After a bitter time at the Legislature, Utah brewers come together over — what else? — beer

Utah’s craft brewers may have had a bitter clash earlier this year over stronger beer in grocery stores.

But since the Utah Legislature settled the issue, the state’s beer producers have put their differences aside and are coming together over — what else? — beer.

In recent weeks, 28 of the state’s 30 craft brewers paired up to create one-of-a-kind beers for the inaugural Utah Brewers Guild Collaboration Fest. It takes place Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. in the McCarthey Plaza, 150 S. Regent St., in downtown Salt Lake City.

“Brewing beer is an art. And for the brewers to learn from each other only enhances what they make,” said Nicole Dicou, executive director of the guild. “That’s the beauty of the beer. It’s been fun to see the creativity. Some of it is fun and whimsical. Some of it’s off the wall. But that’s what craft beer is about.”

For the festival, one of Utah’s newest breweries (Level Crossing) teamed with one of its oldest (Wasatch) to create a new pale ale, she said. And two craft brew heavyweights — Epic and Red Rock — combined for a cucumber lime lager.

Refreshing fruit beers will be well represented at the festival’s “Collaboration Bar,” Dicou said, with a smoked cherry ale; a Grapefruit IPA — named for the byway that connects its creators in Moab and Vernal — and a Berliner Weisse with guava, coconut and mint, produced by an all-Salt Lake City team.

Two sour beers, a style that has become popular in craft brewing, make an appearance. And, in a strange twist, there will be two Key Lime Milkshake IPAs to sample.

“It’s always good to take a step back and talk to other brewers about a beer,” said Colby Frazier, head brewer at Fisher Brewing Co. in Salt Lake City. “Like any business, you get busy and put your head down and just go all the time. It’s nice when we get to put our heads together.”

While collaboration beers are not new in Utah, this many brewers producing them at one time and for one event, Frazier said, “is unheard of.”

All of the collaboration beers will be served on draft and are 4% alcohol by volume (that’s 3.2% by weight). Brewers have made enough that they will be available, after the event, at the respective breweries.

In addition to the collaboration beers, Utah brewers will gather under a 40-by-80-foot tent and serve some of their own beer creations. Some will be new beers, some will be old favorites, and many will be higher-alcohol choices.

After a “bumpy legislative session,” Dicou said, it’s good to have a unifying event so brewers — and the community — can move forward.

“Utah is such a thriving and exciting place for beer,” she said. Indeed, the beer industry has exploded from 18 brewers in 2013 to 30 — and counting — today. The industry also has a $415 million impact on the local economy, and has ties to tourism, economic development, manufacturing, agriculture and service industries.

The Utah Brewers Guild elicited controversy when it came out against legislation that called for boosting the alcohol limit on beer in grocery and convenience stores from the current 3.2% alcohol by weight to 4.8%.

The guild’s membership was split on the issue. Larger brewers opposed the increase being proposed because it gave an advantage to mega-brewers, while a few smaller brewers favored the modest proposal.

Utah bars also got into the fight. At least a dozen owners refused to sell products made by Salt Lake City’s Red Rock Brewing Co. after its founder warned the proposal could lead to overconsumption by minors. The boycott, which started in March, still continues.

In the the end, the Legislature approved an even smaller boost in the alcohol cap from 3.2% to 4% alcohol by weight — keeping Utah with the lowest alcohol cap in the nation. It takes effect Nov. 1.

Trent Farger with Shades Brewing said it was an unusual situation since Utah brewers have always worked together, sharing knowledge, equipment and even hops or other ingredients when a fellow brewer is in need.

“When we are all together, the feeling is universal that we want to make the best beer possible, and we want local support and to give back to the community,” he said. “But when we get into legislation, taxes, alcohol limit and regulatory items, that’s when our differences are more apparent.”

“Brutal” was how Frazier, a small brewer who opposed the guild’s stand, called the 2019 session. “It was a weird situation for some of us to be in. We are used to having shared interest,” he said. “But as far as I know, we all — at the end of the day — get along.”

Utah Brewers Guild Collaboration Fest • Saturday, June 29, 1 to 6 p.m., McCarthey Plaza, 150 Regent St., Salt Lake City (midblock street behind the Eccles Theater). For those 21 and older, tickets are available at utahbrewersguild.org/events. General admission for $30 includes 12 (3-ounce) tasters; VIP admission is $45 and includes tasters, early admission and a swag bag.