nice overview of the 2019 Big Bad Baptist beers from Epic Brewing, via PorchDrinking.com
• Throughout October, Cerveza Zólupez Beer Company has been honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month by donating profits from its Lucha Libre-inspired Cerveza to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.
• The soon-to-be newest Pins & Ales location in West Valley is hosting an event on Nov. 1 to benefit the Alzheimer's Association of Utah. The beer-focused entertainment venue will host a grand-opening party on Nov. 9.
• The 21st Annual Learn to Homebrew Day is set for Nov. 2. If you've thought about starting to homebrew, the Hop Bombshells will be giving a free homebrew demonstration at Salt City Brew Supply starting at 10 a.m.
• BGR Sugar House is partnering with Shades Brewing to host a "Burger & Beer Pairing" event on Nov. 13.
• Mountain West Hard Cider's Suba Bleu is scheduled to be available starting Nov. 14. It's part of Subaru's "Share the Love" campaign. A portion of proceeds from Suba Bleu sales will benefit The Malinois Foundation and The Sharing Place.

• Happy Halloween. What do you think of these beer and candy pairings?

Coming Soon: New Breweries on the Horizon

• Bewilder Brewing Co., 445 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City (Targeting Late 2019)
• Grid City Beer Works, 333 W. 2100 South, Salt Lake City (Targeting Early 2020)
• Heber Valley Brewing, 501 N. Main Street, Heber (Now Open)
• Ogden River Brewing, 358 Park Blvd, Ogden (Targeting Early 2020)
• Strap Tank Brewing (Lehi), 3661 N. Outlet Parkway, Lehi (Now Open)
• Zion Brewery Station II (St. George), 150 N. Main Street, St. George (TBD)