Thrillist: Utah's Liquor Laws

Part of the problem is they are selling these cheap malt liquor and that takes up space!

 

I was born and raised in SLC as a non-Mormon. Currently I live in China, as I have been living here and in South Korea since 2007 for work. So I only visit Utah about 4-5 months of the year. With that said, I am reminded of the draconian liquor laws that are obviously created by misinformed people with immature attitudes (Utah lawmakers) every time I visit. In all due respect, to say the laws are getting better in Utah is just everyone's coping mechanism to feel good about living in Utah as a beer enthusiast, IMO.

On the other hand, I love Utah beer, it is good. In fact, I look forward to returning to Utah this upcoming summer to enjoy Uinta's cutthroat pale ale, Bohemian Czech style pils, Uinta's hop Nosh, just to name a few. There are many new beers and breweries popping up on a yearly, if not monthly basis in Utah, it seems. This is encouraging. Overall, I will be able to say that Utah could make some honest progress if they allow beers over 4% to be served on draught/tap. This is always a huge downer for me when visiting. I would love to drink a fresh SN torpedo IPA or a Uinta Hop Nosh IPA on tap! Cheers to all!

 

Big fan of Uinta & Squatters beer here in MA. Both are well-crafted and reasonably priced.

I do see Hop Nosh on draft on occasion here - strange that it can't be served in its home state.

 

I just picked up Uinta's Birthday Suit Sour Plum. Is that even available in Utah?

 

Yes, had it a couple of days ago. Nothing special would not buy again.

Cheers!

 

Awww.

 

I enjoyed it, I bought another bottle.

 

The laws here are absurd. I can't have anything over 3.2% ABV on TAP, however I can have whatever I want from a bottle? Okay makes zero sense as someone that just moved here.

Granted the landscapes are beautiful and the sans traffic makes my life that much better so that aspect is cool. I've had the opportunity to try a bunch of session IPAs which is also great but no one is doing berliners out here!!!!

This is a call out to Epic, Squatters, Wasatch, Red Rock, Uinta, Moab, and Bonneville (I think I named the majority of breweries in the state) to start making some other types of beers. We need sours (or their cousin the berliner)!!!!!!!!

 

There were some sours here but in very small quantities. Squatters has 529 and Fifth Element. Wasatch has Switch. Red Rock has Reve and Paardebloom. All of which are delicious! They all sold out very quick but it might give you some hope for the future. You may be able to find still at The Bayou, Beerhive, and Beer Bar. It also appears Epic will be releasing a Sour Brainless on Peaches maybe by in July.

So while there isn't a crazy amounts of options, they do exisit. @mikey451 's website, utahbeer.blogspot.com is a great resource for all information regarding all Utah beer happenings.

 

I scratch my head wondering why there are not a lot of Berliners. Epic has one at The Annex (mediocre though). Traditionally this style is less than 4% so I thought we should be seeing a ton of them around here. But no.

 

@imfrommichigan thanks for the heads up on those ones, I'll have to check it out!

I actually confirmed with the Epic staff that the Sour Brainless on Peaches will only be Colorado distro and we will not see it in UT. To @Benish 's point, these guys really need to step up the Berliner game. The sour IPA at The Annex was decent.

 

Respectfully: I think that Berliner is damn del

That is incorrect. My wife works at Epic. She says at least two barrels are coming to slc.

 

@mikey451 thats good news. Their employees are misinforming people then...

 

Salt Lake's allotment goes on sale - Thursday July 2nd.
http://utahbeer.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-new-begining-to-epics-sour-brainless.html

 

I go to SLC for work occasionally, and it is a strange land. I find the low ABV draft pours are somewhat interesting, given that's completely different from anywhere else. But the markup on bottle are just crazy. It does make going to the local bar a less than perfect experience.

 

Not only does the state have a considerable markup but they also charge restaurants and bars the same price the consumer pays. Leading them to have their own considerable markup. Drinking here is expensive.

 

Agreed. When I was back in Wisconsin, I looked at the prices of Hop Nosh as Wisconsin just starting receiving their beers. It was cheaper....cheaper than where it was made.

 

Rumor has it the new "alcohol commission" in UT is looking at becoming more customer friendly. What that means, who knows? I know there is concern from missed tourism because the alcohol laws give UT a persona of not being friendly. We shall see.

 

And if you are a road cyclist, you own the roads on Sunday morning while everyone is in church (just don't get caught in the rush after services end).

 

I´m heading to Utah next year to visit the bro in law and do some Moab mtb, can´t wait

I really want to bring over a bunch of beer to share/trade but it looks like a bad idea.
Has anyone ever had any problems bring beer into the state as part of check in luggage?