Ginger Beer Shopping: Salt Lake City Edition

Salt Lake City is home to a variety of breweries, beer bars, and brewpubs. Ginger beer, a fermented alcoholic beverage made from ginger and water, can be purchased at several locations throughout the city. For instance, the State Liquor Store, which has multiple locations throughout the city, including City of South Salt Lake, The Avenues, Glendale, and Foothill Blvd, is likely to carry ginger beer. Additionally, specialty beverage stores such as Garwood Beverage in South Salt Lake City may also be a good option. Furthermore, grocery stores like Whole Foods Market in Trolley Square offer a wide range of products, including alcoholic beverages, so it is worth checking if ginger beer is available at such stores. For those looking to purchase ginger beer directly from breweries, options include Epic Brewing Company, Squatters Pub Brewery, and Uinta Brewing Company. Lastly, for those interested in enjoying a refreshing Moscow Mule cocktail, which traditionally includes ginger beer, bars such as Bar-X and The Green Pig Pub in Salt Lake City are recommended.

Breweries

Salt Lake City is home to a thriving craft beer scene, with more than 20 breweries in the city alone. Here are some of the top breweries to visit:

Fisher Brewing Company

A Salt Lake City staple, Fisher Brewing Company offers a wide variety of experimental ales and lagers with more than 100 unique craft beers on rotation each year. The original Fisher Brewing Company operated from the late 1800s until the 1960s and was revived in 2017 by a group of friends, including a Fisher descendant. Their flagship brew, Fisher Beer, is an American-style lager, but they also offer many other styles. The brewery has a laid-back open space with a view of the tanks and a quiet patio out back.

RoHa Brewing Project

RoHa Brewing Project is the perfect spot to spend a few hours sipping craft brews and enjoying live music or comedy nights. They offer a range of events to pair with their handcrafted beers or seltzers, including axe throwing and Firkin Humpday, where an experimental brew is tapped and served until it's gone.

SaltFire Brewing Company

Located in the brewery hub of South Salt Lake, SaltFire Brewing Company focuses on small-batch brewing, ignoring industry trends in favour of innovation. They offer an ever-evolving selection of different bottled beers, which can be sampled at the tavern or purchased at the bottle shop.

Uinta Brewing Company

Uinta Brewing Company is a leader in sustainable practices, having been fully powered by 100% renewable energy since 2001. Their impressive, earth-friendly campus is a must-visit, and visitors can enjoy a meal and beer pairing at their brewhouse pub.

Level Crossing Brewing Company

Level Crossing Brewing Company brews clean, flavourful beers in a space that embodies inclusion and excellent customer service. They offer a range of year-round drafts and limited releases, along with trendy, upbeat décor, live entertainment, and a full food menu.

Grid City Beer Works

On a beautiful day, head to Grid City Beer Works in South Salt Lake for rooftop patio drinking and dining with views of the Wasatch Mountains. They offer British-American-style ales on tap, paired perfectly with Bavarian pretzels or fish and chips. Their indoor space has also been newly renovated with a modern flair.

Red Rock Brewery

Red Rock Brewery offers a wide variety of craft beer styles, packaged in their signature 500mL bottles (17oz.). Their downtown Salt Lake City location carries everything from lagers and IPAs to stouts and ales, including many options above 5% ABV, which can only be sold in establishments with the appropriate license.

These breweries offer a glimpse into Salt Lake City's diverse and vibrant craft beer scene, where innovation and community are at the forefront.

Beer bars

Salt Lake City has a lot of great beer bars to choose from. Here are some options:

Beerhive Pub

A local favourite, Beerhive Pub has an impressive beer list and a unique ice bar to keep your glass chilled. It's the perfect spot to relax with friends and enjoy the downtown energy on the patio.

The Bayou

For the largest selection of beer on tap or bottled in Utah, head to The Bayou. With over 300 different beers on their menu, this New Orleans-inspired spot also features live jazz bands and pool.

Squatters Pubs and Beer

Located in the heart of downtown, Squatters Pubs and Beer is the flagship location of the brewery. Since its first pour in 1989, it has won awards and serves excellent food that prides itself on local, organic, and eco-friendly standards.

Red Rock Brewing Company

Winner of the 'Large Brewery of the Year' award in 2009, this popular spot boasts delicious pizza, salads, and a brewpub atmosphere. It's the perfect place to enjoy a beer and some grub.

Porcupine Grill

Located at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Porcupine Grill is perfect for après ski, with an excellent selection of beers.

Epic Brewing Company

As Utah's first brewery since prohibition to brew exclusively high alcohol content beer, Epic Brewing Company is a must-visit. The ANNEX by Epic Brewing in the Sugarhouse area offers a bohemian atmosphere and casual dining.

Beer stores

Salt Lake City is home to numerous beer stores, each offering a unique selection of beverages. Here is a list of some of the top beer stores in the city:

Red Rock Beer Store:

This store is located in Salt Lake City and offers a range of beer and ale options. They also provide wholesale and manufacturing services, so you may be able to purchase beer in larger quantities.

Squatters and Wasatch Taproom & Beer Store:

Located in the heart of Salt Lake City, Squatters and Wasatch Taproom is the place to go if you're looking for Squatters & Wasatch beer. They offer a variety of ready-to-go options, perfect for those who want to enjoy their drinks on the go.

