The Brewers Association on Tuesday released its findings from a coronavirus, or COVID-19, survey. It details how the social distancing measures aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus are impacting the nation’s breweries.
And, as Bart Watson, the organization’s chief economist, wrote in a tweet, “the numbers aren’t pretty.”
Specifically, he highlighted:
- 2.5% of breweries say they are anticipating closing in less than a week
- 12.7% say they have a month or less based on current conditions
In addition, 46.4% projected they can sustain their business for one to three months. Only 13.4% of respondents think they can survive for more than six months.
Nearly two-thirds (65.7%) of staff have been laid off or furloughed, according to the survey.
“The results show a sharp drop in craft category sales, massive furloughs or layoffs, and the high likelihood of large numbers of brewery closings without a swift end to social distance measures — which looks increasingly unlikely — or rapid government support for small brewers and hospitality more broadly,” Watson wrote.
With more than 8,100 breweries currently in operation in the United States, the survey suggests we could see more than 200 breweries (2.5%) shut down fairly soon due to COVID-19.
So far, Utah Beer News hasn’t heard of any Utah breweries that are planning to permanently close.
The survey included 455 responses from brewers in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The full analysis can be found on the BA’s website. It’s the second survey the BA’s conducted relating to COVID-19. Results and analysis from the first one, released on March 18, can be found here.
Scroll for the latest from Utah breweries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first analysis of our second COVID-19 impact survey is done, and the numbers aren't pretty.
– 2.5% of breweries say they are going to close
– 12.7% say they have a month or less based on current conditionshttps://t.co/wEOHrmkn4T— Bart Watson (@BrewersStats) April 7, 2020
Previous Utah Beer News COVID-19 Coverage
- Coronavirus Update No. 3: Notable Utah Beer News
- Coronavirus Update No. 2: Utah Breweries Show Resilience.
- Coronavirus Outbreak: Utah Breweries React & Respond.
Utah Breweries: The Latest
Here are a few items of note:
- Several breweries got creative on April 7 to celebrate National Beer Day. Roosters Brewing‘s Jacquie King conducted a virtual tasting and beer education on Facebook Live. Also on Facebook, Bewilder Brewing live-streamed a brew day.
- Today, April 8, RoHa Brewing Project is live-streaming a make-your-own-firkin class at 4 p.m.
- This week, City Weekly and KRCL 90.9 FM radio began daily segments on the station’s RadioACTive program (listen live). The 6 p.m. segments are dubbed #quarantinecocktails. Each day during the #staysafestayhome order, the segment will feature “local brewers, distillers, bars, and restaurants to let you know what the makers are making.” Here’s the episode from April 7, featuring Proper Brewing‘s Eleanor Lewis.
- As we mentioned last week, many breweries throughout the world — and at least T.F. Brewing locally — will be participating in All Together. It’s a program in which breweries brew a specific beer with proceeds earmarked to support hospitality professionals. T.F. is planning to donate beer proceeds from its All Together beer sales directly to its staff. You might remember breweries — including Uinta and Salt Flats — did something similar in 2018 to support California’s Camp Fire Relief Efforts.
A Full Rundown
I’ve been keeping in touch with Utah breweries and compiled a rundown of how each is attempting to weather an unprecedented storm.
It’s always best to confirm the information with individual establishments. 🍻 Breweries: Please notify me of any inaccuracies. The date of the latest new update is in parentheses.
