Critical Time.
This time last year, Utah beer drinkers were basking in the glow of higher-alcohol beer becoming available in grocery and convenience stores (and on draft) throughout the state.
 We survived an October that saw stock on store shelves dwindle, and we patiently waited for our Nov. 1 reward: the ability to pick up a six-pack of 5% beer at the corner market. Life was good.
Well, perhaps it didn't give Utah brewers much of a buzz, at least according to some comments from local breweries in this Tribune article. And it didn't help that a tax increase for brewers accompanied the legislation.
Nevertheless, for everyday consumers, it felt as if Utah had taken an important step in helping to get more craft beer in the marketplace.
Fast forward four months and worries about Big Beer siphoning shelf space didn't seem to matter as much (or maybe it mattered even more). Small businesses, breweries included, were tossed about and thrown for a major loop—unlike anything they'd experienced before.
Since the shutdowns in mid-March, breweries have struggled to stay afloat. To help weather the storm, some limited hours and laid off or furloughed employees. Many reconfigured their business models to better capitalize on curbside culture. All became well-versed in public health safety and COVID-19-era sanitation practices.
And several got creative. Not for fun, but out of necessity. They turned parking lots into patios, figured out ways to package products to-go, ramped up social media promotion, and worked to create socially distant events. All this while adhering to Utah's strict alcohol regulations (some of which were temporarily eased during the pandemic).
As far as I know, no local breweries have had to close permanently. In fact, two new breweries opened during the pandemic (Grid City Beer Works and Ogden River Brewing), and Squatters/Wasatch and Uinta Brewing have opened additional locations. It's a testament, I believe, to Utah's strong craft beer culture.
But now, as our eyes turn to the dark days of winter, a grim reality could set in. A recent Brewers Association survey found that more than 81% of respondents are "very confident" they will be in business a the end of 2020. Not too bad, right? That number dips to just over 53% when thinking about whether they'll be around this time next year.
Of course, it's impossible to precisely predict what the future holds.
As coronavirus cases continue to increase, uncertainties persist and questions remain: Will Utah be in for another shutdown? Are beer drinkers, many of whom have only patronized patios, willing to enjoy a pint indoors when the weather turns cold? And, the question no one wants to think about: will we start to see local breweries succumb?
As dire as all that sounds, we did have a piece of positive Utah beer news last week (and, as you'll read below, some winning news as well).
Amid the recent turmoil, Utah's newest brewery opened its doors on Oct. 28. Ogden River Brewing, located at 358 Park Blvd., is a 5,500-square-foot space featuring two levels, a pair of patios with river and mountain views, and room for about 250 people to dine and drink.
Here are a few photos from my trip to Ogden prior to the opening. I'm scheduled to meet with Brewmaster Pat Winslow and the crew later this week and will have a full article and podcast episode available soon.
As for the coming months, I don't have the answers to tough questions. But I know which way I'm rooting and where I'm spending my beer money. It's inspiring to see Utah's beer community continue to support the locals as well.
Cheers,
Tim
P.S. Congratulations to Mike B., who won a $20 gift card to 2 Row Brewing as part of last month's e-newsletter promotion. 🍻
Currently Drinking: As I write, I'm enjoying a Mole Porter 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 on Untappd.
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🎙On the Podcast: Hear the Latest Two Episodes
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As I mention in the introduction to each episode, we talk to the brewers, breweries, and everyday imbibers who contribute to the Utah craft beer community.
Ben Raskin is an everyday imbiber. But more than that he is someone who knows a thing or two about booze in the Beehive State.
We talk about beer, sure. But there’s a whole lot more we dive into—from the life of a Utah bartender to a personal COVID-19 story to his first attempt at homebrewing.
🎙 Learn more about Ben Raskin.
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Chris Jacobs grew up 45 minutes from Sierra Nevada Brewery in Northern California. He moved to Las Vegas in 1995 and immersed himself in the bar and cocktail scene on the Strip, working in various service industry positions.
Soon, he started focusing on craft beer in Las Vegas. At the same time, Chris’s artistic venture—We Are Zombies—continued to thrive. One day he drew a hop beard on his existing zombie logo and voila—Beer Zombies, which opened a location in Salt Lake, was born.
🎙 Listen to the Beer Zombies story.
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GABF Winners: Local Breweries Bring Home Medals
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In a year tossed upside down in many ways, the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) pivoted to maintain its long-running awards competition.
Though no one physically attended the awards ceremony on Oct. 16, Utah breweries definitely showed up. Learn which local breweries—and beers—brought home medals this year.
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Notable Releases: 2 Utah Beers to Try
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Beer Name/Style: 3rd Anniversary Ale, Strong Ale
Brewery: Kiitos Brewing
ABV: 11.6%
Availability: Kiitos Beer Fridge, Finer Beer Bars
Notes: To celebrate its three-year anniversary, Kiitos blended several beers (Imperial Red Ale, Barleywine, Imperial Stout) into one strong ale. First available at its anniversary party last month, the final result is really nice and sippable. Chocolate covered cherries and sticky toffee (with a healthy dose of whiskey). Happy anniversary, Kiitos.
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Beer Name/Style: Hop vs. Hop, Double IPA
Brewery: Proper Brewing Co.
ABV: 8%
Availability: Proper Brewing Beer Store, Finer Beer Bars
Notes: The latest in Proper Brewing's rotating series features fresh Strata hops (as well as Motueka, I was told). The brewery, which recently won Gold at GABF for its flagship Proper Beer, utilized a liquid nitrogen dry-hopping technique. Aromas/flavors of bright citrus (orange, tangerine, grapefruit) and a healthy dose of bitterness.
