From Big Air to Big Ales: Utah’s Best Local Craft Brew Picks
Local favorites to pair with your après-ski dining
Here's the thing about the craft brewing scene in Utah: it's thriving.
We don't have the most microbreweries per capita. That distinction belongs to Vermont. In terms of total beer consumption, Utah drinks the least in the nation (states such as Nevada, New Hampshire and North Dakota are variously cited as No. 1 and No. 2 here). While Utahns don't drink much, we do drink well: Utah-based breweries annually take home coveted medals from the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) and other high-profile national and international competitions.
Here are some must-try local brews to pair with the end of a great day of skiing or riding:
Fisher Brewing: Fisher Beer
At Fisher Brewing, more than 100 unique beers are crafted each year. But one that stays the same is the Fisher Beer, a clean and crisp American-style lager that is the foundation of the brewery. You'll always find it on tap, alongside a parade of more experimental ales and lagers.
Templin Family Brewing: Wicked Sea Party Hazy Pale Ale
Specializing in traditional lager style beers, you'll find 13 taps on pour at the Temple Family taproom. Give their Wicked Sea Party Hazy Pale Ale a try. One of their most popular beers on draft, it's a New England-style hazy pale ale that's high on the hop aromatics and low on the bitterness.
Squatters Pub: Hop Rising Double IPA
With its copper color, strong hops and sweet malty taste, Squatters’ Hop Rising is a pale ale lover’s new best friend. With three locations, you’ll have no trouble finding something “good for what ales you” at Squatters.
Wasatch Brewery: Polygamy Porter
Beloved as much for its taste as its tongue-in-cheek name, Wasatch’s Polygamy Porter is on the Mount Rushmore of Utah craft beers. With nutty malts, caramel hops and a chocolaty finish, Polygamy Porter is an attention getter.
Epic Brewing Company: Pfeifferhorn Lager
For those who like a brew with some European flare. Epic’s Pfeifferhorn Lager combines subtle malt flavors, herbal hops, and crispy finish. It’s one of the best things that’ll ever hit you in the lips.
Uinta Brewing: Bristlecone Brown Ale
Earth, wind and beer — what more do you need in life? The Bristlecone Brown Ale from Uinta Brewing is a smooth-bodied brew that combines nutty dryness with a hint of fruit flavors. Deep and vast, it’s the perfect Utah winter accompaniment.
Red Rock Brewery
Red Rock’s Amber Ale is a tip-of-the-cap to the Pacific Northwest. Known for its aromatic blend of sweet hops, tangy malt and coffee-like finish, it’s the type of brew that’ll wake you up and kick you right back into gear.
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