2 Row Brewing
2 Row Brewing’s 5% ABV growler fills are $4. But you’ll need to bring in your own growler (2 Row’s supplier is shut down). The Midvale brewery released a Hazy IPA — Quarantine Buddy — last week. The 6.8% ABV beer features Idaho 7 and Citra hops. A Triple IPA is planned for this week, according to owner Brian Coleman. Hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. (3/31)
Avenues Proper
Avenues Proper is offering curbside food service (menu). You’re now able to order food online. Its packaged beer-to-go store is also open, though you must come inside (one at a time) to purchase beer. Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Telephone: (385) 227-8628. (3/25)
Bewilder Brewing
Salt Lake’s “newest brewpub…turned food-to-go” reworked its website to put the focus on food. Bewilder is also filling growlers to-go and is selling gift cards. It temporarily shut down April 6-8 to install a new point of sale, add online ordering to its website, and add another delivery service. Did you catch Bewilder on FOX-13’s The Place on March 23? Telephone: (385) 528-3840. (4/8)
Bohemian Brewery
Bohemian, which temporarily suspended all operations, briefly reopened for beer (and food) to go. However, as of April 3, Bohemian once again suspended its operations “until it is safe to resume.” You’re still able to find Bohemian beers at various grocery stores around the state. (4/8)
Bonneville Brewery
Bonneville Brewery is open for food and beer to-go. Hours: 12-8 p.m. Telephone: (435) 248-0646. (3/25)
Desert Edge Brewery
Desert Edge said it is suspending operations indefinitely. (3/17)
Epic Brewing
Epic is open for beer-to-go. It also released its Pink Boots Imperial Pink Ale — available now at the Salt Lake bottle shop. Order ahead of time online for pickup. Telephone: (801) 906-0123 (4/8)
Fisher Brewing
Fisher Brewing suspended operations indefinitely. However, it’s selling gift cards. Telephone: (801) 487-2337(4/8)
Grid City Beer Works
Though not yet open, Grid City had planned to open its doors sometime in March. Those plans are now on hold indefinitely. (3/15)
Heber Valley Brewing
Heber Valley Brewing is selling beer to-go from 1-6 p.m. daily. (3/31)
Hopkins Brewing Co.
The Sugar House brewery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 4-8 p.m. It’s offering food and beer (growlers and crowlers) to go. It added a buffalo chicken wrap to its menu. It tapped Pico Rico, a Mexican-style lager this week. Telephone: (385) 528-3275. (4/8)
Hoppers Grill & Brewing
Hoppers is offering food-to-go (updated menu), as well as a Family Special. It’s also got SnoAle for sale and is working out a way to fill growlers. Plus, through April 30, for every gift card purchase of $50, you will receive a $15 bonus gift card. Those are available online or onsite. Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 12-7 p.m. Order online via ChowNow. (4/8)
Kiitos Brewing
Kiitos Brewing is selling beers to-go from its beer store. It recently released Red is the New Pink, a hoppy red all that features the 2019 Pink Boots Society hops blend. Plus, merchandise and gift cards are available. Hours: 12-8 p.m., closed Sundays. (4/8)
Level Crossing Brewing
Level Crossing Brewing reconfigured its taproom to maximize the safety for customers and staff. Oh, and crowlers of draft beer are now $5 each. Call (385) 270-5752 to place a to-go order (here’s the menu). The South Salt Lake brewery is also delivering food (order online). (4/8)
Moab Brewery
Moab Brewery has $9 growlers to-go (new, no refills at this time). Its distillery is also selling its vodka, gin, and tequila to-go. It’s open for food to-go, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Telephone: (435) 259-6333. (4/8)
Mountain West Hard Cider
The Mountain West Hard Cider bottle shop is open for to-go ciders. Call ahead for curbside pickup (801) 935-4147. Mountain West was working with the DABC to get approval for small-batch ciders, and apparently that is going well. Pomme Paloma is a small batch hard cider that includes a unique hop blend and grapefruit juice. It’s a collaboration with the Pink Boots Society.
“It was supposed to be released this weekend,” Mountain West wrote April 4 on Instagram. “However, due to current events and our focus on keeping our community safe and healthy, this launch is postponed.”
Mountain West says it will be released “In The Future,” and followers will be the first to know. Stay tuned. It’s also conducting weekly “virtual happy hours” online. (4/8)
Park City Brewery
It no longer has a taproom presence, but you can pick up Park City beers at various grocery stores around town. It recently released a “Mountain Mix Pack.” (3/18)
Policy Kings Brewery
The Cedar City brewery released its first “quarantine” beer in bottles. It’s a 7.4% juicy pale ale, though it appears there’s only a certain number available each day. Policy Kings is filling growlers to go for $20 and six-packs to to are also $20. Hours: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. (4/8)
Proper Brewing Co.
The Proper Brewing Beer Store is open from 12-8 p.m. daily. Pick up canned beers (5% and high point). “We just ask that folks limit themselves to entering the shop one at a time since it’s a small space that makes it hard to maintain a six-foot distance,” Proper wrote. Pre-filled 32-ounce crowlers ar $5 (it recently released a new batch of Blizzard Wizard, a white pale ale with Motueka hops). Growlers are being filled from 4-8 p.m. New growlers only ($3) and fills are $9.
