Podcast

Utah Beer News Podcast

Welcome to the Utah Beer News Podcast. Listen to stories straight from the individuals who make Utah’s craft beer community what it is.

Listen to the episodes by clicking the links below. Or why not subscribe to have the podcasts delivered to your favorite podcast-listening platform?

And, if you ask Alexa to “play the Utah Beer News Podcast,” I bet she will!

Episode 70: 3 Beers with Joey (December 2021)

Joey Cardaccio, service manager at Slackwater Sandy, joins Utah Beer News for another episode of our 3 Beers with Joey video series.

This month Joey highlights three beers that are worth checking out. The three beers we talk about this month are:

Give a listen to learn more about these three beers. Joey also gives us the scoop on events happening at Slackwater in December 2021 — including a can takeover featuring Grid City Beer Works (Dec. 15).

We recorded our conversation on Dec. 6, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Episode 69: Park City Brewing Enters Utah Market

Park City Brewing LogoUtah Beer News opened its Virtual Taproom to visit with Jeff Tito, president of the all-new Park City Brewing. These brief Virtual Taproom conversations are recorded via Zoom and the video is available now on the Utah Beer News YouTube channel.

In this episode, Jeff talks about:

  • The distinction between Park City Brewery, which had operated in Utah for several years, and this new venture — Park City Brewing.
  • The beers that are available out of the gate
  • Plans for a Park City-based taproom in the coming months (and a Salt Lake taproom later in 2022)
  • And what it means to “create quality beer for locals, by the locals.”

We recorded our conversation on Nov. 10, 2021, and you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Episode 68: 3 Beers with Joey (November 2021)

Joey Cardaccio, service manager at Slackwater Sandy, joins Utah Beer News for another episode of our 3 Beers with Joey video series.

3-Beers-with-Joey-November-2021This month Joey highlights three beers that are worth checking out. The three beers we talk about this month are:

Give a listen to learn more about these three beers. Joey also gives us the scoop on events happening at Slackwater in November 2021 — including a tap takeover featuring RoHa Brewing Project (Nov. 17).

We recorded our conversation on Nov. 4, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Episode 67: Wasatch Brewery’s Brave Noise Beer, 35 Years

Utah Beer News opened its virtual taproom to visit with Kristin Martino, marketing manager for Salt Lake Brewing Co., and Libby Taylor, general manager of the West Side Tavern and Beer Ambassador for Salt Lake Brewing Co. These brief Virtual Taproom conversations are recorded via Zoom and the video is available now on the Utah Beer News YouTube channel.

In this episode, Libby and Kristin talk about brewing the Brave Noise Beer, a collaboration designed to advocate for safe spaces and inclusive environments. Breweries are banding together to brew a pale ale — and at the same time make their code of conduct policies easily accessible to the public.

We also talk about Wasatch Brewery’s 35th Anniversary, which officially takes place on Oct. 22, 2021. A lot has changed in the Utah craft beer landscape over the last three-and-a-half decades, but Wasatch remains an industry leader. Learn how you can help the trailblazing brewery celebrate 35 years.

We recorded our conversation on Oct. 19, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Episode 66: Talisman Brewing Celebrates 5 Years

Utah Beer News opened its virtual taproom to visit with Joann Williams,  co-founder of Talisman Brewing in Ogden. These brief Virtual Taproom conversations are recorded via Zoom and the video is available now on the Utah Beer News YouTube channel.

Joann and Dusty Williams, co-owners of Talisman Brewing Company. The Ogden brewery opened in 2016.For this one, Joann Williams talks about Talisman Brewing celebrating its five-year anniversary in 2021. We also discuss a few beers for which Talisman is known — and Joann gives a sneak peek at some beers that should be showing up in bottles and hitting tap handles soon. Oh, and perhaps the biggest news — Talisman is patiently waiting for the arrival of its new canning line. That will allow the brewery to put together six- and 12-packs of its beer going forward.

We recorded our conversation on Oct. 5, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Episode 65: 3 Beers with Joey (October 2021)

Joey Cardaccio, service manager at Slackwater Sandy, joins Utah Beer News for another episode of our 3 Beers with Joey video series.

Each month, Cardaccio will chat with us about three new or noteworthy beers worth checking out. Here are the three beers selected for October 2021:

Give a listen to learn more about these three beers. Joey also gives us the scoop on events happening at Slackwater in October 2021 — including two tap takeovers featuring a pair of local breweries. We talk briefly about how Joey goes about curating Slackwater’s massive craft beer menu.

We recorded our conversation on Oct. 4, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Episode 64: 3 Beers with Joey (September 2021)

Joey Cardaccio, service manager at Slackwater Sandy, joins Utah Beer News for another episode of our 3 Beers with Joey video series.

Each month, Cardaccio will chat with us about three new or noteworthy beers worth checking out. Here are the three beers selected for September 2021:

Give a listen to learn more about these three beers. Joey also gives us the scoop on events happening at Slackwater in September 2021 — including two tap takeovers featuring a pair of local breweries. We talk briefly about upcoming Oktoberfest events as well.

We recorded our conversation on Sept. 13, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Episode 63: Utah Beer Festival

Utah Beer News sat down with Pete Saltas, publisher of Salt Lake City Weekly and the festival director for the 11th Utah Beer Festival, as part of our Virtual Taproom series.

Pro Tip: To watch the full Virtual Taproom video, please visit our YouTube channel (and please subscribe!)

The Utah Beer Festival, which takes place in Salt Lake City on Aug. 21-22, 2021, is the largest beer-sampling event in the state. This year’s installment will feature more than 50 breweries pouring about 250 different beers over the course of two days.

Thanks to Pete for taking the time to visit with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy hearing more about the Utah Beer Festival. If you enjoy this type of storytelling, I’d really appreciate it if you could share this episode with your beer-loving friends, and then please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice.

More Information

  • For an accompanying article about the 2021 Utah Beer Festival, please visit UtahBeerNews.com
  • In Episode 25 of the Utah Beer News Podcast, we visited with Festival organizers ahead of the 2019 event
  • And here is an article about the Utah Beer Festival ahead of the 10th-anniversary event in 2019

Episode 62: 3 Beers with Joey (August 2021)

Joey Cardaccio, service manager at Slackwater Sandy, joins Utah Beer News for another episode of our 3 Beers with Joey video series.

3-Beers-August-2021Each month, Cardaccio will chat with us about three new or noteworthy beers worth checking out. Here are the three beers selected for August 2021:

Give a listen to learn more about these three beers. Joey also gives us the scoop on events happening at Slackwater in August 2021 — including two tap takeovers featuring a pair of local breweries. The Utah Beer Festival is happening Aug. 21-22 at The Gateway, too.

AND, Joey gives us a little info about the all-new Slackwater Pub & Pizzeria that is slated to open in Salt Lake City in the somewhat near future.

We recorded our conversation on Aug. 9, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Episode 61: 3 Beers with Joey (July 2021)

Joey Cardaccio, service manager at Slackwater Sandy, joins Utah Beer News for another episode of our 3 Beers with Joey video series.

3-Beers-July-2021Each month, Cardaccio will chat with us about three new or noteworthy beers worth checking out. Here are the three beers selected for July 2021:

Give a listen to learn more about these three beers. Joey also gives us the scoop on events happening at Slackwater in July 2021 — including not one, but two tap takeovers featuring a pair of popular breweries.

And finally, one item we had planned to talk about last time but that we got around to this month is that Slackwater Sandy currently has the popular Black Widow cider on draft from Original Sin Cider in New York. Our friends at Ibantik Craft Beverages helped to make that happen.

We recorded our conversation on July 7, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Episode 60: Red Rock Brewery

Red Rock Brewery
Red Rock Brewery Head Brewer Kevin Davis, left, and Sales Manager Erika Palmer

When Red Rock Brewery opened its doors in 1994, you could count the number of craft breweries in Utah on one hand. Now, obviously, the state boasts quite a few more. But the brewery that brought us the likes of Elephino Double IPA, Bobcat Nut Brown Ale, Marvella Belgian-Style Tripel, Grand Bavaria Weiss Bier, and many, many others remains as relevant and as important today as it was nearly 30 years ago.

The venerable brewery is the winner of more than 100 medals. And its downtown brewpub has earned Large Brewpub of the Year recognition by the Great American Beer Festival.

Based in Salt Lake City, the self-distributing Red Rock offers a variety of beers on draft and sells its packaged products primarily in 500-milliliter bottles. Representatives say the brewery is on track to brew 5,000 barrels in 2021 and it continues to blend tradition with innovation when it comes to satisfying public tastes.

I visited with Sales Manager Erika Palmer and Head Brewer Kevin Davis in early June 2021. We met at the Red Rock production brewery, which is attached to the popular Red Rock Beer Store at 443 North 400 West in Salt Lake City.

The Red Rock footprint also features three brewpubs — including the original Red Rock brewhouse and pub, which is headed up by longtime brewer Chris Harlin.

Our conversation dives into the history of Red Rock. Erika started as a bartender at the original brewpub before leaving and then returning to Red Rock two separate times to take on sales responsibilities.

