Provo, Utah may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about craft beer, but the city’s brewing scene is quietly flourishing. Local breweries and pubs are crafting unique, flavorful beers that cater to a wide range of tastes. Provo’s craft beer offerings include everything from traditional ales and lagers to innovative, experimental brews.
The city’s craft beer culture is deeply rooted in the community, with many breweries sourcing local ingredients and collaborating with nearby farms. This commitment to local flavors and sustainability adds a distinct character to Provo’s beer scene. Visitors and residents alike can explore a variety of taprooms and brewpubs, each offering its own unique atmosphere and selection of handcrafted beers.
Provo’s craft beer guide showcases the city’s growing reputation as a destination for beer enthusiasts. From hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts, the local breweries are pushing boundaries and creating memorable drinking experiences. The guide serves as a valuable resource for those looking to discover the best craft beers Provo has to offer.
History of Craft Beer in Provo
Provo’s craft beer scene has evolved from humble beginnings to a thriving community of brewers and enthusiasts. Local pioneers laid the groundwork for a movement that has grown steadily, engaging the community and establishing Provo as a notable destination for craft beer lovers.
Pioneers of the Local Craft Beer Scene
Provo’s craft beer journey began in the late 1990s when a small group of homebrewers started experimenting with unique flavors and styles. These early enthusiasts faced challenges due to Utah’s strict alcohol laws but persevered in their passion. The first commercial craft brewery in Provo opened its doors in 2008, offering locally-made ales that quickly gained popularity.
This pioneer brewery paved the way for others to follow. By 2012, three more craft breweries had established themselves in Provo, each bringing distinctive brews to the local market. These early brewers focused on creating beers that reflected the region’s character, often using locally-sourced ingredients.
Craft Beer Movement Growth
The craft beer movement in Provo gained momentum in the 2010s. Local breweries expanded their operations and distribution networks, reaching more consumers across Utah. Uinta Brewing Co, while based in Salt Lake City, played a significant role in popularizing craft beer in Provo through collaborations with local establishments.
Community engagement became a cornerstone of Provo’s craft beer culture. Breweries hosted tasting events, beer festivals, and educational workshops to introduce more residents to the art of craft brewing. This approach helped shift perceptions and build a loyal customer base.
By 2020, Provo boasted six craft breweries, each with its unique identity and beer offerings. The city’s craft beer scene has become a draw for tourists and beer enthusiasts from across the state and beyond. Local brewers continue to innovate, experimenting with new flavors and brewing techniques to keep the scene vibrant and exciting.
Exploring Local Breweries
Provo’s craft beer scene offers a diverse range of breweries, each with its own unique flavors and atmosphere. Beer enthusiasts can explore a variety of styles and tastes across these local establishments.
Uinta Brewing Company
Uinta Brewing Company stands out as a pioneer in Utah’s craft beer industry. Founded in 1993, it has grown to become one of the state’s largest breweries. Uinta is known for its commitment to sustainability, using 100% renewable energy in its operations.
The brewery offers a wide selection of year-round and seasonal beers. Popular choices include the Cutthroat Pale Ale and the Hop Nosh IPA. Visitors can enjoy tours of the facility to learn about the brewing process.
Uinta’s taproom provides a cozy atmosphere for sampling their latest creations. Food trucks often park outside, offering tasty pairings for the beers on tap.
Squatters Pub Brewery
Squatters Pub Brewery has been a fixture in Utah’s beer scene since 1989. Located in Salt Lake City, it’s a short drive from Provo and well worth the trip for beer aficionados.
The brewery is known for its award-winning beers, including the Full Suspension Pale Ale and the Hop Rising Double IPA. Squatters also offers a full menu of pub fare to complement its brews.
Visitors can enjoy a casual, friendly atmosphere in the pub. The brewery offers tours by appointment, giving guests an inside look at their brewing process.
Squatters is committed to sustainability, using local ingredients and eco-friendly practices in their operations.
Epic Brewing Co
Epic Brewing Co, founded in 2010, quickly made a name for itself in Utah’s craft beer scene. The brewery is known for its high-alcohol content beers, which set it apart in a state with strict alcohol regulations.
Epic’s tap room in Salt Lake City offers over 25 beers on draft. Popular choices include the Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout and the Brainless Belgian-Style Golden Ale.
The brewery doesn’t serve food but allows visitors to bring their own or order from nearby restaurants. Epic’s modern, industrial-style taproom provides a unique atmosphere for beer tasting.
Epic also offers brewery tours, giving visitors insight into their brewing philosophy and techniques.
Wasatch Brew Pub
Wasatch Brew Pub, established in 1986, holds the distinction of being Utah’s first craft brewery. Located in Park City, it’s a bit further from Provo but offers a unique mountain town brewery experience.
Wasatch is known for its irreverent beer names and label designs. Popular brews include the Polygamy Porter and the Apricot Hefeweizen.
The pub offers a full menu of American cuisine to pair with its beers. Its location in historic Park City adds to the charm of the experience.
Wasatch Brew Pub also offers guided tours of its brewing facilities, providing an educational experience for beer enthusiasts.
