Utah Brewers Cooperative - Wasatch and Squatters Beers

Utah Brewers Cooperative – Squatters and Wasatch. Schirf Brewing Co. and Squatters Brewing Co. are brewery-restaurants who joined as UBC in 2000 with a production and packaging brewery. Utah state law limits beers to 4% ABV unless they are sold only in state stores, so many of these are 4%.  Thanks to my Uncle John for having these sent out from Park City, Utah. (Utah subsequently changed their law and more high alcohol brews are now available)

Wasatch The Devastator Double Bock - This 8.0% ABV beer pours a medium dark ruby brown.  Translucent, but not quite transparent.  There is a quarter-inch of creamy off-white to light brown foam.  The aroma is roasted malt, very nutty, with a bright grassy, floral note at the end.  The taste is very nutty, roasted malt, deep flavored, with a light fruity-floral note at the end.  This tastes like an excellent Oktoberfest style beer.  Unbelievably drinkable for its ABV.  This is a great beer!

Squatters Beers Provo Girl Pilsner - very crisp, nice mouthfeel, good carbonation, good hoppy bitterness without being too bitter. Refreshing. Limited by Utah law to 4% alcohol. This beer would probably be better if they were allowed to make it 5% or 5.5%.

Squatters Beers Full Suspension Pale Ale – this beer is poorly served by the 4%. Also it is not a hoppy pale ale. But it is not nicely malty either. It has that very strange burnt vomity flavor of some American pale ales that I just hate.

Wasatch Beers Summerbrau Lager – their take on a German lager, this one is 5.6% and proves my theory that if you could go above 4% the Provo Girl Pilsner would be better.  The beer pours a nice dark golden in color.  There is a whirlwind of carbonation and a tall foamy, creamy head that is pure white in color.  The aroma is light golden grain, floral bitterness, a touch of jasmine.  The taste is rich golden grain, just the perfect small touch of sweetness, then an aromatic floral and grassy taste that leads to a crisp and bitter finish.   This is a damn fine American lager.

Wasatch 1st Amendment Lager – “Give Me Liberty & Give Me a Cold One!” A very solid but not exceptional American Lager. 4% ABV.  Has a nice crisp, refreshing finish with a nice sweet note that is not overwhelming to the bitter, dry hops. Good session beer. As I finish this, it reminds me of a more balanced Grain Belt.

Wasatch Polygamy Porter – this beer is well served by only being 4%. It has a great dark, roasted, coffee, just burnt chocolate chip cookie flavor, but is also refreshingly drinkable without being sweet or heavy. Too many American craft porters are too sweet and heavy for my taste. This one is nice, and also funny. “Why have just one?” and “Bring Some Home for the Wives” says the label.