Almost Normal.
Fully vaccinated (still masked up, of course), I ventured out for a self-guided, solo craft beer tour through South Salt Lake. Stops at Level Crossing, SaltFire, and Shades—all within a six-block stretch of West Temple, which is just awesome!—provided a glimpse into a return to so-called normal times.
 Safety measures were still top-of-mind at each establishment, which is beneficial for all of us as we emerge from the pandemic.
Face coverings and tableside hand sanitizer aside, it just felt different.
It felt like we had turned a corner, (cautiously) putting the last year-plus in the rearview and setting sights on what could be a second-coming of the Roaring '20s.
At Level Crossing, it just seemed right to listen to live music on a (covered) patio, complete with the background din of conversation, all the while enjoying pizza and beer.
A quick hop down the street to SaltFire to sip a beer and watch the sunset reminded me of countless pre-pandemic evenings.
And finally, a stop by Shades Brewing's new-ish beer garden to drink a (no-doubt) one-of-a-kind sour capped the mini-tour.
This three-hour tour meant a lot.
- It meant that our local breweries (thankfully) survived a once-a-century gut punch.
- It meant our year-long vigilance—social distancing, mask-wearing, etc.—as a craft beer community made a difference. Let's keep it going.
- And it meant brighter days are indeed ahead.
American Craft Beer Week
Speaking of brighter days, American Craft Beer Week is coming up. The annual celebration of local, independent craft breweries looked a lot different last year than it did in 2019. And this year's event, which takes place May 10-16, probably won't be back up to full speed.
But we're getting there. I've already received notes from a couple of breweries with their plans for the week. Even if the events or beer releases aren't as elaborate or as extensive as in the past, it's still an amazing (and important) time to support our local breweries.
“I can tell you this, if at any time in history that I would encourage people to go out and buy a craft beer from their local partners or local brewers, now is the time,” says Jeremy Ragonese, president of Uinta Brewing. "In the last year or so we’ve all survived this. We’re not out of the woods by any stretch."
I 100% agree.
I'll be visiting with Jeremy for a "Virtual Taproom" episode to talk about Uinta's plans for American Craft Beer Week, so keep an eye out for that on UtahBeerNews.com.
By the way, if breweries would like me to include your American Craft Beer Week events in my annual roundup (or if any beer drinkers know of events taking place at their favorite breweries), please feel free to send along the information.
3 Years
Finally, next week (May 17) also marks the three-year anniversary of Utah Beer News. Can you believe it?!
If you've been with us since the beginning or are just jumping on board, I sincerely thank you. If you're interested, here's some backstory to our little endeavor.
Cheers,
Tim
Currently Drinking: As I write, I'm enjoying a Pico Rico Mexican Lager from Hopkins 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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As a perk for email subscribers, I'd like to share with you first a few details I've learned about what expects to be Logan's first craft brewery.
Last week, I spoke with Kristin Smith, who's handling the marketing for the soon-to-open Prodigy Brewing. She provided additional details in a telephone conversation with Utah Beer News. Prodigy Brewing is planning to feature:
- Around 12 beers on tap, as well as canned high-point offerings
- A modest food menu and a full bar, with a late-night snack menu
- An outdoor patio and live music
"Because this will be the first brewpub in Logan, we’re going for an iconic, classic brewpub experience," Smith says.
The article goes out to the public on May 8, but for now, only e-newsletter subscribers with this link can read more about what could be Utah's newest brewery.
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Additional New Brewery News
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Here are other in-progress breweries we're tracking:
- Fife Brewing (Salt Lake), which I had heard was targeting a May 2021 opening, has switched to simply "2021" on its social media. I reached out to a Fife representative for confirmation but haven't heard back. However, Gastronomic SLC wrote in its newsletter last week that the Salt Lake-based brewery is now projecting to open in April 2022.
- A hat tip to Lance (@Utah_Beer_Fan on Instagram) for alerting me to Flaming Gorge Brewing Company (Manila). I’ve sent a message and will let you know if I receive any more details on this spot apparently planned for Manila, Utah.
