Salt Lake City’s craft beer scene has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. The city now boasts a thriving community of local breweries, each offering unique flavors and experiences for beer enthusiasts. From traditional brew pubs to modern taprooms, Salt Lake City has become a destination for craft beer lovers seeking quality and innovation.
Visitors and locals alike can explore a diverse range of beer styles across the city’s numerous brewing establishments. Many of these breweries showcase Utah’s brewing heritage while pushing boundaries with creative recipes and techniques. The result is a craft beer landscape that caters to all tastes, from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts and everything in between.
As the craft beer movement continues to grow in Salt Lake City, beer lovers have more options than ever to discover new favorites and support local businesses. Whether enjoying a pint at a cozy neighborhood pub or taking a brewery tour to learn about the brewing process, the city’s craft beer scene offers something for everyone.
Salt Lake City’s Craft Beer History
Salt Lake City’s craft beer scene has a rich and complex history, shaped by Prohibition and revived by pioneering brewers. The city’s beer culture reflects Utah’s unique brewing regulations and the passion of local artisans.
Prohibition and the Resurgence of Craft Breweries
In 1920, Prohibition forced the closure of Salt Lake City’s four active breweries. Some, like Salt Lake City Brewing, pivoted to producing non-alcoholic “Near Beer” to stay afloat. The repeal of Prohibition in 1933 marked a turning point, but Utah’s strict alcohol laws continued to impact the industry.
For decades, the local beer scene remained dormant. It wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s that craft brewing began to resurge in Salt Lake City. This revival coincided with changing attitudes and a growing appreciation for artisanal, flavorful beers.
Pioneers of the Local Beer Scene
Fisher Brewing Co, originally established in 1884, played a significant role in Salt Lake City’s beer history. After closing during Prohibition, it reopened in 2017, reconnecting the city with its brewing heritage.
Uinta Brewing Company, founded in 1993, became a cornerstone of Utah’s craft beer renaissance. Co-founder Will Hamill recognized the potential in Salt Lake City’s market, helping to spark the local craft beer movement.
These pioneers faced unique challenges, including Utah’s 3.2% alcohol by weight limit on draft beer. Despite restrictions, they persevered, creating innovative, flavorful brews that put Salt Lake City on the craft beer map.
Guide to Salt Lake City Breweries
Salt Lake City boasts a thriving craft beer scene with numerous breweries, brewpubs, and taprooms. The city’s brewing history dates back to the 1800s, and today it offers a diverse range of craft beer experiences for locals and visitors alike.
Downtown Brewpubs and Taprooms
Downtown Salt Lake City is home to several popular brewpubs and taprooms. Red Rock Brewing, established in 1994, serves award-winning beers alongside a full food menu. Their Downtown Brewpub offers a cozy atmosphere and a wide selection of craft brews.
Bewilder Brewing, located at 445 South 400 West, combines innovative beer recipes with a welcoming taproom experience. Visitors can enjoy their unique creations while watching the brewing process through large windows.
Fisher Brewing Co., originally founded in 1884 and revived in 2017, offers a rotating selection of small-batch beers in their historic taproom. The brewery’s focus on community and sustainability makes it a favorite among locals.
Granary District Breweries
The Granary District has become a hub for craft beer enthusiasts in Salt Lake City. Grid City Beer Works, situated at 333 2100 S, stands out with its commitment to sustainability and innovative brewing techniques. Their taproom features a rooftop patio with panoramic views of the city.
Templin Family Brewing, or T.F. Brewing, crafts high-quality lagers and ales in their state-of-the-art facility. The taproom offers a modern, industrial ambiance and frequently hosts food trucks for a complete experience.
Level Crossing Brewing Company, located nearby at 2496 South West Temple, specializes in small-batch craft beers. Their taproom provides a laid-back atmosphere for sampling their diverse range of brews.
Brewery Tour Mobile Pass and Its Offerings
The Salt Lake Brewery Tour Mobile Pass offers beer enthusiasts a convenient way to explore the city’s craft beer scene. This digital pass provides discounts and special offers at participating breweries.
Pass holders can enjoy exclusive deals at breweries like Shades Brewing, known for their innovative sour beers, and Proper Brewing Co., which offers a wide range of styles from traditional to experimental.
The mobile pass encourages visitors to explore lesser-known breweries and taprooms across the city. It’s an excellent tool for both tourists and locals looking to discover new favorite spots in Salt Lake City’s thriving beer community.
Local Craft Beer Varieties
Salt Lake City’s craft beer scene offers diverse styles to suit every palate. Breweries in the area produce a wide range of traditional and innovative beers, showcasing the creativity and skill of local brewers.
