Long dismissed by beer aficionados as a craft beer desert, Salt Lake City is ready to shed old stereotypes and misgivings visitors may have about its drinking culture. Indeed, Salt Lake City breweries now proudly stand as some of the best (and most established) in the western continental United States—and that is by no accident.
Hard work (and hard lobbying) by Utah’s most ardent craft beer enthusiasts resulted in the state relaxing its famously-restrictive alcohol laws around 2008. The result? Salt Lake City breweries have blossomed in size and ability, joining the craft beer revolution with a bang.
That’s not to say Salt Lake City hasn’t been without a long-established brewing culture. On the contrary, Utah’s first microbrewery opened in the mid-1980s, with more than a handful of breweries following in the next decade.
Salt Lake City is now unquestionably a very appealing destination for traveling beer enthusiasts everywhere. Because of its unique history, proximity to some of the nation’s best ski hills and a thriving counter-culture, Salt Lake City is quickly becoming a must-stop for beer tourists across America.
If you’re interested in an expertly-guided tour of some of the best breweries pouring brews in Salt Lake City, check out City Brew Tours. The brewery tour provides behind-the-scenes tours of local breweries, ample beer tastings, a paired meal or snack and comfortable transportation to whisk you from one place to the next.
There is a lot to take in during your stop in Salt Lake City. To help you get around, we’ve put together a helpful guide—including an interactive map—of some of the best breweries, bites and sights that Salt Lake City has to offer.