Its neighbor — Proper Burger Co. — is offering curbside pickup. Hours: 12-8 p.m. (4/8)
Red Rock Brewing
All menu items at the Red Rock pubs (Downtown, Fashion Place, Park City) are available to-go. Hours are 12-8 p.m. and here’s the online menu. For a limited time, take 50% off your curbside order (Code: RED50). The Red Rock Beer Store is selling beer-to-go (from its parking lot, even!) and the new 25-Year Anniversary Belgian Style Quad is now available. Credit cards only. Beer Store Hours: Monday through Friday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Red Rock is also able to sell packaged beer to go from its downtown pub. And it’s hiring! (4/8)
RoHa Brewing Project
As mentioned above, RoHa is live-streaming a make-your-own-firkin class on April 8. Last week, it released Transom Dark Pale Ale (5% ABV) in cans. “It’s a piney, hop-forward beer with a dark roasted malt build that comes in dark, but not black,” says Rob Phillips, RoHa co-founder.
RoHa is selling beer to-go and filling new growlers purchased on-site. It’s also made available online gift cards. Hours: 12-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Telephone: (385) 227-8982. (4/8)
Roosters Brewing
Online ordering is now available for Roosters Brewing 25th Street. B Street Brewery and Layton locations are to follow. Roosters is open for curbside food pickup (menus online). Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 3-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (25th Street and Layton). B-Street has the same hours, though it’s open from 12-8 p.m. on Saturday.
Roosters Brewing debuted its newest beer on April 1. High Desert Hazy is a Session Hazy IPA hopped with New Zealand Southern Cross hops. The 5% ABV beer will be available to go at all three Roosters locations. It will find its way into grocery in the coming weeks.
In light of the dining-in closures, Roosters has been able to shuffle some bottles around. Jacquie King says two cases of Nordic Porter and five cases of Hellevation are now available at the Layton location only. Also only at Layton (breweries can only sell high-point beer at the location where it was brewed, per Utah law), Roosters’ 25th Anniversary Barrel Aged Barley Wine.
“This complex ale was rested in Porters Whiskeys rye barrels for 10 months, then blended with a fresh batch,” Roosters wrote. $12/bottle. (4/8)
For every takeout order of $25 or more, Roosters is including a $10 gift certificate to be used on your next visit at any Roosters location or its partner restaurant, Union Grill. (3/24)
SaltFire Brewing
SaltFire couldn’t wait for the calendar to say it’s summer. Summer Camp Crush, its New England Style IPA, became available on March 31. It’s also crowdsourcing its next New England-style IPA. Let SaltFire know if you’d prefer Frankly Mr. Shankly or Apollo 18 next. Hours: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. (4/8)
Salt Flats Brewing
The Salt Flats package agency is open and selling beer to-go. It’s also now producing and selling hand sanitizer. Here is a nice FAQ for Salt Flats Sanitizer. By the way, congrats to Salt Flats Distillery on winning some American Craft Spirits Association awards. Hours: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. (4/8)
Shades Brewing
The second in Shades Brewing’s “Earthquake Series” hits the market on April 9. Epicenter is a mango-chili sour brewed with Shades’ famous kveik. (4/8)
Earlier, Shades Brewing set up curbside “beer pick-up” tents in front of the brewery’s dock. It also built an “emergency pack” with 24 sorted beers ready to go for $50 plus tax, according to head brewer Marcio Buffolo.
Beer drinkers are still able to select their own beers, but the pack is designed for a quick transaction.
