(L–R) Advanced beer aficionados Max Walling, Cimmaron Smith, Mckenna Scott, Don Moore, Troy Jones and Nicki DeLair work their way through the rounds of local brew. Photo: Talyn Sherer
As the tides begin to turn in favor of craft brewers worldwide, it can become overwhelming at times to decide on what your next go-to brew will be. All that changed on Saturday, July 1, when SLUG Mag On Tap gathered crowds of beer drinkers and brewers together for a 100-percent Utah-brewed beer festival benefitting the Utah Brewers Guild. Featuring some of the more seasoned beer brewers we all love and know alongside the up and coming craft beer connoisseurs, this event provided attendees with a chance to experience the unknown. From every corner of Utah, brewers gathered at The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake to show us what they do best.
As we passed from booth to booth, we experienced wave after wave of flavor and talent pouring out of the taps and into our complimentary mugs. The 4-oz. sample pours were the perfect amount to get us excited about the brew and spill out more tokens for a full-size pint later on. If there is one thing for sure that this event has proven, it’s that Utah is no longer the overlooked, “near beer” state—Utah’s beer scene comprises some of the best in the nation. That euphoric moment when you touch that cold Utah craft brew to your lips is part of what it means to be in the Beehive State. Welcome home.
Couldn’t imagine a better way to enjoy the nice summer weather than an ice-cold glass of draft beer and a game of cornhole. Photo: Talyn Sherer
The Gateway was spacious and accommodating to all the local beer lovers from near and far. Photo: Talyn Sherer
RPM Brewery pours up an frosty glass of beer for their thirsty crowd of diehard fans. Photo: Talyn Sherer
One of my top brews of the day came from Utah’s newest brewery sensations RPM’s Monaco Hibiscus Saison. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Head brewer Jeremy Baxter and Sales and Distribution guru Frank Giamolva poured up and sold out of their now infamous pomegranate sour ale. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Vernal Brewing Co. showcased their “She’s a Peach Wheat Ale,” which was packed full of a fuzzy peach flavor that left us wanting more. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Roosters didn’t skip on the swag or their beer. Sampling out some in house specific ales that made me want to drive to Ogden to swim in the brew tank. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) SaltFire Brewing took the Pulitzer Prize of T-shirts on Saturday, with owner Ryan Miller and marketing head Julianna Smith modeling their brand and enticing our curiosity of what’s to come. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Utah Brew Tours owners Jeremy and Tiffany Isbell are looking to provide a safe and informative way for beer lovers to learn about all the tastings Utah has to offer. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Utah’s newest beer craze RoHa Brewing Project let us sample their award-winning brew Thirsty Thursday IPA. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Amy Leininger (The Ruin), Jiu Sorrentino, Lenny Chiavelli, Rhedu Fouad and Angela Brown huddle together for a group portrait while tossing back a few. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Epic Brewery pours up a sample of their Sour IPA as an eager fan awaits its refreshing powers. Photo: Talyn Sherer
The wait is over as Argentina’s Best Empanadas provides the hungry beer geeks with a personal pocket of empanada perfection. Photo: Talyn Sherer
In a limited-release pairing, PJK’s creamery provides us with a sample of their Solstice Chocolate ice cream blended with Fisher’s Nitro Coffee Stout and toasted almonds. Photo: Talyn Sherer
After tossing back a few beers and a bowl of CupBop, anyone would need a moment to let it all settle and ponder their next brew sample. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Emily Park and Bryant Gordon chill in the shade and converse over their favorite beers. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Advanced beer aficionados Max Walling, Cimmaron Smith, Mckenna Scott, Don Moore, Troy Jones and Nicki DeLair work their way through the rounds of local brew. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Proper Brewing Co. Head Brewer Rio Connelly schools some peeps on his efforts to reform the ever expanding Utah liquor laws. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Despite the dry summer heat, The Gateway stream allowed drinkers to cool off between sips. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Steve Mills, Rio Connelly and Mike Johnson of IPUB came out in full force to get the public on board with effecting reasonable changes to legislators’ decisions to add more restrictions to responsible drinkers and brewers. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) JC Straub and Allie Kehl of RPM Brewery made some huge impressions on the public with their three signature brews on tap at The Garage Grill in Draper. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) The Uinta squad, consisting of Cheyanne Robinson, Slade Dahlen and Derik DeBoard were generous enough to sample their award-winning Croggy Brett. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Justin McDaniel, Nittaya Phonharath, Dereck Sherer, Adria Cauihgton and Paige Allred relax after a hot afternoon of sampling some of Utah’s best. Photo: Talyn Sherer
“Ciderella” Laci Brown is part of the genius team behind Mountain West Hard Cider. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Fletcher Booth and SLUG Executive Editor Angela H. Brown were thrilled to see the turnout for SLUG Mag On Tap. Photo: Talyn Sherer
The Garage Grill showcased their badass Ferrari, which rested at the shoulder of the RPM Brewery stand. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) SLUG staff Angela H. Brown, Kellie Call, Annie Olsen, Jake Vivori, John Ford and Kathy Zhou all gather together for a group photo. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Brittany Watts and Tyler Wright repped the Red Rock booth like the true pros that they are. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Mark Butler, DeDe Edeman (owner), Lori Kunz and Kevin Engel are part of the ever expanding staff of 2 Row Brewing. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Vance Trojillo, Corey Beltran and Zachary Workman of CupBop fed our bellies while we drank the day away. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Craft Lake City Communications Coordinator Mesun Choi and Anne Frost. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Chris Haas of RoHa Brewing Project packs up shop for the next great adventure. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Catalyst staff Anna Albertsen and Sophie Silverstone talked shop with magazine lovers in the crowd. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Hellen Finch and Nic Hummel chill on the sofas with their SaltFire Brewing swag. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Alex T., Shelbey, Alexandra, Brian, Alex and Shley. Photo: Talyn Sherer
(L–R) Alex Workman snaps a shot with local beer expert Mike Riedel (utahbeer.blogspot.com), who was recently immortalized on 2-Row’s newest brew, the Mikey’s Citra IPA. Photo: Talyn Sherer
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