Just as each ski resort in Utah has its own perks and personality, each of Utah’s 29 breweries (with more in the works) has its own style and swagger. Stalwarts like Squatters, Wasatch and Uinta still offer go-to brews like Full Suspension Pale Ale, Polygamy Porter and Trader IPA to devout beer pilgrims. But from red rock country to gritty industrial parks, veteran and upstart brewers alike are producing new beers so often, it’s a challenge to keep up. But for you, dear reader, we’ve done our best.
For this Utah pub guide, we’ve narrowed it down to those in or on the way to one of our ski towns across the state, called out not-to-be-missed brews at each locale and divvied them up into three categories: family-friendly establishments where kiddos are welcome and tasty food is served, come-as-you-are tap rooms and those offering connoisseur-level brews you won’t find anywhere else. Map your crawl, toast to pow and realize brewvana.
Family Friendly
Bohemian Brewery
94 E. Fort Union Blvd, Midvale
Drive straight out the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon to this Bavarian-style brewhouse. Small-batch, carefully crafted lagers paired with old-world European fare like pierogi and stroganoff.
Beer: 1842 Czech Pilsener Lager
Desert Edge
273 Trolley Square, SLC
Like an old friend, this reliable place never changes, serving tasty dishes with speedy service for decades. Beer is on the menu, though not the star. Dish: French Onion Soup.
Beer: Pub Pils
Squatters
SLC, Park City and airport locations
No visit to Utah is complete without a visit to Squatters, which was named the offical beer of Ski Utah. Beautiful historic space (SLC), classic beers, great pub fare.
Beer: Outer Darkness Russian Imperial Stout
Red Rock Brewery
Three locations in SLC (including the Beer Store) and in Park City Junction
A locals’ favorite where it’s always hoppin’. Creative comfort fare, large menu, wood-fired pizzas.
Beer: If available, the 20th Anniversary Imperial Red Ale
Rooster’s
253 25th St, Ogden
On Historic 25th Street, where most of O-town’s cool businesses reside. After skiing one of Ogden Valley’s three resorts, drop down for a casual atmosphere and all the Chocolate Stout you can drink at Roosters Brewing Company.
New: B Street Tap Room
2331 Grant Ave, Ogden
The first winter for this new brewpub, and it’s off to a good start. Limited beer selection, but they’re ramping up. Cool modern space, excellent wings, fish & chips and views of Ben Lomond Peak.
Beer: Session IPA
Wasatch Brew Pub
250 Main St, Park City and 2110 S. Highland Dr, SLC
A Park City Main Street mecca with a second pub in the Sugar House neighborhood; both large spaces that easily handle a crowd. Reasonably priced, great burgers and easygoing beers.
Beer: First One Down Winter Warmer Ale
No Frills Tap Rooms
A. Fisher Brewing Co
320 W. 800 South, SLC
Originally founded in Utah in 1884, now a revived pioneer-era brand. This is a bona fide hangout, with a thriving bicycle and party scene, sports on TV, beers constantly changing and food trucks on rotation.
Beer: Cashmere Kölsch
Policy Kings Brewery
223 N. 100 West, Cedar City
Rejoice! Skiers heading to Brian Head and Eagle Point now have a brewery in nearby Cedar City. Couple Deandre and Sara Ridgel turned their passion for homebrewing into a business and have created a community hub.
Beer: Policy Kings IPA
RoHa Brewing Project
30 E. Kensington Ave, SLC
Tiny tap room, worth the trip to South Salt Lake. Belly up after a ski day because, in the brewery’s own words, they have a “passion for beer and dedication to the craft balanced with a craving for a great life along with adventure—powder, singletrack and rivers.”
Beer: Kensington Grand Saison
SaltFire Brewing Company
2199 S. West Temple, SLC
High point beers only (nothing on tap, no samples) and hula hoops. What else do you need? How about yoga followed by beer mimosas?