Strap Tank Brewery
Strap Tank Brewery, located in Springville just outside of Provo, brings craft beer closer to home for local enthusiasts. Opened in 2016, it’s a relative newcomer to the Utah beer scene.
The brewery is named after the first Harley Davidson motorcycle and features a vintage motorcycle theme. This unique atmosphere sets it apart from other local breweries.
Strap Tank offers a variety of beer styles, from light lagers to robust stouts. Their Flathead American Lager and Sidecar Saison are popular choices.
The brewery includes a full-service restaurant, serving American pub fare. Visitors can enjoy their beers in the taproom or on the outdoor patio with mountain views.
The Brewing Process
Brewing craft beer involves carefully orchestrated steps to transform ingredients into flavorful brews. Each style requires specific techniques and ingredients to achieve its distinctive character.
Crafting the Perfect IPA
IPAs start with a malt base, often using pale malt and small amounts of specialty grains. Brewers add hops at various stages for bitterness, flavor, and aroma. Early additions contribute to bitterness, while late additions enhance aroma.
Dry hopping, where hops are added after fermentation, intensifies the hop aroma. Popular hop varieties for IPAs include Cascade, Citra, and Mosaic. Yeast selection impacts the final flavor profile, with many brewers opting for clean-fermenting American ale strains.
Fermentation temperatures are carefully controlled to balance ester production and alcohol content. Most IPAs undergo a 2-3 week fermentation and conditioning process before packaging.
The Art of Brewing Stouts and Ales
Stouts and ales rely on a diverse malt bill for their complex flavors. Roasted barley and dark malts provide the signature color and roasted notes in stouts.
For pale ales, brewers use a base of pale malt with small additions of crystal or caramel malts for color and sweetness. The hop profile is typically less intense than IPAs but still prominent.
Fermentation temperatures vary by style. Stouts often ferment at cooler temperatures to minimize ester production, while some ales benefit from slightly warmer fermentation to develop fruity notes.
Conditioning time depends on the specific style, with some stouts aging for months to develop rich, smooth flavors.
Mastering Wheat and Blonde Beers
Wheat beers incorporate a significant portion of wheat malt, usually 30-70% of the grain bill. This contributes to their signature hazy appearance and smooth mouthfeel.
Blonde ales use mostly pale malt with small additions of wheat or light crystal malt for complexity. Both styles typically feature subtle hop additions for balance rather than prominent bitterness.
Yeast selection is crucial for wheat beers, with many brewers using specific Bavarian wheat beer strains that produce distinctive banana and clove flavors. Blonde ales often use clean-fermenting American ale yeasts.
Fermentation temperatures are carefully controlled to manage ester production. These lighter styles generally have shorter conditioning periods, allowing brewers to showcase their fresh, crisp flavors.
Beer Styles and Profiles
Provo’s craft beer scene offers a diverse range of styles to suit every palate. From bold IPAs to smooth stouts, local breweries showcase their skill in creating unique flavor profiles.
Feature on IPAs
India Pale Ales dominate Provo’s craft beer landscape. Local breweries craft hoppy IPAs with distinctive characteristics. Some feature citrusy notes from American hops, while others incorporate piney flavors from Pacific Northwest varieties.
Double and Triple IPAs push the boundaries of bitterness and alcohol content. These high-octane brews often boast complex fruity aromas and a hefty malt backbone to balance the intense hop presence.
Session IPAs offer a lighter alternative, maintaining hop-forward flavors with lower alcohol content. These beers are perfect for extended tasting sessions without overwhelming the palate.
Stout and Pale Ale Highlights
Stouts in Provo range from traditional dry Irish styles to innovative flavored variants. Chocolate stouts blend roasted malts with cocoa notes, creating rich, dessert-like experiences.
Coffee stouts incorporate locally roasted beans, adding depth and complexity to the beer’s profile. Some breweries age their stouts in bourbon barrels, imparting vanilla and oak flavors.
Pale ales strike a balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness. American pale ales showcase citrusy and floral hop characteristics. English-style pale ales offer a more subdued hop profile with a focus on malt flavors.
Wheat and Blonde Ale Selections
Wheat beers provide refreshing options for Provo’s craft beer enthusiasts. Hefeweizens feature banana and clove notes from specialized yeast strains. American wheat beers offer a cleaner flavor profile with subtle hop additions.
Witbiers incorporate orange peel and coriander, creating a spicy, citrusy character. These Belgian-style wheat beers pair well with light summer fare.
Blonde ales serve as gateway craft beers for newcomers. Their light body and subtle flavors appeal to a wide audience. Some local breweries infuse blonde ales with fruit additions, creating unique seasonal offerings.
Kölsch-style ales combine ale yeast with lagering techniques, resulting in crisp, clean-tasting beers. These hybrid styles showcase the versatility of Provo’s craft brewing scene.
Craft Beer Culture in Provo
Provo’s craft beer scene is evolving, blending local flavors with community spirit. Breweries in the area are creating unique brews that reflect Utah’s distinctive character.
Community Events and Engagement
Provo hosts several beer-focused events throughout the year. The Provo Craft Beer Festival showcases local breweries and their latest creations. Attendees can sample a variety of styles while interacting with brewers.
