Utah's Best Beer: Where To Buy Your Favorite Brews

If you're looking to buy beer in Utah, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, Utah has strict alcohol regulations, including a limit on the alcohol content of beer sold in stores and a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving. Secondly, you can buy beer with an alcohol content of up to 5% ABV in grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations. For higher ABV beer, you'll need to go to a state-run liquor store or a brewery. These stores are closed on Sundays and holidays, but some breweries and distilleries are open and can sell their products directly to consumers. Bars and restaurants are also an option, but they have different rules and regulations for the kind of beer they can serve and when. So, whether you're a local or a visitor, make sure you're aware of the laws and plan your purchases accordingly.

Liquor stores

If you're looking to buy beer in Utah, liquor stores are the only place where you can purchase high-ABV beer to go. These stores typically stock a wide range of options, including German beers and local Utah beers. While the selection may vary between stores, you can find popular Utah beers like Red Rock, Epic, Moab Brewery, Wasatch, and Uintah.

To find a liquor store in Utah, a simple Google Maps search for "liquor stores" will show you the locations near you. In Park City, there is a liquor store behind the Chevron station as you turn off I-80 onto SR224. There is also a larger store in the big shopping center at the intersection of SR224 and SR248 in town. If you're in Salt Lake City, you can find a liquor store near the Red Rock Brewery, just north of downtown.

When visiting a liquor store in Utah, remember to bring a valid form of identification, such as a passport, U.S. driver's license, or military ID, as you must be at least 21 years old to purchase alcohol. Additionally, keep in mind that Utah has strict DUI laws, with a blood alcohol limit of 0.05%, so always drink responsibly and plan for alternative transportation if needed.

Breweries

Utah's craft brewing scene is thriving, with breweries of all sizes located throughout the state. In fact, in the last few years, Utah's local craft brewing scene has exploded, with several breweries winning awards for their beers.

If you're looking to sample some of Utah's best craft beer, here are some of the top breweries to visit:

Moab Brewery

A favourite among bikers, hikers, and river rats, Moab Brewery is located in Moab, near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. They brew a variety of beers and ales on-site and have started distributing full-strength beers across the state.

Wasatch Brew Pub

Wasatch Brew Pub, located in Salt Lake City, offers a range of craft beers paired with locally sourced, sustainable meals. You can find them at the Salt Lake International Airport or in the hip Sugar House neighbourhood.

Uinta Brewing

One of the nation's top 50 craft brewers by volume, Uinta Brewing is also based in Salt Lake City. Their facility is located just a few blocks west of the Utah Brewers Co-op.

Squatter's Pub Brewery

One of the oldest brewpubs in Salt Lake City, Squatter's has been in business for over 25 years and boasts an extensive list of award-winning beers. They are committed to great service and sustainable, local products, with a "People, Planet, Profit" mantra. You can find their products at their brewery or at the Utah Brewers Co-op facility in Salt Lake City.

Red Rock Brewery

Established in 1994, Red Rock Brewery has consistently delivered high-quality craft beers and has a national reputation for creativity. They have garnered numerous regional and national awards and have been acclaimed as 'Brewpub of the Year' by Brewpub Magazine, becoming a staple in Salt Lake City.

Epic Brewing Company

With a fast-growing lineup and its Annex gastropub in Sugar House, Epic Brewing Company is another top brewery in Salt Lake City. Their gastropub features 36 high-point bottled beers and eclectic dishes in a bohemian atmosphere. They also broke ground as Utah's first post-prohibition brewery exclusively crafting high-alcohol content beer.

In addition to these notable breweries, there are several other craft breweries worth mentioning, includingsection:

• Roosters Brewing Co (Ogden, Layton, and Salt Lake City)
• Templin Family Brewing (Salt Lake City)
• Proper Brewing Co (Salt Lake City)
• Fisher Brewing (Salt Lake City)
• Grid City Beer Works (Salt Lake City)
• Kiitos Brewing (Salt Lake City)
• Level Crossing Brewing Company (Salt Lake City)
• Park City Brewing (Park City)
• Desert Edge Brewery (Salt Lake City)
• Shades Brewing (Salt Lake City)
• Talisman Brewing Co (Salt Lake City)
• Toasted Barrel Brewery (Salt Lake City)
• Bewilder Brewing (Salt Lake City)
• Bohemian Brewery (Midvale)
• Bonneville Brewery (Salt Lake City)
• Cerveza Zolupez (Salt Lake City)
• And many more!

So, whether you're looking for a cosy brewpub, a vibrant gastropub, or a traditional brewery, Utah has something for every beer lover.

Grocery and convenience stores

Until November 2019, a longstanding law in Utah restricted the alcohol limit for beer sold in grocery and convenience stores to 3.2% ABV. The new law allows beers with 4% alcohol by weight or 5% ABV to be sold in these stores.

In addition to grocery and convenience stores, there are over 100 package stores across the state that sell beer, wine, and spirits.

Restaurants and bars

Utah's laws around alcohol have changed a lot in recent years, making it much easier for visitors to the state to buy and consume beer.

Where to Buy Beer

You can buy beer in bars and restaurants in Utah any day from 10 am to 1 am, including Sundays. Restaurants can sell beer Monday to Friday from 11:30 am to 1 am and from 10:30 am to midnight on Sundays. Last call for alcohol is generally 1 am, and bars must close by 2 am.

You must dine in at a restaurant to be able to drink beer there. However, at breweries or any beer-only establishments, food is not required to order a beer.

Types of Beer Available

Other Rules

You can only buy beer and spirits one drink at a time, so that means no pitchers of beer or your favourite adult beverage. You can purchase wine by the glass or the bottle.

Dry Cities

While Utah is not a dry state, there are a handful of cities that do not sell alcohol or only allow it with the purchase of a beverage. As of 2018, there were nine dry cities in Utah: Aneth, Blanding, Navajo Mountain, West Point, Salem, Aurora, Elsinore, Redmond, and Highland.

Hotels

If you're staying in a hotel in Utah and want to buy beer, you're in luck. Alcoholic beverages, including beer, are available for on-premises consumption in licensed hotels.

To buy beer in a hotel, you must order it through the front desk, as they will need to check your ID. In Utah, you must be at least 21 years old to purchase, possess, or be provided with any alcoholic beverage. So, make sure you have a valid form of identification with you, such as a passport, U.S. driver's license, military identification card, or state-issued ID card.

If you want to take beer to your hotel room, you have a few options. Firstly, many hotels offer alcoholic beverages via room service, so you can order beer to be delivered to your room. Additionally, some hotels have package agencies that sell a selection of beer, wine, and spirits to accommodate their guests. These package agencies are liquor outlets operated by private individuals or entities under contract with the state.

It's worth noting that Utah has strict laws regarding alcohol. For example, you cannot bring any alcohol into Utah from outside the state, except for a maximum of nine liters of liquor for personal consumption. Additionally, Utah has the strictest DUI limit in the country at 0.05%, so it's important to plan alternative transportation if you plan on drinking.

Overall, while the laws around alcohol in Utah may be strict, there are still options for purchasing beer in hotels, whether for on-site consumption or to take to your room. Just remember to bring your ID and follow the local laws to enjoy your stay responsibly.

Frequently asked questions