The Future.
December is a natural time to reflect on the past and to prepare for the year ahead. As we kick the keg on 2021, I wanted to share a few thoughts on the future of Utah Beer News.
 But first... reflecting on the past.
Note: If you’re not interested in a peek behind the Utah Beer News curtain, I invite you to skip to the end of this message (or click here) to take a brief survey on the future of the brand. Participants will have a chance to win one of four $50 Utah Beer News prize packs.
A Journalistic Approach to Beer News
I worked for nearly 10 years as a newspaper reporter and editor before spending another decade directing a social media team. When I started my own consulting business in 2017, I began researching an ambitious project—Utah Beer News—that would debut a year later.
Blending my passion for beer and journalism seemed to be a natural fit. Sure, I enjoyed tasting new beers. But even more, I loved learning about the business of beer and reporting on what I learned.
From the start, I worked to develop meaningful relationships with brewery representatives and craft beer enthusiasts. My hope: that the Utah Beer News brand would ultimately be the go-to destination where industry professionals and everyday beer drinkers could get the latest scoop on our vibrant craft beer scene.
Brewers, Breweries, Everyday Imbibers
Utah Beer News began in May 2018 with a mission to deliver stories important to brewers, breweries, and everyday imbibers who share a passion for craft beer. The website (utahbeernews.com) would serve as a home base from which various spokes—audio podcasts, video interviews, e-newsletters, social media—would create an overarching brand.
The goal? To keep Utah’s craft beer community informed and entertained through:
- sharing the latest beer news from Utah’s breweries and
- diving into the personalities that make the craft beer scene special
I believe Utah Beer News excels in the second half of that ideal. Its feature stories and accompanying podcast episodes in support of local breweries offer a unique one-two punch.
It’s the first part of the goal, however, that surveys, analytics, and anecdotal evidence suggest matter more to the audiences we’re trying to reach.
And excelling at breaking news has proven to be a challenge for a part-time beer writer who strives to paint a comprehensive picture of Utah’s craft beer industry.
So here we are.
Let Your Voice be Heard
My sincere thanks—especially as e-newsletter subscribers—for supporting what I’ve built at Utah Beer News. It truly means a lot. I invite you to take a short survey before Dec. 10 to help clarify the future of Utah Beer News and determine if/how it will remain a relevant resource for the craft beer community.
In the near term, I plan to continue sharing newsworthy content as available. But regular communications will take a break while I sit back, enjoy a few delicious craft brews, and examine the scope and purpose of Utah Beer News.
Here's wishing each of you a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season.
Cheers,
Tim
Currently Drinking: As I write, I'm enjoying Sauced!, a dry-hopped cranberry sour with cinnamon and orange peel from Bewilder 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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🎥 Virtual Taproom: Park City Brewing
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Take a look at the latest in our Virtual Taproom series (while you're at it, please subscribe to the Utah Beer News YouTube Channel).
These brief, newsy videos feature brewers, brewers, and everyday imbibers who contribute to the Utah craft beer scene.
The latest video features Jeff Tito, president of the all-new Park City Brewing.
🎙 Or, if you'd prefer, you can listen to the audio via your favorite podcast provider.
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📸 Shades Downtown: New Space, Cool Vibe
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Shades Brewing, a fixture in South Salt Lake, expanded its presence to open Shades Downtown. The new space, located above Himalayan Kitchen at 366 S. State Street, is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. - 1 a.m.
The brewing space and beer-to-go will remain intact in South Salt Lake, a Shades rep tells me, while the new downtown spot will serve as the brewery's taproom for the time being.
I visited on a recent Sunday afternoon and enjoyed the laid-back vibe and friendly service. Plus, the place is big! Plenty of room to enjoy a pint with friends on a comfy sofa and listen to live entertainment.
Above are a few photos:
- The new bar space at Shades Downtown
- Comfortable and modern ambiance
- Views of downtown from the second-floor space
- A kitchen in partnership with chefs from Arempas and Himalayan Kitchen
- Draft, bottle, and canned beer list (as well as coffee and craft cocktails)
For additional information, follow @shadespubdowntown on Instagram.
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🍻 Top 5: Most-Read Articles from 2021, All-Time
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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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🥇 Utah Brew Fest: Congrats to the Winners
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Homebrewers gathered at Bewilder Brewing on Nov. 21 to celebrate the winners in the 2021 Utah Brew Fest.
