June 2011
The Odd Beer Out
Drinking delicious, locally made beer has become a no-brainer. With so much to choose from, even here behind the Zion Curtain, the consumer’s cup literally runneth over in a marketplace full of options. However, the standard styles—pilsner, stout, amber ale and hefeweizen to name a few—are no longer enough. Increasingly, brewers all over the world are pushing the envelope of what is considered normal for beer, and the results are as tasty as they are groundbreaking. … read more
Utah’s Beer Missionaries
For most of my adult life, I’ve been a beer guy. Growing up in Utah, I never really knew about the differences between “Utah beer” and “regular beer.” Let’s face it, if you’ve had any youthful experiences with beer in Utah, you’ve likely heard the terms “piss,” “water” and “near beer,” especially from those outside of the Zion Curtain. So why would anyone outside of Utah want to try any of this pissy, watery beer? The answer is simple: Utah beer is none of those things. … read more
Bringing the Brew From Beyond the County Line: Shades of...
The sky’s the limit for Trent Fargher and Alexandra Ortiz de Fargher, owners of Shades of Pale Brewing Company in Park City. They will join Dale Harris, owner of Zion Canyon Brewing Company in Springdale, to circulate their brews throughout Salt Lake County. Through Ortiz and Fargher’s subtle infusion of juniper to their Belgian wits and Harris’ wholesome use of the mineral-rich groundwater of the Virgin River, these breweries seek to employ Utah to command craft brewing. … read more
Giving You the Business: A Look at Growth Within Utah’s...
As the national economy swings dangerously above a pit of crocodiles on a rickety rope bridge, the craft beer industry is up ahead, bushwhacking its way forward. You will not find Salt Lake’s craft beer fanciers catching a self-loathing buzz in an alleyway after spending their last three bucks on a Pfeifferhorn Lager from Epic Brewing Company. These well-made beers aren’t popular because they take the edge off your shitty life—they’re popular because they’re well-made to begin with. … read more
Concealed Consumption
I’ve always been an advocate of imbibing throughout the course of the day. However, due to legal limitations imposed by our fine government, I find it rather hard to do so without teetotaling eyes peering down on me. What most people don’t understand is that drinking in public can be a fun and rewarding habit. Here are some tips and tricks I’ve developed to keep myself within my functioning parameters of inebriation through the divine art of concealed consumption in public. … read more
The Night Shift
Making beer is a time-consuming process and some companies make so much of it, they have to be running at odd hours to meet demand—sometimes continuously. While most of Utah’s brewing companies aren’t boiling away 24/7, many do have a brewer or two who work a late night or early morning shift. SLUG wanted to see how these beer makers work so we sent three of our favorite photographers to capture the odd shifts at five Utah breweries. … read more
Stranger Things Have Happened: Interest Bubbles to Create a Utah...
“Thirty years ago, who would believe that we’d all be here together, doing what we do … legally,” Charlie Papazian told a group of Utah brewers and brewery owners at Squatter’s Pub on April 12. Papazian, who is often considered one of the founders of the current craft beer movement, visited the brewpub to talk about the benefits (and challenges) of forming a brewers guild. … read more
SB 314: Fun-Killer
During the last legislative session, Sen. Valentine introduced Senate Bill 314. This bill proposed several changes to Utah’s already convoluted liquor laws and was objected to by the Downtown Alliance, the Utah Hospitality Association and written without consulting the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Because legalese is not most people’s first language and some of the changes were very subtle, here’s a quick rundown of SB 314’s effects. … read more
Beer Reviews
Well, folks, it’s another beer issue and another year in the ol’ brew log. In the past year, we’ve seen a startup brewery take the Utah craft scene by storm, local breweries take their craft to more states and local drinkers develop a craving for high-point brews and exotic styles. There is no better testament to the quality that Utah breweries can provide than this lineup here. … read more
Bikes & Booze
Whatever your preference, it can’t be denied that bicycles and booze make quite the pairing, and it just so happens that this salty city of ours knows how to keep the beer brewing and the pedals pumping in harmony. Whether you’re a hard-core pedal pusher or just a fun-lover looking to add a little endorphin rush to your weekend boozing, read on. … read more
America’s Next Top Wizard
It was a rainy Saturday when we met at a local warehouse. There were six contestants present, each going through a series of elimination rounds in hopes of becoming America’s Next Top Wizard. Each contestant was responsible for not only completing every task presented to them by complete egomaniac Tyra (aka Chris Swainston), but also producing the best photos in each round in an attempt to avoid elimination. … read more
Velo Weekend: A New Summer Event For Cyclists
Velo City Bags has been providing Salt Lake with handmade, vegan bicycle bags and accessories since 2008. The company was started by Nathan Larsen, a local bicycle enthusiast who commutes around Salt Lake. “He designed and produced a customized bag that was functional, unique and comfortable. Larsen has recently started a new non-profit project, Velo Weekend, looking to gather the bicycle community on June 24-25 for some friendly bike competitions and events. … read more