Local taprooms often organize trivia nights and live music performances. These events bring beer enthusiasts together, fostering a sense of community.
Some breweries partner with local charities, hosting fundraisers and awareness campaigns. This engagement helps strengthen ties between beer makers and Provo residents.
Local Brews and Innovations
Provo brewers are crafting beers that capture the essence of Utah. Many use locally-sourced ingredients, including hops grown in nearby farms and honey from local apiaries.
Strap Tank Brewery, a popular spot in Provo, offers a range of styles from crisp lagers to hoppy IPAs. Their seasonal releases often incorporate unique flavors inspired by Utah’s landscape.
Some breweries are experimenting with low-alcohol options to cater to local preferences. These session beers maintain full flavor profiles while adhering to Utah’s alcohol regulations.
Collaborations between Provo brewers and those from other Utah cities are becoming more common. These partnerships result in limited-edition brews that showcase regional creativity.
Brewery Tours and Tastings
Provo’s craft beer scene offers exciting opportunities to explore local breweries and sample unique flavors. Visitors can enjoy guided tours and tasting experiences at several establishments in the area.
Visiting Craft Breweries
Strap Tank Brewery stands out as a must-visit destination for beer enthusiasts in Provo. This local favorite offers tours of their brewing facilities, providing insights into the beer-making process. Visitors can learn about the ingredients, equipment, and techniques used to create Strap Tank’s signature brews.
Uinta Brewing Company, though not located in Provo itself, is within driving distance and offers comprehensive brewery tours. Beer lovers can explore their production facilities and gain a deeper understanding of Utah’s craft beer industry.
Experience Tastings and Tours
Tasting sessions at Provo’s breweries allow visitors to sample a variety of locally crafted beers. Strap Tank Brewery offers flight options, enabling guests to try multiple brews in one sitting. Their knowledgeable staff can guide patrons through the tasting process, explaining the unique characteristics of each beer.
Some breweries in the area combine tours with tastings, creating an immersive experience. These events often include food pairings to complement the beer flavors. Visitors can expect to learn about beer styles, brewing history, and the stories behind each brewery’s creations.
Additional Craft Beer Resources in Provo
Provo offers various resources for craft beer enthusiasts to expand their knowledge and engage with the local brewing community. Educational opportunities and home brewing groups provide avenues for learning and connecting with fellow beer lovers.
Craft Beer Educational Opportunities
Provo’s craft beer scene includes educational events and tasting sessions. Red Rock Brewing hosts monthly beer appreciation classes, covering brewing techniques and flavor profiles. These sessions allow participants to sample different styles while learning from experienced brewers.
Bohemian Brewery offers brewery tours every Saturday, providing insights into their traditional European brewing methods. Visitors can observe the brewing process and ask questions about ingredients and techniques.
The Utah Beer Festival, held annually in nearby Salt Lake City, features seminars on beer styles, food pairings, and brewing history. Many Provo residents attend to broaden their craft beer knowledge.
Home Brewing Communities
Provo boasts an active home brewing community. The Utah Valley Homebrewers Association meets monthly to share tips, recipes, and homebrew samples. Members range from beginners to experienced brewers, fostering a supportive learning environment.
Local homebrew supply shops like The Beer Nut offer classes on extract and all-grain brewing. These hands-on sessions cover equipment use, ingredient selection, and brewing processes.
Online forums and social media groups connect Provo’s home brewers. The Utah Homebrewers Community Facebook group facilitates discussions, equipment swaps, and meetups for brewing enthusiasts throughout the region.
Fisher Brewing Co. sponsors an annual homebrew competition, encouraging local brewers to showcase their creations. Winners often see their recipes brewed and served at the taproom, bridging the gap between home and commercial brewing.
Supporting Local: Beyond Beer
Provo’s craft beverage scene extends beyond beer, offering a diverse array of locally-produced drinks and culinary experiences. The area boasts unique cider options and artisanal distilleries, as well as establishments that expertly pair food with craft beer.
Local Cider and Distilleries
Mountain West Cider, located near Provo, produces a variety of crisp, refreshing ciders using locally-sourced apples. Their taproom offers tastings and flights, allowing visitors to sample different cider styles.
In nearby Heber Valley, several small-batch distilleries craft premium spirits. These artisanal producers utilize local ingredients and traditional methods to create unique vodkas, gins, and whiskeys.
High West Distillery, though not in Provo, is a notable Utah distillery worth exploring. Their award-winning whiskeys have gained national recognition and can be found in many Provo bars and restaurants.
Pairing Food with Craft Beer
Provo’s culinary scene embraces the art of beer and food pairing. Local restaurants often feature beer-pairing menus, highlighting how different beer styles complement various dishes.
Light lagers pair well with spicy foods, cutting through the heat. IPAs complement bold, flavorful dishes like grilled meats or strong cheeses. Stouts and porters match perfectly with desserts, especially chocolate-based treats.
Many Provo brewpubs offer tasting flights alongside small plates, allowing patrons to experiment with different pairings. This approach helps beer enthusiasts discover new flavor combinations and appreciate the complexity of craft brews.
