Patio Pints.
Beer, in my experience, is a beverage best enjoyed outside. Sure, sipping a boozy imperial stout and contemplating life's mysteries in front of a cozy fire has its place.
 But there's just something about drinking a pint on a patio, especially as the air gets crisp and summer fades into fall.
It might seem odd to be talking about patios in October. It's more of a spring/summer thing, right? Not to understate the obvious, but Spring/Summer 2020 was a weird one.
Opportunities to congregate beyond our immediate family were understandably limited. Beer festivals were non-existent, as were concerts, baseball games, and other summertime staples.
Yet through it all, drinking outside—socially distanced and masked up—seemed to provide a safer way to enjoy our suds. Over the last few months, I've taken advantage of patio drinking and dining. I don't believe I'm overstating when I say it helped me stay sane during a tumultuous time.
Fortunately, the Utah Beer Scene is filled with excellent spots to sip brews outdoors. A rough tally shows about two-thirds of Utah's breweries and finer beer joints offer some sort of outdoor seating option. And a few that weren't set up for patio drinking—RoHa Brewing Project, SaltFire Brewing, for instance—went to work this summer to make that option available to customers.
If there's one thing I've noticed in the last six months, it's that Utah's brewers, brewers, and everyday imbibers are nothing if not resourceful.
5 Beer-y Good Patios
Here are five outdoor spaces, not including my backyard, where I've recently enjoyed drinking craft beer:
- Bewilder Brewing: Less than a year old, Bewilder opened with a patio and has since expanded the outdoor seating. It really hit its stride with the recent Downtown SLC Oktoberfest.
- Fisher Brewing: The taproom may not be reopened, but the wraparound patio and convenient "lemonade stand" ordering window do just fine. And if you're interested in trying a new beer—or two—every single week, this is a good place to be.
- The Garten at Mountain West: One of the best new-ish places for beers (or ciders), live music, and a festive outdoor vibe. Last weekend, the folks at Mountain West Hard Cider threw an awesome two-day Oktoberfest event.
- Slackwater in 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 its substantial beer list and delicious food.
- T.F. Brewing: Templin Family expanded its patio just before the shutdown hit and now it's a spacious, dog-friendly environment to enjoy a few biers.
How about you? I'd love to hear where you've enjoyed sipping socially distanced beers lately.
Sipping Outside
Utah weather, as last month's freak 100-mph windstorm proves, can be unpredictable. And if there's a second thing I've observed in 2020, it's to expect the unexpected.
Nevertheless, I believe we still have a few weeks left to enjoy pints on patios along the Wasatch Front (and even longer in Southern Utah).
So, if you feel comfortable doing so, consider getting out there. Bring a jacket and a mask, and take advantage of the many outdoor options available for drinking great craft beers.
After all, winter will be here before we know it. Let's do what we can (safely) to make sure the patios—and the breweries—will be there for us next spring.
Cheers,
Tim
Currently Drinking: As I write, I'm enjoying a Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Stout from Red Rock Brewery. How about you?
|
|
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 on Untappd.
|
|
|
Level Crossing: Brewing For a Good Cause
|
|
Level Crossing Brewing Company is currently one of 34 breweries nationwide—and the only from Utah—invited to partner with Brewing Funds the Cure to brew a beer benefiting the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF).
The Foundation chooses one brewery in each state with which to partner, says Mark Medura, owner of Level Crossing Brewing in South Salt Lake. 100% of proceeds from Rising Hope IPA will be donated to NPCF.
Rising Hope (6.5% ABV) is brewed with raspberry and blood orange purée, and Bulgarian rose water. It features ingredients donated by The Country Malt Group, Yakima Chief Hops, and Amoretti Craft Purée.
Head Brewer Chris Detrick says Rising Hope is unlike any beer Level Crossing currently offers. It’s scheduled to be available at the brewery on Oct. 16.
The Brewing Funds the Cure collaboration raised $130,000 last year and has set a goal to double that amount in 2020, Detrick says. “It is a great honor to represent Utah in this fundraising collaboration.”
For more information and to donate or pledge to fundraise, visit BrewingFundsTheCure.org or text BREW to 50155.
|
|
Oktoberfest: A Rundown of Local Happenings
|
|
Large-scale Oktoberfest celebrations from Munich to Snowbird—annual events that normally draw thousands—are canceled for 2020. Yet, all is not lost for lederhosen-loving beer drinkers in Utah.
A few Utah breweries are either hosting or taking part in decidedly lower-key—and safety-centric—festivities this year. We compiled notes on several events in this article. Here are a few highlights:
- Hopkins Brewing is hosting Hopkinstoberfest this weekend (Oct. 2-3). A series of German-influenced small-batch beers will be released on Oct. 2. The popular Deseret Dunkel will return to join Campfire (a Rauchbier). On the food menu, the local bratwurst is back (served with German-style red cabbage) and the Snowbird Oktoberfest band is scheduled to perform the evening of Oct. 3.