- And no new news on Helper Brewing (Helper), at least as far as I know.
As always, if you have any additional information or contacts at any of these would-be breweries (or others that aren't on our radar), please feel free to let me know.
By the way, here's a rundown of Utah breweries and beer-centric establishments. What are we missing? |
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New: A Bridge Between Brewer & Beer Drinker
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We go behind the scenes to visit with Rebecca Cardaccio, sales director at Proper Brewing Co., to get a better idea of what it takes to get a craft beer from brewery to glass.
From beer naming to label design to packaging considerations to pricing and more, Cardaccio works closely with the Proper brewing team in overall brand development. Read the full story.
🎙 BONUS: Listen to our interview with Rebecca Cardaccio as part of the Utah Beer News Podcast.
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🍺 Notable: 2 Utah Beers to Try
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Beer Name/Style: Mango IPA, IPA
Brewery: Wasatch Brewery
ABV: 5%
Purchased: Harmon's
Notes: Watch out. This could be a go-to summer sipper. Nice tropical fruit aromas with a decent first-sip IPA bite. Mango (obviously, since it's brewed with mango puree), but also some ripe melon emerges. The fruit is somewhat balanced with toasted malt, but it's definitely fruit-forward. This one's packaged in a "duo pack" with Strawberry Blonde Ale.
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Beer Name/Style: Sonder, Double IPA
Brewery: Uinta Brewing
ABV: 8.2%
Purchased: Uinta Brewing
Notes: I heard praise for this beer from two brewers on two separate occasions. And neither works for Uinta. Suffice it to say, it checks out. The double dry-hopped Sonder features pineapple, tangerine aromas. Moderate bitterness and earthy hop notes mixed in with rounded citrus/tropical fruits.
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About Notable Beers: 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 May 25 with details about the beer.
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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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🎥 Video: Kevin Templin in the Virtual Taproom
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I'm trying something new, and I'd love to get your feedback. I'm visiting with brewers, breweries, and everyday imbibers for 15-minute video conversations to be released the same day (or the day after) they're recorded. And I'm calling them Virtual Taproom Visits. They live on our YouTube channel—please subscribe!
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Next Week: American Craft Beer Week
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Celebrate American Craft Beer Week (May 10-16) by drinking local craft beer. We're visiting with Uinta Brewing as part of our "Virtual Taproom" series to talk about what it has planned for next week. Look for it on YouTube and on our website.
If other breweries would like their American Craft Beer Week specials/events mentioned on our website and our social media, I encourage you to send me a note by May 8, 2021.
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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 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.
- The Hop Bombshells homebrew club will be leading a homebrew demo on May 8 at Bewilder Brewing. This is your chance to learn how much fun brewing your own beer can be.
- The Bayou announced its reopening plans for dine-in service.
- You can now drink Bewilder Brewing’s high-point offerings on-site. Previously, the canned offerings were for to-go only. But new licensing allows Bewilder to sell not only high-point beer, but also wine, cider, and spirits.
- Speaking of Bewilder, don’t sleep on the Sunday waffle bar!
- The next Avenues Proper Cellar Dinner is set for May 26. Here’s the menu and details on reserving your spot.
- Have you ever wanted to own a piece of a craft cidery? Now’s your chance. Mountain West Hard Cider launched an equity crowdfunding program. Here’s where you can learn more.
- Angling for a Cure is a Red Ale that Fisher Brewing brewed in collaboration with Jamie Burnham. As we mentioned last month, Jamie has been nominated for Woman of the Year by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
- SaltFire Brewing received a pair of shiny 20-barrel tanks to increase its brewing capacity by 50%.
- What once was Utah’s smallest brewery has expanded its reach dramatically. Cerveza Zólupez Beer Company, which started by brewing five gallons at a time in Ogden (read our profile), announced that its beers are now available in California, Colorado, and Montana. You’ll soon be able to find them in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
- You can help Squatters Craft Beers build bikes for an entire first-grade class. The event is set for May 12 at the downtown Salt Lake Squatters Pub. Can’d Aid will supply all necessary tools. Just come ready to jump in and help turn some wrenches. Registration is required.
