Lucy Palmer
Salt Lake City offers a variety of options for purchasing beer, ranging from grocery and convenience stores to breweries and state-run liquor stores. Beer with an alcohol content of up to 5% ABV can be found in most grocery and convenience stores, while higher ABV brews are available at select bars, restaurants, and state liquor stores. Notable breweries include Epic Brewing Company, Salt Lake City Brewing (Squatters), and Uinta Brewing Company. State liquor stores, which carry a wide range of liquors, wines, spirits, and full-strength beers, can be found throughout the city and are typically open Monday through Saturday, with varying closing times between 5 PM and 10 PM. It is important to note that these stores are closed on Sundays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Beer purchase locations | Grocery stores, convenience stores, state-run liquor stores, breweries, restaurants, and bars |
| Beer types | Full-strength beer, 4% and up to 13% ABV |
| Beer availability in stores | Beer is available in grocery and convenience stores every day of the week |
| State-run liquor stores | 41 stores across the state, open Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays |
| Beer availability in breweries, wineries, and distilleries | Available every day of the week, including Sundays |
| Beer purchase restrictions | Beer can only be purchased one drink at a time, no pitchers or bulk purchases |
| Age restrictions | Customers must be 21 or older with a valid ID to purchase and consume alcohol |
| Last call for alcohol | Generally 1 am, and bars must close by 2 am |
What You'll Learn
Beer in grocery and convenience stores
In 2019, a new bill replaced the 86-year-old law stating that 3.2% beer was the alcohol limit for retail sale in Utah. Now, beers with 4% alcohol by weight or 5% ABV can be sold in grocery and convenience stores.
If you're looking to buy beer from a grocery or convenience store in Salt Lake City, you can do so every day of the week. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you can only buy beer that is 5% ABV or lower at these types of stores. Secondly, Utah has strict DUI laws, with the strictest limit in the country at 0.05%, so it's important to be mindful of how much you're drinking if you plan on driving.
In addition to grocery and convenience stores, there are also package stores across the state that sell beer, as well as some specialty wine stores in downtown Salt Lake City that offer a diverse selection of beer, wine, and liquor.
If you're looking for a wider selection of beers, you can visit one of Utah's state-run liquor stores, which carry a full line of liquors, wines, spirits, and some full-strength beers. However, keep in mind that these stores are typically closed on Sundays.
So, whether you're a visitor or a resident of Salt Lake City, you have plenty of options for purchasing beer at grocery and convenience stores, as well as other specialty retailers throughout the city.
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Beer in bars and restaurants
Salt Lake City has a wide variety of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a beer.
Breweries
If you're looking for a craft beer, you might want to try one of the city's breweries. TF Brewing is considered one of the top breweries in the city, offering excellent lagers, IPAs, and stouts. Other popular options include Proper Brewing Co., which has a wide selection of beer and arcade games, and Kiitos, which has a fun, quirky shop and a decent cream ale selection. Epic Brewing Co. is also worth a visit as one of the pioneers of the craft beer scene in Salt Lake.
Beer Bars
For a beer-focused bar, Beer Bar is a good option, with around 80 beer options and a cocktail bar attached. The same source also recommends Fisher Brewing, which is located nearby.
Sports Bars
If you're looking for a sports bar, Beer Bar also fits the bill, as does Slackwater Pub & Pizzeria, which has several locations in the city.
Restaurants
If you're looking for a meal to go with your beer, Proper Brewing Co. has excellent burgers, and there are several brewpubs in the city, including the Red Rock Brewery, which has multiple locations, and the Salt Lake Brewing Company, which has a location on West Broadway and another at the airport.
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Beer in breweries
Salt Lake City is home to a variety of breweries, each with its own unique offerings and attractions. Here is a guide to some of the top breweries in the city:
SaltFire Brewing Company
Located in South Salt Lake, SaltFire Brewing Company specialises in small-batch brewing, ignoring industry trends in favour of innovative, creative craft beers. They offer an ever-changing selection of bottled beers, and you can visit their tavern or bottle shop to sample their latest creations.
Uinta Brewing Company
Uinta Brewing Company is a sustainable brewery, powered by 100% renewable energy since 2001. They have implemented numerous earth-friendly measures in their brewing process, and their impressive campus is a must-visit destination in Salt Lake City. Enjoy a meal and beer pairing at their brewhouse pub; a unique experience.
Bewilder Brewing Company
Located in downtown Salt Lake City, Bewilder Brewing Company offers a diverse range of craft beers, spirits and cocktails, along with a full food menu. They have a no-frills industrial setting and are known for their mouth-watering, handmade sausages. They also feature a waffle bar on Sundays, adding to their popularity.
Level Crossing Brewing Company
Level Crossing Brewing Company is based in South Salt Lake and is known for its clean, flavourful beers and positive, inclusive atmosphere. They embody a sense of community and offer a gathering place for everyone. With year-round drafts, limited releases, trendy décor, live entertainment and a full food menu, there is something for everyone.
Hopkins Brewing Company
Hopkins Brewing Company is a charming craft brewpub located in the Sugar House neighbourhood. They offer lunch and dinner menus featuring fresh, local ingredients, scratch-made sauces, and humanely raised meats. Their house-made beer selection includes a range of different styles and flavours, with something to suit every taste.
Fisher Brewing Company
Fisher Brewing Company is a Salt Lake City staple, offering a wide variety of experimental ales and lagers. They brew over 100 unique craft beers a year and have a rich history, with the original company operating from the late 1800s until the 1960s. The brand was revived in 2017 by a group of friends, including a Fisher descendant.
