Thrillist: Utah's Liquor Laws

Cities? Let's call them small towns/mile markers/polygamist compounds.

 

With a name like BLANDing what would you expect?

 

Definitely better than the South Korean beer scene ;-)

 

Ok, I love my adopted state for many reasons, but the beer scene is not one of them. To anyone out there saying "it's getting better"... you are correct, albeit slowly. To those that say anything like "It's really cool, you just have to know where to look" are all out crazy. It SUCKS. You can't get a fresh pour of a "big beer" even at THE BREWERY that made it. You pay a crapload for big bottled beer anywhere you go because the state hits it with the tax laser so many times before it hits the shelves. They only allow certain distributors into Utah, so nothing from my home state of Michigan (Bells, Founders, Shorts, etc.), nothing from Vermont, nothing from NC, nothing from so many more quality brewing states. If you like to pay $2.65 for a (warm) bottle of Sam Adams Winter Ale at the Mormon-run liquor stores, you would love it here. Also, Epic does NOT suck.

 

The Bayou is a great concept, but have you noticed every time you order a beer, they don't have it? It usually takes at least three tries to get a beer there! The BeerHive is much better. And yes, there is nothing better than to pop open a can of Uinta Hazel or Baba while sitting on top of Gobbler's Knob or anywhere else that you can see forever from...

 

I currently, and have lived in Utah for 5+ years now. Below is a link to all the Utah Liquor laws. They aren't that bad (still crazy, but not as bad as everyone makes them out to be). Like most states. I've heard some doozies from VT to SC to AK. But any beer served outside of a liquor store and not in a bottle has to be 4.0 ABV or less. So depending on the style of beer you're looking for, this can make a huge difference in the taste, ex IPA and Belgium beers. I don't personally like any IPA's on draft in UT, but they are tolerable. And to whomever said Epic Brewery sucks, doesn't know beer. Straight up. They are some of the most knowledgeable brewers out there, and they take great pride and care in every brewing step. And I do not work for them, or have any affiliation, but just standing up for them because I believe them to be the best brewery in Utah, and would put up some of their beers against a lot of others. And I just got back from Waterbury, VT tasting beers/buying way too many local beers. If you're in Utah, don't bitch about the laws, they are what they are. And hopefully changing for the better, but enjoy a great Bottled beer from one of the many breweries that are doing the best with these crazy laws.

http://abc.utah.gov/laws/law_faqs.html

 

I would like to second Tfranpc's endorsement of Epic Brewing. Nearly everything they brew is excellent, and their "Exponential" series of brews is flat out outstanding. There are numerous styles that are equal to some of the nation's best. And NO, I don't work there or even know any employees. Just stickin' up for Utah.

Note: as a native of PA and NY in my youth I can easily explain why alot of our beer drinking kindred reside in Utah. I am a twenty minute drive from Snowbird/Alta which, bar none (CO included), has THE best snow in the lower 48. In addition, because of the local (mormon) culture, the traffic and lift lines are minimal (especially on week days). Not a good enough reason for many, but the best reason few a few I guess.

okay, I'll get off my soapbox........

 

Finally an honest reply. We know Utah sucks, just admit it.

 

Trying to understand this. If my Utah brewery only made bottle conditioned beers and served hem n the tap room in bottles like say in De Vrede at Westvleteren that would be ok?

 

" You can't get a fresh pour of a "big beer" even at THE BREWERY that made it. "

Not entirely true. You can get fresh pours of Epic's big beers at the brewery. True, you have to buy some food as well, but you can sample all their beers brewery fresh nonetheless.

 

Not over 4% ABV, on tap though. From bottles yes.

Cheers!

 

4% ABV on tap might just be the dumbest law. I don't know what purpose it serves except to serve watered down swill. A non-beer drinker could easily get 'wasted' drinking cocktails or wine. Thing is, I don't care for wine and cocktails and I'm definitely not for getting buzzed, but I like good beer.

 

The cocktails laws in Utah are almost as crazy as the beer ones. It's harder to get wasted on them than you might think.

 

I would be even a little happier if we could just get the Utah brewer's over 4% ABV offerings on tap. It would be a good start.

Cheers!

 

As I do not trade anymore, I've gotten very familiar with bourbon, but then again Utah has fucked up what comes into the state.

Cheers!

 

I also have to add that while Colorado does have better distro than Utah, we also DO NOT get Bells, Founders, Shorts, nothing from Vermont (aside from some collaboration beers), not much from NC, etc. You should check out distribution maps - many Western states don't get these beers. I'm not saying Utah's liquor laws aren't a bit antiquated, but as I stated earlier...there are upsides; namely, a leader in the session beer craze/trend. No one is brewing better session beers than Utah. Just putting it out there. When life gives you lemons...

 

Yeah, Utah does put out some very nice session brews, I will agree. I would also like to see more of the other brew's of at least the brewery's we do get.

Cheers!

 

The allocation of space (for beer) in the SLS is a joke.

Cheers!

 

Just curious what you mean by "allocation of space"? Like the shelf storage in the state liquor stores?

 

Yup.

Cheers!