Survey Says.
We recently completed our third annual Utah Beer News Survey. This one featured a record 300+ respondents. If you participated, thank you! You're helping to shape the coverage of Utah Beer News, and for that, I'm extremely grateful.
 I'm still working my way through the data, including all the valuable comments and advice—for me and for Utah's breweries.
But as a thank you for subscribing, I'd like to share some key findings with you first (a full article will hit the site in the coming weeks, which will include trends beer drinkers are and are not excited about).
Below are several nuggets I found to be interesting.
Key Findings
- In terms of UtahBeerNews.com site-visit frequency, about 20% said they visit once a week, while 22% visit at least once a month. 39% visit the site less than once a month.
- Once again, as was the case in our last survey, about half of respondents (53%) were unaware a Utah Beer News Podcast existed. It does! Please listen.
- Publications in which respondents receive their local beer information (participants could select all that apply; I'll include the full list in the upcoming article):
- 56% Utah Beer News
- 50% Utah Craft Beer Community Facebook Group
- 49% Individual breweries’ social media
- 42% Utah Beer Blog
- 41% City Weekly
- 38% Utah Craft Beer Society Facebook Group
- 28% SLUG magazine
- 13% The Salt Lake Tribune
- 13% CraftyBeerGirls.com
- 10% Gastronomic SLC
- More than 59% of respondents ranked "Social Media Updates" as the No. 1 way to receive beer-related information online, which is up nearly 20% over last year. "Written Article" was the next most-preferred way, followed by email, audio, and video.
- Topics of interest to respondents:
- Breaking News — 39% ranked this as their top choice
- Brewery Profiles
- Beer Reviews
- Events
- Education
- Local Politics
- COVID-19 impacted respondents’ beer-drinking routines. 43% said their routine is much different now, while 41.7% noticed their routines had changed slightly. 15.4% saw no difference in their beer-drinking routine.
- Of those who said their beer-drinking routine had changed, we asked what the biggest difference was. 68.5% said they drink more at home and less at bars and breweries. 12% said they drink less beer overall, while 6.5% said they are drinking more beer.
- Favorite Beer Style (the style respondents drink most consistently):
- IPA (20%)
- Hazy IPA (18%)
- Stout (10%)
- Pale Ale (9%)
- Pilsner (8%)
- Favorite Local Brewery (27 different breweries were mentioned, down from 28 last year and up from 19 in 2019). For the third straight year, we had a different overall favorite. I'll list the full rundown in the upcoming article. Total mentions in parentheses:
- T.F. (48)
- Fisher (30)
- Kiitos (17)
- Shades (14)
- 2 Row (12), Bewilder (12)
Prize Winners 🎉
Congratulations to the following individuals whose names were drawn randomly from eligible surveys to receive one of four exclusive Utah Beer News Prize Packs.
 Ryan M.- Jennifer S.
- Sydney H.
- Lauren B.
Each received a prize pack valued at about $50. Packs included a gift card to Slackwater Pub & Pizzeria, as well as a gift card to one of the winners' favorite local breweries. Plus, each winner received some local brewery merchandise and a handy The Guide to Craft Beer book.
Thank You!
As always, thank you for your support! If you missed out on the survey, or you'd simply like to share additional comments, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Overall, 307 individuals took the survey, which was conducted on social media and through email via SurveyMonkey Jan. 7-15, 2021 (221 entered email addresses to be eligible to win one of four Utah Beer News Prize Packs).
Everyone who completed our survey and included an e-mail address (to be eligible to win a Utah Beer News Prize Pack) opted in to receive our email updates (like this one you're reading now).
For our new subscribers, I’d love for you to stick around to receive our monthly dispatches. But if you’d prefer not to, please feel free to unsubscribe by clicking the link at the bottom of this email (or here). No hard feelings.
Cheers,
Tim
Currently Drinking: As I write, I'm enjoying a Pale Ale from Kiitos 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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Ibantik: On a Mission to Grow Craft Cider in Utah
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Photo Credit: Lake Effect / Ibantik Craft Beverages
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The mission is simple: To grow the craft cider scene in Utah. But Ibantik Craft Beverages, Utah's first—and so-far only—hard cider-focused brokerage, packs a lot into that seemingly simple statement.
"Our first priority is to grow the presence of ciders from producers we represent," says Matthew Ostrander, Ibantik's chief cider curator. "But I also see a vision to be an advocate for craft cider in general."
Read more about Ibantik and how it's working to expand cider's presence in Utah. Oh, and check out the replay of this Instagram Live cider tasting.
🎙 BONUS: In addition to the article, check out the Utah Beer News Podcast to hear Matthew talk about the history of cider in America, why he's so passionate about bringing new craft ciders to Utah, what ciders you can expect to find on liquor store shelves now and potentially in the future, and more! Tune In!
🎙 DOUBLE BONUS: In our second "Bonus Episode," listen as we chat more with Matthew on a variety of cider topics, including how you can special order ciders (exclusive early access for email subscribers).
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Super!: Drink a Beer, Watch a Game
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The Super Bowl is set for Sunday. The last couple of years Utah Beer News has offered a roundup of local beer events taking place the day of the big game. Well, this year is different, but it appears there are still a handful of Super Bowl-themed events happening. Here are a few we came across:
- Bewilder Brewing will be showing the game on its big screen (with “awesome food, 15 beers on tap and a big space to spread out in.”) But if you’re not into going out, how about a grill-it-yourself sausage kit?