Kevin, whose 20-plus-year brewing career includes stops at Brewery Ommegang, Keegan Ales, and New Belgium, joined the Red Rock team in 2018 following the departure of Kevin Templin, who ultimately opened Templin Family Brewing.

Erika and Kevin also discuss several beers woven into the Red Rock tapestry. They shed light on how a few fan favorites came to be and hint at what you might expect to see in the future.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Red Rock Brewery: ‘Small But Big at the Same Time’ to learn more.

Episode 59: Templin Family Brewing

Kevin Templin, Templin Family Brewing - Utah Beer NewsWhen Kevin Templin is asked to describe who he is — he starts with dad. Then brother. Then son. And finally, “brewer, I guess.” Not to take anything away from the first three identifiers but Templin is most definitely a brewer—and an extremely successful one at that.

The founder and head brewer at Templin Family Brewing (or T.F. Brewing, for short) booked a one-way ticket and arrived in Utah in the early 1990s to ski. Now, 30 years later he is one of the state’s most-decorated brewers at one of the state’s most popular and well-regarded breweries.

Templin, an East Coast transplant, worked as a “professional ski bum” for about four years before landing at Desert Edge Pub & Brewery. He helped a few long-gone breweries get off the ground before starting a nearly 20-year career at Red Rock Brewing in 2000 where he brewed countless award-winning beers.

Then in 2018, Templin opened T.F. Brewing in what once was an auto repair shop at 936 S. 300 W. in Salt Lake City. He always knew he wanted to own a brewery. “The ultimate goal was to have our own family thing,” he says. “So, when I retire, I can hand the keys to my nephews and kids and say, here you go.

“Don’t mess it up,” he adds with a chuckle.

During our wide-ranging conversation, Kevin and I discuss:

  • How he got his start in brewing and what it means to be a 25-year veteran of the industry
  • The importance of the entire beer-drinking experience — from the first-class customer service to the appropriate glassware to the proper pour. And all that before a drinker takes a sip of beer.
  • We talk about craft beer in Utah and why the state’s brewers might not get the recognition they deserve
  • And Kevin discusses challenges he sees facing craft beer — the biggest of which might surprise you

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article T. F. Brewing: A Legacy in the Making to learn more.

Episode 58: 3 Beers with Joey (June 2021)

3-Beers-with-Joey-June-2021Joey Cardaccio, service manager at Slackwater Sandy, joins Utah Beer News for another episode of our 3 Beers with Joey video series.

Each month, Cardaccio will chat with us about three new or noteworthy beers worth checking out. Here are the three beers selected for June 2021:

Give a listen to learn more about these three beers. Joey also gives us the scoop on events happening at Slackwater in June 2021.

We recorded our conversation on June 7, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Episode 57: Level Crossing Brewing

Level Crossing Brewing Company celebrated its two-year anniversary on March 30, 2021. I sat down with Founder Mark Medura and Head Brewer Chris Detrick to get insight into how Level Crossing not only weathered but also thrived in its first two years in business — the second of which included surviving a full-blown pandemic.

This isn’t the first time we’ve visited with Level Crossing for the podcast. If you’d like to learn more about how the brewery came to be, please listen to Episode 14 of the Utah Beer News Podcast. That one went out right before Level Crossing opened its doors in March 2019.

But in this episode, we really get into the beers — the small-batch Red Feather Series, specifically. Chris and Mark talk about the story behind most of them, as well as the thought and strategy that goes into releasing the beers when they do. Plus: the pair teases a new release — a uniquely Utah brew, apparently — that should be hitting the market any day now.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Level Crossing Brewing: 2 Years, Red Feather Beers, & More to learn more.

 

Episode 56: Virtual Taproom: Uinta Brewing and American Craft Beer Week

Jeremy Ragonese, president of Uinta Brewing and past-president of the Utah Brewers GuildWelcome to the audio portion of our Virtual Taproom visit with Jeremy Ragonese, president of Uinta Brewing in Salt Lake City. These brief Virtual Taproom conversations are recorded via Zoom and the video is available now on the Utah Beer News YouTube channel.

Jeremy’s voice might sound familiar to you, and not just because he’s been a fixture in the Utah craft beer community for the last five years. He also appeared on Episode 52 of the podcast discussing the Utah Brewers Guild and how Utah’s craft beer community is emerging from the pandemic.

This time around, Jeremy is here to talk about his start in craft beer and how his path led him to become president of Uinta Brewing in 2019. We also talk briefly about the impact Uinta Brewing has had on Utah craft beer since its founding in 1993.

And with American Craft Beer Week 2021 set for May 10-16, Jeremy describes the importance of supporting local, independent craft breweries — not only this week but all year long. Stay tuned to hear what Uinta has planned for American Craft Beer Week and be sure to visit UtahBeerNews.com to learn what other Utah breweries are doing to celebrate the occasion.

We recorded our conversation on May 7, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page. An abridged version is available on our Instagram TV channel.

Thanks to Jeremy for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. If you enjoy this type of storytelling, I’d really appreciate if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice.

Episode 55: 3 Beers with Joey (May 2021)

We’re back with another visit with Joey Cardaccio, the beer and service manager at Slackwater Pub & Pizzeria in Sandy. Each month we visit with Joey for our Virtual Taproom and 3 Beers with Joey segment that you can watch now on the Utah Beer News YouTube Channel.

The three beers we talk about this month are:

Give a listen to learn more about these three beers. Joey also gives us the scoop on events happening at Slackwater in May 2021 — including three tap takeovers happening during American Craft Beer Week.

We recorded our conversation on May 3, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Episode 54: Rebecca Cardaccio, Sales Director, Proper Brewing Co.

Rebecca Cardaccio, sales director for Proper Brewing Co.
Rebecca Cardaccio, sales director for Proper Brewing Co.

We talk a lot about beer from a brewer’s perspective on the Utah Beer News Podcast. But often we don’t consider all the elements involved in understanding how a brewer’s creation gets into our glass.

In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Cardaccio, sales director at Proper Brewing Co. in Salt Lake City, to learn more about the sales and marketing side of beer. It’s fascinating to me as someone whose background is in marketing (and marketing-adjacent fields).

Becca started as a server at Avenues Proper more than six years ago. Now she is responsible for a host of duties related to selling and marketing craft beer for the ever-growing Proper Brewing Co.

Our conversation opened my eyes to a complex world in which brewing and sales and marketing really fit hand in glove — each dependent upon the other for success.

In Becca’s case, she works closely with the brewing team on brand development. And then she helps to coordinate a multitude of tasks — from beer naming to label design to packaging considerations to pricing.

Thanks to Becca for taking the time to provide insight into the path beer takes from brewing to drinking.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Building a Bridge Between Brewery & Beer Drinker to learn more.

Episode 53: Virtual Taproom: T.F. Brewing & German Beer Day

Patio-Pints-Templin-Family-BrewingYou’re listening to our Virtual Taproom visit with Kevin Templin from T.F. Brewing in Salt Lake City. The brief Virtual Taproom conversations are recorded via Zoom and the video is available now on the Utah Beer News YouTube channel.

As I’ve done with previous Virtual Taproom episodes, I wanted to share the audio portion with the Utah Beer News podcast listeners. Rather than the more in-depth interviews and brewery histories typical of our podcast episodes, these bite-sized conversations feature more so-called “newsy” information. We talk about new beer releases, upcoming events, and general happenings at Utah’s craft breweries.

If you’re in the Utah beer industry and would like to be a guest on an upcoming episode, please send me an email at [email protected].

For this one, Kevin Templin gives us a little background on T.F. Brewing, which opened to the public in October 2018. And as we celebrate German Beer Day on April 23, Kevin also provides insight into the impact German beer — lagerbier — and German beer culture have had on him as a brewer.

We recorded our conversation on April 22, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Thanks to Kevin for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. I’m looking forward to sitting down with Kevin in May 2021 for an extended interview that will result in a full-length Utah Beer News podcast episode.

As always, thank you for listening. If you enjoy this type of storytelling, I’d really appreciate if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice.

Episode 52: Update on Utah Brewers Guild & Craft Beer Scene

It’s no secret that the last year has proved to be a monumental stress test for Utah’s hospitality industry. And while several local breweries bent to a seemingly impossible degree, none broke. They are all still here and continuing to deliver delicious beers.

Jeremy Ragonese, president of Uinta Brewing and past-president of the Utah Brewers Guild
Jeremy Ragonese, president of Uinta Brewing and past president of the Utah Brewers Guild

In this episode of the podcast, we chat with Jeremy Ragonese, President of Uinta Brewing and past president of the Utah Brewers Guild. He gives an update on the Guild, as well as an overview of what the past year looked like from his perspective and what the future may hold for Utah’s craft beer scene as we emerge from the pandemic.

Thanks to Jeremy for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. When you’re finished, please don’t forget to leave a review on your podcast platform of choice.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: An Update on the Utah Brewers Guild; Last Year’s ‘Wild Ride’ & More to learn more.

Episode 51: Upslope Brewing

A recession and a hops shortage didn’t dissuade a trio of beer-loving visionaries from opening a brewery in the heart of craft beer country.

Upslope-Brewing-Mix-BoxUpslope Brewing sold its first beers in 2008 in Boulder, Colo. It’s now Colorado’s fourth-largest independent craft brewery in a state that boasts more than 400.

