Beer Events.
As we collectively awaken from our year-plus nightmare, it's great to see the Utah craft beer calendar start to fill up. I write that as someone who's on the record wondering if maybe in the past there were too many local beer events.
 I humbly stand corrected. After the year we had, bring on the events!
Right now, we're smack dab in the middle of Pride Week 2021. And while the Pride Festival and Pride Parade won't happen for a second straight year, there are still ways to celebrate. The Utah Pride Center is hosting a weeklong celebration unlike anything it's organized in the past.
"This incredible event will probably never happen again, in this form and on this scale,” writes Dr. Rob Moolman, Utah Pride Center executive director and CEO, on UtahPrideCenter.org. “It’s going to be unique, fun, educational, and offer an opportunity to come out of our houses, be together again and do so safely.”
Each June, local breweries get into the Pride Month spirit with limited beer (and cider and hard seltzer) releases, rainbow-themed merchandise, and special events. Even more, many of the breweries are donating a percentage of proceeds from Pride-specific items to the Utah Pride Center, Equality Utah, and the Utah AIDS Foundation, among other organizations.
Here are a few Pride-themed beer notes for your Pride Month pleasure:
Summertime Brews
In addition, many of our local breweries continue to host regular events—trivia, movie nights, live music, etc.—indoors and out. It's a great opportunity to support not only the local breweries, but also local artists.
Finally, here's a quick rundown of larger-scale beer events (in Utah and in neighboring states) that are on my radar. If I'm missing any, please let me know.
And while this event isn't local and will be virtual for the second straight year, I'm really looking forward to Homebrew Con, which is set for June 17-19.
Cheers,
Tim
Currently Drinking: As I write, I'm enjoying a Whispers of the Primordial Sea from Proper Brewing. 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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Level Crossing: 2 Years, Red Feather Beers, & More!
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Level Crossing Brewing occupies a rare spot in Utah craft beer history. It opened on March 30, 2019, and survived the struggle that accompanies any new business during its first year. Then, as its one-year anniversary approached in March 2020, well, you know...
Now, as Level Crossing embarks on the early stages of Year 3, the brewery sets its sights on brighter days ahead. Read the full story.
🎙 BONUS: Listen to our interview with Level Crossing Brewing Company Founder Mark Medura and Head Brewer Chris Detrick as part of the Utah Beer News Podcast.
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🎥 Video: Uinta Brewing in the Virtual Taproom
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I'm trying something new, and I'd love to get your feedback. I'm visiting with brewers, breweries, and everyday imbibers for 15-minute video conversations to be released the same day (or the day after) they're recorded. And I'm calling them Virtual Taproom Visits. They live on our YouTube channel—please subscribe!
And if you're a brewer or brewery representative who would like to take part in a future episode, please get in touch.
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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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🍺 Notable: 2 Utah Beers to Try
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Beer Name/Style: Whispers of the Primordial Sea, Smoked Helles with Pineapple
Brewery: Proper Brewing Co.
ABV: 5%
Purchased: Proper Brewing Co.
Notes: Regular readers know I've visited with folks at Proper Brewing a couple of times recently, so I knew this one was on the horizon. And I couldn't wait! The Helles with smoked malt and pineapple pours a pale yellow that's slightly cloudy. Smoke is subtle on the nose, but flavors remind me of a wood-fired pizza with a hint of juicy fruitiness.
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Beer Name/Style: Belgian-style Wit with Chamomile
Brewery: T.F. Brewing
ABV: 5%
Purchased: T.F. Brewing
Notes: A summertime quencher, for sure. The Belgian-style wheat beer pours a golden straw with a soft, white cap of foam. Aromas of wheat and light citrus. The lemony citrus carries into the first sip, while hints of herbal tea shine. It reminded me somewhat of an effervescent Arnold Palmer, and it's a beer I could see myself drinking during the hot days we have ahead of us.
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About Notable Beers: From time to time I'll use the above space to share two beers that I believe are worth seeking out. If you're a brewer or craft beer enthusiast who would like a specific beer to be considered for this feature, please send me an email by June 25 with details about the beer.
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EVEN MORE BEERS: By the way, here are a few new beers—or returning seasonals—that have been brought to my attention since the last dispatch. Check out the individual social posts for details.
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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 for us to tell stories about the Utah beer community. We'd love for you to subscribe, take a listen, and let us know what you think!
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Following the May dispatch, in which I provided an update on a few in-progress Utah breweries, a friend of Utah Beer News gave me the heads-up on Offset Bier Co.
The under-construction brewery in Park City appears to be the latest from Patrick Bourque. Bourque helped to open SaltFire before heading to Uinta and then becoming director of brewing operations for Lotus Company (the folks who brought us Ogden River Brewing and who are working on Fife Brewing in Salt Lake).
I’ll reach out to learn more, but for now, here’s a KPCW interview with Offset Bier Co.
Here are other in-progress breweries I'm tracking:
- Fife Brewing (Salt Lake), which I had heard was targeting a May 2021 opening, has switched to simply "2021" on its social media. I reached out to a Fife representative for confirmation but haven't heard back. However, Gastronomic SLC wrote in its newsletter recently that the Salt Lake-based brewery is now projecting to open in April 2022.
