Your Voice.
Well, we made it through. It got a little dicey, and we're definitely not out of the woods yet. But, as I mentioned in my year-end recap, the craft beer industry persevered in 2020.
 Without the support of Utah's incredible craft beer community (and especially those of you reading this right now), I couldn't do what I do at Utah Beer News.
Thank you for continuing to follow along to learn more about the brewers, breweries, and everyday imbibers who make Utah's craft beer community so special.
I'm looking forward to a big year in Utah beer. To ensure that I'm writing about and sharing stories that are important to you, it would mean a lot if you could please take a few minutes to complete a brief survey.
Not only will you be helping to shape the coverage of Utah Beer News, but you also could win one of four (4) prize packs valued at roughly $50 each! Thank you in advance.
Here's hoping your 2021 is off to a good start.
Cheers,
Tim
Currently Drinking: As I write, I'm enjoying a Czechulator Doppelbock from Bohemian Brewery. 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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Year in Beer: A Look Back at 2020
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We called 2018 the Year of the Brewery in Utah. And 2019, the Year of Beer. As for 2020? Let's go with the Year to Persevere.
Take a look at our top articles and podcast episodes from the year that was, and glance at several notable happenings (and noteworthy beers) from the Utah beer world.
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 Please Share Your Thoughts
We want to make Utah Beer News a must-read. To do that, we need to know what matters most to you.
Please take a brief survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ubn2021) to share your thoughts on what's important to you as a beer drinker in the Beehive State.
To thank you for your time... We'll randomly select four (4) names from successfully completed surveys submitted on or before Jan. 15, 2021 to win a Utah Beer News Prize Pack.
We're not sure just yet what the prize packs will include (brewery swag, gift card, beer book, etc.), but they'll each be valued at around $50 (unfortunately, they won't include any actual beer).
You can submit the survey anonymously, but please include your name and email address if you'd like to be eligible to win a prize pack.
Thank you and good luck!
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Notable Releases: 2 Utah Beers to Try
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Beer Name/Style: Fisher Beer, American Lager
Brewery: A. Fisher Brewing Co.
ABV: 5%
Purchased: A. Fisher Brewing Co.
Notes: When taprooms shut down, it likely stung no local brewery harder than it did Fisher. Selling beer over its own bar was its raison d'etre. And Fisher Beer, a classic American Lager, was a go-to for so many who packed the taproom regularly. So late in the year, when it inked a deal with a mobile canning service to can four of its beers, I rejoiced to learn one was Fisher Beer.
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Beer Name/Style: 2020 IPA, IPA
Brewery: Desert Edge Brewery
ABV: 7.1%
Purchased: Desert Edge Brewery
Notes: It proved to be a rough year for Desert Edge as well, which also shut down for an extended period. But if there's a silver lining, it's 2020 IPA—Desert Edge's first high-point canned offering. An aroma that signals "West Coast" to my nostrils, though it's described as a hazy. Brimming with orange/grapefruit and some pine. A moderate bitterness makes it truly "a damn good beer for a damn awful year."
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From time to time I'll use the above space to share two notable releases (not necessarily 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 Jan. 21, 2021, 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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EVEN MORE BEERS: By the way, here are a few new beers—or returning seasonals—that have been brought to our attention since our last dispatch. Check out the individual social posts for details. Breweries: If you want your beers mentioned here, make sure you let me know.
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Ogden River Brewing: A Visit to Utah's Newest Brewery
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The newest addition to Utah’s craft beer scene arrived in late October 2020. Ogden River Brewing began as a humble dream of a bare-bones taproom but evolved into a state-of-the-art gastropub.
It features a 10-barrel brewhouse, two spacious patios, including a rooftop bar and lounge with unobstructed views of the Ogden River and the Wasatch Mountains. Read The Story.
🎙 BONUS: In addition to the article, check out the Utah Beer News Podcast to hear how Ogden River Brewing came to be, learn why connecting with the people and the history of Ogden proved to be a top priority, and more. Give a Listen!
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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.
- "More peanut butter, more marshmallows, more alcohol..." It's Fluffier Nuts, a pastry stout, and T.F. Brewing is releasing it to the public on Jan. 8.
- Level Crossing Brewing is re-releasing its popular The Black Album Rye IPA on Jan. 8.
- Toasted Barrel Brewery recently released a "non-alcoholic stout" (less than 0.5% ABV).
- Happy two-year anniversary to Stratford Proper. The newest member of the Proper Brewing family celebrated with a special dinner in December.
- Speaking of Proper Brewing, check out the updated patio at Proper Burger Co.
- And the cellar dinner at Avenues Proper on Jan. 28.
- If you're not a regular reader of Rio Connelly's blog, you should check it out. A recent post includes a visit to Hopkins Brewing to talk about the Sugar House Brewery's small-batch nights. And then he got an inside look at the foeder program at SaltFire Brewing.
- More Utah bars are now selling beer in sealed containers to go, via Fox-13.
- One of my favorite beer memories is a bus-based brewery tour I went on in San Diego for a buddy's bachelor party. Last year, Utah got its own BeerdBus that organizes brewery tours. Now, the fledgling company is raising funds to help keep it afloat. Learn how you can help.
- Salt Flats Brewing is now open on Sundays.
- More local breweries (and a cidery) are shipping their products out of state. Level Crossing Brewing Company, SaltFire Brewing, and Mountain West Hard Cider are three we've come across recently. And Epic Brewing (from Denver, at least) has been offering beer shipping for a while. Wouldn't it be incredible if we could get beer shipped legally to us in Utah?
- The Policy Kings Brewery event calendar is shaping up nicely. Be sure to keep an eye on their Instagram for the latest.
- If you're interested in learning more about hard cider, check out the recent Instagram TV "Cider Saturday" videos produced by Ibantik Craft Beverages.
- If you enjoy the food at UTOG Brewing Company in Ogden, you can now have it delivered to your door seven days a week.
- Utah's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC) got a new executive director (pending Utah Senate approval), via The Salt Lake Tribune.
- Are we experiencing a specialty beer slump? Jeff Alworth explores the topic on his Beervana blog.
And finally...
- This is a heartwarming story that tugs at the heartstrings. It made me recall this story I heard recently: One of our local brewers who, as a then-homebrewer, brewed a Barleywine several years ago on his son’s birthday. His plan is to cellar a bottle to save as a gift for his son on his 21st birthday. Very cool.
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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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