Lagerpalooza.
In my experience, nothing lights up a brewer's eyes more than when someone wants to discuss lagers.
 When burgeoning brewers say they want to start a brewery so they can brew "what they like to drink," in a perfect world that often means a list full of lagers (as opposed to ales, which include the perennially popular IPAs). But when faced with the economic realities of brewery ownership, the lager-first route isn't always feasible.
Side Note: Bohemian Brewery, which hosts this weekend's Lagerpalooza festivities, has made the lager-first model work for more than two decades.
At any rate, there's something almost romantic about the authenticity and simplicity (in ingredients, not process) that comes with cold temp, bottom-fermented brews. As a homebrewer, I've easily brewed 10 times as many ales in my garage as I have lagers. But a lager brew day is always special.
"By and large, they are technique beers," says Cody McKendrick, head brewer at Bewilder Brewing and a Lagerpalooza organizer. "There's not a lot of mystery surrounding what the ingredients are for that specific beer, but it comes down to technique and the execution of that technique, which is a lot of fun."
For the most part, there's not a lot to hide behind when it comes to lagers. Alcohol content or wacky adjuncts won't mask flaws in the lager brewing/fermenting process.
Now that you're craving a crisp lager (I know I am), let me tell you about Saturday's Lagerpalooza 2022.
The two-pronged event—a homebrew competition and lager-centric craft beer festival—provides lager lovers an opportunity to enjoy some of the area's finest.
It's set to take place in the parking lot of Bohemian Brewery at noon on May 7. There's a ton planned, so I won't try to list it all here. To learn more, I invite you to read an article I wrote about Lagerpalooza 2022 and listen to a podcast episode with the primary players.
Cheers,
Tim
Currently Drinking: As I write, I'm enjoying Thunder Mountain, a German-style Schwarzbier from Proper Brewing Co. How about you?
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Hello Again & Welcome
If this is your first time receiving this monthly dispatch, welcome! If you're a longtime subscriber, thank you for sticking with it. As always, feel free to drop a line to let me know what you think. Connect with me personally on Untappd.
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🍻 Saturday: Lagerpalooza 2022
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As mentioned above, Lagerpalooza is one of the nation's premier lager-focused homebrew competitions and festivals. After a hiatus, the full festival is slated to return on May 7 at Bohemian Brewery in Midvale.
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🎙 Cinco de Mayo: Celebrate with 2 Epic Beers
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In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Epic Brewing gave us a head's up that it has released a pair of beers.
- Horchata Cream Ale is a 5% ABV offering brewed with rice, cinnamon, and a touch of lactose.
- Dos Locos is a 7.5% ABV Imperial Mexican Lager brewed with lime and salt. That one is an amped-up version of Los Locos, Epic’s original Mexican Lager.
Both beers are available at the Epic beer store/taproom at 825 S. State Street.
Speaking of Epic Brewing, Gus Erickson, the brewery's marketing specialist, sent a note that Big Bad Baptist Reserve 2022 is going through its final blending and packaging and is scheduled to be available at the taproom in May. The batch is limited to 600 cases.
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🍻 Coming Soon: American Craft Beer Week
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American. Craft. Beer. Week. Four beautiful words that, when combined, form a fantastic reason to celebrate.
This year's American Craft Beer Week is May 16-22.
It's the perfect opportunity to support local craft breweries and maybe try a spot or a style that's outside your regular rotation or comfort zone.
Keep an eye on Utah Beer News as we share notes about what local breweries have planned to celebrate the occasion (here's our coverage of special events and beer releases from past American Craft Beer Week festivities).
During this year's 16th Annual American Craft Beer Week, be sure to...
- Use the #AmericanCraftBeerWeek hashtag on social media
- Follow @IndieBeer_ on Instagram and Twitter
P.S. American Craft Beer Week always holds a special place in my heart because it was during the week four years ago that Utah Beer News officially launched. 🍻
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Brewery Folks: If you would like me to include your American Craft Beer Week events in my annual roundup (or if any beer drinkers know of events taking place at their favorite breweries), please feel free to send along the information.
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🍺 Pink Boots Brews: Wasatch, RoHa
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Beer Name/Style: Women of Wasatch, Pineapple Gose
Brewery: Wasatch Brewery
ABV: 5%
Notes: The wheat-based beer is brewed with salt and coriander and is finished with real pineapple. It's dry-hopped with the Pink Boots Society hop blend. It's a delightfully refreshing brew that features just enough tartness to say hello but not so much that you'll pucker. As is the norm for Pink Boots beers, proceeds help to assist, encourage, and educate women in the beer industry.
