Utah Beer News

The 2022 Lagerpalooza is set for May 7. The two-part event features one of the country's largest—if not the largest—lager-specific homebrew competition. Plus: The festival portion of Lagerpalooza returns after a Covid-19-imposed hiatus. Judging for the homebrew competition is set to take place on April 30. The all-ages festival starts at noon on May 7 in the parking lot of Bohemian Brewery in Midvale. The lager-focused brewery is located at 94 East Fort Union Boulevard. Medals will be awarded to homebrew competition winners, KUAA will be playing tunes, and a cornhole tournament is planned. And Johnny the Balloon Guy will be dazzling kids and adults alike with his balloon animal-making skills. Plus: Plenty of local craft beers will be poured and you'll have a chance to sip the Best of Show winner from Lagerpalooza 2020 — Nala's Nectar. Brewed by Chaz Smith, proceeds from the sale of Nala's Nectar benefit the Davis County Animal Shelter. Utah Beer News sat down with representatives from Lagerpalooza, which is a collaboration between Bohemian Brewery, Salt City Brew Supply and Bewilder Brewing. We visited with Kelly Schaefer and Sasha Taddie from Bohemian, and Cody McKendrick from Salt City and Bewilder. Chaz Smith also joined us to talk about Nala's Nectar, which we tasted straight from the tank during our recording. We recorded this episode on April 7—National Beer Day—at Bohemian Brewery. Thanks to the folks from Lagerpalooza for taking the time to visit. And thank you for listening. If you enjoy this type of storytelling, I'd really appreciate it if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. And now, let's dive in to learn more about Lagerpalooza, as well as Bohemian Brewery, Salt City Brew Supply, and Bewilder Brewing. For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 71 | April 25, 2022

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. I like to share these mini-podcasts for your listening pleasure in case you're on the go and can't be distracted with the video portion of the episode. This month Joey highlights three beers that are worth checking out. The three beers we talk about this month are: War on Xmas White Milk Stout with Spices (Illuminated Brew Works) Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2021 Winter Warmer (Anchor Brewing) Cinnamon Dolce Nitro Stout (Firestone Walker Brewing) 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. Thanks to Joey 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 70 | December 8, 2021

You're listening to our Virtual Taproom 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. 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 tim@utahbeernews.com. For this one, Jeff talks about the distinction between Park City Brewery, which had operated in Utah for several years, and this new venture — Park City Brewing. He also describes the beers that are available out of the gate, the 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, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page. Thanks to Jeff 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 69 | November 11, 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. I like to share these mini-podcasts for your listening pleasure in case you're on the go and can't be distracted with the video portion of the episode. This month Joey highlights three beers that are worth checking out. The three beers we talk about this month are: Pumpkin Spice Latte (Pipeworks Brewing) Sword of Surtr (Mason Ale Works) Heavy Metal Parking Lot (SaltFire Brewing) 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. Thanks to Joey 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 68 | November 8, 2021

You're listening to our Virtual Taproom 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. 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 tim@utahbeernews.com. For this one, we get to hear about an important beer now pouring at Wasatch Brewery locations. Brave Noise Beer is a nationwide 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. Thanks to Libby and Kristin 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 67 | October 20, 2021

You're listening to our Virtual Taproom 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. 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 tim@utahbeernews.com. 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 October 5, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page. Thanks to Joann 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 66 | October 14, 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. I like to share these mini-podcasts for your listening pleasure in case you're on the go and can't be distracted with the video portion of the episode. This month Joey highlights three beers that are worth checking out. The three beers we talk about this month are: Hop vs. Hop — Strata Fresh Hopped IPA (Proper Brewing) Haile's Comet — Comet Fresh Hopped IPA (T.F. Brewing) Hop Rising Hazy Double IPA (Squatters Craft Beers) 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. Thanks to Joey 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 65 | October 6, 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. I like to share these mini-podcasts for your listening pleasure in case you're on the go and can't be distracted with the video portion of the episode. This month Joey highlights three beers that are worth checking out. The three beers we talk about this month are: Black O'Lantern Pumpkin Stout (Wasatch Brewery) Oktober Fest-Märzen (Ayinger Privatbrauerei) Pumpkin Kerfuffle Sour with Pumpkin Spices and Marshmallow (Prairie Artisan Ales) 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. Thanks to Joey 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 64 | September 15, 2021