- I’m trying to coordinate a time to chat with Flaming Gorge Brewing Company (Manila) representatives and will be sure to pass along additional details on this spot apparently planned for Manila, Utah.
- No new news on Helper Brewing (Helper), at least as far as I know.
- I learned a few things about Prodigy Brewing (Logan), which is targeting a July 2021 opening in Logan.
As always, if you have any additional information or contacts at any of these would-be breweries (or others that aren't on my radar), please feel free to let me know.
By the way, here's a rundown of Utah breweries and beer-centric establishments. What am I missing? |
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 Occasionally, I like to reward subscribers with a chance to receive gift cards to or merchandise from local breweries and beer-centric establishments.
Last month, I awarded three gift cards to local spots— Bewilder Brewing, Proper Brewing, and Slackwater Pub & Pizzeria—to lucky subscribers.
Congratulations to...
- Mike B.
- Mutsumi B.
- Rhian T.
Keep an eye out for future promotions. As always, thank you for subscribing!
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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—hint, hint).
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Reminder: It's always best to confirm event dates, times, and locations with the individual organizers.
- Strawberry Shortcake is the next Little Orchard Series release from Mountain West Hard Cider. Ripe strawberry flavor is perfectly balanced with notes of fresh-baked shortcake, Mountain West says. The 7.2% ABV hard cider is scheduled to hit the market on June 3.
- Each Thursday throughout the summer, it’s Cider Pickin’ Thursdays at The Garten. The Pick Pockets bluegrass band will perform at 7 p.m. ($8 at the door).
- Laughs and Crafts—“a night of live comedy & beer tasting”—will take place at Level Crossing Brewing on June 5. Tickets start at $30.
- The first Hops Hunters Hike of the season is set for June 9. Here are details on the program in which hikers seek out wild hops in Summit County. We wrote about the program previously.
- The Stratford Proper patio dinner series starts June 13. Call (385) 522-2637 to reserve your spot.
- The Ogden Can Fest is slated for June 19. It’s a celebration of Ogden’s beverage and food scene and will feature a host of Ogden breweries and distilleries, in addition to local restaurants.
- A cool collaboration took place recently between T.F. Brewing and Oceanside, Calif.-based Horus Aged Ales. The two breweries joined forces to brew a Triple Bock on T.F.’s equipment. It will lager in a variety of High West whiskey barrels for at least a year.
- Speaking of T.F. Brewing, congratulations to the Salt Lake brewery on picking up a bunch of medals at the 2021 Australian International Beer Awards. Its Kellerbier took home Gold, while the Schwarzbier and Ethereal Weissbier won Silver. The Helles, Delmar Imperial Stout, Albion Tripel, and Lingonberry Berliner Weisse each received Bronze.
- It looks like the original Slackwater Pub & Pizzeria in Ogden is moving to a new location, via the Standard-Examiner. Incidentally, the article mentions that Slackwater will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.
- Here’s a list of dog-friendly patios in Salt Lake. Several breweries—Uinta Brewing, Fisher Brewing, Mountain West Hard Cider, Proper (Burger and Stratford), Squatters Brewpub, T.F. Brewing, and Wasatch Brew Pub—made the list, via Salt Lake County Health Department
- The Evanston Brew Fest is slated for July 17.
- Congratulations to Salt City Brew Supply (profile) on celebrating its 10th anniversary in May. Ross Metzger and Cody McKendrick—who also own Bewilder Brewing—have done a tremendous amount for Utah’s homebrewing community over the years.
- And congratulations to RoHa Brewing Co. (profile), which reached its four-year mark in April (but which celebrated its three- and four-year anniversaries with a party in May). RoHa writes about the last four years on its blog.
- The Southern Utah Beer Fest 2021 is set for July 31 at Policy Kings Brewery in Cedar City.
- The Utah Beer Festival is slated for Aug. 21-22 at The Gateway.
- Brewbound wrote about “a tidal wave of sexual harassment allegations and toxicity in craft beer.” Brienne Allan, production manager for Notch Brewing in Massachusetts, shared hundreds of experiences from industry employees of “workplace discrimination and allegations of sexual harassment and assault” at craft breweries in her Instagram Stories.
- The Great American Beer Festival plans to return to an in-person event in 2022—its 40th anniversary. The awards competition will take place this year, however. Winners will be announced at the Craft Brewers Conference on Sept. 10.
- In other GABF news… the passport program will return. This didn’t seem to get much traction in Utah (likely due to our quirky laws) but passport holders will have “exclusive access to deals at participating breweries nationwide.” Passports are $20 and will be available to purchase in July.
And finally…
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Coming Soon: Next on UtahBeerNews.com
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Please keep an eye on UtahBeerNews.com in the coming days and weeks. Among the articles, podcast episodes, and videos you can expect to see:
- The next 3 Beers with Joey segment, which highlights three new or noteworthy beers available around town and at Slackwater Pub & Pizzeria in Sandy
- A one-on-one interview with Kevin Templin, founder and head brewer at T.F. Brewing in Salt Lake
- A visit with Red Rock Brewing, one of Utah's longest-running craft breweries
- And more!
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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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