Ales and Lagers
Salt Lake City breweries excel in crafting both ales and lagers. Popular ales include crisp pale ales, rich stouts, and malty brown ales. Many brewpubs offer classic German-style lagers, including pilsners and bocks.
Some breweries specialize in English-style ales, producing smooth bitters and creamy porters. Others focus on Belgian-inspired beers, creating complex saisons and fruity abbey ales.
Craft lagers are gaining popularity, with brewers putting their own spin on traditional styles. Clean, refreshing helles lagers and malty Vienna lagers can be found at several taprooms across the city.
The Rise of IPAs
India Pale Ales dominate Salt Lake City’s craft beer scene. Breweries offer a wide variety of IPAs, from classic West Coast styles to hazy New England versions.
Local brewers experiment with hop varieties and brewing techniques to create unique flavor profiles. Citrusy and piney American IPAs are common, as are tropical and juicy hazy IPAs.
Double and triple IPAs cater to hop enthusiasts seeking bold flavors and higher alcohol content. Session IPAs provide a more moderate option for those who enjoy hoppy beers but prefer lower alcohol levels.
Many breweries rotate their IPA offerings seasonally, featuring fresh hop varieties and innovative recipes throughout the year.
Seasonal and Specialty Beers
Salt Lake City breweries embrace seasonal brewing, offering unique beers that reflect the changing Utah climate. Summer often brings light, refreshing wheat beers and fruit-infused ales. Fall sees the arrival of Oktoberfest lagers and pumpkin ales.
Winter ushers in strong, warming beers like barrel-aged stouts and spiced holiday ales. Spring typically features crisp pilsners and hoppy pale ales.
Specialty beers showcase local ingredients and experimental techniques. Sour beers, including kettle sours and barrel-aged wild ales, are gaining popularity. Some breweries produce small-batch releases of barrel-aged beers, often collaborating with local distilleries.
Fruit beers, coffee-infused stouts, and herb-infused ales highlight the creative spirit of Salt Lake City’s craft beer scene.
Beer Tasting and Food Pairings
Salt Lake City offers exceptional beer tasting experiences and food pairing opportunities. Local breweries host educational events to expand patrons’ beer knowledge. Many establishments also provide thoughtfully curated food menus designed to complement their craft brews.
Educational Beer Tasting Events
Salt Lake City breweries organize regular tasting events to educate beer enthusiasts. These sessions often include guided tastings of different beer styles, highlighting flavor profiles and brewing techniques. Participants learn about ingredients, brewing processes, and beer history.
Some breweries offer behind-the-scenes tours, allowing visitors to see the production facilities firsthand. These tours typically include samplings of various beers, giving guests a comprehensive understanding of the brewing process and resulting flavors.
Pairing Food with Craft Beer
Many Salt Lake City brewpubs excel at pairing their beers with delicious food offerings. Menus often suggest beer pairings for each dish, enhancing the overall dining experience. Popular pairings include:
- Hoppy IPAs with spicy dishes
- Malty brown ales with hearty burgers
- Wheat beers with light salads or seafood
- Stouts with rich desserts
Food trucks frequently collaborate with breweries, providing diverse culinary options to complement the beer selection. This partnership allows patrons to enjoy a variety of flavors while sampling different brews.
Some breweries host special pairing events, featuring multi-course meals with carefully selected beer accompaniments. These events showcase the versatility of craft beer in enhancing food flavors.
The Culture of Craft Beer in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City’s craft beer scene has flourished in recent years, fostering a vibrant community of beer enthusiasts and brewers. The city hosts numerous events and festivals that celebrate local brews, while a strong grassroots movement supports the growth of independent breweries.
Craft Beer Events and Festivals
Salt Lake City’s calendar is packed with craft beer events throughout the year. The Utah Beer Festival, held annually in August, showcases over 200 beers from local and regional breweries. This event attracts thousands of attendees and has become a cornerstone of the city’s beer culture.
The Brewstillery, a smaller but equally popular festival, pairs craft beer with artisanal spirits. It takes place in February and highlights collaborations between breweries and distilleries.
Many breweries also host their own events, such as tap takeovers, beer release parties, and brewing workshops. These gatherings provide opportunities for beer lovers to connect with brewers and learn about the brewing process.
Craft Beer Movement and Community
The craft beer movement in Salt Lake City has gained significant momentum since the early 1990s. Today, the city boasts over 20 brewpubs and microbreweries, each contributing to a diverse and innovative beer landscape.
Local brewers often collaborate on special releases, fostering a sense of camaraderie within the industry. This cooperative spirit extends to the wider community, with many breweries supporting local causes and participating in charitable events.
Beer enthusiast groups, such as the Utah Brewers Guild, play a crucial role in promoting craft beer culture. They organize educational events, brewery tours, and advocate for favorable legislation to support the industry’s growth.