- Swing by Mountain West Hard Cider this week to play its Super Bowl Squares game for a chance to win merchandise, gift cards, and more.
- Policy Kings Brewery is taking pre-orders for its Super Bowl feast. $13 gets you two smoked ribs, a hot link, potato salad, baked beans, and corn bread. Wash it down with a brew or two while you’re watching the game at the Cedar City brewery. Party details.
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Notable: 2 Utah Beers Beverages to Try
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In honor of Flagship February (and the fact that two 4th West neighbors are in the midst of cool contests), for this edition of "Notable Releases," we decided to highlight a couple of our go-to flagship beverages.
Check out Red Rock Brewing and Mountain West Hard Cider (here and here) to learn how you can participate in their February giveaways.
By the way, during my beer/cider run earlier in the week, I also became a member of Mountain West’s InCider Club—and you can too! Check it out.
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Beer Name/Style: Elephino, Double IPA
Brewery: Red Rock Brewery
ABV: 8%
Purchased: Red Rock Beer Store
Notes: The Utah classic pours a golden orange and the hops pack a punch of citrus and piney aromas. Some mango and orange flavors blend effortlessly with caramel malt that coats the tongue. A dose of resinous pine bitterness complements a slight sweetness.
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Cider Name/Style: Ruby
Cidery: Mountain West Cider
ABV: 6.8%
Purchased: Mountain West Cider
Notes: Crisp and clean. Tart green apple with a touch of balancing honey-like sweetness, though it's still quite dry. Mountain West is Utah's first established craft cidery and its core ciders all pay homage to different Utah canyons. Ruby Canyon encompasses 25 miles of the Colorado River.
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About Notable Releases: 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 Feb. 25 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.
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Coming Soon: An Inside Look at Proper Brewing's Barrel Program
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Utah Beer News visited recently with Jeff Bunk, who is spearheading Proper Brewing's barrel program, as well as Jack Kern, the brewery's head brewer.
Keep an eye on the site next week for an article and podcast episode detailing the program—as well as a sneak peek at a few barrel-aged beers from Proper that you should be on the lookout for in the coming months.
BONUS: If you just can't wait, feel free to read our article about Monolith, a barrel-aged Imperial Stout that marked Proper's leap into barrel-aged beers.
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🎙 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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 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.
- Policy Kings Brewery, the only Black-owned brewery in Utah, is celebrating Black History Month with a series of movies and three planned canned beer releases. Movies are set for Tuesdays and Sundays during the month. Coming up: The Hate U Give (Feb. 9), Judas and the Black Messiah (Feb. 14), Coming 2 America (Feb. 16), Do the Right Thing (Feb. 21), Just Mercy (Feb. 23), and Birth of a Nation (Feb. 28).
- Speaking of movies, Bewilder Brewing is hosting Monday Movie Night each Monday at 6 p.m. Next up: The Princess Bride (Feb. 8), Willow (Feb. 15), and Lost Boys (Feb. 22).
- With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Grid City Beer Works asks: Roses or Rosés?
- You can now order food-to-go from Avenues Proper via the new Hive Eats SLC program.
- Mountain West Hard Cider plans to release a new small-batch cider each month in 2021. Berry Balm, a Little Orchard Series cider with elderberry and lemon balm, is available now. For the Love of Cider—a semi-dry cherry chocolate cider—will be available starting Feb. 13.
- To keep up to date on everything Mountain West, be sure to subscribe to their email list.
- If you purchase three Ogden River Brewing crowlers, you’ll receive a free Ogden Born & Raised t-shirt (while supplies last).
- Salt City Brew Supply is hosting a Beer Judge Certification Program exam on Feb. 6 at Bewilder Brewing.
- Beer (not bears) on the Beer Bar patio. Ty Burrell says if you get mauled by a bear on Beer Bar’s new patio, he’ll be very surprised.
- The original IPA from Uinta Brewing—Trader IPA—got a new look.
- The public voted. Shades Brewing put out the call and beer drinkers responded by bringing back three beers from 2020 in time for American Craft Beer Week in May 2021. The returns: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie American Sour Ale (in collaboration with T. F. Brewing), Boysenberry Pie American Style Sour Ale, and Orange Creamsicle American Style Sour Ale.
- There’s some new activity on the Prodigy Brewing Instagram. The would-be Logan-based brewery is planning to open this summer.
- Hopkins Brewing Co. is now offering a series of exclusive ciders from Colorado Cider Company.
- SaltFire Brewing mentioned in its email to subscribers that it’s planning an anniversary celebration (beer release?) for May 14-15. No other details were provided so stay tuned.
- Congratulations to Slackwater Sandy for earning the Best Business in Sandy award for 2020.
- Beer! A Love Story, a full-length feature documentary, is available through an exclusive partnership with Untappd through Feb. 28. It’s available to rent and stream for $12.99.
- A bill (SB119) that would allow cocktails to go at Utah restaurants (not bars) was introduced in January, via The Salt Lake Tribune
- For the pastry stout fans out there, via The New York Times
- For the first time in 37 years, Budweiser is sitting out the Super Bowl. Instead, the beer giant plans to redirect its “advertising dollars to raise awareness of the COVID-19 vaccines.” Of course, other Anheuser Busch-InBev products will get airtime.
- Not to worry, Boston Beer Co. picks up the Clydesdale slack.
And finally…
- That’s a lot of old beer cans! Thank you to my uncle and Utah Beer News email subscriber Jim for passing along this interesting article.
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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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