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Beer Name/Style: Pink Boots, Session IPA
Brewery: RoHa Brewing Project
ABV: 5%
Notes: I popped in for a pint in April and couldn't pass up the opportunity to try my first Pink Boots brew of the year. This one didn't disappoint. A session IPA brimming with citrus (and I picked up hints of tropical fruits and ripe melon). Plus, there's a nice earthy/herbal quality to the beer as you work your way to the bottom of the glass. The Pink Boots hops blend this year is a nice one.
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🎙Utah Beer News Podcast:
Beer News for Your Ears 🎙
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The Utah Beer News podcast provides another avenue to tell stories about the Utah beer community. I'd love for you to subscribe, take a listen, and let me know what you think!
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 Each month, I gather beer-related news and notes to share with Utah Beer News email subscribers.
Much of what's mentioned in this space is obtained from social sites, taproom visits, email newsletters, etc. (and a few are sent directly to me).
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Reminder: It's always best to confirm event dates, times, and locations with the individual organizers.
- The 12th Annual Utah Beer Festival is set to return to The Gateway Aug. 20-21 with more than 200 beers and ciders. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale on May 6. Here’s a look at past Utah Beer Festivals.
- The Queer Food Feastival , presented by the Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, takes place May 6 at Mountain West Cider. The 21+ event starts at 6 p.m. Tickets and full details here.
- RoHa Brewing Project is hosting a Beer Belly Laughs open mic comedy show on May 13 (and it appears monthly thereafter).
- And congratulations to RoHa, which celebrated its five-year anniversary in April.
- Mural Fest is returning to South Salt Lake on May 14. Check out the city’s cool murals—and then grab a beer at one of the nearby breweries.
- The patio at Level Crossing Brewing is getting a makeover.
- Harmons-branded beer has been spotted at the grocery store chain. It looks like it is brewed by Red Rock Brewery. H/T to Amanda M. in the Godless Beer Aficionados Facebook group.
- Congratulations to Grid City Beer Works on earning a “Best of South Salt Lake” award (and on celebrating its two-year anniversary in April).
- A couple of additional congrats are in order: Avenues Proper celebrated its nine-year anniversary in April. Talisman Brewing celebrated six years—and released its first beers in cans.
- And to toot our own horn: Utah Beer News celebrates its four-year anniversary on May 17. Thank you to everyone who’s stuck with us.
- Cheers to Cerveza Zólupez Beer Company on winning a Supplier of the Year award from the Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council.
- In brewery-in-the-works news… Apex Brewing has begun demolition on its new space at 2285 S. Main Street in South Salt Lake (and expects "beers by Halloween..."). And Prodigy Brewing is starting to brew this week in Logan.
- Quarters Arcade Bar (which features a nice craft beer lineup) is planning to open a second location in Sugar House this summer. Building SLC tweeted that it will be located on the northeast corner of 2100 S. and McClelland St.
- The Squatters Classic Series is featured in its new sampler pack. The pack features Hefeweizen, Full Suspension Pale Ale, and Chasing Tail Golden Ale. Check out the new branding.
- May is Bike Month. Show your bike helmet at Brewvies and get 10% off food.
- We got a heads up that City Brew Tours has begun operations in Salt Lake City.
- A pair of local beer-themed magazines hit the streets. Check out the latest from Utah Stories (here) and SLUG magazine (here).
- Speaking of SLUG, its next Brewstillery event is on tap for June 18 at Artspace City Center. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 day-of. Complete details.
- Gastronomic SLC’s Stuart Melling offers an overview of liquor law changes that take effect June 1.
- And here’s a rundown (PDF) on alcohol law/policy changes, via the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (yes, the organization’s name changed as well).
- Rauchbier (smoked beer) fans—get ye to The Bayou.
- Next time you’re at a Salt Lake Bees game, be sure to pick up a Bees Brew (courtesy of Bohemian Brewery).
- The 40th Anniversary Great American Beer Festival is scheduled to take place Oct. 6-8 in Denver. Tickets go on sale in July.
And finally...
- According to a Facebook post, it looks like Toasted Barrel Brewery has closed its doors. 😢 I remember visiting the taproom on one of its first nights open and always enjoyed sampling a few brews out of the super-cool taster setup that the brewery offered (and, of course, writing about this beer).
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Brewery Folks: Got news, notes, or events to share? Don't count on me to find it on social media. Please send the info to Utah Beer News directly if you'd like me to help spread the word.
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