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  Enjoy the episode! Episode 63 | Aug. 18, 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. I like to share these mini-podcasts for your listening pleasure in case you're on the go and can't be distracted with the video portion of the episode. This month Joey highlights three beers that are worth checking out. The three beers we talk about this month are: Mother Puckin' Mango Sour Ale (UTOG Brewing) Rational Gaze Hazy Double IPA (Falling Knife Brewing Company in collaboration with Ology Brewing) Fruit Creep Hazy Double IPA (Illuminated Brew Works) 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. Thanks to Joey 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 62 | August 11, 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. I like to share these mini-podcasts for your listening pleasure in case you're on the go and can't be distracted with the video portion of the episode. This month Joey highlights three beers that are worth checking out. The three beers we talk about this month are: Collaboration IPA (Wasatch Brewery / Three Weavers Brewing) Dank Nugs Triple IPA (2 Row Brewing) Tropical Grasslands Barrel-Aged Gose (Cascade Brewing) 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. Thanks to Joey 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 61 | July 9, 2021

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. Red Rock is an important player in Utah craft beer. I hope you'll find learning more about the past, present, and future of Red Rock as interesting as I did. Thanks to Erika and Kevin for taking the time to visit with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy hearing more about Red Rock Brewery. 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. And now, let's dive in to learn more about Red Rock Brewery. For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 60 | June 28, 2021

When 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 South 300 West 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 Thanks to Kevin for taking the time to visit with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy hearing more about T.F. Brewing. If you enjoy this type of storytelling, I'd really appreciate it if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. And now, let's dive in to learn more about Kevin Templin and Templin Family Brewing. For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 59 | June 10, 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. I like to share these mini-podcasts for your listening pleasure in case you're on the go and can't be distracted with the video portion of the episode. This month Joey highlights three beers that are worth checking out. The three beers we talk about this month are: El Fruti Boi Milkshake IPA (Bewilder Brewing) Goses Are Red (The Bruery Terreux) Lavender Lemonade Berliner Weisse (D.C. Brau Brewing Company) Give a listen to learn more about these three beers. Joey also gives us the scoop on events happening at Slackwater in June 2021 — including not one, but two tap takeovers featuring a pair of popular local breweries. And finally, one item we had planned to talk about but neglected to discuss 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 June 7, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page. Thanks to Joey 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 58 | June 8, 2021

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 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 (or read the article). 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. Thanks to Mark and Chris for taking the time to visit with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy hearing more about Level Crossing Brewing. If you enjoy this type of storytelling, I’d really appreciate it if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. And now, let’s dive in to learn more about Level Crossing Brewing Company and its Red Feather Small-Batch series. For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 57 | May 20, 2021

You’re about to listen to 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. That said, if breweries would like their American Craft Beer Week events included on the site, please feel free to send along the details to tim@utahbeernews.com. 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 56 | May 10, 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: Lev Lion Lager (Měšťanský pivovar Havlíčkův Brod) Hofbräu Original Helles (Staatliches Hofbräuhaus München) Weihenstephaner Helles (Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan) 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. Thanks to Joey 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 55 | May 8, 2021

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. And thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy hearing more about the sales and marketing side of beer. If you enjoy this type of storytelling, I’d really appreciate it if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 54 | May 5, 2021

You’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 tim@utahbeernews.com. 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 53 | April 28, 2021

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. 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. For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 52 | April 26, 2021

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 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. If you enjoy this type of storytelling, I’d really appreciate if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. And now, let’s jump in to learn more about Upslope Brewing. For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 51 | April 19, 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: Solarized Yuzu Double IPA (Odell Brewing) Barrel-Aged Pentagram Dark Sour (Surly Brewing) Quarantine Dreams Hazy Double IPA (Revision Brewing) 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. Thanks to Joey 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 50 | April 6, 2021

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. 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 send me an email at tim@utahbeernews.com. 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). If you enjoy this type of storytelling, I’d really appreciate if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. Enjoy the episode! Episode 49 | March 27, 2021

You’re listening to the second in what I hope will be several so-called 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. 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 tim@utahbeernews.com. This time we don’t visit a taproom. Rather, we visit 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: Caravan Double IPA (Uinta Brewing) Brunch Beer Grapefruit Wheat Ale (Proper Brewing) 10 Ton Truck IPA (SaltFire Brewing) We recorded our conversation on March 19, 2021, and, as I mentioned, you can catch the full video on our YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook Page. Thanks to Joey 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). If you enjoy this type of storytelling, I’d really appreciate if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. Enjoy the episode! Episode 48 | March 22, 2021