Upslope distributes to a handful of states where it strives to be the après everything beer. One of those states is Utah. In fact, in 2016, Upslope developed a beer brewed specifically for Utah — a Belgian Style Blonde Ale brewed with guava that catered to the state’s then-4% ABV limitations for beer sold in grocery and convenience stores.

Since then — the brewery that seems to zig when others zag — has staked its claim to being a business for good that makes even better beer.

Marketing Director Katie Hill and Regional Market Manager Antal Maurer visited with Utah Beer News to talk about what sets Upslope apart. Plus, we were joined by Katie Flanagan, a veteran of Utah’s hospitality industry, who recently finished her first year as Upslope’s Utah market manager.

During our conversation we discussed:

  • Why Upslope is so invested in and excited about the Utah market
  • What craft beer drinkers — and hard seltzer drinkers — can expect from the Boulder-based brewery in the Beehive State
  • How Upslope became a Certified B Corporation — and what that entails in terms of corporate social and environmental responsibility
  • And we get to hear some fun stories involving the 13-year-old Upslope brand — including why it took so long to brew a Hazy IPA

Thank you to Katie, Katie, and Antal for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy hearing more about Upslope Brewing.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Upslope Brewing: Beer, People & Planet to learn more.

Episode 50: 3 Beers with Joey (April 2021)

We’re back with another visit with Joey Cardaccio, the beer and service manager at Slackwater Pub & Pizzeria in Sandy. Each month we visit with Joey for our Virtual Taproom and 3 Beers with Joey segment that you can watch now on the Utah Beer News YouTube Channel.

This month Joey highlights three beers that are worth checking out — two are from neighboring states and one is from Minnesota.

The three beers we talk about this month are:

Give a listen to learn more about these three beers. Joey also gives us the scoop on events happening at Slackwater in April 2021.

We recorded our conversation on April 5, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Episode 49: Virtual Taproom: Hopkins Brewing Small-Batch Friday

You’re listening to our Virtual Taproom visit with Chad Hopkins and Matt Yeager from Hopkins Brewing Co. in Sugar House. The brief Virtual Taproom conversations are recorded virtually, obviously, and the video is available now on the Utah Beer News YouTube channel.

An example of a small-batch lineup at Hopkins Brewing Co.
An example of a small-batch lineup at Hopkins Brewing Co.

But I also wanted to share the audio portion with the Utah Beer News podcast listeners. Rather than the more in-depth interviews and brewery histories typical of our podcast episodes, these bite-sized conversations will feature more so-called “newsy” information. We’ll talk about new beer releases, upcoming events, and general happenings at Utah’s craft breweries.

If you’re in the Utah beer industry and would like to be a guest on an upcoming episode, please fill out the contact form.

Chad Hopkins is a longtime homebrewer who opened his own brewery at the end of 2018. And Matt Yeager is a brewer at Hopkins. We caught up with them to find out what is new at the Sugar House brewery and to get a sneak peek at this week’s popular Small-Batch Friday releases.

We recorded our conversation on March 25, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Thanks to Chad and Matt for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening (and for bearing with us as we dial in the virtual technology and audio — we’ll get there).

Episode 48: Virtual Taproom: Slackwater Sandy

This time we didn’t visit a taproom for our Virtual Taproom episode. Rather, we visited a spot in the south end of the Salt Lake Valley that is quickly becoming a fan favorite for craft beer lovers in Utah.

Joey Cardaccio, who manages all-things beer at Slackwater Pub & Pizzeria in Sandy, gave us the scoop on Slackwater, which opened its Sandy location in November 2019 (it already had a longstanding presence in Ogden). He also provided us with a few details about his background in beer.

To cap our “3 Beers with Joey” conversation, Joey highlighted three new or interesting beers currently available at Slackwater. Whenever I visit, I always ask for his recommendation for my first beer.

The three beers we discussed in the inaugural episode:

We recorded our conversation on March 19, 2021. You can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page. Here’s a full article with a transcript.

Episode 47: Virtual Taproom: RoHa Brewing Project

Chris Haas, left, and Rob Phillips, of RoHa Brewing Project.
Chris Haas, left, and Rob Phillips, of RoHa Brewing Project.

This is the first in what I hope will be several Virtual Taproom visits with Utah’s brewers, breweries, and everyday imbibers. These brief conversations are recorded virtually, and the video is available on the Utah Beer News YouTube channel.

But I also wanted to share the audio portion with the Utah Beer News podcast listeners. Rather than the more in-depth interviews and brewery histories typical of our podcast episodes, these bite-sized conversations will feature more so-called “newsy” information. We’ll talk about new beer releases, upcoming events, and general happenings at Utah’s craft breweries.

To kick things off, Rob Phillips and Chris Haas, two of the three founders of RoHa Brewing Project in Salt Lake City, graciously agreed to be the test subject for this new format. We recorded our conversation on March 11, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Among the tidbits…

  • We discussed the release of Fuzzy Pucker Peach Sour, the first of a series of three sour beers RoHa plans to release in the coming months. The others: Bumpy Pucker Raspberry Sour and Dimple Pucker Blood Orange Sour.
  • Renovations to the RoHa taproom, which will provide more space for beer drinkers to spread out
  • The upcoming Gemini Hard Seltzer release. RoHa is currently working with the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC) to get its line of seltzer to the public sometime this spring. Two flavors are scheduled so far: Black Cherry and White Grapefruit.

Here’s a full article with a transcript.

Episode 46: 2021 Utah Beer News Beer Bracket Battle

Welcome to the Second Annual Utah Beer News Beer Bracket Battle. Longtime listeners of the podcast might remember that our inaugural Beer Bracket Battle had hit the airwaves just as non-essential businesses were forced to shut down in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

That was last March. It seems like much longer, though, doesn’t it?

Whether or not you’re an NCAA basketball junkie or you couldn’t care less about One Shining Moment, the fact that you’re listening to this podcast means there’s a good chance you’re a fan of Utah craft beer.

For the sake of time (and the health of our livers) we opted to forego a field of 68 or even 64. Rather, we selected our very own Elite Eight. Eight beers from eight different Utah breweries vying for the title of 2021 Utah Beer News Beer Bracket Battle champ.

It’s not really a contest, of course, and there are no prizes awarded. With that in mind, here are a few housekeeping items:

  • This is in no way scientific. It is for entertainment purposes only.
  • We didn’t create spreadsheets evaluating, say, IPA rankings. We didn’t track sales data to learn which beer is Utah’s best-seller. We didn’t look at Untappd ratings.
  • This year I made a concerted effort to grab beers from breweries that weren’t represented in last year’s competition. I also expanded the footprint to include Ogden breweries (next year, I’ll do my best to track down beers from the southern half of the state).
  • I picked up each of the eight beers at the source — the individual breweries. And let me tell you, wouldn’t it be nice to at least have an option to have craft beer delivered to us? Write your representatives.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: It’s Beer Madness! 8 Utah Brews Battle for Title to learn more.

Episode 45: A Utah Beer News Grab Bag 2021

Episode 45 of the Utah Beer News Podcast strays from its typical format. As listeners of the podcast know, generally, I like to sit down with brewers and let them share their stories. But for this episode, it’s just me. I don’t have a guest, but I hope you’ll give it a listen.

Here’s what you can expect in the podcast episode, with approximate timestamps:

  • Introduction 0:00 – 1:35
  • Survey Analysis 1:36 – 18:24
  • Recent/Upcoming Features 18:25 – 21:37
  • Most-Read Articles of 2020 21:38 – 24:07
  • Thoughts on 2020 24:08 – 27:42

Additional Resources:

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: New Podcast Episode: 2021 Survey Analysis; 2020 Top Posts to learn more.

Episode 44: Proper Brewing’s Barrel Program

There’s something to be said for a barrel-aged beer. In an era of “rotation nation” in which beer drinkers clamor for a constant stream of new beers, the time and patience and technique it takes to blend beer and barrel into a single entity — capturing the soul of the base beer and the essence of the barrel is truly something to savor.

Salt Lake City’s Proper Brewing ignited its barrel program in late 2019 with Monolith — an imperial stout aged in grenache and rye barrels. Since then, it has sourced wine and spirits barrels to age a Barleywine, a Double IPA and, most recently, a Gruit — an ancient beer style that substitutes herbs for hops.

Utah Beer News visited with Jeff Bunk, who is spearheading Proper’s barrel program, as well as Jack Kern, the brewery’s head brewer. Among the topics we discussed:

  • How Proper is approaching its barrel program
  • The current barrel-aged releases available to beer drinkers
  • A handful of beers currently aging and expected to be released in the coming months (you might be surprised to learn what’s on deck)

And we delve into a few non-barrel related topics as well, such as:

  • How a sense of camaraderie and cooperation permeates the Utah beer scene — as Jeff and Jack explain, that wasn’t always necessarily the case
  • Some behind-the-beer details on Proper Beer, the brewery’s flagship that took home a gold medal at the 2020 Great American Beer Festival.
  • And a whole lot more!

