5 Utah Microbrews You Must Try During Your Visit to Salt Lake City

Some would think that Utah and beer wouldn’t necessarily mix due in part by the dominance of the Mormon Church and the state’s infamous conservative liquor laws. Ironically Utah is a breeding ground for locally produced creative and inventive styles of beer.  Visit a local brewpub to sample some of the best microbrews in the West and take some home with you as a souvenir.

The Wasatch Polygamy Brew and Some Other Utah Microbrews

Wasatch Polygamy Porter

Park City’s Wasatch Brewery is home to Utah’s most controversial brew – the Polygamy Porter. Polygamy is a smooth, medium-bodied dark ale that pokes fun at Utah’s polygamous past.  The beer label shows a scantily clad man surrounded by several women touting the slogan: “Why Have Just One’’.  Find the beer at most restaurants and bars around Salt Lake City and pick up a six-pack at any grocery store.

Squatter’s Hop Rising

Squatter’s Hop Rising is an intense yet well-balanced Double India Pale Ale.  Brewed in the land of 3.2, Hop Rising clocks in at a radical 9% alcohol by volume.  Squatters also offers an incredible selection of regular and seasonal brews and a tasty lunch, dinner, and late night menu. Since Hop Rising’s alcohol content is above 3.2%, it can only be purchased at Squatters Pub, state liquor stores, and select drinking establishments.

Hop Rising from Squatters - Photo By Wickenden

Uinta’s Cutthroat Pale Ale

A 2009 silver medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival, Uinta’s Cutthroat Pale Ale is considered the local’s favorite beer.  The pale ale is a highly versatile beer with well-balanced hops and malts.  You will find Cutthroat on draft at most restaurants and bars in Salt Lake City and since the beer is 3.2 you can pick up a six-pack at grocery stores or gas stations.

Rooster’s Chocolate Stout

Rooster’s Junction City Chocolate Stout is a robust stout with a hint of roasted mocha flavor.  Find Rooster’s beers at Brewvies Cinema Pub where Rooster’s Chocolate Stout, Irish Red, and Seasonal beers are on special Thursday nights or visit the brewpub on historic 25th Street in downtown Ogden.

Moab's Dead Horse Brew - Photo by Arvindgrover

Moab’s Dead Horse Amber

Named after a scenic overlook near Canyonlands National Park in Southern Utah, Moab Brewery’s Dead Horse Amber is a mild English ale.  Sample the Dead Horse Amber as well as 23 other draft beers at the Porcupine Pub.  The Moab beers are also available in bottle.