Celebrating Oktoberfest at Silver Reef Brewing Co.’s New Craft Kitchen

As the self-proclaimed largest brewery in Southern Utah, Silver Reef Brewery Co.—named after the mining ghost town just north of St. George—opened their doors in 2018. Silver Reef is a must-visit for those traveling through Southern Utah looking to enjoy great brews and, as of July, delicious food from their brand-new craft kitchen. Each dish on the craft kitchen menu is specially curated to be the perfect complement to any of Silver Reef’s unique beers or house-made liquors which are available on–site and for retail purchase.

Silver Reef Brewing Co. is locally recognized for its unique dining experience and creative brews, served both on draft and in artistically illustrated cans. Director of Brewing Operations Michael Key works closely with the Silver Reef kitchen to curate dishes that both incorporate and pair well with their beer. Key has been in the brewing business for over 25 years with a background in traditional German lager brewing. That experience, as well as his time spent in culinary school, helps create symbiotic relationships within Silver Reef’s beer and food pairings. Key, as well as the rest of the Silver Reef team, is always experimenting with new ways to intertwine the two, such as infusing beer in their fish batter or adding it to their house made salad dressing recipes. Dishes from their menu include crowd favorite items such as the Beer Battered Fish and Chips, which are hand battered with Silver Reef beer and served classically with fries, tartar sauce and malt vinegar. Key suggests enjoying this restaurant staple with their Agua Del Diablo, a Mexican-style lager described as having smooth and refreshing sweet corn and malt flavors with just a touch of hoppy bitterness.

If you’re in southern Utah looking to celebrate Oktoberfest, consider heading to Silver Reef to get in the spirit of the fall festivities.

Key notes that both draft and retail beer options rotate seasonally. “It’s honestly more based on the weather than seasonality, though,” he says. “or, it’s based on demand.” Some seasonal rotations become so popular that they may soon make their way to the permanent menu, including Silver Reef’s Java Madre Imperial Milk Stout, which is made with cold brew, Ecuadorian cacao nibs and a hint of vanilla. Other favorites are soon to be available as well, such as their Oktoberfest selection, a Marzan lager which is expected to return at the beginning of September, as well as their well-known Spaghetti Western, an Italian-style pilsner. Be sure to also keep an eye out for the new Schwarz Bier that is currently in the works, which Key describes as a “lager with a smokey malt flavor that smells almost exactly like barbecue.”

If you’re in southern Utah looking to celebrate Oktoberfest but aren’t able to travel to Snowbird to enjoy the larger festival, consider heading to Silver Reef to get in the spirit of the fall festivities. Their draft beer list isn’t Silver Reef’s only menu getting warmed up for the fall season—be sure to also check out the craft kitchen’s upcoming menu items including some Oktoberfest-inspired specials such as the Cheddar Bratwurst, served on a hoagie roll with grilled peppers, onions and Silver Reef Beer Cheese. Or, to start off your dining experience the right way, order the new Pretzel Bites also served with Beer Cheese—an appetizer the whole table will love. If beer isn’t your thing, Silver Reef also offers handcrafted specialty cocktails such as their Blackberry Smash cocktail which features their own house-made whiskey, blackberries, fresh lemon and mint.

“Each dish on the craft kitchen menu is specially curated to be the perfect complement to any of Silver Reef’s unique beers.”

This fall and winter, Silver Reef will also be introducing a new barbecue trailer available each weekend which will offer weekly brisket specials. Keep an eye on their Instagram @silverreefbeer for updates on new seasonal menu items, events and more. Stop by soon to check out Silver Reef Brewing Company’s new craft kitchen and their Oktoberfest brews and food specials!

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