One note: When you hear “Andrew” and “Rio” mentioned in the podcast, those folks are Andrew Tendick and Rio Connelly, two of Proper Brewing’s founders.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: An Inside Look at Proper Brewing’s Barrel Program to learn more.

Episode 43A (Bonus Episode): Chief Cider Curator Matthew Ostrander

In our last episode, Utah Beer News visited with Chief Cider Curator Matthew Ostrander. Be sure to listen to Episode 43 to get the scoop on how Ibantik Craft Beverages is working to grow the craft cider scene in Utah.

And now, in our second Utah Beer News Bonus Episode, Matthew shares with us additional details about craft cider (and alcohol in Utah in general).

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Ibantik: On a Mission to Grow Craft Cider in Utah to learn more.

Episode 43: Ibantik Craft Beverages

Utah Beer News is here to share stories from brewers, breweries, and everyday imbibers. Well, this time on the podcast we get to chat with our first Chief Cider Curator. Matthew Ostrander holds that title at Ibantik Craft Beverages. Ibantik is an organization whose mission is to grow the craft cider scene in Utah.

Matthew-Ostrander-Ibantik-Chief-Cider-CuratorAnd it’s doing just that. As a Utah-licensed brokerage, Ibantik works with hard cider producers from coast to coast to get craft cider on liquor store shelves and to make them available for consumers to enjoy in Utah’s bars and restaurants.

Ostrander’s first sip of an alcoholic beverage took place in an English pub in the mid-90s. And, you guessed it, it was a cider. Since then, he’s sampled and enjoyed hundreds of hard ciders from all around the world. You can find his tasting notes for many of them on HardCiderReviews.com.

Recently, he visited with Utah Beer News to talk about cider and cider culture. In this episode Ostrander shares insight on:

  • The history of cider in America
  • Why he is so passionate about bringing new craft ciders into Utah
  • What ciders you can expect to find on liquor store shelves now and potentially in the future
  • And why cider is experiencing a boom much like craft beer has experienced in recent years

During our conversation, Matt shared several additional stories and cider facts that didn’t make it into this episode. So, keep your ears open for a bonus episode in the next little while.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Ibantik on a Mission to Grow Craft Cider in Utah to learn more.

Episode 42: Ogden River Brewing

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.

Career railroad conductor and longtime homebrewer Pat Winslow initiated the project with a crowdsourced Kickstarter campaign in 2017. It raised more than $30,000 — surpassing his goal and establishing a good base from which to launch his dream.

But Winslow knew he needed substantially more capital. That’s when Lotus Craft, the hospitality arm of Lotus Company and the parent organization of Ogden River Brewing, entered the picture. Winslow and Bryan Wrigley, Founder and CEO of Lotus Company, shared a vision for what Ogden River Brewing could be. Their friendship grew into a business partnership.

I sat down with the brew team in early November — a week after Ogden River Brewing opened to the public — to learn more about Utah’s newest brewery.

On the podcast you’ll hear from:

  • Pat Winslow, Ogden River’s head brewer.
  • Landon Jeffery, assistant brewer. He won Utah Homebrewer of the Year honors in 2019.
  • And Patrick Bourque, former head brewer at SaltFire and Uinta. He serves as director of brewing for Lotus Craft.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Ogden River Brewing: From Humble Dream to Grand Reality to learn more.

Episode 41A (Bonus Episode): Analyzing a Craft Beer With a BJCP Certified Beer Judge

In our last episode, Utah Beer News visited with Certified Beer Judge Jae Vanderwerf. Be sure to listen to Episode 41 to get the scoop on the Beer Judge Certification Program and a lot of other beer-y stuff related to tasting and analyzing beer.

And now, in this first-ever Utah Beer News Bonus Episode, Jae will take Utah Beer News listeners along for the ride as she judges an actual craft beer.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Utah BJCP Beer Judge: Student-Turned-Teacher to learn more.

Episode 41: Jae Vanderwerf, BJCP Certified Beer Judge

Today on the Utah Beer News Podcast you’ll hear from one of Utah’s relatively few certified beer judges. Jae Vanderwerf, who grew up in Portland and who spent some time in Minnesota, is no stranger to vibrant beer towns. When she arrived in Salt Lake about 18 months ago, she immediately fell in love with the craft beer scene here.

Even before landing in Utah, Jae had passed a pair of tests as part of the Beer Judge Certification Program. That’s to say, she had already earned her stripes as a certified beer judge.

In 2020, Jae sought a way to give back to the beer — specifically, the homebrew —  community that had given her so much joy. So, she began teaching a class to share her exemplary beer-tasting knowledge with others.

In this episode of the podcast we talk about:

  • Jae’s passion for craft beer and homebrewing
  • What it takes — step-by-step — to properly judge a beer
  • And how you can deepen your appreciation for craft beer by participating in a tastings class

Thank you to Jae for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. If you enjoy this type of storytelling, it would mean a lot if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Utah BJCP Beer Judge: Student-Turned-Teacher to learn more.

Episode 40: Beer Zombies Founder Chris Jacobs

Chris Jacobs grew up 45 minutes from Sierra Nevada Brewery in Northern California. He moved to Las Vegas in 1995 and immersed himself in the bar and cocktail scene on the Strip, working in various service industry positions.

Beer ZombiesA few years passed and he started focusing on the craft beer aspect of Las Vegas — which proved to be minimal at the time. Chris began developing beer programs centered on higher-end beers and worked to educate Vegas beer drinkers on the merits of craft beer.

At the same time, Chris’s artistic venture — We Are Zombies — continued to thrive. One day he drew a hop beard on his existing zombie logo and voila — Beer Zombies was born — sort of.

“There was no game plan, no marketing. I didn’t write a business plan,” he says. “It was just an organic idea that turned into a company.”

Beer Zombies, described as a “craft beer lifestyle brand, brewing project, and all-around craft beer ambassador,” hit Vegas in 2013. Since then the brand has expanded and on New Year’s Eve 2019 it opened a location in downtown Salt Lake City.

Utah Beer News caught up with Chris via Zoom as he busily worked on a variety of projects in Las Vegas. He just broke ground on a brewery. He’s preparing for a smaller-scale COVID-era event in mid-November. And he’s planning to open another Beer Zombies location on Black Friday.

During our conversation we discussed:

  • The history of Beer Zombies as a craft beer brand
  • Two beers brewed under the Beer Zombies brand that are available now in Utah
  • And the interesting approach Beer Zombies takes to getting beer into the market while its brewery is under construction
  • How Beer Zombies is weathering 2020 and making plans for 2021

Please take a few minutes to listen to what Chris has to say about beer and the role Beer Zombies hopes to play in Utah’s vibrant craft beer scene.

Thank you to Chris for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. If you enjoy this type of storytelling, it would mean a lot if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice.

The Salt Lake Beer Zombies is located at The Gateway inside HallPass.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Beer Zombies Founder Takes an Artistic Approach to Beer to learn more.

Episode 39: Bar Industry Veteran Ben Raskin

As I mention in the introduction to each episode, we talk to the brewers, breweries, and everyday imbibers who contribute to the Utah craft beer community.

Ben RaskinBen Raskin is an everyday imbiber. But more than that he is someone who knows a thing or two about booze in the Beehive State.

He has owned and managed bars. He has consumed his share of domestic beer and Wild Turkey. I met Ben through a mutual friend — Dave Baker, whom you’ve heard if you’ve listened to any of our seasonal beer episodes.

The first time we met was at Keys on Main close to a decade ago. Not long after, Ben got a daytime job at my former employer. He is a skilled writer and communicator and, as you’ll hear in the following episode, a master storyteller.

Ben is a fan of what we’re doing here on the podcast. I’m excited to hear his opinions on a variety of topics I believe are of interest to the Utah Beer News audience.

We talk about beer, sure. But there’s a whole lot more we dive into — from the life of a Utah bartender to a personal COVID-19 story to his first attempt at homebrewing.

Episode 38: Wasatch Brewery

Utah craft beer enthusiasts today owe a huge debt of gratitude to Wasatch Brewery. The state’s beer scene has exploded in popularity in the last few years with dozens of breweries and hundreds of beers quenching the thirsts of consumers.

But the beer landscape looked drastically different in the mid-1980s when Greg Schirf lobbied the state legislature to be able to open up shop at the top of Main Street in Park City. In 1986, Wasatch became the state’s first modern-day brewery and two years later it opened Utah’s first brewpub.

Since then the Wasatch Brewing brand has expanded and evolved. Yet the brewery that promises to “drink our share and sell the rest” remains a model of consistency and continues to innovate.

I had a chance to visit the historic building at 250 Main and chat with head brewer Nils Imboden. Nils, who joined Wasatch about a decade ago and has been head brewer in Park City for four years, is cranking out about 50 brands each year from the 15-barrel brewhouse. He also coordinates with the larger Wasatch/Squatters production facility in Salt Lake to satisfy the demand for the beer in 23 states nationally.

Wasatch is releasing a handful of new beers between now and the end of the year — everything from a Kellerbier Lime Lager (on shelves now) to a couple of barrel-aged brews to a collaboration with L.A.’s Three Weavers Brewing to a Landbier Swiss-Style Lager that is near and dear to Nils’s heart.

