World Beer Cup.
Utah brewers are brewing world-class beer. But, as we all learned from watching Reading Rainbow as kids, you don't have to take my word for it.
 Winners in this year's World Beer Cup—sometimes referred to as "The Olympics of Beer Competitions"—were announced in May, and a pair of Utah breweries won medals.
Shades Brewing, which continues to make noise with its critically acclaimed and immensely popular kveik beers, nabbed three medals for a trio of American Sour Ale variations. Each beer features the unique kveik yeast strain.
Pina Colada earned silver in the Field Beer category, while the Thai Tom Kha (Herb and Spice Beer) and Peach Cobbler (Experimental Beer) each brought home bronze.
Though Shades is no stranger to winning medals (its trophy case includes hardware from the Great American Beer Festival and the International Beer Awards), last month's World Beer Cup haul is a first.
"It's the first time we've entered World Beer Cup," says Shades Head Brewer Marcio Buffolo, noting that the 2018 World Beer Cup took place before the brewery began entering competitions (the biennial competition wasn't held in 2020 due to COVID-19). "This year, we entered seven beers and got three medals."
The 2022 World Beer Cup included more than 10,500 beers from nearly 2,500 breweries. Only two breweries won more medals than Shades, Buffolo says.
A Storied Tradition
Several Utah breweries have earned accolades at the World Beer Cup since its inception in 1996. By my count, local brewers have won 45 medals in what's dubbed "the most prestigious beer competition in the world." The Utah winners' list is made up largely of legacy breweries—Squatters, Red Rock, Utah Brewers Cooperative, Uinta, and Desert Edge.
And this year, Level Crossing Brewing Co., which opened its doors in 2019, added its name to the list. The South Salt Lake brewery's Cryptoporticus Philly Sour Double IPA, part of Head Brewer Chris Detrick's Red Feather Series, earned bronze in the American-Style Sour Ale category.
Before the week's over, Utah breweries are a lock to secure even more medals.
As I type, many Utah brewers are traveling north to Idaho Falls for the Mountain Brewers Festival and accompanying International Beer Awards. Utah routinely performs well in this competition, as you can see from past years.
All this winning speaks volumes about the Utah craft beer scene.
"It shows to the world that Utah has something good going on," Buffolo says. "Utah makes great beer."
That's not news to us. But it's becoming clearer to the world.
Cheers,
Tim
Currently Drinking: As I write, I'm enjoying High on the Hop session-style IPA from RoHa Brewing Project. 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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⛱ Patio Pints:
6 Beer-y Good Outdoor Spots
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Over the last several summers, I've enjoyed my share of pints on patios (one such pour is pictured above at RoHa Brewing Project). Here are six additional local outdoor spaces, not including my backyard, where I've enjoyed drinking craft beer:
- Bewilder Brewing: Great beer, delicious food, and a covered outdoor space (complete with heaters should the nights turn chilly). What's not to love?
- Fisher Brewing: Sun or shade, a front-facing and wraparound patio have you covered (or uncovered, as you prefer). If you're interested in trying a new beer—or two—every week, this is a good place to be.
- Grid City Beer Works: The rooftop deck/patio features its own dedicated bar area and pleasant mountain views. Plus, try three beers served three ways (cask, nitro, CO2).
- Slackwater Sandy: A pair of patios offer brilliant mountain views on one side and spectacular greenbelt-like scenery on the other. Plus, you can't go wrong with Slackwater's substantial beer list and tasty food.
- T.F. Brewing: Templin Family expanded its patio just before the COVID-19 shutdown hit in 2020 and now it's a spacious, dog-friendly environment on which to enjoy a few biers.
- Wasatch Brewery: When in Park City, do as the locals do. Grab a Landbier Swiss-Style Lager (or whatever your preference) and snag a seat at the Top of Main.
Oh, and here's the latest on a pair of additional outdoor spots: South Salt Lake's Level Crossing Brewing Co. expanded its outdoor space, while Craft by Proper in Sugar House is creating its own.
🤔 How about you? I’d love to hear where you’re planning to sip beers al fresco this summer.