Grid City Beer Works:

Also found in Salt Lake City, Grid City Beer Works combines a beer store with a restaurant. So, if you're looking to pair your drink with some delicious food, this might be the place for you.

State Liquor Store:

With multiple locations across Salt Lake City, the State Liquor Store is a convenient option for purchasing beer. They have a good selection of beer and wine, and some locations are open late, making them a go-to choice for those last-minute beverage needs.

Epic Brewing Company:

Epic Brewing Company has multiple locations in Salt Lake City and offers a unique experience. They allow you to buy beer to go, which is especially convenient given Utah's unique drinking laws. You can also enjoy their beverages on-site, making it a great spot to unwind.

These stores offer a range of options for beer enthusiasts, from breweries to liquor stores and beverage distributors. Each store has its own unique atmosphere and selection, so you can explore and find the one that best suits your preferences and needs.

Liquor stores

If you're looking to buy ginger beer in Salt Lake City and are specifically interested in liquor stores, there are several options to choose from:

State Liquor Store

There are several State Liquor Stores located in Salt Lake City. One is in the City of South Salt Lake, and another is in Glendale. These stores offer a range of beer, wine, and spirits. The selection may vary between locations, but you can expect to find an okay to good range of options.

M & M Distributing

M & M Distributing is a liquor store that also distributes beer and beverages to various counties in Utah. They have been in business since 1990 and are located in Salt Lake City.

Carlson Distributing

Carlson Distributing is another option for liquor, beer, and beverages in Salt Lake City.

High West Distillery

High West Distillery has two locations in Salt Lake City and offers beer, liquor, and spirits.

While not exclusively liquor stores, there are also some breweries and beer bars in Salt Lake City that sell beer to-go, such as the Epic Brewing Company and Squatters and Wasatch Taproom & Beer Store. These establishments may also be worth considering in your search for ginger beer.

Brewpubs

Salt Lake City has a thriving craft beer scene, with a multitude of brewpubs to choose from. Here is a list of some of the best brewpubs in the city:

The Pub

Also known as Wasatch Brew Pub, this establishment has been a fixture in Salt Lake City since 1972. They offer a variety of beers, including a popular pilsner, stouts, ales, and a rotating selection of cask-conditioned ales. The food menu features items like gut-busting nachos, half sandwiches with salad, and daily pasta specials. The Pub has multiple locations, including one in Trolley Square, Red Butte Cafe, Stella Grill, and Martine Cafe.

Wasatch Brew Pub

Wasatch is one of the best-known breweries in Salt Lake City, having been in operation since 1989. Their staple beers include the Polygamy Porter and Apricot Hefeweizen, but they also offer a wide range of other beers. The Sugarhouse location is spacious and friendly, and the food menu includes items like tater tots, burgers, and blackened chicken salad.

Squatters Brew Pub

Squatters opened in 1989 and has a three-story on-site brewing facility in downtown Salt Lake City. Their popular beers include the Full Suspension Pale Ale, American Wheat, and Captain Bastard’s Oatmeal Stout. The food menu features items like tacos, Thai yellow curry, and burgers.

Red Rock Brewing Company

Red Rock prides itself on offering creative brews by mixing techniques, such as darker beers that are hoppy or ales that are lagered. Customer favorites include the Hefeweizen, Amber Ale, and Stout, but they also offer seasonal options. The food menu includes items like fish and chips, steak salad, shrimp salad, and chicken parmesan.

Bohemian Brewery

Bohemian Brewery is located in the southern part of Salt Lake County and is a great apres-ski spot. The brewery offers traditional pilsners, Viennese Amber Lager, and a Cherny Bock Schwarzbier. The restaurant is styled like a Swiss ski lodge, and the food menu features European comfort foods like pierogies, brats, goulash, and American fare like salmon salad and pizza.

Uinta Brewing Company

Uinta is the largest brewery in Salt Lake City and is located in West Valley. They offer a variety of beers, including their trademark Cutthroat Lager, and the Grapefruit Hop Nosh. The kitchen primarily serves burgers and salads.

A. Fisher Brewing Co.

A. Fisher Brewing Co. is an employee-owned, community-focused brewery with a short but interesting list of ales and lagers. The owner/brewers are on-site and happy to chat about the brewery's history. They don't have a kitchen, but they do schedule daily food trucks with rotating world cuisines.

Proper Brewing Company

Proper offers a range of draft and bottled beers, including their flagship Golden Ale, Oaty McOatface, and Revenge DIPA. They also have a full cocktail menu and offer drippingly delicious burgers, fries, and rings from the adjacent burger joint.

Avenues Proper

Avenues Proper is a restaurant and brewpub hybrid, with a bar on one side and a full-service restaurant on the other. They brew their own beer and offer gut-busting comfort foods like mac & cheese and meatloaf.

RoHa Brewing Project

RoHa is a small, intimate brewery with a rotating tap selection. They sell cans out the door, including two IPAs, a grand saison, and a pale ale. The owner/brewer is on-site and happy to chat about beer.

Level Crossing Brewing Company

Level Crossing is a new addition to the SLC brewery scene, styling themselves as a friendly South Salt Lake neighborhood bar with weekly music and outdoor games. They offer a range of lighter ales, IPAs, a stout, and some reds, and are always experimenting with different hops. The food menu features sandwiches, including the club and the reuben.

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