In addition to our discussion about new Wasatch beers, this episode of the podcast includes:

  • The historical significance of Wasatch Brewing in Utah’s craft beer history
  • The advantages that come with Wasatch being part of the CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective
  • A few notes on year-round favorites and recurring seasonal releases, including the popular wild-hop Clothing Hoptional
  • Thoughts on the overall Utah beer scene — where it’s been, where it’s headed
  • And what Nils hopes to be known for as a brewer

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Wasatch Brewery: Driving Innovation at the ‘Top of Main’ to learn more.

Episode 37: Lone Pine Brewing

Lone Pine Brewing Company is nearly 2,500 miles East of Utah Beer News Headquarters (a mere 37-hour drive). But thanks to a distribution deal with Ogden-based Golden Beverage Company, Utah craft beer enthusiasts are now able to enjoy Lone Pine beers without crossing state lines.

Not long ago the award-winning Maine brewery began distributing its beers into Utah. And recently, Utah Beer News had the opportunity to sample three of its offerings—the Oh-J Double IPA, Brightside IPA, and Blueberry Sparkler American Sour Ale. You can visit the Utah Beer News Instagram to see tasting notes on those beers.

Last week I had a chance to visit with John Paul, co-founder and director of business for Lone Pine. We talked about how a Maine-based brewery with distribution in about a dozen states decided to ship its product to Utah. It’s an interesting story with—as you might expect—a bit of a local connection.

We also had a chance to dive into the brewery’s short history and discuss how Lone Pine became the only New England brewery to medal at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival in the super-competitive Juicy or Hazy Imperial IPA category (which is often referred to as New England Style IPA). Its Chaos Emeralds beat out more than 150 entries to nab Bronze.

As social distancing continues, Utah Beer News visited with John Paul via telephone in early August. We talked about a range of topics, including:

  • What the Maine craft beer scene looked like in 2016 when Lone Pine opened its doors and the exceptional growth it’s experienced in the last four years.
  • The philosophy behind Lone Pine and how it became one of the country’s fastest-growing craft breweries.
  • Why Lone Pine decided to start sending its beers to Utah.
  • And we talk about which Lone Pine brews Utah beer drinkers can expect to find in our fair state.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Lone Pine Brewing Taps Utah as a Western Outpost to learn more.

Episode 36: Zólupez Beer Company

Cerveza Zólupez Beer Company - Lager Mexicano - Utah Beer NewsCerveza Zólupez Beer Company sold its first bottle of beer in late 2018. And when it did, the Ogden brewery epitomized the term “small-batch beer.” Javier Chávez Jr., a brewer with a law degree, brewed his beer five gallons at a time with recipes and ingredients that paid homage to his Mexican heritage.

As social distancing continues, Utah Beer News visited with Chávez via telephone in mid-June. Our conversation took place not long after Zólupez released its newest beer: Lager Mexicano. We talked about a range of topics, including:

  • Chávez’s fascinating background, which includes a law degree from Boston College and brewer training at Ballast Point in San Diego
  • What it took to open Zólupez — as well as why the name holds special meaning for the owner and brewer
  • A rundown of tasting notes and origin stories for Zólupez’s most-popular brews
  • How Chávez orchestrated the brewing of Lager Mexicano in Mexico days before cross-border commerce came to a standstill
  • And, as one of the country’s few Latino brewery owners, Chávez shares his thoughts on diversity and inclusiveness in the beer world

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Zólupez Beer Company Honors Mexican Culture, Traditions to learn more.

Episode 35: Virtual Tastings: Hopkins Brewing | Stonewall Sour Saison

Stonewall Sour Saison by Hopkins Brewing

Welcome back for the second of our Virtual Tastings with Utah’s brewers, breweries, and everyday imbibers.

This episode features Chad Hopkins, owner and brewer at Hopkins Brewing. Utah Beer News caught up with Chad on May 6, 2020, to chat about his Stonewall Sour Saison. In addition to talking about the beer, we also discussed how Hopkins is grappling with the current COVID-19 challenges.

If you’re simply dying to see us taste the beer and talk about the brewery, you’re in luck. A Virtual Tastings Video is available now on the Utah Beer News YouTube Channel.

For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com.

Episode 34: Virtual Tastings: RoHa Brewing Project | High on the Hop Lazy IPA

High on the Hop, a 5% "lazy" IPA that's bursting with tropical fruit aromas and flavors.

This episode is slightly different from our typical podcasts. It’s the first of what we will be many Virtual Tastings with Utah’s brewers, breweries, and everyday imbibers.

Our inaugural episode features Rob Phillips, co-founder of RoHa Brewing Project. Utah Beer News caught up with Rob on April 29, 2020, days before RoHa released High on the Hop, a so-called “lazy” IPA. In addition to talking about the beer, we also discussed how RoHa is grappling with the current COVID-19 challenges.

Please forgive the slightly hollow sound quality on this one. I’m working through a few production issues while experimenting-slash-learning about conducting and recording virtual interviews.

If you’re simply dying to see us taste the beer and talk about the brewery, you’re in luck. A Virtual Tastings Video is available now on the Utah Beer News YouTube Channel.

For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com.

Episode 33: Grid City Beer Works

Determined and Resilient. Those are two words that definitely describe the folks responsible for bringing Grid City Beer Works to life. The idea for Utah’s newest brewery began six years ago. Construction got underway in mid-2019. And just weeks before Grid City had planned to open its doors to the public, many businesses were ordered to shut down to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

Grid City Beer Works, from left: Drew Reynolds, CEO; Jeremy Gross, head brewer; Justin Belliveau, president; Ian Clare, chef
Grid City Beer Works, from left: Drew Reynolds, CEO; Jeremy Gross, head brewer; Justin Belliveau, president; Ian Clare, chef

Utah Beer News visited with Grid City Beer Works in its 6,600-square-foot space in late February — days before it held a pre-opening tap takeover party-slash-concert at The Commonwealth Room. The festive atmosphere that night preceded weeks of uncertainty and downright fear.

With its doors still closed to the public, Grid City on April 23 began getting its beer into the hands of eager drinkers by way of crowlers to-go.

I sat down with Drew, Justin, Jeremy, and Ian on Feb. 24. Our conversation touched on a variety of topics, not the least of which was what you can expect to experience when the spacious taproom (and rooftop patio) opens to the public. We also talked about:

  • The beers that Jeremy brewed for the opening — five of which were made available to-go
  • The innovative menu that Chef Ian is preparing — with several items also available for carryout
  • How Grid City went from four walls and not much else to becoming a state-of-the-art brewery
  • And we also discuss how the founders met and what their goals and aspirations are going forward

For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com.

Episode 32: 2020 Utah Beer News Beer Bracket Challenge

Utah Beer News March Madness - GroupThe NCAA may have canceled its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy our own March Madness — Utah Beer News style.

On this episode of the podcast, which we recorded on March 6, 2020, Dave Baker and Tim Haran selected eight beers from eight different breweries to vie for the title in a beer bracket challenge.

For the sake of time (and the health of our livers) we opted to forego a field of 68 or even 64. Rather, we selected our very own Elite Eight. Eight beers from eight different Utah breweries vying for the title of 2020 Utah Beer News Beer Bracket Challenge champ.

It’s not really a contest, of course, and there are no prizes awarded. Taste is subjective. With that in mind, here are a few notes:

  • Again, this isn’t scientific. It’s for entertainment purposes only.
  • In other words, we didn’t create spreadsheets evaluating IPA rankings.
  • We didn’t track sales data to learn which lager is Utah’s best-seller.
  • I selected eight beers that are anecdotally (and sometimes empirically) well-regarded. Or that I simply enjoy.
  • I also tried to pick four head-to-head matchups that compared similar styles and ABV amounts.
  • The beers are also relatively easy to find around Salt Lake (yes, that’s another limitation — we didn’t venture outside the valley to procure the contestants). I purchased all but one at the source (I picked up one beer at my local Harmons after learning it wasn’t available at the brewery’s package agency).

All that said: I hope you enjoy this episode.

For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com.

Episode 31: A Utah Beer News Grab Bag

Utah Beer News | Handcrafted Craft Beer Content to Sip & SavorEpisode 31 of the Utah Beer News Podcast strays from its typical format. As listeners of the podcast know, generally, I like to sit down with brewers and let them share their stories. But for this episode, it’s just me. I don’t have a guest, but I hope you’ll give it a listen.

Here’s what you can expect in the podcast episode, with approximate timestamps:

  • Introduction 0:00 – 1:55
  • Survey Analysis 1:58 – 14:30
  • Recent/Upcoming Features 14:40 – 17:00
  • Most-Read Articles of 2019 17:10 – 21:35
  • Events/Conclusion 21:45 – 27:34

For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com.

Episode 30: RoHa Brewing Project: Striking the Right Balance

Rob Phillips, left, and Chris Haas discuss three beers they find tasty or intriguing.
Rob Phillips, left, and Chris Haas discuss three beers they find tasty or intriguing.

RoHa Brewing Project celebrates its three-year anniversary in April 2020. RoHa may be part of the new-brewery boom in Utah. But its brewer is no stranger to the state’s beer scene. Chris Haas — the Ha in RoHa — arrived in Utah 24 years ago to work for Squatters Craft Beers. Then he spent several years at Desert Edge Pub & Brewery in Trolley Square.