You’re listening to 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. 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 tim@utahbeernews.com. 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. Thanks to Rob and Chris 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 it if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. Enjoy the episode! Episode 47 | March 19, 2021

Welcome to the 2nd 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? As a refresher, in our first competition, my buddy Dave Baker and I matched up eight local beers in head-to-head tastings. We pitted IPAs against each other, for instance, in one matchup and dark beers in another. Templin Family Brewing’s Granary Kellerbier bested seven other beers to come out on top a year ago. And now here we are back for another go. This time we have selected eight different beers from eight different breweries — and none of the beers or breweries are repeats from the inaugural battle. Plus, we have an additional taster. Dave is back, but this time we also welcome Ben Raskin. You might know Benny from Episode 39 of the Utah Beer News Podcast. Ben is an everyday imbiber. But more than that he is someone who knows a thing or two about booze in the Beehive State. If you’re new to the podcast, as a reminder, Dave Baker is a longtime craft beer connoisseur and an award-winning homebrewer. He also is a professional writer and editor (as is Ben). 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. For an accompanying article about the 2021 Utah Beer News Beer Bracket Battle, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 46 | March 15, 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: 2020 Utah Beer Year in Review 2021 Utah Beer News Survey Results Top 5 Articles of 2020 Coronavirus Outbreak: Utah Breweries React & Respond Grid City Beer Works: Where Innovation & Tradition Meet Coronavirus Update No. 8: Breweries Get Go-Ahead to Reopen Coronavirus Update No. 2: Utah Breweries Show Resilience Ogden Beer: A Thriving Craft Beer Scene in Northern Utah For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 45 | March 8, 2021

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. Thank you to Jeff and Jack for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. If you enjoy this type of storytelling, I’d appreciate if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. And now, let’s jump in to learn more about Proper Brewing and its booming barrel program. For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 44 | February 9, 2021

In Episode 43 of the Utah Beer News Podcast, we visited with Matthew Ostrander, Chief Cider Curator at Ibantik Craft Beverages. Be sure to give that episode a listen to learn all about the good work Ibantik is doing to help grow the craft cider scene in Utah. Matthew provided us with so much insight into craft cider — and alcohol in Utah in general — that I couldn’t fit it in a single episode. The following Bonus Episode features snippets I hope you find interesting. Among the tidbits: Matthew answers my question about overall craft cider production We talk about the lack of cold storage in Utah liquor stores and the impact that does or doesn’t have on craft cider Matthew discusses what could constitute a “bad” cider — and he also offers up a cool story about his first cider (which decidedly wasn’t a bad one) We delve a bit into Matthew’s mission to find a cider that he could mistake for beer — and he found one Matthew lets everyday consumers know how they can place a special order for their favorite cider And we discuss the current alcohol darling — hard seltzer — and how its popularity is affecting craft cider For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the bonus episode! Episode 43A | February 4, 2021

As I mention in each introduction, 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. And 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 Plus, we chat about two places you have an opportunity to learn even more about craft cider: He takes to Instagram Live to host Cider Saturdays — an informal chat about and tastings of interesting ciders. And coming up is a series of Cider Pairing Meals. The first is set for Sunday, January 31, 2021, at Hopkins Brewing in Sugar House. You can visit Hopkins Brewing on Facebook for additional details and to purchase tickets to the five-course brunch. And keep an eye on Ibantik’s social media for future cider pairing meals. Thank you to Matthew for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. If you enjoy this type of storytelling, I’d appreciate it if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. And now, let’s jump in to learn more about Ibantik Craft Beverages and its Chief Cider Curator Matthew Ostrander. For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 43 | January 25, 2021

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. Thank you to Pat, Landon, and Patrick for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. If you enjoy this type of storytelling, I’d appreciate if you could please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. And now, let’s jump in to learn more about Ogden River Brewing. For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 42 | December 10, 2020

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. For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 41A | November 24, 2020

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 By the way, stay tuned—in an upcoming “Bonus” episode, Jae will take Utah Beer News listeners along for the ride as she judges a local craft beer. 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. For an accompanying article, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. And now, let’s dive right in to learn more about Jae Vanderwerf, BJCP Certified Judge. Enjoy the episode! Episode 41 | November 10, 2020

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. A 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 40 | October 30, 2020

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 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. Thank you to Ben for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. Enjoy the episode! Episode 39 | October 8, 2020

