Utah-based Pie & Beer Day is back for another helping, this time with more than 25 breweries and 7,000 slices of pie.
NEW: 2020 Pie & Beer Day
The so-called “counterculture response” to Pioneer Day takes place each July 24. It’s the same day as the state holiday that commemorates the Mormon pioneers’ arrival into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
In what’s turning into a Utah summertime staple for a certain segment of the population, Pie & Beer Day pairs many forms of pie — pizza, apple, key lime, quiche, maybe even chicken pot — with beer.
The first organized event for Pie & Beer Day — a play on “Pioneer Day” — appears to have taken place in 2014, though informal celebrations no doubt occurred much earlier. After all, celebration requirements are simple: combine two readily available ingredients — pie and beer.
Salt Lake’s Beer Bar played host to that first event five years ago. It served as a fundraiser for radio station KRCL. It’s gotten bigger each year since and Beer Bar is back this year with what’s dubbed “the world’s largest assemblage of pie and beer.”
Proceeds from the 6th annual event benefit KUAA radio, a part of the Utah Arts Alliance, which aims to foster the arts to create an aware, empowered, and connected community.
Pie and Beer Day at Beer Bar
Deemed the “original and official” Pie & Beer Day, organizers say the Beer Bar event will feature 7,000 slices of pie. They expect to pair pie with about 25 different craft beers, according to the Facebook Event listing.
Pie & Beer Day at Beer Bar, 161 E. 200 S., takes place from 2-6 p.m. on July 24 and $30 gets you five pairings. Tickets at the door. 21+ only. View the complete lineup and pairings.
Insider tip: Don’t procrastinate — the pie ran out about 45 minutes before the scheduled end time last year.
Pie purveyors include: Bambara, Beer Bar, Beltex Meats, Benji’s BBQ, Campos, Copper Onion, Current, The Dodo, Eating Establishment, Este Pizza, Eva Bakery, Garage on Beck, Lucky Slice, Mother’s Food Truck, Nomad, Oquirrh, Pie Party, Red Butte Bakery, Rio Grande Cafe, Rocky Mountain Pies, Squatters, Stein Ericksen Lodge, Stoneground, Stratford Proper, Tradition, and UTOG Brewing.
Breweries who organizers say will have their beer available include: 2 Row Brewing, Bohemian Brewery, Bonneville Brewery, Desert Edge Brewery, Epic Brewing Company, A. Fisher Brewing Company, Hopkins Brewing, Hoppers Grill & Brewing Co., Kiitos Brewing, Level Crossing Brewing, Moab Brewery, Park City Brewing, Proper Brewing Co., Red Rock Brewery, RoHa Brewing Project, Roosters Brewing Company, SaltFire Brewing Co., Shades Brewing, Squatters Craft Beers, Strap Tank Brewing, T.F. Brewing, UTOG Brewing, Vernal Brewing, Wasatch Brewery, Uinta Brewing, and Zólupez Brewing.
Pie and Beer Elsewhere
Many breweries, bars, and restaurants hop on the pie-and-beer-pairing bandwagon because… why not?
Here are a few additional Pie & Beer Day celebrations we’ve come across. All are happening Wednesday, July 24, 2019 (except where noted).
It’s always a good idea to check with individual establishments/organizers to verify details before showing up.
The Beehive Pub & Grill
To celebrate the holiday, The Beehive Pub & Grill in Logan is planning a Pie & Beer-themed Trivia Night. Get in touch with the pub to make reservations. 8-9 p.m., 255 S. Main Street, Logan
Fisher Brewing
For the third straight year, at Fisher Brewing, “Cori Norton with Pie Party is making up some of the finest pies in the valley!” This year’s flavors: lemon sour cream, peanut butter and jelly, ginger berry lattice, buttermilk coconut cream, and butterscotch w/ whipped sour cream, caramel, and black sesame. Get a slice and a pint for $8. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., 320 W., 800 S., Salt Lake City.
Policy Kings Brewery
Get into the Pie & Beer Day spirit in Southern Utah. Policy Kings Brewery in Cedar City is pairing its beers with pies from Pallet Bakery. You’re invited to bring your own pies to share as well. 3-9 p.m., 223 N., 100 W., Cedar City.
Quarters Arcade Bar
Cool off after binging on pizza and apple pie with $4 draft pints and some free-play favorites all day at Quarters Arcade Bar. “In honor of the holiday, we will have some of our hungriest characters set to free play all day,” the event listing says. “4-player Pac-Man and our brand new 4-player Ninja Turtles game! As always, on Wednesdays, Killer Queen is free-play all day until midnight.” 4-11:30 p.m., 5 E. 400 S., Salt Lake City.
RoHa Brewing Project
If you want to get an earlier start on Pie & Beer Day, RoHa Brewing Project is opening its doors for a pie and beer party. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 30 E. Kensington Ave., Salt Lake City
Shades Brewing
Shades Brewing will be serving up beer at the Beer Bar Pie & Beer Day celebration, but they’re also doing something special at their taproom. “We’re releasing Kveik Key Lime Pie! Along with that, we will have pizza from The Pie while it lasts, and live music from the local Bellerose duo from 6:30-8:30 pm, patio games and more,” Shades notes on the Facebook listing. 3-10 p.m., 154 W., Utopia Ave., Salt Lake City.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is holding its third-annual Pie & Beer Day. Guests are asked to bring a pie and/or beer for the event. Organizers will provide pizza, along with games and other activities. RSVP is requested via email to [email protected] or by phone at (801) 322-5869. 5:30-8 p.m., 261 S. 900 E., Salt Lake City.
Talisman Brewing / Ogden Bicycle Collective
Ogden Bicycle Collective is celebrating Pie & Beer Day by scheduling a community bike ride from the Collective to Talisman Brewing. 4-7 p.m., 936 28th St., Ogden (Ogden Bicycle Collective); 1258 Gibson Avenue, Ogden (Talisman Brewing).
Utah Pride Center
The Utah Pride Center is hosting a Pie & Beer Day Potluck on Saturday, July 27. 2-7 p.m., admission is free (check the website for potluck assignments) 1380 S. Main Street, Salt Lake City
What Else?
Pie & Beer Day extends its reach each year. Leave a comment to let me know which event(s) you’ll be attending. Also, let me know of any celebratory Pie & Beer Day events I might have missed.