The “emergency pack” includes the following (2 each): Aphrodite Belgian Blonde Ale, Premium Lager, Imperial Lager, Grapefruit Revolution Hazy & Juicy IPA, Slick City Citrus IPA, Kveik Rotator, Plum Berliner Weisse, Misdirected IPA, Double Trub’l Double IPA, Fit Lager, Kveik. And one each: Fit Brut IPA and Fit Blonde. Hours: 3-7 p.m. (3/25)
Silver Reef Brewing
The Silver Reef store is open from 12-6 p.m. (except Sunday). You’re able to purchase beer and spirits to go. It also recently shipped a bunch of beer to Costco in St. George. (4/8)
Squatters Craft Beers
Squatters has food and beer to-go at its downtown pub (menu, PDF). Hours: 12-8 p.m. Telephone: (801) 363-2739. (3/25)
Strap Tank Brewery
Strap Tank Brewery in Springville temporarily closed. (4/1)
Its Lehi location is also temporarily closed. (3/31)
Talisman Brewery
Talisman Brewery in Ogden is open normal business hours for beer-to-go. It’s offering $12 growler fills, and creating a mixed six-pack of its 5% beer for $20. On March 25, Talisman released a new Hazy IPA. Spindrift (5% ABV) features mosaic and Simcoe hops. It’s available to-go in crowlers and growlers. (3/25)
T.F. Brewing
As mentioned above, T.F. Brewing will be participating in All Together. It’s a program in which breweries brew a specific beer with proceeds earmarked to support hospitality professionals. T.F. is planning to donate beer proceeds from its All Together beer sales directly to its staff. (4/8)
The T.F. Brewing beer store is open from 12-8 p.m. Crowlers are available to-go as well (check the website for current offerings). Telephone: (385) 270-5972. Email Orders: [email protected] (3/25)
Toasted Barrel Brewery
Toasted Barrel is selling beer to-go. It’s even dipped into its cellar to “make your life a little better in this crazy time.” As of April 4, it still had a few bottles left of its Barrel-Aged Sour Stout. Hours: 2-6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Check Toasted Barrel’s social media for the latest. (4/8)
Uinta Brewing
The General Store remains open for beer — and merchandise — to-go. It also began selling this year’s edition of Birthday Suit, a lemon blackberry tart ale with lactose. Also available is Uinta’s new Freeform IPA, a 99 calorie beer. Hours: 12-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Telephone: (801) 467-0228. (4/8)
Check out UtahBeerStores.com, a new website designed by Uinta for Utah breweries to update their own information (hours, address, available beers, etc.). (3/25)
UTOG Brewing
UTOG released its first mixed pack. The 12-pack includes Mandarina Kölsch, Power Play Pilsner, Son of a Peach Hefeweizen, and a Brewer’s Choice. It’s available at the brewery’s beer store. Hours: 12-5 p.m. Telephone: (801) 725-2402. (3/31)
Vernal Brewing
Vernal Brewing Company is open 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m., with beer to-go and curbside pickup. Telephone: (435) 781-2337. (3/19)
Wasatch Brewery
Wasatch Brewery in Sugar House is offering curbside food pickup (menu, PDF) and beer to-go from 12-8 p.m. daily. Telephone: (801) 783-1127. The West Side Tavern is open seven days a week from 12-8 p.m. for beer to go. Telephone: (801) 466-8855 (3/31)
Zion Brewery
The Zion brewpub in Springdale is open for takeout and delivery only. Station II in downtown St. George is open for growlers to-go. (3/25)
Zólupez Brewing
You’re able to find sampler 12-packs of Zólupez beer at various grocery stores around the state. (3/25)
The Bayou
The Bayou is open for curbside to-go orders. It can also sell beer to-go, so long as they’re 5% ABV or lower. It’s only accepting payment over the phone. Here’s a full FAQ page. Hours: 12-8 p.m. Telephone: (801) 961-8400. (3/19)
Beer Bar
Beer Bar closed its doors temporarily. (3/17)
Beerhive Pub
The Beerhive Pub is temporarily closed. (3/16)
Craft by Proper
The Utah-only beer bar closed its doors temporarily. (3/17)
Slackwater Pizzeria & Pub (Ogden & Sandy)
Slackwater Sandy is temporarily closed, as is Slackwater in Ogden. (3/22)
The Beer Nut Homebrew Shop
The Beer Nut is temporarily closed. Keep an eye on its social to learn when it might reopen for mail order and pickup. (3/28)
Salt City Brew Supply Homebrew Shop
Salt City Brew Supply remains open and fully stocked. Call ahead with an order and the folks at Salt City will pull it for you. Telephone: (801) 849-0955. (3/31)
Brewvies Cinema Pub
Brewvies is temporarily closed but you are able to purchase gift cards online. When you load $25 or more on a card, Brewvies will give you a movie pass that’s valid for any future date. (3/25)
A reminder: UtahBeerStores.com is a new website (created by Uinta Brewing) that allows for individual breweries to update their own business information. Breweries: Go there to claim your spot and update your info.
As of April 8, Utah had 1,846 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