- T.F. Brewing is holding a weeklong Oktoberfest, which continues through Oct. 4.
- Utah Motorsports in Grantsville is organizing its very own Oktoberfest beer festival over three weekends: Oct. 10-11, 17-18, and 24-25. Here's how to get tickets.
Note: As always, it’s best to confirm details with individual hosts ahead of time.
|
|
Shades Brewing: Collabs to Celebrate 10 Years
|
|
Shades Brewing is celebrating its 10-year anniversary on Oct. 10. For the last few weeks, it’s released a series of beers done in collaboration with area breweries and restaurants. Its anniversary release is expected to be a 10% ABV Triple IPA that features 10 varietals of hops. Congratulations to Shades Brewing on 10 years.
Fun Fact: Shades Brewing took part in the very first Utah Beer News Podcast. We talked about a somewhat obscure ancient yeast.
|
|
🎙 Utah Beer News Podcast
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!
|
|
|
Notable Releases: 2 Utah Beers to Try
|
|
|
Beer Name/Style: Old Fence Wrecker, Barleywine
Brewery: 2 Row Brewing
ABV: 11.6%
Availability: 2 Row Beer Fridge, Finer Beer Bars
Notes: This one has a fun backstory. Old Fence Wrecker offers notes of rich caramel, toffee, and molasses. A dose of bourbon and raisin come through as well. A well-executed big sipper. The English Barleywine was aged for a year in bourbon barrels and hit the market in September. I've saved a couple bottles to taste in the coming months.
|
|
Beer Name/Style: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip, Stout
Brewery: Red Rock Brewery
ABV: 5%
Availability: Red Rock Beer Store, Harmons Grocery Stores
Notes: A small-batch release from one of Utah's oldest breweries, the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Stout is brewed with pumpkin, spices, and lactose. For me, the pumpkin is subdued. I pick up nice nutmeg and gingerbread in the aroma and flavor. A finishing dark chocolate creaminess caps a nice, easy-drinking stout.
|
|
|
From time to time I'll use the above space to share two notable new releases 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 Oct. 31, 2020, with details about the beer and where to find it. Please note, extremely limited releases likely won't be considered for this feature.
|
|
Baptist Season: Epic Brewing Announces 2020 Lineup
|
|
Each fall, the air gets crisper, the leaves change color, and Epic Brewing ushers in “Baptist Season.” The revelation of Epic’s Big Bad Baptist lineup is a time-honored tradition for barrel-aged stout fans.
This year, the Salt Lake-based brewery plans to release five variants, in addition to the original Big Bad Baptist barrel-aged imperial stout. The OG, incidentally, will now be available year-round.
|
|
GABF (Virtually): Local Breweries Announce Specials
|
|
Details were emailed last week about this year’s virtual Great American Beer Festival (GABF). Attendees who purchased a $20 GABF Passport are able to unlock special brewery deals and stream exclusive content between Oct. 1-18, 2020. The Virtual Festival is set for Oct. 16-17.
More than 1,000 breweries nationwide are participating in the virtual festival, but it appears only a handful of Utah breweries are offering deals for GABF Passport holders (and they’re likely not as impressive as deals at out-of-state breweries, but you’ve got to hand it to the locals for playing the hand they’ve been dealt re: Utah’s alcohol laws):
- Bewilder Brewing: Free order of corn nuts with any food purchase and 25% off all merchandise
- Epic Brewing: 20% off in-store merchandise purchases
- Kiitos Brewing: Special beer flight (one-time use)
- Prodigy Brewing: Discount on merchandise (we’re still trying to gather additional details on this supposed soon-to-be brewery in Logan)
- Red Rock Brewery Pubs: Free dessert
- Salt Flats Brewing: Special pricing on all draft beers, swag giveaways, and 25% off all merchandise
- Templin Family Brewing: TBD
And if you happen to be traveling between Oct. 1-18, GABF Passport holders are able to take advantage of participating brewery deals nationwide. A quick search shows eight participating breweries in Idaho and Nevada, four in Wyoming, and 16 in Arizona. Nearly 150 locations in Colorado are participating.
|
|
💥 Utah Beer News Freebie 💥
 Most months I like to reward subscribers with a chance to win gift cards to or merchandise from local breweries and beer-centric establishments.
In September, I asked subscribers to nominate a beer to be the (unofficial) state beer of Utah. If you didn’t see who walked away with the (unofficial) honor, check it out.
As part of that, I gave away three $20 gift cards—one to Bewilder Brewing and a pair to Slackwater Pub & Pizzeria.
Congratulations to...
- Ahron B.
- Danyelle W.
- John. S.
This Month's Giveaway
Post a local beer pic and tag or mention @UtahBeerNews on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter (by Oct. 12, 2020). We'll randomly select two people from eligible entries to each win a $20 gift card to 2 Row Brewing.
