Utah’s beer industry has exploded in recent years, jumping from 18 brewers in 2013 to 30 today. And more are in the works.
A dozen of those Utah producers will serve their best ales and lagers Aug. 3, during the third annual Salt Lake City Food Truck and Brewery Battle at The Gateway.
Joining the brewers will be 18 food trucks — serving everything from stuffed flatbread from Afghanistan to elk burgers — and live entertainment on two stages. The all-ages event runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Admission is free, but bring your wallet to buy food and beer. Identification will be required to purchase beer.
The event, which attracted 10,000 people last year, is sponsored by The Gateway, The Food Truck League, U92 and The Salt Lake Tribune.
(Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) The second annual Food Truck and Brewery Battle at The Gateway in Salt Lake City, Saturday Aug. 4, 2018.
Guests will vote by text for People’s Choice Awards, while Tribune editors will select the best new food truck and brewery. Winners will be announced at 9 p.m. on the Olympic Plaza stage.
Participating brewers include three of Utah’s oldest producers — Squatters, Wasatch and Uinta. Those longtime favorites will be joined two of the state’s newest brewers, Level Crossing Brewing Co. and Toasted Barrel Brewery.
Level Crossing, which opened in March, is the third beer production facility in South Salt Lake. Located in a remodeled warehouse at 2496 S. West Temple — directly underneath the South Salt Lake water tower visible from Interstate 15 — the brewery has earned early praise for Suss it Out, a rye IPA.
Toasted Barrel Brewery opened in June 2018 at 412 W. 600 North in Salt Lake City. It specializes in fruity, bright sour beers. Its Bourbon Barrel-aged Quad (BBQ for short) was introduced this week and, at 15.7 percent alcohol by volume, it is one of the highest alcohol beers brewed in the state.
Kiitos Brewing, which was named “Best New Brewery” in 2018, will be pouring its Earth-friendly beers again. They will be joined by Bohemian, Epic, Hoppers, Moab, Proper and Strap Tank Breweries, as well as Mountain West Hard Cider.