Utah’s Brewpubs Win Gold Medals
– Squatters and Wasatch Grab More Gold at the 2010 World Beer Cup –
Salt Lake City (May 25, 2010) – Two of Utah’s standout local breweries, Salt Lake City’s Squatters and Park City’s Wasatch, both received gold medals recently at the 2010 World Beer Cup in Chicago. This not only highlights the impressive achievements and growth of Salt Lake’s brew pubs, it’s a welcome reminder of last year’s sweeping reforms of Utah’s archaic liquor laws, which included the elimination of the state’s private club system.
Salt Lake‘s legendary brewpubs are a wonderful social asset, especially when they’re combined with the city’s outstanding meeting facilities, variety of accommodations and dining options, vibrant cultural arts scene and world-class outdoor recreation. It’s what makes Salt Lake a formidable destination for any and all groups.
“We congratulate Squatters and Wasatch and are thrilled with their success,” commented an elated Scott Beck, President & CEO of the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Long-time visitors and locals always knew that our liquor laws were more of a perceived barrier to getting a drink in Utah. But that perception was often reality to many meeting professionals and potential visitors, sometimes taking Salt Lake and Utah out of the running altogether as a destination. Combined, these changes have put Salt Lake’s clubs and bars on par with those in most other states and, in turn, enhance Salt Lake’s meeting and tourism product-putting us in an incredible position when considering the many other attributes of Salt Lake.”
While Salt Lake has long been home to numerous brew pubs featuring award-winning brewmasters and an eclectic, diverse nightlife scene, Squatters and Wasatch have truly taken the lead.
“The competition has grown significantly since the first World Beer Cup in 1996, where there were 250 breweries competing for 61 gold medals. This year 642 breweries competed for 90,” explains Greg Schirf, founder of Wasatch Beers.
Wasatch’s drink-ably smooth Polygamy Porter medaled in the Session Beer Category, one of the fastest growing categories at the competition with 28 entries. This is a dark, 4% alcohol by volume, medium-bodied ale with inviting chocolate and malty flavors that fade into a slightly dry, silky smooth finish. It’s Polygamy Porter’s second World Beer Cup medal and Wasatch Beers’ fifth.
Squatters’ Black Forest Schwarzbier medaled in the German-Style Schwarzbier category against an imposing 38 entries. This tasty German lager has smooth roasted undertones and is lightly hopped.