Other notable mentions include Templin Family Brewing, known for its dog-friendly atmosphere and speciality traditional lagers, and RoHa Brewing Project, which hosts a variety of fun events, including live music, comedy nights and axe throwing, all paired with their handcrafted beers and seltzers.
In addition to these breweries, Salt Lake City also offers a range of other options for purchasing beer, including grocery and convenience stores, state-run liquor stores, and bars and restaurants that serve beer.
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Beer in state liquor stores
Beer in Utah has come a long way since the 2002 Winter Olympics, with notable changes to alcohol regulations making it much easier for visitors to enjoy a drink.
State-run liquor stores
Utah's 41 state-run liquor stores stock a full line of liquors, wines, spirits, and some full-strength beers. These stores are generally open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to anywhere between 5 pm and 10 pm, depending on the location. They are closed on Sundays and state and federal holidays.
You can find a state-run liquor store at the following locations in Salt Lake City:
- Downtown: 205 West 400 South
- Downtown Wine Store: 255 South 300 East
- The Avenues: 402 6th Avenue Suite 1
- Foothill: 1615 Foothill Boulevard
- SugarHouse: 1154 East Ashton Avenue, 2250 South 1100 East
- South Salt Lake: 63 East Miller Avenue
- Murray Area: 5056 South State Street
- Midvale Area: 7598 South Main
- Holladay: 1814 East Murray Holladay Road
- South Valley/Cottonwood: 1863 East 7000 South
- Sandy: 125 West 9000 South
- Draper: 125 West 9000 South
- West Valley: 3381 South Redwood Road, 6262 South 5600 West
- Taylorsville: 3905 West 5400 South
- Riverton: 13332 South Market Center Drive
You can buy higher ABV brews at state liquor stores. Since November 2019, a new bill replaced the 86-year-old law stating that 3.2% ABV was the alcohol limit for brewing. Beers with 4% alcohol by weight or 5% ABV can now be sold in grocery stores, convenience stores, and on draft at bars and restaurants.
Other places to buy beer
Beer is also available at breweries, wineries, and distilleries, which can sell their products every day of the week, including Sundays. You can buy to-go bottles, but containers must remain closed on the premises.
In addition, there are over 100 package stores across the state that sell a selection of beer, wine, and spirits. There are also three specialty wine stores in downtown Salt Lake City that sell limited-production wine, beer, and liquor with a diverse and constantly changing selection.
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Beer in ski resorts
Salt Lake City is a haven for skiers, with four resorts within 35 miles of the Salt Lake City International Airport. The city boasts a vibrant bar and restaurant scene, with evolving liquor laws that now allow for stronger alcohol-based beer to be sold in grocery and convenience stores.
If you're looking to enjoy some beer after a day on the slopes, here are some recommended spots to grab an apres-ski brew:
Wasatch Brew Pub
Located in the downtown Sugar House neighbourhood, Wasatch Brew Pub offers a full selection of Wasatch Brewery beers and a tasty menu. Their seasonal brew, First One Down (formerly known as WinterFest), is a dark amber ale with a smooth, malty, semi-sweet, caramel flavour and a touch of spice and hops—perfect for cold winter nights.
Beer Bar
With 30 beers on draft and over 100 by the bottle, Beer Bar in downtown Salt Lake City is an open beer-garden-style joint that also serves artisanal sausages and fries with homemade toppings. Try Uinta Brewing's Yard Sale Winter Lager, an award-winning, full-bodied amber with a malty flavour and a light taste of hops.
The Snowbird Tram Deck
For a refreshing, no-frills lager, grab a PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) at the Snowbird tram deck. With a lower alcohol content in Utah, it's almost as hydrating as it is delicious.
Epic Brewing The Annex
If you're looking for something stronger, head to The Annex, a sleek gastro-pub in downtown Sugar House. Here, you can sample Big Bad Baptist, an award-winning brew with the alcohol equivalent of five shots of whiskey in a single 22-ounce bottle (over 11% ABV). It's dark and rich, with a full-bodied coffee flavour and a sweet finish from the addition of cocoa nibs.
Porcupine Pub and Grille
Located just off the corner of Wasatch Boulevard and Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, the Porcupine Pub and Grille is a classic après-ski spot. They offer a huge selection of local beers on tap, including the 801 Pilsner from Uinta Brewing. This easy-drinking, light, and smooth pilsner is slightly sweet with a subtle hop flavour, making it a reliable choice after a day on the slopes.
So, whether you're a powder hound, a weekend warrior, or just looking to unwind after a day of skiing, Salt Lake City's ski resorts and surrounding areas have plenty of beer options to quench your thirst.
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Frequently asked questions
Beer is available at licensed restaurants and bars seven days a week. You can also buy beer from grocery and convenience stores, breweries, and state liquor stores.
Alcoholic drinks can only be served with food at restaurants, but at breweries or any beer-only establishments, food is not required to order a beer.
You can buy beer that is 5% ABV at most grocery and convenience stores. Beer with higher ABV is available at state liquor stores.
Yes, some popular breweries in Salt Lake City include Epic Brewing Company, Salt Lake City Brewing (AKA Squatters), and Uinta Brewing Company.
Yes, you can only buy beer one drink at a time, so no pitchers of beer are allowed. In addition, Utah has strict DUI laws, with a blood alcohol content limit of 0.05%.
