As craft beer becomes an even more influential player in the eyes of the state’s alcohol consumers, breweries are looking to set themselves apart to compete in a beer market in which their percentages dwindle due to an increase of outside competition.
"This schwarzbier pours a near-black color with a dense, tan-colored head."
As craft beer becomes an even more influential player in the eyes of the state’s alcohol consumers, breweries are looking to set themselves apart to compete in a beer market in which their percentages dwindle due to an increase of outside competition. When Wasatch and Squatters (Utah’s two original craft breweries) started producing beer in the late ’80s, there were only about 150 breweries around the country—now that number rests in the neighborhood of 3,000. In an effort to keep their brands fresh and innovative, Wasatch/Squatters underwent a huge rebranding campaign that not only changed their look on the shelves, but added new, higher-alcohol interpretations of some of their old standards while concocting new, never-before-made recipes for the expanding breweries. If you’ve frequented Squatters over the past 15 years, you’ve likely come across many of these award-winning, low-alcohol beers. They now have new life as original, true-to-style beers that will find themselves at home here in Utah—or any city in North America.
Description: This schwarzbier pours a near-black color with a dense, tan-colored head. The nose is of roasted malt, ash and semi-sweet chocolate. The taste follows the aroma with nice, roasted malt, followed by coffee and chocolate flavors with a slight metallic dryness. The finish has a light malt bitterness.
Overall: It only looks heavy. It has a roasty mouthfeel with a medium to light body.
Description: This lager pours a clear, light-bronze color with a sturdy foam cap. The nose has a nice hop spiciness with hints of sweet Munich grain. The taste starts biscuity with lots of vanilla-esque malt flavors. Spicy and floral hops come next, balancing out the malt sweetness. The finish is bready with a bit of lingering, earthy hops. It’s light in body but smooth on the tongue.
Overall: The vanilla notes are a perfect complement to autumn cuisine.
Description: This beer is molasses in color with subtle smoke in the nose with some rich toffee and raisin notes. The taste starts out malty with a big roasted-grain flavor and some toffee sweetness. Chocolate and coffee notes come next, rounding out the malt sweetness. Some minor smoky flavor brings up the rear.
Overall: Don’t let the smoke scare you—it’s very subtle and complements the maltiness like BBQ.
Description: The Bumper Crop is pale yellow in color, with a nice, fizzy, white head. The nose is slightly malty, with some pungent lavender notes. The taste starts malty and yeasty with lavender and lemon tartness. The end has a solid honey sweetness. It finishes with an herbal and flowery bitterness.
Overall: This beer relies on the lavender for its balance, which is different than most hopped beers.
Cheers!
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