That’s where he met Rob Phillips — the Ro in RoHa. Rob, an engineer by trade, attended a beer school event taught by Haas and asked the brewer if he needed any volunteers to help around the brewery.

Haas said sure. Phillips showed up the next day — that was about 15 years ago now. And the rest, as they say, is history. A third partner — Josh Stern, affectionately known as “The Project” — is a real estate agent who sold Phillips his house when he moved to Utah. The two quickly became drinking buddies.

During our conversation:

  • We discuss the early days — the years of planning and plotting and why Haas describes the period leading up to Opening Day as “living inside a tornado.”
  • We talk about certain decisions RoHa made initially that are paying off for the three-year-old brewery.
  • They share thoughts on the beers available year-round and hint at a few that are in the works (including more in their seasonal lineup).
  • And they each talk about their ultimate goal when it comes to RoHa Brewing Project long-term. Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: RoHa Brewing Project: Striking the Right Balance.

Episode 29: Bonneville Brewery: An All-Star in Tooele

Bonneville Brewery - Dave Watson - Featured - Utah Beer News
Dave Watson is head brewer at Bonneville Brewery, which is located in Tooele, Utah.

You don’t need to live in Salt Lake County to quench your thirst for Utah craft beer. Bonneville Brewery is located 35 miles to the west of the capital city. It’s well worth the drive—not only for the beer but also for the brewpub fare and the stunning scenery.

The two-story pub is spacious. And in warmer months you’re able to enjoy a pint on the patio while taking in views of the Great Salt Lake, Stansbury and Antelope islands, and the Oquirrh Mountains. For non-Utahns, the Great Salt Lake is the remnants of the massive prehistoric Lake Bonneville, the brewery’s namesake.

We sat down with Bonneville Head Brewer Dave Watson to learn more about this somewhat hidden gem. Watson is a former photojournalist who then worked at The Beer Nut Homebrew Shop and Desert Edge Pub in Salt Lake City before helping to open Bonneville Brewery in 2012.

During our conversation:

  • We chat about Watson’s interesting path to Bonneville Brewery
  • We discuss his philosophy when it comes to brewing award-winning beers
  • He shares his thoughts on the Utah craft beer scene and the growth it’s experienced in recent years
  • And he explains the origin story for one of Bonneville’s most-recognizable brews — Free Roller Session IPA

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Bonneville Brewery: An All-Star in Tooele.

Episode 28: Utah Holiday Beers 2019

Dave Baker and Tim Haran discuss — and taste — five Utah craft beers and one hard cider perfect for the holidays (or winter in general).

  • Green Urban Lunch Box Hard Cider (Mountain West Hard Cider)
  • Albion Belgian Tripel (T.F. Brewing)
  • Griswald’s Holiday Ale (Red Rock Brewing)
  • Holiday Ale (Kiitos Brewing)
  • Barrel-Aged Kilted Harley Scottish Ale (Salt Flats Brewing)
  • Pastry Style Stout (Kiitos Brewing)

We also highlight a few beer-themed events happening in Utah between now and the end of the year, talk about bottle shares, and discuss the general state of craft beer in Utah.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Utah Holiday Beers 2019: Celebrate the Season.

Episode 27: Slackwater Pizzeria & Pub

Red Rock Brewery's Buffalo Point Hazy IPA and Slackwater's Joe Pesci sandwich.
Red Rock Brewery’s Buffalo Point Hazy IPA and Slackwater’s Joe Pesci sandwich.

A markedly different craft beer landscape greeted Slackwater Pizzeria and Pub when it opened in Ogden in 2011. The most recent craft beer boom was in its infancy. Utah was still a few years away from embarking on its torrent of brewery openings.

But Slackwater had a vision: A menu driven by innovative pizzas and an extensive beer list that prioritized local offerings. A place for everyday adventurers to enjoy a victory beer celebrating a memorable hike, bike ride, or other outdoor experience.

The cozy pizzeria and pub expanded from a 30-seat spot on the Ogden River to a 200-seat destination for craft beer lovers in Weber County and beyond.

And now Slackwater is expanding to open a restaurant in the south end of the Salt Lake Valley.

We sat down with Blake Hirschi to talk about Slackwater Sandy, which is scheduled to open in early November 2019 at 10290 South State Street. The general manager and point person on the expansion gave us the lowdown on what’s sure to be a popular spot for craft beer enthusiasts.

  • We discussed the history of Slackwater and how the new Sandy location will be an extension of the company’s overall vision
  • Blake dishes key stats on the gorgeous 7,000-square-foot space
  • And we talk about challenges and rewards associated with making a former steakhouse into a South Valley craft beer destination

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Slackwater Sets Sights on Sandy to learn more.

Episode 26: Red Rock Brewery News & Notes

This is a slightly abbreviated episode of the podcast. But I think the Utah craft beer community will find it interesting. Regular listeners will remember that Red Rock Brewery hosted our recent episode about the 2019 Utah Beer Festival.

As part of that conversation, Shantel Stoff, the brewery’s sales and marketing director, gave Utah Beer News listeners an update on a variety of Red Rock-related topics, including:

  • Two new beers that should be hitting the market in the very near future. One is an American Imperial Pilsner and the other is a New England Style IPA.
  • Updates on a few of Red Rock’s special releases.
  • The latest on the construction of a new production facility and the Tap Haus at the Red Rock brewpub in Park City.
  • How Red Rock is approaching the impending law implementation that will allow for beers up to 5% ABV to be sold in grocery and convenience stores.
  • And we also talked briefly about the Utah Consumer Coalition, a nonprofit designed to advocate on behalf of consumers for better beer laws.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Red Rock Brewery: New Beers, Facilities, Initiatives to learn more.

Episode 25: Utah Beer Festival 10th Anniversary Preview

Utah Beer Festival 2019 - Utah Beer News 2The Utah Beer Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2019. It will feature more than 60 breweries pouring 200+ beers over two days. The event takes place Aug. 17-18 at the Utah State Fairpark.

Salt Lake City Weekly organizes the annual event. We visited with City Weekly’s Samantha Smith and Pete Saltas to learn more about the festival’s history and what attendees can expect this year.

Red Rock Brewing hosted this episode of the podcast. The brewery, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019, has participated in the Utah Beer Festival each of the last 10 years. Shantel Stoff, the sales and distribution director for Red Rock, talked a little about the festival’s history and the important role it plays in the community.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Utah Beer Festival 2019: 10th Anniversary Edition to learn more.

And read our 5 takeaways from the 10th-anniversary event.

Episode 24: Talisman Brewing Company

Joann and Dusty Williams, co-owners of Talisman Brewing Company. The Ogden brewery opened in 2016.
Joann and Dusty Williams, co-owners of Talisman Brewing Company. The Ogden brewery opened in 2016.

Ogden is becoming quite the hot spot for craft beer. One brewery that’s contributing to that growth is Talisman Brewing Company. The husband-and-wife-operated brewery opened in 2016. It has served as a trailblazer of sorts for would-be production breweries in the northern part of the state.

We sat down with co-owners Dusty and Joann Williams to learn their story — starting with how they landed on the name Talisman.

A talisman is an emblem of good luck. And, as Joann says: If we’re crazy enough to open a brewery in Utah with no prior professional industry experience, we probably needed a little full-time luck.

It takes more than luck to survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive market. And Joann and Dusty share with us what they are doing to ensure continued success.

In the episode you’ll learn:

  • What brought Dusty and Joann to Utah and into the brewing business
  • The biggest challenges the pair encountered on this journey
  • How the two lean on their unique skillsets to run a successful business
  • And how the community response is helping to guide future plans

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Talisman Brewing: ‘Veteran Owned, Ogden Made’ to learn more.

Episode 23: Hopkins Brewing Company

Chad Hopkins, brewer at Hopkins Brewing Co. in Sugar House.
Chad Hopkins, brewer at Hopkins Brewing Co. in Sugar House.

How would it be to open a brewery a mile from your childhood home? The dream became reality for Chad Hopkins and Hopkins Brewing Company in Sugar House.

Hopkins is an accomplished homebrewer who opened his own spot on New Year’s Eve 2018 in what once housed a furniture store and even another brewery. Barely six months old, the pub on 2100 South is already earning fans by delivering tasty craft beers and offering a homegrown lunch, dinner — and most recently, brunch — menu.

We visited with Chad and bar manager Alicia Border at the brewery. We sipped pints of Hopkins’ Patchwork Pale Ale — a rotating series that features unique malts and hops in each iteration.

In the episode you’ll learn:

  • How Chad’s palate for beer has evolved over the years
  • What it means to manage a brewpub in your hometown
  • Where he finds inspiration for his lineup of craft beers
  • And what the future holds for the Sugar House brewery

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Hopkins Brewing: Homegrown Brewer Living His Dream to learn more.

Episode 22: Utah Brewers Guild Fest

Utah Brewers Guild Fest 2019 - Mike Millen - Utah Beer NewsThe inaugural Utah Brewers Guild Fest is set for June 29 in downtown Salt Lake City. We chatted with Nicole Dicou, the executive director of the Utah Brewers Guild, to learn what makes this event unique.