Beer: Dirty Chai Stout
Toasted Barrel Brewing
412 W. 600 North, SLC
Dedicated brewers specializing in barrel-aged sours, kettle sours and balanced IPAs. A bit out of the way, but worth a pop-in.
Beer: Quad Belgian Style Quadruple Ale
Uinta Brewing Co.
1722 S. Fremont Drive, SLC
This WAY-west side Salt Lake City joint does have great food, but no kiddos allowed. Nicely done grub, beers so good they’re a part of the Utah active lifestyle. 100 percent wind and solar powered.
Beer: 801 Pilsner, Wyld Simcoe Session Ale
Serious Beer, Serious Practices
Epic Brewing
825 S. State Street, SLC
Go big or go home. Specializing in high alcohol-content beer, available in 22-oz. bottles. At the newly expanded tasting room, sample current selections on tap paired with paninis. Now offering a 4 percent Utah session beer.
Beer: Brainless Belgian-Style Golden
Kiitos Brewing
608 W. 700 South, SLC
A warehouse room in the hipster Granary District with a welcoming lineup of pinball machines and beers that make one feel like a kid in a candy shop. Flavors of milkshake, coconut and vanilla nut. Efficient water system, recyclable cans only.
Beer: Coffee Cream Ale
Level Crossing
2496 S. West Temple, SLC
A delightful bright spot in South Salt Lake, navigating the first year on the scene. Passionate ownership, skilled brewer, knowledgeable staff.
Beer: The flagship, a rare Kentucky Common. Also Coffee Kolsch … breakfast brew, anyone?
Proper Brewing Co.
857 Main Street, SLC
Here the English-style golden ale is the “proper beer,” but their wide lineup is easily navigable using their ingenious flavor profile charts to determine if you like more yeasty and tropical flavors or a more hoppy beer with citrus notes.
Beer: Salted Caramel Porter
Shades Brewing
154 W. Utopia Ave, SLC
In a location that feels underground (entrance by the loading dock), you’ll find hazy, “I don’t think we own a filter” beers, where you’re encouraged to “find your shade.”
Beer: the award-winning Kveik Golden Sour Ale, brewed with an ancient yeast
Talisman Brewing Company
1258 Gibson Ave, Ogden
Lots of love goes into every batch at this 12th Street location, where fans can hang for occasional food truck fare. Bottle store only. Check the online schedule for tours, tastings and beer yoga.
Beer: Uplifted Scottish Ale
T.F. Brewing
936 S. 300 West, SLC
Gorgeous, modern space with a clean and beautiful tap and menu system: the beers are numbered, 1 to 13 from light to dark and the pulls themselves are stained wood, in shades light to dark, making it easy to plan an afternoon or evening of progressive tastings.
Beer: Ethereal Leichte Weisse
Bonus, brewers aren’t the only libation artists thriving in the Beehive State; several distillers dot the map here, as well, including these three that are in convenient proximity to the slopes.
High West Distillery began Utah’s craft booze movement in 2006 when it opened the world’s first ski-in/ski-out gastro-distillery near Park City’s Town lift. Since then, High West has expanded to its Wanship location (16 miles from Park City) where you can have a bite in the café and take a tour to check out the 1,600-gallon copper still. High West even has a location at the SLC airport. Or book a multicourse dinner at High West’s Nelson Cottage, offering unique whiskey pairing dinners.
Also in Park City is Alpine Distilling, makers of a variety of award-winning spirits including vodka, gin, whiskey and liqueur. You can drop in for a drink anytime at the distillery’s Main Street tavern, the Alpine Pie Bar. Or take a deeper dive by sampling the entire Alpine Distillery portfolio with a 30-minute tasting at Alpine’s Silver Creek–area distillery.
Tucked into a gentrifying area of Salt Lake is Beehive Distilling. There you can book a tour that includes a tasting of the distiller’s original Jack Rabbit gin, its mellow barrel reserve gin and its latest spirit, an organic vodka. (While you’re there, check out Salt Fire Brewing, Shades Brewing and several others located just down the street.)