- Mike Johnson, who took home six medals, beat out 41 other brewers to earn Best of the Fest honors.
- For the Best of Show competition, judges whittled down 10 category winners to determine the three medalists. Jeffrey D’Arcy, with co-brewers Geoff Dziuda and Phil Bollam, earned top honors for their Irish Goodbye, a sweet stout.
The 2021 edition of the Utah Brew Fest, a Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP)-sanctioned competition, received 99 entries.
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🏆 Where Am I?: November's Winners
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Congratulations to Daryl W. and Joshua C., who correctly identified that the photo above 👆 👆 👆 was taken at none other than RoHa Brewing Project in Salt Lake. Each will receive a $25 gift card .
Thanks to everyone who submitted a guess in November! |
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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.
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- The Front Ogden is hosting the Ogden Avalanche Backcountry Bash on Dec. 2. Roosters Brewing will be releasing its Deep Slab Pale Ale at the event.
- New cider: Mountain West Cider’s Lemongrass Ginger Hard Cider will be available for growler fills starting Dec. 2 at Mountain West. Note: It appears Mountain West is currently out of empty growlers for sale, so bring your own 32-ounce growler to fill.
- Mountain West also put together an “ugly sweater” holiday four-pack perfect to take to parties. Pick one up at Mountain West or at select liquor stores.
- Templin Family Brewing is hosting a Winter Market on Dec. 4-5. Grab a beer while you shop.
- The Brewery Comedy Tour makes its way to SaltFire Brewing on Dec. 8. Tickets are $17 and can be purchased here.
- And SaltFire Brewing is once again offering holiday gift baskets filled with plenty of local goodies.
- I’m sure several other local breweries are offering holiday-themed items this year, and here’s a list of “Seven Gifts Beer Pros Want to Receive,” via Wine Enthusiast (weird, right?)
- A gift for someone who has it all: A Gingerbread Dive Bar Kit, courtesy of Miller High Life.
- In case you missed it above, congratulations to the winners of the Utah Brew Fest Homebrew Competition. Homebrewers were honored on Nov. 21 as part of the BJCP-Sanctioned Homebrew Competition.
- Thanks to Utah Beer News superfan Mike B. who submitted his “ultimate, loosely holiday-themed, local craft beer six-pack (as requested in November’s dispatch). His pack is drool-worthy: Ferda Double IPA (T.F. Brewing), Imperial Pale Ale (Grid City Beer Works), Buffalo Soldier Black Rye IPA (UTOG Brewing), Red Sea Rift Imperial Coffee Stout (Level Crossing Brewing), Northern Red Ale (T.F. Brewing), Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout (Toasted Barrel Brewery).
- Interesting read from Stuart at GastronomicSLC.com (that arrived in our inboxes right aver our last dispatch went out) about restaurant liquor licenses feeling the squeeze.
- Get vaccinated if you are planning to attend any Brewers Association events (including the Great American Beer Festival) in 2022. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required.
- Level Crossing Brewing Co. is releasing the latest in its small-batch Red Feather Series. Cryptoporticus Philly Sour Double IPA will be available at the brewery starting Dec. 3.
- Also in case you missed it from above, Shades Brewing opened a new location in downtown Salt Lake City.
- Bewilder Brewing is offering 10% off appetizers and shareables starting two hours before each Utah Jazz home game.
- Local fermentation podcasters The Taste Masters are hosting a festival on Dec. 17 at Bewilder Brewing.
- Soon-to-be Prodigy Brewing in Logan got some shiny new equipment.
- Some cool new (and environmentally sound) four-pack holders at Offset Bier in Park City.
- Congratulations to the brewers, breweries, and everyday imbibers who scored big in City Weekly’s 32nd annual Best of Utah contest.
- Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Black Friday Bewilderby.
- Did you celebrate Small Brewery Sunday?
- Salt Flats Brewing is teasing us with some “very special aged beers” coming our way for the holidays. Keep an eye out.
- Hoppers Grill & Brewing Co. is closing its doors in Midvale, but is hoping to find a new location soon, via Utah Beer Blog.
- Speaking of Hoppers, here’s a feature article (and podcast episode) we published in 2019.
- It appears Proper Brewing is vying to open a taphouse in Moab, via GastronomicSLC.com.
And finally…
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