As you’ll hear in the episode:

  • The Fest features beers from only Utah-based breweries. No non-native brews allowed.
  • In what could be a first-of-its-kind event in Utah, more than 20 participating breweries paired off to concoct a dozen or so creative collaborations.

We were fortunate to speak with two brewers who shared their collaboration beer with Utah Beer News.

Scott Parker of Salt Flats Brewing and Chad Hopkins of Hopkins Brewing Co. talk about a Chile Mango Gose they brewed for the Utah Brewers Guild Fest.

The Utah Brewers Guild Fest is a 21-and-over event that will feature food trucks and music to enjoy while sipping beers. The Guild is going for a street festival vibe in the urban downtown setting of McCarthy Plaza between Main and Regent streets.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Utah Brewers Guild Fest: Collaboration Nation to learn more.

Episode 21: Proper Brewing Co.

Parva Tropicae - Proper Brewing - Beer TastingsWe continue the Proper Brewing Co. conversation we started in Episode 18. This time we sit down with Marketing Director Eleanor Lewis. We talk a bit more about the company’s newest venture — Craft by Proper — that opened in April. But we also delve into the larger Proper Brewing Co. footprint and the Utah craft beer scene in general.

Ellie originally hails from Chicago and arrived in Utah about five years ago. She began her beer career in the Beehive State as a server at Avenues Proper. She now directs the ever-growing company’s marketing and social media efforts.

In this episode, Ellie, who’s also a certified cicerone, shares with Utah Beer News the story of how the Proper name — and Proper Beer — came to be. We also talk about the borderline insanity that accompanies opening two properties in a matter of months. Stratford Proper Café & Bistro opened in Salt Lake in December 2018. And Craft by Proper — Utah’s Only Utah-Only Beer Bar — opened its doors in April 2019.

We touch on the growing Utah craft beer scene and Ellie gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives production. The popular Food Network series featured Proper Burger Co. in January.

Episode 20: Lagerpalooza, Salt City Brew Supply, & Bewilder Brewing

Lagerpalooza 2019 - Featured - Utah Beer NewsWhen it comes to homebrewing, Ross Metzger and Cody McKendrick are familiar names in Utah. The longtime friends opened Salt City Brew Supply in 2011 and later expanded to open Ogden City Brew Supply.

The homebrew shop owners also help organize the annual Lagerpalooza beer competition and festival at Bohemian Brewery. The 5th Annual Lagerpalooza is scheduled to take place on May 5, 2019. This is an opportunity for homebrewers to challenge themselves by brewing a lager. It’s also a chance for craft beer lovers to enjoy an array of local lagers from Bohemian and other Utah breweries.

We sat down to talk with Ross and Cody about Lagerpalooza but we couldn’t help but explore a few other things the pair has going on right now:

  • We discuss the success of Salt City Brew Supply and get some insight into how it’s helped support an ever-expanding homebrewing community.
  • And we also talk about the duo’s newest venture — Bewilder Brewing. It’s a downtown Salt Lake City craft brewery eyeing a July 2019 opening. You can help support the endeavor by checking out their Kickstarter campaign. We’ll include a link in the show notes and in the accompanying article on UtahBeerNews.com.

Approximate Time Stamps:

  • Introduction 0:00 – 3:10
  • Lagerpalooza 3:10 – 12:50
  • Salt City Brew Supply 12:50 – 33:40
  • Bewilder Brewing 33:40 – 48.25

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: 5th Annual Lagerpalooza Showcases Local Lagers to learn more.

Episode 19: Tour de Brewtah 2019: The Brewth is Out There

Tour de Brewtah - Poster 2The 10th Annual Tour de Brewtah is a bike-meets-brewery event in Salt Lake and Ogden. It’s scheduled for blast off May 4. May the Fourth be with you!

We spoke with Brandon Smith, a distiller at Dented Brick Distillery in Salt Lake City, who’s part of the organizing committee. In our telephone conversation, he shares details about the event that brings together cyclists and craft beer enthusiasts to tour our ever-expanding “brewiverse.”

Not into cycling but still want to have a good time? The Tour de Brewtah includes a full-on beer festival at The Gateway where you can bring the family, relax, and enjoy pints from many of the breweries on the Tour.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Tour de Brewtah: Prepare for Launch to learn more about the event.

Episode 18: Craft by Proper: Utah’s Only Utah-Only Beer Bar

We take you behind the scenes into what should be a popular destination for craft beer lovers. Craft by Proper is billed as Utah’s Only Utah-Only Beer Bar. It’s located in the heart of Sugar House and opened April 19, 2019. It features 36 tap handles and 80+ different cans and bottles from breweries all around the Beehive State.

This episode is actually split into two parts. The part you’re about to hear features Proper Brewing Brewer and Co-Owner Rio Connelly.

The second part, which will be released in the coming weeks, features Proper Brewing’s Marketing Director Eleanor Lewis. In that one we talk a bit more about Craft by Proper. But we also delve into the larger Proper Brewing Co. footprint and the Utah craft beer scene in general. Look for that one soon.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Craft by Proper: Utah’s Only Utah-Only Beer Bar to learn more about the unique beer bar.

Episode 17: A View of the Brew at UTOG Brewing in Ogden

Carson Foss, owner and brewmaster at UTOG Brewing Co.On this episode of the podcast we return to Ogden, Utah. We speak with Carson Foss, co-owner and brewer of soon-to-be-opened UTOG Brewing Company.

Utah Beer News sat down to talk to the proprietor of what will be Ogden’s newest brewery and restaurant. Final inspections were taking place during our visit and UTOG hopes to be pouring its first pints in April 2019.

Carson, who is a former airline pilot and an award-winning homebrewer, put his heart and soul — and two years of his life — into building a truly unique brewery. In this episode:

  • Carson takes us through the ins-and-outs of his 15-barrel brewhouse. For starters, construction included hauling away 90,000 pounds of concrete to build a spectacular “brew pit” that allows guests a front-row view to the brewing process.
  • We discuss the incredible feats of engineering required to turn a building with a fascinating history into a state-of-the-art brewery and restaurant.
  • And we walk through the lineup of beers that you can expect to enjoy once UTOG Brewing opens to the public in the coming weeks.

Oh, and baseball fans — like me — will love the planned patio that practically butts up against the outfield of Lindquist Field, home to the Ogden Raptors minor-league baseball team. Beer, baseball, and summertime. That sounds pretty good right about now.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: A View of the Brew at UTOG Brewing Co. to learn more about the brewery.

Episode 16: Roosters Flying High with New B Street Brewery

Roosters Brewing Co.'s Head Brewer Jacquie King, left, and Brewery Engineer Colton Layton.
Roosters Brewing Co.’s Head Brewer (Ogden) Jacquie King, left, and Brewery Engineer Colton Layton.

Founded in 1995 on Ogden’s Historic 25th Street, Roosters Brewing Co. is one of the oldest breweries in the state. Our visit, however, took us to the newest jewel in the Roosters crown — the B Street Brewery. It’s a beautiful 30-barrel production brewery and taproom that opened in December 2018.

We open the show talking briefly with Colton Layton, Roosters Brewery Engineer. But he only had a few minutes before he needed to head downstairs to oversee the latest canning run of Patio Pilsner.

From there, we dive into the past, the present, and the future with Roosters Head Brewer (Ogden) Jacquie King.

  • We talk about the legacy of Roosters Brewing in Ogden and how it helped to revitalize Historic 25th Street
  • We discuss Jacquie’s role as head brewer and how she is a well-respected advocate for the Utah craft beer community
  • And we chat about a few events Roosters has planned to celebrate Women’s History Month

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Roosters Flying High with New B Street Brewery to learn more about the brewery.

Episode 15: Hoppers Grill & Brewing: ‘Boutique’ Brewery a Perfect Fit

Hoppers Grill and Brewing is a Midvale institution and one of Utah’s longest running breweries. The brewpub opened in 1996 and is located at 890 East Fort Union Boulevard. It’s known for brewing award-winning lagers and offering tasty pub food.

Utah Beer News traveled to Hoppers to visit with Marketing Manager Natalie Rogers and General Manager Brock Blonquist.

  • They sit down to discuss the brewery’s history and how it came to be locally owned and operated. It’s a fascinating journey propelled by a hole-in-one.
  • I ask if they believe Hoppers sometimes gets overlooked — especially with all the new up-and-coming breweries in the state.
  • And we chat about the future of beer in the Beehive and the role Hoppers hopes to play as a longstanding member of the Utah beer community.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Hoppers Grill & Brewing: ‘Boutique’ Brewery a Perfect Fit to learn more about the beer directly from brewmaster Donovan Steele.

Episode 14: Level Crossing Brewing on Track to Open in South Salt Lake

Mark Medura, Level Crossing Brewing Company owner.
Mark Medura, Level Crossing Brewing Company owner.

Level Crossing Brewing is set to open in South Salt Lake in March 2019. On this episode of the podcast, you’ll hear from three key players on:

  • The joys and challenges of starting a brewery from scratch
  • The booming craft beer scene in Utah
  • Their favorite local beers of the moment
  • And we even touch on some political stuff
  • Plus, we talk about the beers that will be available when Level Crossing Brewing opens to the public

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: All Aboard! Level Crossing Rolls Into South Salt Lake.