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 a couple 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 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 Thank you to Nils for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. Let’s dive right in with the Wasatch story. For an accompanying article about Wasatch Brewery, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 38 | August 24, 2020

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 development 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. Thank you to John for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening.  For an accompanying article about Lone Pine Brewing, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 37 | August 10, 2020

Cerveza 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 much as he tried, Chávez just couldn’t find a lineup of craft beers that not only paired well with Mexican food but that also honored Mexican culture and tradition. And so started Zólupez Beer Company. In the beginning, Chávez struggled to keep his beer store stocked. And at festivals, he would usually pour his last sample long before the last call. “It was frustrating to everybody involved, including myself,” Chávez remembers. But now, thanks to an agreement with Uinta Brewing Company, Zólupez beers are readily available (in Utah and Idaho, at least). Even more, Chávez says plans are in the works to build a brewpub of its own — complete with Zólupez beers and the authentic Mexican food that helped to put Chávez’s professional brewing ambitions in motion. 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 Thank you to Javier for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening.  For an accompanying article about Cerveza Zólupez Beer Company, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 36 | June 29, 2020

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. And if audio and video aren’t enough, don’t you worry — there's an article that provides additional tasting notes and information about Stonewall Sour Saison. Check that out on utahbeernews.com. Episode 35 May 20, 2020

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. And if audio and video aren’t enough, don’t you worry — there's an article that provides additional tasting notes and information about High on the Hop Lazy IPA. Check that out on utahbeernews.com. Episode 34 May 15, 2020

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. 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 February 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 Thanks to the folks at Grid City Beer Works for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News. And thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy the episode. For an accompanying article about Grid City Beer Works, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 33 | May 11, 2020

The 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. I really like these tasting podcasts with Dave because he’s so knowledgeable about craft beer. If you’re new to the podcast, Dave is a longtime craft beer connoisseur and an award-winning homebrewer. He also is a professional writer and editor and a contributor to utahbeernews.com. Thank you for listening. Please sit back and enjoy the episode. For an accompanying article about the 2020 Utah Beer News Beer Bracket Challenge, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 32 | March 16, 2020

Episode 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. Enjoy the episode! Episode 31 | March 9, 2020

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. 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. Utah Beer News visited with Rob Phillips and Chris Haas to learn more about how the RoHa Brewing Project came to be and what the future holds for the Salt Lake-based brewery. During our conversation: We discuss the early days — the years of planning and plotting and why Haas describes 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. Thanks to Rob Phillips and Chris Haas for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News about RoHa Brewing Project. And thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy the episode. For an accompanying article about RoHa Brewing Project, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 30 | Feb. 5, 2020

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 For an accompanying article about Bonneville Brewery, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 29 | Jan. 22, 2020

Dave Baker and Tim Haran discuss — and taste — a variety of Utah craft beers perfect for the colder days ahead. It's the Second Annual Utah Beer News Holiday Beers Podcast Episode. Green Urban Lunch Box (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, discuss what makes a good bottle share, and ruminate on the overall Utah craft beer landscape. Approximate Time Stamps: Introduction 0:00 - 6:34 First Tastings 6:35 - 13:09 Bottle Share/Advent Calendar Notes 13:10 - 17:54 Second Tastings 17:55 - 23:25 Upcoming Events 23:26 - 28:38 Third Tastings 28:39 - 46:29 Utah Craft Beer Landscape 46:30 - 56:30 For an accompanying article about Utah Holiday Beers, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 28 | December 12, 2019

A markedly different craft beer landscape greeted Slackwater Pizzeria & 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 Thanks to Blake for taking the time to share the Slackwater story. And thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy the episode. For an accompanying article about Slackwater, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 27 | Oct. 24, 2019

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. For an accompanying article about Red Rock Brewery, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 26 | Aug. 16, 2019

The 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. Side Note: We spoke with Shantel about some Red Rock-specific items — including new beers in the works. Look for that conversation in our next podcast episode. For now, thank you to Samantha, Pete, and Shantel for talking about the 2019 Utah Beer Festival. And thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy the episode. For an accompanying article about the Utah Beer Festival, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 25 | Aug. 9, 2019

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 For an accompanying article about Talisman Brewing Company, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 24 | Aug. 1, 2019

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. Chad 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 on a Tuesday afternoon. 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 For an accompanying article about Hopkins Brewing Company, please visit UtahBeerNews.com. Enjoy the episode! Episode 23 | July 18, 2019