As always, thank you for subscribing!
|
|
|
 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).
|
|
Reminder: It's always best to confirm event dates, times and locations with the individual organizers.
- Hopkins Brewing created a small-batch seltzer that proved to be such a hit that it made a big batch of it. Coconut Lime Hop Pop uses real coconut and lime. “Super fizzy and delicious, there is a light sweetness that complements the coconut, with a slight lime tartness,” says Chad Hopkins, owner and brewer. This one doesn’t include hops (the “hop” in the name is an ode to Hopkins).
- Clothing Hoptional, an unfiltered golden ale featuring wild hops from Summit County, is now available on tap at Wasatch Brewpub in Park City. It's a collaboration between Wasatch Brewery and Summit Land Conservancy.
- Level Crossing Brewing is releasing the next in its Red Feather Small-Batch Series. Astro Shake, a milkshake double IPA will be available at Level Crossing beginning at 11 a.m. on Oct. 2 ($5/can). The South Salt Lake brewery also canned its Mosaic Pale Ale—which is now called Sinday Pale Ale—and made it available at Harmons and Whole Foods, as well as on-site at the brewery.
- Speaking of Level Crossing, the brewery continues to host live, outdoor music on its patio each Friday and Saturday from 7-9 p.m. Stop by early for "pizza happy hour" from 6-8 p.m. (all pizzas are 20% off).
- Happy three-year anniversary to Kiitos Brewing. The Salt Lake brewery is celebrating the occasion with an event on Oct. 3 starting at noon.
- Do you have a Fisher Brewing Party Shirt yet? Pick one up and tag the brewery in a photo of you wearing it and you could win a $200 gift card. Details here and a winner will be drawn on Oct. 4.
- It’s pumpkin beer season. Here are a few we’ve come across. What else is out there locally? Imperial Pumpkin Porter (Epic Brewing); Pumpkin Golden Ale and Pumpkin Latte (Kiitos Brewing); Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Stout (Red Rock Brewery); Cosmic Autumn Rebellion (Roosters Brewing); Pumpkin Ale and Black O’Lantern (Wasatch Brewery). By the way, if you haven't done so already, give the Tastemasters Podcast a listen—they talk about pumpkin beers on a recent episode.
- We wrote about a couple of local beers on the national PorchDrinking.com website. Read more about Wasatch's Landbier Swiss-Style Lager and Epic's Señor Pepino Cucumber Lime Lager.
- In case you missed it, here’s a rundown of Utah breweries that have reopened (or are about to reopen) for sit-in service. Please let me know if you've heard anything different.
- The Wasatch/Squatters Craft Cafe opened on Sept. 8. And the all-new Squatters Pub Brewery opened at the new Salt Lake City International Airport on Sept. 16.
- Yuengling—America’s oldest operating brewery—inked a deal with Molson Coors to distribute its beer nationwide. The partnership is expected to begin in the second half of 2021 but there is no word on when Utah beer drinkers might find Yuengling on store shelves.
- Beer Bar appears to have reopened after being shut down since March, according to some Untappd check-ins.
- Here's the latest from Rio Connelly of Faultline Beverages. It's a nice article about Fisher Brewing and its high-point offerings.
- Red Butte Garden is hosting a series of virtual Botany and Beer classes (Oct. 7, 14, 21, and 28). Spend an evening learning about the botany, history, brewing process, and ingredients behind your favorite local beers. Students can purchase the recommended beer in order to taste the discussed flavors. If you participate in all four classes, you'll receive a brewery swag bag that will be available for pick up after the last class. The registration fee is $30 for Garden Members and $35 for the general public.
- Firkin Wednesdays are back at RoHa Brewing Project. A new firkin is tapped each Wednesday at 5 p.m.
- Policy Kings is hosting its first Trunk or Treat. The Oct. 31 event is free for the kids. Candy, hot cocoa and a costume contest will be on tap at the Cedar City brewery.
- Speaking of Policy Kings, congratulations to the brewery on celebrating two years! To commemorate the occasion, it's hosting an 80s-themed anniversary party on Nov. 7. The event will include food, giveaways, and a special anniversary beer release.
- And one more Policy Kings note: It's opening a homebrew shop in Cedar City. The grand opening was scheduled for Oct. 1.
- Roosters is expanding its distribution to Idaho. Keep an eye out for the beers in Albertsons stores and other select locations this fall.
- A report contends that beer sales could decline by $22 billion by the end of the year and more than 650,000 jobs in the industry could be lost, via The Drinks Business.
And finally...
- You’ve done it again, Florida. The Beer Can Condo is no longer on the market.
|
|
|
Brewery Folks: Got news, notes, or events to share? Don't count on us to find it on social media. Please send the info to Utah Beer News directly if you'd like us to help spread the word.
|
|
|
|
|
|