The city’s craft breweries have also gained national recognition, with several winning medals at the Great American Beer Festival. This success has put Salt Lake City on the map as a destination for beer tourism, attracting visitors from across the country.
Supporting the Local Economy
Salt Lake City’s craft beer industry bolsters the local economy through job creation, tourism, and sustainable practices. Local breweries contribute significantly to the city’s economic growth and cultural identity.
Impact on Local Economy and Tourism
Salt Lake City’s craft beer scene generates substantial economic benefits. Local breweries create jobs across various sectors, from brewing and distribution to hospitality. The Utah Beer Festival, held annually at The Gateway, draws visitors from around the region, boosting tourism revenue. This event showcases the industry’s growth since 2010, highlighting its increasing importance to Utah’s economy.
Craft breweries like Epic Brewing Co. and Desert Edge Brewery attract beer enthusiasts to the city, encouraging longer stays and increased spending at local businesses. The diverse range of brewpubs and taprooms, such as Craft by Proper, enhances Salt Lake City’s appeal as a destination for craft beer tourism.
Sustainability and Local Ingredients
Salt Lake City’s craft breweries prioritize sustainability and support local agriculture. Many breweries source ingredients from Utah farmers, creating a symbiotic relationship that strengthens the local supply chain. This practice reduces transportation costs and environmental impact while ensuring fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Breweries like Proper Brewing Co. demonstrate commitment to sustainability through innovative practices. Some incorporate locally-sourced fruits and herbs in their beers, showcasing regional flavors. The use of local ingredients not only supports farmers but also creates unique, place-based beers that reflect Salt Lake City’s terroir.
These sustainable practices contribute to the industry’s positive economic impact and align with environmentally conscious consumer preferences, further solidifying craft beer’s role in Salt Lake City’s economy.
Visiting Salt Lake City Breweries
Salt Lake City offers a vibrant craft beer scene with diverse brewery experiences. Visitors can explore taprooms, enjoy guided tours, and sample locally brewed beers in unique settings.
Brewery Tours and Experiences
Several companies offer guided brewery tours in Salt Lake City. These tours provide behind-the-scenes looks at beer production processes and opportunities to taste various local brews. Some tours are all-inclusive, covering transportation between breweries.
Wasatch Brewery, located at 2110 Highland Dr., is a popular stop on many tours. It offers a chance to see brewing equipment up close and learn about the city’s brewing history dating back to the 1800s.
For a more hands-on experience, some breweries offer brewing workshops where visitors can learn the basics of beer making.
Tasting Rooms and Amenities
Salt Lake City breweries feature inviting tasting rooms with diverse amenities. Many offer full food menus, turning them into brew pubs where visitors can pair meals with their beer selections.
Bewilder Brewing Company stands out for its industrial-style taproom and handmade sausages. On Sundays, they even host a waffle bar. Some tasting rooms provide live music, enhancing the atmosphere.
Beer bars in the city serve a wide selection of local draft beers. These venues often have knowledgeable staff who can guide patrons through beer styles and flavor profiles.
Many breweries offer outdoor seating areas, perfect for enjoying a cold brew in nice weather. Some taprooms also sell merchandise and packaged beers for visitors to take home as souvenirs.
Finding Your Favorite Salt Lake City Brew
Salt Lake City’s craft beer scene offers diverse options for beer enthusiasts. From bustling beer bars to well-stocked retailers, the city provides ample opportunities to discover new brews and find your perfect pint.
Craft Beer Bars and Restaurants
Salt Lake City boasts an array of beer bars and restaurants with impressive draft selections. Bewilder Brewing Company stands out as a downtown favorite, offering house-made craft beers, spirits, and cocktails. Their industrial setting and handmade sausages create a unique atmosphere for beer lovers.
Kiitos Brewing in the Granary District impresses with its wide variety of beer styles. The family-friendly environment and on-site arcade games make it an ideal spot for afternoon outings.
For those seeking an extensive beer menu, several establishments pride themselves on curating diverse selections. These venues often feature rotating taps, allowing patrons to sample both local and out-of-state craft brews.
Shopping for Craft Beer: Retailers and Merchandise
Salt Lake City’s craft beer retailers offer a convenient way to explore local brews at home. Many liquor stores stock a wide range of local and regional craft beers, making it easy to find new favorites.
Some breweries, like Kiitos, operate on-site shops where visitors can purchase cans, bottles, and merchandise. These locations often provide the freshest beer directly from the source.
For beer enthusiasts looking to show their support, many local breweries offer branded merchandise. T-shirts, hats, and glassware featuring brewery logos make great souvenirs or gifts for fellow craft beer lovers.
Online ordering and delivery services have also become increasingly available, allowing customers to browse and purchase craft beers from the comfort of their homes.