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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 Nov. 20, 2020, with details about the beer and where to find it. Please note, extremely limited releases likely won't be considered for this feature.
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By the way, here are a few new beers—or returning seasonals—that have been brought to our attention. Check out the individual social posts for details.
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Coming Soon: An Interview with a BJCP Judge
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We sat down with Jae Vanderwerf, a certified beer judge. Keep an eye on UtahBeerNews.com in the coming days to read—and hear—more about Jae's beer judging experience.
Learn how to better describe the appearance, aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel of beer and, in turn, develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the beverage.
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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.
- Bewilder Brewing is beginning to brew high-point canned beers. Its first offering—a 6% ABV mole porter with cinnamon, chocolate, and chipotle peppers—hit the brewery’s beer fridge in late October.
- Speaking of Bewilder, my wife and I recently attended one of their monthly beer/food pairing dinners. We absolutely loved it. Look for notes about the event on the site in the coming days and keep an eye on Bewilder’s social media so you don’t miss out on the next one.
- Congratulations to Policy Kings Brewing on celebrating two years! It's hosting an 80s-themed anniversary party on Nov. 7. The party includes food, giveaways, and a special anniversary beer release.
- Congratulations to T.F. Brewing, which celebrated its two-year anniversary on Oct. 26.
- And one more... Slackwater Pub & Pizzeria in Sandy recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.
- A Wasatch Brew Pub location opened on Oct. 27 at the new Salt Lake International Airport, joining Squatters Craft Beers, which opened in September.
- Travelers will get even more local beer flavor at the airport. Uinta Brewing also opened a location in Concourse B at the new airport.
- Red Rock Brewing is now selling its packaged beers to-go from its downtown pub. Even more, it’s developing a series of one-off beers as part of the new “Back Door Beer Series.”
- Heber Brewing kicked off its Turntable Tuesdays. The brewery invites you to bring your favorite record with you and enjoy a pint while listening to it.
- Our thoughts are with our friends at Fisher Brewing, which closed temporarily as they worked through a COVID-19 issue that hit close to home (it sounds like they have reopened).
- A heads-up for beer drinkers who like to enjoy a pint on a patio with their pups. According to T.F. Brewing, the Salt Lake City Health Department is now requiring dogs on brewery patios to be wearing a current rabies tag and license.
- Not beer related, but it appears there’s a new winery—Mannebach Cellars—in Tooele.
- Also beer-adjacent: Silver Reef Brewing in St. George released its Holiday Nog made with bourbon, rum, and brandy.
- Grid City Beer Works recently released the first in a series of hard seltzers. The Rosé Hard Seltzer hit the market on Oct. 8 and throughout October a portion of proceeds from each can sold benefited Send Me On Vacation, a non-profit that sends breast cancer survivors and their families on vacation.
- 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 time, the Salt Lake-based brewery released five variants, in addition to the original Big Bad Baptist barrel-aged imperial stout. The OG, incidentally, will now be available year-round.
- Salt Flats Brewing released its Barrel-Aged Lowrider last week. It features the brewery’s Chocolate Milk Stout aged in bourbon and rye barrels for six months. The beer has notes of bourbon, rye, vanilla, and chocolate. The 10.5% ABV brew is available in 12-ounce cans ($3.49) and is available only at the brewery’s package agency.
- A “walled, heated tent” is replacing a patio tent Level Crossing Brewing installed in its parking lot earlier this summer. The winter-friendly structure should be ready by the end of November.
- The folks at Mountain West Hard Cider pressed 5,000 pounds of fresh apples for its annual Green Urban Lunch Box cider. Expect to see the finished product soon. Even more, Mountain West plans to create a single varietal cider using rare Eliot Gold apples. Two upcoming events: The Garten Gatherer’s Fall Stroll (Nov. 21) and Pet Portrait Day (Dec. 5).
- Speaking of Mountain West, did you know it has growlers, hats, water bottles, and hammocks(!) available for sale? Read more about Mountain West Hard Cider by clicking here.
- A temporary state liquor store will open at 1414 Foothill Drive in what used to be Red Butte Café, via The Salt Lake Tribune.
- Came across an Instagram account for Six Sailor Cider. It appears it is working to deliver some local “Ciders for a Cause.” Seems to be non-alcoholic at the moment but says hard cider may be coming soon.
- Ibantik Craft Beverages, which is doing much to bring various craft ciders to Utah, announced that its first regular shipment of Original Sin Cider is headed to Utah. New York-based Original Sin is one of the nation's first craft cideries, notes Matthew Ostrander, Ibantik's Chief Cider Curator. We should start seeing its ciders on liquor store shelves in the coming weeks.
- Halloween may be over but it’s never too late to check out The Spirit Guide: America’s Haunted Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries. Utah’s own Dented Brick Distillery is reportedly featured in the book. You can pick up a copy at Dented Brick.
- Forced earlier this year to shut their taprooms, many brewers pivoted to selling their goods to-go, primarily in aluminum cans. Ball Corp., the world’s largest manufacturer of aluminum cans, reports that it expects to be short 10 billion cans this year, via The Washington Post. And an analysis by Credit Suisse says cans are sold out for 2-3 years. It doesn’t see the supply chain catching up to real demand until 2025-26, via Brewbound. Uinta Brewing (as I’m sure is the case with other breweries) is getting creative.
- Small Brewery Sunday is slated for Nov. 29. This year, more than ever, local breweries could use our support.
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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