Kiitos Brewing

Standalone building in an industrial area, and near railroad tracks. The area has some renewal work going on. Parking lot out front. Low ceiling with exposed wood beams and a concrete floor. Back room with pinball machines has a view through windows of the brewing equipment. Seating at high tables and a short bar with four stools. A few low community tables in one corner. About twenty taps, with standard styles, plus a few gluten free brews. Three TVs display In the main seating room. Cordial and helpful staff. Like a beacon in the darkness.

Salt Lake City, a frozen purgatory of saints and sinners, ruled by mountains and liquor laws so barbaric they’d make a Viking weep. Two miles on foot through the industrial wasteland, under freeways and past warehouses that looked like murder scenes waiting for their victims. The November air was sharp enough to cut, and the only sign of life was the occasional howl of a train in the distance. I was chasing a rumor—a promise of salvation—or at least a decent pint. And then, like a mirage in the desert, there it was: a lone light shining from the window of Kiitos Brewing.

Inside, the warmth hit like a shot of morphine. A small, unassuming space packed with the kind of quiet desperation you only find in places where the beer has to do all the heavy lifting. And here, it does. The menu read like an act of rebellion. Utah’s asinine 5% ABV limit might keep the frat boys at bay, but it forces these brewers to work miracles. No hiding behind face-melting alcohol levels here—this was raw craftsmanship, a middle finger to mediocrity.

I started with a stout, rich and roasty, with a body that whispered sweet lies about being twice as strong. It was the kind of beer that makes you question everything—why most brewers rely on brute force instead of finesse, why this city of rigid morality hides such pockets of brilliance, why the hell I ever thought I could survive this night sober. They weren’t brewing beer here; they were writing poetry with malt and hops.

The food, while present, was nothing to linger on. Serviceable, perhaps, but unnecessary in the grand scheme of things. This was a place where the beer was the star, and everything else faded into the background. I ate just enough to steady myself before diving back into the liquid gold.

By the time I stumbled back out into the frozen hellscape, I was warmer, drunker, and just a little more alive. Kiitos Brewing isn’t just a brewery—it’s a goddamn statement. A fist in the face of Utah’s absurd laws, a reminder that even in the tightest of shackles, genius can thrive. Would I walk two miles through the cold again for this place? Hell yes. It’s not often you find rebellion served by the pint.

Grab a pint of good beer and get a roll of quarters. You’ll wile away hours banging the pinball machines lining the walls! (The Iron Maiden game mesmerised me for a couple hours, stopping only to refill and recycle) - the Dill Pickle beer kicked my ass.,. but there’s a fine rotating selection.
Cool place? Kyllä, kiitos kysymästä - yes, thank’s for asking-

Only visited quickly in order to get some beers to go. Had a nice chat with the guy working the counter. I grabbed some barleywines and stouts (excellent selection) and a couple of other things. Was bummed that I didn't have time to sit down for a drink. Next time for sure.

Located in an industrial area, but still hopping. Taps at 4%. Cold case available for carryout. Pretty lively on a wednesday night. Nothing fancy but pelnty welcoming

Have only had the opportunity to come here for cans to go so far, but was impressed with the wide selection of cold beers.

Most ranged in the $3-4 range for 16oz but went as high as $8 for singles

Looking forward to coming back to try some on draft

 

Mid sized brick bldg, down by the tracks in an industrial area.

Multiple rooms, small bar, lots of tables and various seating areas, including one with a bunch of pinball machines.

Fun, casual and inviting place, beers to go in cans or to stay from the small serving area and bar to the right as you enter….multiple juiced, NEIPA options are always welcome..and the beer were worthy and well worth more then a few samples and pours….well worth a visit.

Cool little brick building next to the track in an industrial are on the west side of town. Bottle shop to the left immediately through the entrance with a short straight bar on the right that seats about 6, and additional table seating behind the bottle shop. 20 plus well assorted beers on tap, I had the Rimando Pale and the Peanut Butter Stout, both solid beers. Friendly, knowledgeable bartender was very informative of the local beer scene.

it seems like these guys came on the scene pretty hard. like just all of a sudden one day their beer was all over the place and everyone was talking about them. i first had their beer on powder mountain last year i think, and was excited to be able to check out the brewery over the weekend while i was in salt lake. its a neat spot, kind of back in a little industrial area, but a bustling spot once inside. theyve got a little retail shop with beer and gear to go right when you walk in, with the bar around to the right kind of packed in there, not too many seats at it, but i found one. the main taproom space is straight through, lined in the back with pinball machines and a view through to a pretty substantial brewing space. maybe not that unique, but happening and fun. they had a nice selection of beer on, a bunch of stuff i hadnt heard of before, and i enjoyed a simple belgian single as well as a rather distinctive and unexpected hazy pale ale. the quality here is high across the board, and i wish i had more time drink through their lineup a little more completely. the service was exceptional, sharp and attentive and knowledgeable, even chatty, and they were quite busy, i was very well taken care of. overall i think these folks are probably making some of the better beer in town here, and i had fun checking out their space. its nice to see the success theyve had and for good beer to get noticed like this. get in here if you havent yet!

 

Nice vibe with pinball and great beers. I had the coconut stout and the coffee kolsch. They have food trucks and some Senagelese sambosas hit the spot. Certainly a place to check out.

 

 

 

 

I love trains and beer so when I find a brewery next to the tracks I'll definitely give it a try. Unfortunately Kiitos didn't have a trackside outdoor seating area or large train viewing window so 1/4 point gets deducted on vibe. Kiitos has around 10 beers on tap (all at Utah mandated ABV of 4%) plus a few cans which are a bit stronger. When nearly everything's at session levels it certainly keeps the evening going farther into the night. The tap choices showed a nice variety with a NE Pale Ale (my favorite of the bunch), a stout, a sour, and several more diverse styles including the "Big Gay" ale for diversity month. The beers I tried were fair to good with no real clunkers or standouts. Really liked the bartendress and she was full of great tips on other area breweries.