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Salt Lake City has a surprising collection of local breweries. In a state where the DUI laws are the strictest in the country and in a city where half the population has religious beliefs against alcohol, you might think breweries and distilleries would find a home elsewhere. But that’s simply not the case.
Whether you like lagers, ales, sours, or unique blends, there’s a local spot for you. Let’s look at the best breweries in Salt Lake City so you can enjoy the tastes of the town the next time you’re in the Beehive State!
Where Is Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City is the capital and most populous city in Utah. It sits in the north-central part of the state, a little over an hour southwest of the Wyoming border. It’s about an hour and 45 minutes east of the Nevada border.
Interstate 80 takes travelers from Nevada to Salt Lake City and on into Wyoming. I-15 runs north-to-south from Idaho to the southern edge of Utah near St. George. This interstate runs along the eastern shoreline of the Great Salt Lake in Salt Lake City.
What Is Salt Lake City Known For?
Most people think about the Mormon heritage when they think about Salt Lake City. About 50% of the population belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which has its headquarters downtown.
Salt Lake City is also known for the Great Salt Lake, from which the city derives its name. This is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, with a surface area of about 950 square miles.
Are Mormons Allowed to Drink Alcohol?
Since many Latter-day Saints live in Salt Lake City, you might wonder if they can drink alcohol. After all, there are lots of breweries in the city. According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, members “believe they are divinely counseled not to drink alcohol, including beer and wine.”
Joseph Smith, the church’s founder, received revelation from God, instructing followers to only eat foods and drink beverages good for the body. They must avoid all other illegal or harmful substances.
Followers can choose whether to follow these standards. However, to qualify for baptism and temple worship, they can’t consume alcohol.
The 8 Best Breweries in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City may be known for its religious culture and the Great Salt Lake, but it’s not without dozens and dozens of breweries. It’s a fun city to hop from place to place, enjoying local flavors.
Below, we’ve listed our eight best breweries in Salt Lake City to give you a great starting point when you visit Utah’s capital.
1. SaltFire Brewing Company
A small-batch brewing company, SaltFire, is located in South Salt Lake. This unique brewery doesn’t follow the trends and pushes the envelope regarding innovation and experimentation. Its beers include stouts, IPAs, porters, pilsners, and more.
2. Fisher Brewing Company
Fisher Brewing Company produces over 100 unique craft beers a year. It’s not only one of the best breweries in Salt Lake City, but it was also one of the first, founded in 1884.
Fisher Brewing is well-known for its experimental ales and lagers, with 16 of these brews always available on tap.
3. Salt Flats Brewing Company
For more beer on tap, visit Salt Flats Brewing Company. They offer 20 options in a race-themed venue. You can also grab sushi, burgers, or pizza at the Garage Grill.
Located in the commercial district of South Salt Lake, Salt Flats has won numerous awards over the last few years, including a Gold 2022 NABA Award for its Lowrider Chocolate Milk Stout and a Gold 2021 NABA Award for its Deuce Coupe Copper Lager.
4. Bewilder Brewing Company
In downtown Salt Lake City, you’ll find Bewilder Brewing Company. They have a diverse lineup of craft beer, cocktails, and spirits and a full food menu. Guests even enjoy a waffle bar on Sundays.
Their Bewilder ESB and Kolsch earned Bronze 2022 NABA Awards. In addition, Bewilder is craft malt certified, one of only two independent breweries in Utah with this certification.
5. T.F. Brewing
The next spot on our list of best breweries in Salt Lake City is T.F. Brewing. Templin Family Brewing is located in the Granary District, close to downtown.
They specialize in traditional lager beers but offer all kinds of options. Food trucks are available every day from 12 to 9 p.m. If you have a furry friend, bring him along on a leash and sit out on the patio.
Keep in Mind: If you’re looking for drinking games to play, we’ve got you covered. Next time you go camping, try one of these Outdoor Drinking Games!
6. Grid City Beer Works
Grid City Beer Works in South Salt Lake has a rooftop patio with views of the Wasatch Mountains. It’s a pretty cool place to enjoy a drink with wings, a burger, or a sandwich.
They offer cask, nitro, and CO2 beers, cream, pale, and brown ales, and serve them milky, smooth, or crispy. Unlike other breweries that are German beer-driven, Grid City Beer Works is a British-American-style pub.
7. Level Crossing Brewing Company
Level Crossing Brewing Company just opened a new taproom and restaurant located in the newly constructed “Post District” of Salt Lake City. The unique story behind the “red feather” logo centers around leaving a place open for anyone at the dinner table.
Even the name “level crossing” means where an old dirt road meets a level railroad crossing, another symbol for a meeting place where people come together. Level Crossing’s core beers are primarily ales.
8. Epic Brewing Company
Finally, the last pub on our best breweries in Salt Lake City list is Epic Brewing Company. You can try unique flavors like toasted coconut, citrus, or gingerbread or savor more traditional ales or lagers.
Every year, they release variants of their popular Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout line that are only brewed once.
What Are the Drinking Laws in Utah?
Utah has some of the strictest laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol in the country. Draft beer can be no more than 5% alcohol by volume (ABV). Anything higher must be served in its original sealed container.
Bars and taverns are allowed to serve alcohol from 10 a.m. to 12:59 a.m. But restaurants can only serve alcohol from 11:30 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. during weekdays and from 10:30 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on weekends.
All packaged liquor, wine, and heavy beer (more than 5% ABV) must be purchased from a Utah state liquor store. Finally, Utah’s blood alcohol content limit is 0.05%, the strictest DUI law in the country.
Keep in Mind: Before you crack open an iced cold adult beverage in a national park, make sure you know the park drinking rules!
Check Out These Best Breweries in Salt Lake City on Your Next Utah Road Trip
The next time you travel through Utah’s capital city, don’t miss a chance to try out one of the best breweries in Salt Lake City. Spend a day out on Antelope Island or ski the slopes of a nearby resort. And then, make your way to a local brewery where you can try a unique flavor or a traditional craft brew.
With so many great options, which one will you try first?