- Congratulations to Curt McCuistion, whose Cherry Mother Pucker sour beer won the Red Beer to Fight Cancer homebrew competition. Bewilder Brewing will be brewing the recipe with a portion of sales to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Utah.
- We all want to keep 2020 in the distant rearview. But the Brewbound Podcast explores exactly how tough it was for the hospitality industry.
- VIP tickets for the Utah Beer Festival went on sale in early April and general admission tickets are set to go on sale on May 12. This year’s event is slated for Aug. 21-22 at The Gateway.
- The Southern Utah Beerfest 2021 is set for July 31 at Policy Kings Brewery in Cedar City.
- The Great American Beer Festival plans to return to an in-person event in 2022 — its 40th anniversary. The awards competition will take place this year, however. Winners will be announced at the Craft Brewers Conference on Sept. 10, 2021.
- In other GABF news… the passport program will return. This didn’t seem to get much traction in Utah (likely due to our quirky laws) but passport holders will have “exclusive access to deals at participating breweries nationwide.” Passports are $20 and will be available to purchase in July.
- An article such as this “Best breweries in Salt Lake City” piece is sure to generate debate. Here’s where you can find the Salt Lake Brewery Pass that the article references.
- RoHa Brewing Project is celebrating its fourth anniversary (read our profile) with a party on May 22. Keep an eye on RoHa’s social media for details as the event draws near.
- By the way, Gemini Hard Seltzers (from RoHa Brewing Project) are now available in Black Cherry and White Grapefruit flavors. And an expanded taproom!
- Congratulations to Avenues Proper, which celebrated its eight-year anniversary in April.
- Congratulations to Talisman Brewing on celebrating its five-year anniversary (read our profile).
- And congratulations to Grid City Beer Works on celebrating one year in business (read our profile).
- In a quick about-face, the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC) sent a letter to the Bayou (and presumably others) on April 8 informing the bar it could no longer sell beer to go. The Bayou made the letter public days later, explaining that it couldn't find support for the DABC's new interpretation of a law that it says has been in place for nearly two decades. The DABC reversed its decision on April 13. Kathy Stephenson summarizes the skirmish in The Salt Lake Tribune.
- Budweiser is really trying to cement itself as Utah’s state beer—and further rile the craft beer community in the process. Its latest stunt involves developing Beehive State-specific bottles, via The Salt Lake Tribune.
- Worst Beer Blog called it a day (for now, at least) in April. The social media account tended to point out missteps in the beer industry and tried to hold breweries accountable for their words and actions.
And finally…
- The latest from Big Beer: Naturdays Frozen Icicles. Did the world need an 8% ABV popsicle?
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💥 Utah Beer News Freebie 💥
 Occasionally, I like to reward subscribers with a chance to win gift cards to or merchandise from local breweries and beer-centric establishments.
This month, I have three gift cards to local spots — Bewilder Brewing, Proper Brewing, and Slackwater Pub & Pizzeria. — that I'd like to give away to three lucky (and no doubt, deserving) subscribers.
Here's what to do...
With American Craft Beer Week coming up...
- First, make sure you're a subscriber and are following Utah Beer News on your preferred social platform(s).
- Post a local beer pic (you're welcome to enjoy on-site or at home)—and you're welcome to post multiple pictures.
- Tag or mention @UtahBeerNews, as well as the brewery that brewed the beer, in the pic(s) on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
- Do those things by May 17, 2021
I'll randomly select three people from eligible entries to each win a gift card. I'll contact winners via direct message on social media the week of May 17, 2021.
Pro Tip: In past Utah Beer News post-a-pic activities, not a lot of people mentioned or tagged Utah Beer News. So, if history is any indication, if you do so, you will likely have a decent shot at claiming victory in this little endeavor.
As always, thank you for subscribing!
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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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