Once considered a dry city, state law changes in the past decade have made Utah’s liquor laws look a lot more like much of the rest of the country. Utah is still working on the regulations for high ABV beer sold in grocery and convenience stores, but luckily Salt Lake City is home to an incredible host of breweries who are creating beers that will blow you away.
City Brew Tours presents a self-guided beer extravaganza throughout the best breweries in Salt Lake City! A pint from these local beer hubs is sure to unveil the talent and artistry of the Salt Lake City beer scene that awaits both native and visiting beer lovers of Utah.
Epic is Utah’s first brewery to exclusively brew high alcohol content beer! They showcase their variability in the Epic Tart ‘N’ Juicy series; just try their Juicy Sour IPA, or the kettle soured Lemon Bomb Sour IPA. Epic even has a barrel aged wild and sour ale series featuring beers aged in oak barrels with fruit.
Uinta was established in 1993 and became the first brewery in Utah to go 100% wind-powered in 2001. Today after several renovations and expansions, Uinta Brewing Company uses solar and wind power to run their facilities. Check out their seasonal rotation, or enjoy one of their year-round brews like their Mango Golden Spike Wheat Ale or the Detour Double IPA.
This widely adored Salt Lake City brewpub chain has been around since 1989, with the flagship location found inside a historic hotel. They are now even open in the Salt Lake International Airport. You can enjoy a tasty house-made beer while you grab yourself some lunch, dinner, and everything in between at the restaurant and pub at each of these locations. And don’t let your dietary restrictions or picky friends stop you from checking them out — Squatters has lots of vegetarian and gluten-free options on the menu, and also serve mixed drinks and wine. Behind the scenes, Squatters always strives to put it’s green foot forward through their environmentally conscious practices and strong local relationships with farmers and growers.
Originally founded in 1884, you can enjoy Fisher Brewing Co.’s historic brews at 320 West 800 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. Chow down on some delicious grub from one of their food trucks, bring your pooch to keep you company on the patio and crack open a cold one at this employee-owned, community-focused brewery.
Down at Level Crossing Brewing, you’ll be greeted by friendly and knowledgeable staff, a cold beer, and a game of cornhole on the patio! Try one of the brewery’s limited release Red Feather series, featuring American barleywines, milkshake double IPAs and more. Stay a while, and maybe you can catch some live music to add to the already beautiful ambiance of this lovely venue.
In the mood for a coffee cream ale? A blackberry sour? A coconut stout? How about all three? The answer you’re looking for is Kaylla—that’s Finnish for ‘Yes.’ Kiitos Brewing Company opened in December of 2017, a fun brewery full of nordic flare and a focus on appreciation. They show their gratitude by doing everything in their power to minimize their environmental impact with their High-Efficiency Brewing System (HEBS), by the amazing company they keep in their food truck lines on Wednesdays through Sundays, their 25c pinball machines, and by continuously creating fresh, unique craft beers. Visit their taproom to try some of their seasonal and flagship beauties for yourself — your taste buds are sure to say ‘Kiitos.’ That’s Finnish for thank you!
You can find Red Rock Brewing Company in Downtown Salt Lake City, Fashion Place, and Park City. At each of these locations you’ll find yourself with a long list of mouth-watering options for dinner as well as beer. Enjoy a fine night out by visiting one of their sites, or visit the Red Rock Beer Store in downtown Salt Lake City and grab some beers to cozy up with at home.
Founded by one Greg Schirf in 1986, Wasatch is Utah’s first brewery and a trailblazer for microbreweries everywhere across the United States. You can sip on one of their award-winning beers in Park City (and now Salt Lake City!) to discover modern classics such as the Polygamy Porter or the White Label Belgian White Ale.
Wrap your fingers around one of the handcrafted, microbrews at Desert Edge. With over 1000 barrels of beer being produced a year, the brewpub makes crafts in over 20 styles available on tap and in cans to go. If you are looking for a brewhouse of quality and style variety, look no further than Desert Edge.
Shades makes beer with a brewing philosophy that emphasizes cranking out unorthodox drinks. This mantra has produced award-winning craft brews like its Kveik 1 Golden Sour Ale or the Grapefruit Revolution Juicy and Hazy IPA. Pick up one of Shades’ core, year-round beers or visit the brewery’s Salt Lake City taproom to catch a limited release beer.
That’s it for us, but don’t let the fun stop there! Check out some other breweries in the Salt Lake City area and, while you’re at it, take a look at our other tour cities.