Episode 13: Salt Flats Brewing Puts Foot on the Gas

Salt Flats Brewing isn’t a stranger to moving fast and jockeying for position. Its tradition is steeped in high-powered, high-performance racecars.

And that’s where the name Salt Flats Brewing comes in — an homage to the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats located 125 miles west of the brewery.

Utah Beer News visited the brewery to talk about the history of Salt Flats as well as its current projects and its ambitious plans for the future.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Salt Flats Brewing Puts Foot on the Gas.

Episode 12: Solstice Malt Founder Puts Heart & Soul Into His Craft

Solstice Malt - James Weed - Featured - Utah Beer NewsSolstice Malt is Utah’s first malting operation in more than a half-century. Its founder, James Weed, in many ways is a throwback to a time when maltsters manually turned grain into the so-called “soul of beer.”

Hear Weed explain the three main stages of malting, as well as how he largely built his malt house from the ground up.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read the accompanying article: Solstice Malt Founder Puts Heart & Soul Into His Craft.

Episode 11: Utah Craft Beers to Sip During the Holidays

Winter-Holiday Beers - Featured - Utah Beer NewsDave Baker and Tim Haran savor the last days of warm weather while discussing — and tasting — seven Utah craft beers perfect for the colder days ahead.

  • Brut Style India Pale Ale (Kiitos Brewing)
  • Griswald’s Holiday Ale (Red Rock Brewing)
  • Young Bruin Sour Brown Ale (Toasted Barrel Brewing)
  • Sweet Dreams Imperial Porter (Shades Brewing)
  • It’s Not Just For Breakfast Stout (2 Row Brewing)
  • Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout (Epic Brewing)
  • Barrel Aged Barley Wine Ale (Kiitos Brewing)

We also highlight a few beer-themed events happening in Utah between now and the end of the year.

Once you’re finished listening to the podcast, be sure to read Dave’s accompanying article: Unwrap a Six Pack of Utah Holiday Beers.

Episode 10: Meet Utah Homebrewer, Pilot, Bassoonist Ryan Van Liere

Ryan Van Liere — The Flying Bassoonist — and his homebrew setup.
Ryan Van Liere — The Flying Bassoonist — and his homebrew setup.

Ryan Van Liere — known to many as The Flying Bassoonist — is a Utah-based homebrewer who also happens to play the not-so-common bassoon and pilot/build aircraft.

Utah Beer News sat down with Van Liere to learn how he got started in homebrewing, where he found his love for craft beer, and what he thinks of the Utah craft beer scene.

One quick clarification from the audio interview: Big Bad Baptist (not Son of a Baptist) from Epic Brewing Co. is one of Van Liere’s beers of the moment.

Once you’re finished listening, be sure to check out the accompanying website article as well: Meet a Homebrewer Who Plays Bassoon and Flies Airplanes.

Episode 9: Shades Brewing — New Branding & Kveik Updates

Shades of Pale Brewing Co., founded in 2010, is switching its public-facing name to simply Shades Brewing.
Shades of Pale Brewing Co., founded in 2010, is switching its public-facing name to simply Shades Brewing.

In some ways, it’s always been simply Shades Brewing. It’s rare for someone to refer to the South Salt Lake brewery by its formal name — Shades of Pale Brewing Company.

So Shades is going all-in to better leverage what it believes to be strong name recognition and brand equity.

Utah Beer News talks with Shades CMO Dave Murray about the shift, which goes deeper than merely a name change and label reboot. Instead, it’s positioning Shades as an identity, a personality.

We also chat with Trent Fargher, Shades founder, about what’s next for the line of kveik golden sour ales. The brewery is fresh off a gold-medal win at the Great American Beer Festival for its Kveik 1.

Once you’re finished listening, be sure to check out the accompanying website article as well: Shades Brewing Unveils New Name, Branding.

Episode 8: Craft Beer Educator — Eric Meyer of Purgatory Bar

Eric Meyer, manager of Purgatory bar in Salt Lake City, is passionate about craft beer and he enjoys sharing that passion with others through craft beer education.
Eric Meyer, manager of Purgatory bar in Salt Lake City, is passionate about craft beer and he enjoys sharing that passion with others through craft beer education.

Eric Meyer manages Purgatory bar in Salt Lake City. Even though it’s known for fun, unique cocktails, Purgatory’s laid back atmosphere, upscale food, and attention to its beer menu, draws a beer-drinking crowd. Its selection includes 60+ varieties of bottled/canned beers and 20 tap handles.

Utah Beer News sits down to chat with Meyer to talk about beer and taste a few local brews. Included in the episode:

  • Meyer is studying to become a Certified Cicerone®. What does that mean?
  • We taste — and evaluate — three local beers. Hop Nosh IPA (Uinta Brewing), Double Trub’l IIPA (Shades Brewing), and Bobcat Nutbrown Ale (Red Rock Brewing)
  • Meyer talks about a new beer bar — Boiler Room — that’s in the works

Once you’re finished listening, be sure to check out the accompanying website article as well: Craft Beer Education: Eric Meyer’s Class is in Session.

Episode 7: Fall Beers — From Oktoberfest to Pumpkin Spice

Fall drinking means letting the leaves be your guide. You can switch to suds with a little more color — amber, copper, etc. Dave Baker and Tim Haran sit down to sip and evaluate five fall beers perfect for the season. They also talk about the origins of Oktoberfest and highlight a couple local events happening around town.

Once you’re finished listening, be sure to check out the accompanying website article as well: Fall Beers: From Oktoberfest to Pumpkin Spice.

Episode 6: 2 Row Brewing’s Brian Coleman

 

Brian Coleman, 2 Row Brewing President and Brewmaster, at his brewery in Midvale, Utah.
Brian Coleman, 2 Row Brewing President and Brewmaster, at his brewery in Midvale, Utah.

2 Row Brewing, which opened in 2015 in Midvale, Utah, helped to usher in a new wave of breweries in the Beehive State. Brian Coleman, founder and president, sat down with Utah Beer News to talk about his love for brewing. Our wide-ranging interview touches on several beer-related topics:

  • 2 Row Brewing’s wild ride to opening up shop
  • The value of developing your palate for beer
  • The brewery’s approach to its social media
  • How 2 Row’s super-cool bottle labels came about

And much more! Be sure to check out the accompanying website article as well: 2 Row Brewing: A Breath of Fresh Beer

Episode 5: Utah Beer Event Grab Bag

It’s not a question of which beer event to attend. But rather how many can I squeeze into my day? This episode of the podcast takes listeners on a Hops Hunters Hike and to downtown Salt Lake City for the annual Pie & Beer Day festivities. It also crosses state lines to visit the Evanston Brewfest. The episode accompanies an article that discusses even more beer-related events. Check it out.

Episode 4: Utah Summer BBQ Beers

Utah Summer BBQ Beers - Bucket of BeersUtah Beer News discusses a handful of craft beers perfect for your next summer BBQ or other gathering. David Baker and Tim Haran talk about six beers, each of which is readily available at your local Utah grocery store. David writes about these six and adds four more in his article 10 Utah Craft Beers Perfect for Your Next BBQ. Don’t go to your next get-together unprepared! Listen to what beers you should be taking with you to be the hit of your BYOB BBQ.

Episode 3: Mountain West Hard Cider

The Mountain West Hard Cider lineup: Ruby, Cottonwood, 7 Mile, and Desolation.
The Mountain West Hard Cider lineup: Ruby, Cottonwood, 7 Mile, and Desolation.

In June, Mountain West Hard Cider invited Utah Beer News to tour their cidery in the Marmalade District of Salt Lake City. Mountain West is the first established cidery in Utah. I chatted with Laci Brown — aka “Ciderella” — and Jess Pechmann. During our conversation I learned a lot about the cidering process and the products Mountain West offers. We also talked about how Mountain West works diligently to build a community around its ciders. The latest example is The Garten, an all ages, outdoor gathering place next to Mountain West. Events are planned throughout the summer.

Episode 2: Hops on the Hill

Hops on the Hill - Chef Zane Holmquist GrillUtah Beer News attended the season-opening Hops on the Hill event at picturesque Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City, Utah. It pairs craft beer with delectable food. Live music is also on the menu. We chatted with Chef Zane Holmquist, as well as representatives from RoHa Brewing Project and Squatters Craft Beers. The series, now in its sixth summer, runs each Tuesday through Aug. 28, 2018.

Episode 1: Shades Brewing Company

Shades Brewing brewed three beers featuring kveik, a unique yeast strain that delivers tropical notes.
Shades Brewing brewed three beers featuring kveik, a unique yeast strain that delivers tropical notes.

Utah Beer News sat down with Shades Brewing Company‘s Trent Fargher and Marcio Buffolo to discuss the brewery’s history. The majority of the interview, however, centers on kveik — an ancient yeast the brewers are using to create a series of golden sour beers.

Since we first visited with Shades, the brewery’s gone all in on its American Sour Ale series. Not only did Kveik 1 win a gold medal at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival, but the brewery’s since produced dozens of creative — and popular — variations on the original.