Illustration: Ashley Fairbourne

Parks and Pints: A Brewtah Tour

Food: Interviews & Features

What makes Utah attractive to residents and tourists is how it beams with myriad natural wonders and the promise of escapades around every corner. Wild Utah has the convenient advantage of being just a few hours away from whichever part of Utah you travel. Always a great companion to any new experience is a perfectly paired beer to awaken your palate the way the natural beauty will awaken your senses. Luckily, each brewery below is located near various natural wonders. Read up on these Utah-based breweries’ tips and tricks on how to optimize your Utah adventure the next time you travel.


Illustration: Ashley FairbournePolicy Kings

Responses by Sara Ridgel • Co-Founder / Manager

SLUG: What are some popular hikes nearby?

Ridgel: The Boulder Loop (pairs with a the pale ale), the Navajo Lake Loop (pairs with the stout), the Virgin River Rim (pairs with the Midnight IPA) and the C-Trail (pairs with the Saison). The Practice Loop and Race Course Loop [pair well] with our New England IPA—its bitterness with a perfect citrus, pineapple flavor and color—nothing better to drink on a nice hot day hiking than this beer.

SLUG: Which is your favorite?

Ridgel: The C-trail is a classic, and one that gives you a view of the city.  Our Saison would go perfectly with this hike. With the fresh spice of ginger, lemon and coriander, it is a perfect nature beer.

SLUG: Which of your beers are popular among local patrons?

Ridgel: Our most popular beers have been our Saison and Midnight IPA on draft, and our New England IPA in bottles.

SLUG: What characteristics about your brewery do tourists notice the most?

Ridgel: The décor, games, beer and the overall “beer café” atmosphere.

SLUG: How do your surroundings/the environment of your Utah locale influence your brand/creativity?

Ridgel: We continue to evolve our brand to incorporate more of our Utah locale. Right now, we are working on a new and improved logo that will showcase the unique nature and surroundings.

policykingsbrewery.com • 223 N. 100 West, Cedar City


Zion Brewery

Illustration: Ashley FairbourneResponses by Frank Giammalva • Distribution Manager

SLUG: How do people get to your brewery?

Giammalva: The Brewery  is located 2400 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, Utah, but our Brewpub, where you can find our new tasting room and full restaurant, is 95 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, Utah.

SLUG: Which natural wonders are near your brewery?

Giammalva: The Watchman is most recognizable off our beer garden. This towering cliff runs along the base of the Virgin River.

SLUG: What are some popular hikes nearby? Which is your favorite?

Giammalva: With so many great hikes, it’s hard to choose a favorite. My favorite hike and probably most popular is Angel’s Landing. The Narrows is very popular and probably my second-favorite.

SLUG: Which of your beers would you pair with your favorite hike and why?

Giammalva: Our Echo Canyon session IPA pairs well with Observation Point. A section of this trail is the Echo Canyon.

SLUG: Why do you love having a brewery where you live?

Giammalva: I love having a brewery in Zion because I live up here, first of all, and it’s very convenient for me. But Zion Brewery is exposed to literally millions of worldwide travelers, and sharing our beer with people from all over the world is pretty great. It gives us great feedback from lots of different beer drinkers and beer cultures.

zionbrewery.com • 95 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale • 435.772.0336


Illustration: Ashley FairbourneMoab Brewery

Responses by Jeff Van Horn • Head Brewmaster

SLUG: Which natural wonders are near your brewery?

Van Horn: We are lucky to have two National Parks, Arches and Canyonlands, and one State park, Dead Horse Point. So, plenty of wonders abound.

SLUG:  Which are hidden gems you don’t mind sharing?

Van Horn: It seems like there is always another hidden treasure around the corner here. I like to hike Courthouse Wash for the solitude and ancient art.

SLUG:  Which of your beers would you pair with your favorite hike and why?

Van Horn: Dead Horse Amber Ale or a Johnny’s IPA are exactly the kind of beer we like after a hike to Delicate Arch.

SLUG: What characteristics about your brewery do tourists notice the most?

Van Horn: I think they notice the outdoors theme in the restaurant with bikes, boats and even a Jeep. They would also tell you the menu and portions are large.

SLUG: How do your surroundings/the environment of your Utah locale influence your brand/creativity?

Van Horn: We use landmarks and local iconic names for our products all the time. The distillery is now a year old, and we use both topographical and river terms to name some of those products. The environment in Moab and the surrounding desert is rugged and well-defined. So are our beers. Our company is deeply rooted in our community—we employ over 120 employees between the restaurant and the brewery. Last year, we were awarded Utah Rural Business of the Year by the Governor.

themoabbrewery.com • 686 S. Main St., Moab • 435.259.6333


Illustration: Ashley FairbourneSilver Reef

Responses by Dave Moody • Owner

SLUG: What are some popular hikes nearby? Which is your favorite?

Moody: Luckily for us, there’s great hiking all throughout St. George. Our Brewmaster, Michael Key, loves hiking the Chuckwalla and Turtle Ledge area with his daughters and dogs, as well as the whole Snow Canyon Trail system.

SLUG:  Which of your beers would you pair with your favorite hike and why?

Moody: Agua Del Diablo because it’s light and refreshing, but all three beers we’re brewing right now (the Agua, our Fresh and Juicy IPA and Red Country Ale), are great for hiking and the outdoors because they are so crisp and easy to drink.

SLUG: Which of your beers are popular among local patrons? What about with tourists?

Moody: The Fresh and Juicy is most popular among locals, and the Agua del Diablo is most popular among tourists.

SLUG: How do your surroundings/the environment of your Utah locale influence your brand/creativity?

Moody: Living in St. George and getting to talk every day with the people we’re brewing beer for is amazing. When we launched the brand, we knew that we wanted to focus on brewing beers for the community first and foremost. The community seems open to being adventurous and trying the unique beers we have lined up for the future, and their reception to the brewery, as well as St. George being such an untapped (pun intended) market, have us feeling very creative and excited to try new things!

facebook.com/drinksilverreef • 4391 S. Enterprise Dr., St. George


Illustration: Ashley FairbourneVernal Brewing

Responses by Ginger Bowden • Owner

SLUG: Which natural wonders are near your brewery?

Bowden: Dinosaur National Monument and Ashley National Forest, hosting Flaming George and the Green River.

SLUG: Which of your beers would you pair with your favorite hike and why?

Bowden: I love the hiking in the Uintah Basin, so it’s hard to narrow it down. If I had to choose, it would be Harpers Corner.  My beer of choice would be the Mama’s Milk Imperial Stout or the seasonal summer ale with a picnic on the point.

SLUG:  Which of your beers are popular among local patrons?

Bowden: Little Hole Lager, She’s a Peach Wheat Ale and .50 CALIBER IPA are very popular with the locals.

SLUG: What characteristics about your brewery do tourists notice the most?

Bowden: The attention to detail, from the beer and food to the architecture of the building and the onsite garden.

SLUG: How do your surroundings/the environment of your Utah locale influence your brand/creativity?

Bowden: Our local surroundings play a major roll in our branding. From the Allosaurus Amber Ale that honors the local raptor (mini-T-Rex), our Ms. Beehiven made with local Yacks honey and the Directional Smoked Porter featuring a pump jack supporting our oil and gas industry. Little Hole Lager has inspired by historic explorers.

vernalbrewing.com • 55 S. 500 East, Vernal • 435.781.2337


More on SLUGMag.com:
Beer of the Month: Moab Pilsner
Born Again in Springdale: Zion Brewery Rises