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🏳️🌈 Showing Pride:
Celebrate the Season
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Photo Credit: Kiitos Brewing Instagram
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Pride Week 2022 runs now through June 5 and, as is customary, Utah's craft breweries are helping to celebrate Utah’s LGBTQ+ community.
Here are a few events, special beer releases, etc. I came across or that were sent my way:
- Kiitos Brewing: The popular Big Gay Ale is back, as is Pride-themed merchandise.
- Mountain West Cider: Ruby's Gay Hard Cider is available at state liquor stores and the Mountain West taproom. "A portion of proceeds benefit Utah Pride Center and other local LGBTQ+ advocacy groups," Mountain West writes.
- Red Rock Brewery: Double White Rainbow is back. "Double the flavor, double the fun, double the LOVE!" Red Rock writes of the amped-up version of its White Rainbow White IPA.
- RoHa Brewing Project: Three Deep American Ale in limited-edition Pride cans are back.
- Salt & Hops: The Ogden beer boutique is building Utah Pride Packs that feature a variety of local craft beers and other accouterments. Plus, a portion of proceeds benefits Project Rainbow Utah and the publishers of The LQ zine.
- Shades Brewing: A beer created specifically for Pride celebrations, Sounds Gay, I'm In is a 6.5% ABV American-style sour brewed with prickly pear.
- T.F. Brewing: Proceeds from this year's Pride t-shirt will be donated to the Utah AIDS Foundation.
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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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🍻 American Craft Beer Week:
Did You Participate?
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So many beers, so little time. I didn't make it to nearly as many places as I would have liked during American Craft Beer Week. I did, however, thoroughly enjoy...
No matter where you imbibed during American Craft Beer Week, I hope you enjoyed some tasty local brews.
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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.
- Offset Bier Co. in Park City is partnering with White Pine Touring to offer Thursday Night Rides during the summer. The first ride is on June 2.
- The 27th Annual Mountain Brewers Beer Fest takes place on June 4 in Idaho Falls. Best of luck to the Utah craft brewers who are competing in the International Beer Awards.
- Congratulations to SaltFire Brewing, which celebrates its four-year anniversary in June. It’s hosting a party on June 11 to celebrate.
- And congratulations to Slackwater Sandy on earning awards for “Best Beer Selection” and “Best Pizza” in the Best of SLC Awards. Psst: It looks like Slackwater SLC is inching closer to opening.
- Level Crossing Brewing Co. unveiled its new outdoor space late last month.
- The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services released its first-ever strategic plan, via Fox-13
- Scion Cider Bar teamed up with Etta Place Cider to collaborate on an Azacca-hopped cider. Get it on draft at Scion.
- Speaking of Etta Place Cider... Congratulations to the Torrey-based cidery on winning gold for its Stray Arrow rosé cider
- RoHa Brewing Project is now able to serve its high-point beers at its taproom, via GastronomicSLC.com
- Congratulations to the Lagerpalooza homebrew competition medalists.
- You can now find Shades Brewing beers in Washington.
- And UTOG Brewing beers are now available in Boise, Idaho.
- New Utah liquor laws went into effect on June 1. ABC4 Utah offers a rundown of what’s changed.
- We received a tip that Prodigy Brewing planned to open its doors on May 21. We reached out to a representative at the Logan-based brewery to confirm. They told us they “will reach out once we have a firm date.” Brewing is underway, so it shouldn’t be too much longer.
- Homebrew Con takes place June 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Now in its 44th year, America’s largest gathering of homebrewers attracts 2,000 people, offers dozens of educational sessions, and pours countless samples of homebrew (and commercial brew). Plus, winners in the National Homebrew Competition will be announced at the event.
- Red Rock Brewery’s Elephino Double IPA…in cans? Yes!
- Talisman Brewing in Ogden is teaming up with Beehive Cheese for a brewery tour and cheese pairing on July 30. Details and tickets.
- 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 on sale now. Here’s a look at past Utah Beer Festivals.
- Brewery Finder is a handy tool to bookmark as you’re out traveling the country seeking the best in craft beer.
- 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...
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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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